Independent candidate for president Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK) has issued an apology to a handful of family members offended by the content of a political ad run at the Super Bowl.
Google Trends showed that internet searches for “RFK” soared after the spot was broadcast, with terms related to Mr. Kennedy receiving about 100 times more searches than average. However, there was backlash from individuals in the family, including from RFK’s cousins, Mark and Bobby Shriver, who were angry that their late mother’s face was used in the video.
“I’m so sorry if the Super Bowl advertisement caused anyone in my family pain,” RFK said in response to the backlash.
“The ad was created and aired by the American Values Super PAC without any involvement or approval from my campaign ... I love you all. God bless you.”
Federal campaign finance laws ban political campaigns from working directly in cooperation, consultation, or concert with super PACs. This includes candidates requesting or suggesting where, when, and how a super PAC airs its political communications.
Mr. Lyons told The Epoch Times that the criticism was coming from only a few family members “who have attacked Bobby publicly ever since he announced his independent run.”
“They disagree with him on protecting freedom of speech, the need for real science on vaccine safety, for ending the foreign wars, for protecting our border, etc.,” he said. “This had nothing to do with the ad. This is campaign dirty tricks. These people work both directly and indirectly for Biden and this is exactly the type of political game that disenfranchises Americans.”
Mr. Kennedy has a very large family and “has strong support from the vast majority of them,” Mr. Lyons added.
Kennedy Campaign Press Secretary Stefanie Spear told The Epoch Times that the campaign appreciated the support of the super PAC in getting RFK’s name out to the public.
“We are pleasantly surprised and grateful to the American Values PAC for running an ad during the Super Bowl where more than 100 million Americans got to see that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is running as an independent candidate for President of the United States,” she said.
“Mr. Kennedy already tops the list as the most favorable candidate running for president,” Ms. Spear added.
Party-Aligned Strategists Attack Ad
American Values 2024 has recently come under scrutiny after a complaint from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) alleged illegal coordination with RFK’s campaign. Both the super PAC and RFK have denied all allegations.Among the other voices criticizing the ad was DNC-linked political strategist Robert Shrum, who was a speechwriter and consultant for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, RFK Jr.’s uncle. According to Mr. Shrum, one of the biggest problems with the ad was a clear-cut case of plagiarism.
“What a fraud— and to quote Lloyd Bentsen with a slight amendment, Bobby, you’re no John Kennedy. Instead you are a Trump ally.”
“This RFK Jr. Super Bowl ad has been criticized for ripping off his uncle’s 1960 campaign,” Mr. Luntz said.
“It should actually be criticized for saying absolutely nothing. And at a cost of millions of dollars, it rips off political donors as well.”
Mr. Lyons responded to the criticism, telling The Epoch Times, “What we’re seeing in all sorts of contexts is the same tired old political games by the DNC and some family members closely connected to or on the payroll of the Biden administration.
“The goal is the ad was to break through the censorship and make 100 percent sure that every American knows that Bobby Kennedy is running for president as an independent and that voters have a choice. Everyone should be aware that the DNC is desperate to keep Bobby off the ballot because he is a threat to their corruption,” he said.
