How RFK Jr. Checks the Box for Each Quadrant of the Political Compass
With campaign slogan: “Heal the divide”
RFK Jr. in the Polls
Polling of Americans under age 45 shows Robert F. Kennedy Jr. currently leading in approval rating over both Biden and Trump. Currently he is drawing supporters evenly from both the Democrat-leaning and Republican leaning, though both sides accuse him of being a spoiler. He explains that older Americans, who tend to listen to major legacy news networks, only hear negative false narratives about him.
A Compromise Candidate?
Even before he left the Democrat party to run as an independent, “his campaign has been characterized by attempts to appeal to voters on both the left and right sides of the aisle….‘Our nation’s renewal is going to begin when we start to treat each other with respect’ ” (CNA, 2024, para. 3-4). He has consistently spoken about policy issues instead of speaking of other candidates. Even when asked to state opinions of them, his responses are mild, stating “disagreement” and that he prefers not to talk about them. Altho his policies won’t please any party completely, he takes many middle-of-the road stances and also champions changes that the majority of Americans agree with. Here are the biggest reasons for each quadrant to support RFK Jr., as noted in Wikipedia and his campaign website.
Thanks for reading. Here’s a related article: RFK Jr. On Why Labels Left And Right Are Increasingly Meaningless
Repeat of Quadrants Content
This section repeats the writing in the quadrants, for any who have difficulty reading in that format. Groups are presented in order of political party size.
Auth-Left Quadrant
Career as a legal advocate for minority and poor communities. Opposes voter purges and voter ID laws. Successfully forced the reopening of two large NYC parks in poor communities. Advocate for rights of Black communities not to have the majority of "uncontrolled toxic waste dumps" near their neighborhoods. Right to unionize.
Auth-Right Quadrant
Supports a federal ban on abortions after 15 or 21 weeks of pregnancy. He is an active Catholic. Critical of closing of churches during pandemic. Believes parents need to have the final say about what’s taught to their children in schools about gender and sexuality. Committed to get money out of politics to restore nation’s integrity.
Lib-Right Quadrant
Critical of political influence by corporate campaign donations. Critical of military overspending. Advocates for more diplomacy, less foreign intervention, and secure Mexico border. Critical of CIA and surveillance of citizens. Critical of vaccine mandates and inadequate safety testing. Supports basic gun rights but also supports a bipartisan approved assault weapons ban.
Lib-left (Green) Quadrant
Career as environmental lawyer and activist, suing polluters. Advocated for the protection of waterways, reform of EPA, indigenous rights, renewable energy, agricultural animal rights, and protection of animal habitat including marine restoration. Supports small farms and regenerative practices. Supports transition of industries to zero waste.