In 1960, televisions across this great nation were plied with upbeat jingles touting Democrat candidate John F. Kennedy.
This specific ad was catchy, clever, and, for 1960, cutting edge.
64 years later, on Super Bowl Sunday:
Nephew Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now using the same template, this time using nostalgia, to attempt to kickstart his independent presidential campaign.
In my lifetime, I don't ever remember a third-party candidate running a Super Bowl ad. Seeing that this year's ads cost $7 million per commercial, I was stunned to see that RFK ad. Why?
Because just a few weeks ago Kennedy only had $5 million in campaign funds. Where did the money come from? A Super PAC.
A Super PAC spent $7 million on an independent candidate's presidential run? Something doesn't smell right.
Then, on top of that, today Robert Kennedy was forced to apologize to the other Kennedys for copying the ad, while at the same time promoting said ad all over social media.
If you asked me, I would want someone like Tulsi Gabbard or Justin Amash to run for the Libertarian nomination, but they ain't doin' it. There seems to be some foot-dragging by the Libertarians, waiting for the illusive Candidate X. The few people who are currently running in the Libertarian primaries are all no-names, even by my low standards.
Spike Cohen? Suspiciously quiet.
Jesse Ventura? Nothing.
Jo Jorgensen? Disappeared from the internet.
Even Vermin Supreme is passing on this go-around. He's trying his luck as a (D).
Robert F. Kennedy is an anti-vaxxer with a big government name. Is everyone clearing the decks to see if he jumps to the Libertarian Party?
Trump is deeply flawed.
Biden is deeply flawed.
Republicans would love it if Kennedy siphoned votes from Biden.
But Democrats would also love it if Kennedy siphoned votes from Trump with his conspiratorial rhetoric. Neither party sees Kennedy as a man, but as a potential spoiler when counting elusive electoral votes.
I still don't see a path to victory for Robert Kennedy, but the Libertarians at least have the infrastructure to make things interesting if that's Kennedy's landing spot. Remember, thanks to that PAC money, a bunch of people were standing in front of their water coolers this morning asking: Do you think Kennedy has a chance?
After the Super Bowl, at least there was a CONVERSATION about an alternate to the 2-party system. And that's the first step.
Listen, this is totally off topic, but if Kennedy ran against Trump and Biden, you would have your choice of 3 first ladies.
Melania Trump - The B Word.
Jill Biden - She seems nice, but props her husband up like a Weekend at Bernie's skit.
Cheryl Hines - She was really funny in Suburgatory.
Listen, I don't vote that way, but there's people who do.