Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, shocked his running mate Nicole Shanahan when he stated that he believes women should be able to decide to get an abortion at any time during pregnancy. Kennedy expressed his distrust in government having jurisdiction over people’s bodies and emphasized the importance of trusting women to make decisions about their own bodies. Shanahan initially tried to downplay Kennedy’s stance, claiming that abortion is a tragedy and that there should be limits on the procedure. However, Kennedy’s clear support for a woman’s right to choose was highlighted during a podcast interview with former ESPN anchor Sage Steele.
During the podcast interview, Kennedy reiterated his belief that abortion should always be a woman’s choice, including up until birth. Despite attempts by Shanahan to clarify his views and suggest potential miscommunications, Kennedy has consistently supported a woman’s right to choose throughout his campaign. He has previously made controversial statements about supporting a federal abortion ban after three months, but his campaign quickly backtracked and clarified his position. Kennedy’s campaign website describes his policy on abortion as “more choices, more life,” emphasizing the importance of providing women with economic opportunities to afford childcare and supporting mothers and families.
In a statement to Politico, Kennedy’s campaign reiterated that he believes abortion is always the woman’s right to choose and that he does not support legislation banning abortion. His campaign press secretary emphasized that Kennedy views abortion as a tragedy and believes that the mother has the final say and moral responsibility in such decisions. Kennedy is dedicated to reducing the abortion rate by supporting mothers and families and implementing universally affordable childcare. Despite his complex and evolving views on abortion, Kennedy remains committed to empowering women to make their own choices regarding their reproductive health.
Kennedy’s running mate, Shanahan, has struggled to reconcile her own views on abortion with Kennedy’s more liberal stance. While she initially attempted to distance herself from Kennedy’s position, she ultimately acknowledged that it is important for women to have conversations about reproductive rights and to trust them to make decisions about their own bodies. The podcast interview further highlighted the varying opinions within Kennedy’s campaign regarding abortion, but ultimately underscored Kennedy’s unwavering support for a woman’s right to choose. As the presidential campaign continues, it remains to be seen how Kennedy’s views on abortion will shape his policies and resonate with voters across the country.