They all oppose Biden.
A campaign aide working for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign recently floated a controversial idea to prevent President Joe Biden’s re-election. Rita Palma, identified as the campaign’s New York state director in a video, proposed a strategy aimed at sending the election to the House of Representatives, where, she suggested, former President Donald Trump could be elected instead.
Palma, known for her opposition to vaccination mandates, shared her views in a video aimed at convincing Republican voters to support Kennedy’s bid to secure a place on the state’s presidential ballot. Despite identifying herself as the campaign’s New York state director, the campaign clarified that she serves as a “ballot access consultant,” and her remarks do not reflect the campaign’s overall strategy.
In the video, Palma expressed disillusionment with Trump over vaccination policies but emphasized her priority of preventing Biden’s re-election. She outlined a plan to deny Biden victories in Democratic strongholds like New York, potentially leading to neither candidate securing the required 270 Electoral College votes. In such a scenario, Palma suggested that the GOP-controlled House would elect Trump.
The Kennedy campaign distanced itself from Palma’s comments, stating that supporters come from diverse ideological backgrounds and emphasizing their commitment to winning support from both Trump and Biden backers. They clarified that Palma’s remarks did not represent the campaign’s electoral strategy.
Palma’s strategy, dubbed “Make Your Republican Vote Count,” advocates for redirecting votes from blue states to Kennedy to undermine Biden’s chances of victory. She argued that supporting Kennedy in these states could help thwart Biden’s re-election bid.
Despite criticism from Democrats, Palma defended her approach, describing it as a winning strategy. She disclosed that the campaign allowed her to promote this message, albeit in specific markets, and asserted her commitment to free speech.
The campaign is investigating whether any misrepresentations were made regarding Palma’s role. They reaffirmed their support for freedom of speech while ensuring that individuals do not claim to speak on behalf of the campaign without authorization.
Palma’s role within the campaign remains unclear, with conflicting statements regarding her position. However, she is listed as attending a fundraising event for Kennedy later in the month.
