The Time Robert Kennedy Jr.'s Wife Cheryl Hines Called His Rally Remarks 'Reprehensible'

Having declared his candidacy for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hopes to carry on his family's proud tradition of becoming a major voice in American politics. If elected, he would become the fifth president directly related to a previous POTUS (following the Adamses, Harrisons, Roosevelts, and Bushes). Like his late father, Robert F. Kennedy Sr., and his uncle, John F. Kennedy, he holds liberal stances on many social and economic issues, and as the founder of the Waterkeeper Alliance, he makes environmental reform a priority.

"We will end the forever wars, clean up government, increase wealth for all, and tell Americans the truth," the presidential hopeful promises on his campaign website. It's also guaranteed to be a tough battle. Apart from the challenge of trying to win votes away from supporters of President Joe Biden, RFK Jr. must also sway voters who disagree with his stance on vaccines. Among them are members of his own family. In 2019, his siblings Joe Kennedy and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and niece Maeve Kennedy McKean wrote an editorial for Politico condemning his views. 

They accused Robert Jr. of dissuading parents from having their children inoculated against contagious diseases, leading to an increase in cases of measles and other dangerous illnesses. "We love Bobby," they affirmed. "He is one of the great champions of the environment. ... However, on vaccines he is wrong. And his and others' work against vaccines is having heartbreaking consequences."