Kennedy proposed endorsing Harris in exchange for cabinet job

Independent candidate for the White House sought a meeting with the Harris campaign but was denied

Robert F Kennedy Jr, the independent presidential candidate, has revealed he attempted to meet Kamala Harris to broach the prospect of endorsing her in exchange for a cabinet position.
The son of the late former US attorney general launched his third party presidential bid last October and surprised many pundits by securing double-digits in some polls of the 2024 White House race.
His support has fallen dramatically since Joe Biden withdrew from the race and Ms Harris replaced the president at the top of the Democratic ticket.
Mr Kennedy, 70, sought a meeting with Ms Harris, 59, last week to discuss the possibility of backing her campaign in exchange for a high-level position in her administration should she win, his campaign aides told the Washington Post and CNN.
Ms Harris and her advisers did not take up the offer to meet and have shown no interest in the proposal, which Mr Kennedy called a “strategic mistake”.
He told the Washington Post: “I think they ought to be looking at every opportunity. I think it is going to be a very close race.”
Mr Kennedy also attempted to contact Mr Biden via his former White House chief of staff and longtime adviser, Ron Klain, according to the newspaper.
It comes after Mr Kennedy made similar overtures to Donald Trump last month at a meeting at the Republican national convention in Milwaukee.
Mr Kennedy also recorded a phone call between himself and the Republican candidate in which Trump said: “I would love you to do something – and I think it would be so good for you and so big for you”.
The Kennedy campaign claims to have polling demonstrating that Ms Harris or Trump would receive a boost by announcing Mr Kennedy could have a cabinet role in their administration.
Despite his outreach to both main parties, Mr Kennedy told the Washington Post he intended to continue his longshot White House bid.
However, his advisers said he was open to withdrawing if he finds another way to bring about the change he seeks in the country.
Stefanie Spear, a spokeswoman for the Kennedy campaign, told CNN that Mr Kennedy was “willing to meet with leaders of both parties to discuss the possibility of a unity government.”
Democrats have cast Mr Kennedy as a “spoiler” candidate who could hand victory to Trump, and highlighted his support from the Trump-backing Republican mega-donor Timothy Mellon, to argue the point.
“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,” said Matt Corridoni, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee.