LOS ANGELES.–New York Jets 40-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, fresh off Achilles Heel surgery last September, was just announced by independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a possible Vice Presidential pick. Rodgers, who was out recuperating from Achilles Heel surgery for the entire 2023 season, keeps himself in the news, one way or another, once auditioning in 2021 to host ABC’s popular game show jeopardy. Rodgers got himself into hot water in Nov. 3, 2021 when he told the media he was “immunized” from Covid-19, despite admitting later that he did not receive any conventional vaccines. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 70, who now plans to announce his pick for VP March 26, seems drawn to Rodgers because of his anti-vaccine stance, something RFK Jr. had taken for years representing families of autistic children receiving MMR vaccines.
Kennedy announced today that he was considering Rodgers and 72-year-old former professional wrestler and Minnesota Gov.Jesse Ventura, both of whom add a certain dramatic flavor to the ticket. Rodgers has been one of the most popular NFL players in the last 20 years, developing a wide following but, more importantly, a frequent media guest on various sports talk shows and other kinds of late-night shows. Rodgers reluctance to take Covid-19 got him noticed by RFK Jr. but created notoriety in the NFL, setting a bad example, going against the league’s Covid-19 policy for players and staff. Many former fans of Rodgers gave him hard time for deliberately deceiving the press saying he was “immunized,” when, in fact, he refused to take any conventional Covid vaccines. RFK Jr. took notice of Rodgers defiantly independent streak, showing he’s no sheep.
RFK Jr., who runs about 10% nationally in the polls, could present problems for 81-year-old President Joe Biden in the general election, especially, as conventional wisdom goes, taking votes away from Biden more than 77-year-old former President Donald Trump. RFK Jr., the son of Atty. Gen. Robert Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, could siphon off votes much like H.Ross Perot did from incumbent George H.W. Bush in 1992, handing the election to President Bill Clinton. Adding Rodgers to the ticket would trigger instant excitement, considering that RFK Jr. has his own problems attracting large audiences because of his disfigured voice. Adding Rodgers to the ticket would be a shot in the arm to RFK Jr.’s insurgent campaign, putting the young, mediagenic Rodgers into the limelight, a place he’s been accustomed to for some time.
After the untimely death Nov. 8, 2020 of Alex Trebe, long-time Jeopardy host, Rodgers had million of Jeopardy fans ready to support him as the show’s new host eventually going to Jeopardy’s longest running champion [72 consecutive wins] Ken Jennings. Whether Rodgers got the gig or not, he made a big splash, suggesting that there was much more than football waiting for Rodgers when he finished his NFL career. RFK Jr. is much more than the liberal press gives him credit for, often calling him a fringe candidate because of his views on vaccines. RFK Jr. never opposed Covid-19 vaccines but worked with families for years claiming injuries, including autism, after receiving MMR vaccines. Kennedy’s work helped create today’s multibillion dollar Vaccine Court in Washington to provide damages to anyone proving injuries from various mandatory vaccines.
Without a doubt, despite his impaired voice making it difficult to listen to him, RFK Jr. can talk circles around Biden or Trump when it comes to the pressing issues facing the nation, including the economy, foreign policy and national security, criminal justice reform, border policy, entitlements and civil rights. Deciding to pick Rodgers, RFK Jr. would automatically boost his popularity, something that isn’t a given today for the once dynasty Kennedy political family. RFK Jr. has done nothing to placate his family with his position on vaccines, but, more recently, on the controversial decision to parole his father’s assassin Sirhan Sirhan. Adding Rodgers to the ticket would mainstream the RFK Jr. campaign because Rodgers has such a wide appeal as the most popular NFL player for a generation. Rodgers would have a lot on his place if he accepts RFK’s offer for VP.
RFK Jr.’s 2024 just got a lot more buzz over the prospects to picking Aaron Rodgers or Jesse Ventura as his running mate. No question that Rodgers, at age 40, gives the ticket the kind of pizzazz that’s sure to expand RFK Jr,’s base. How Rodgers would juggle the 2024 campaign with his NFL playing time is anyone’s guess. But certainly the public would be tuned into RFK Jr.’s campaign heading into the Nov. 5 election. At age 70, RFK Jr. needs the youth and vigor, as JFK liked to say, to galvanize an exciting general election campaign. While independents are rarely taken seriously, Rodgers would help peel off voters largely from Biden in the general election. Polls show consistently that 2024 voters think Biden is too old for a second term. He’s having trouble shaking former Special Counsel Robert Hur’s statement that Joe suffers from serious memory problems.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
