Sources say RFK Jr. tried to set up meeting with Harris

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently reached out to Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign to explore a potential role in her administration, should she win the upcoming presidential election in November. Two sources with knowledge of the situation conveyed this information to CBS News.

So far, Harris and her team have not expressed interest in the proposal or offered to meet with Kennedy. One source involved indicated that the Harris campaign appears uninterested, stating, “No one has any intention of negotiating with a MAGA-funded fringe candidate who has sought out a job with Donald Trump in exchange for an endorsement.”

In response to these developments, Stefanie Spear, a spokesperson for the Kennedy campaign, commented to CBS News that “Mr. Kennedy is willing to meet with leaders of both parties to discuss the possibility of a unity government.”

The attempt to initiate a meeting was first reported by The Washington Post. Despite Kennedy’s ongoing efforts to secure a spot on the ballot across all states and his scheduled campaign events, he expressed his belief to the Post that not pursuing a meeting was a “mistake” on the part of the Harris campaign.

“I think it is a strategic mistake for them. That’s my perspective,” Kennedy stated. “I think they ought to be looking at every opportunity. I think it is going to be a very close race.”

This outreach comes on the heels of a prior meeting Kennedy had with former President Donald Trump in July during the Republican National Convention held in Milwaukee. Following his meeting with Trump on July 15, Kennedy took to social media to share his thoughts, saying, “Lots of rumors going around about my meeting this morning with President Trump. Our main topic was national unity, and I hope to meet with Democratic leaders about that as well. No, I am not dropping out of the race.”

As for his campaign trajectory, Kennedy is currently listed as an independent candidate in several states. He has managed to secure ballot access in Alaska, Delaware, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. In California, he is recognized as the nominee for the American Independent Party. Additionally, he has achieved ballot status in Hawaii through his “We the People” ticket. Collectively, these states account for more than 200 electoral votes.

However, not all is smooth sailing for Kennedy’s campaign; New York has denied his access to the ballot, citing issues surrounding his residency claim.

Amidst all these developments, Kennedy aims to maintain the momentum of his campaign and has indicated his willingness to engage with both Democratic and Republican leadership in discussions around national unity. With the race heating up and potential for a close contest on the horizon, Kennedy’s strategic moves may continue to unfold as the election approaches.