RFK Jr Emphasizes Family Legacy During First HHS Trip, Launches ‘Mountaineer Mile’ Initiative

RFK Jr Emphasizes Family Legacy During First HHS Trip, Launches ‘Mountaineer Mile’ Initiative

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr made headlines this week during his inaugural trip to Martinsburg, West Virginia, promoting the MAHA agenda. He noted that his family’s storied history uniquely connects them to this mountainous state.

Kennedy reflected on the legacy of former New York Governor Al Smith, whose presidential candidacy unwittingly exposed the nation to a deep-seated anti-Catholic sentiment. Smith, despite his popularity, faced significant political obstacles that stemmed from this bias.

As an influential figure who served in Albany before Franklin Roosevelt, Smith’s presidential ambitions backfired spectacularly. Kennedy described how Smith’s campaign resulted in a resurgence of hate groups, particularly the Ku Klux Klan, in various Southern regions.

Smith’s defeat in the 1928 presidential election was a profound one, where his only wins came from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, five Deep South states, and his running mate Senator Joseph Robinson’s Arkansas. Kennedy indicated that this loss symbolized a crucial moment for the nation, pointing out that pundits believed America would never elect a Catholic president.

“When John F. Kennedy ran for president in 1960, he recognized that winning West Virginia was essential. This state had a mere 2% Catholic population at that time, and anti-Smith sentiment had significantly influenced the election just a few years prior,” Kennedy explained.

“It was crucial for my uncle’s campaign to demonstrate to voters that a Catholic could indeed win the presidency,” he added. This narrative underscored the significance of his uncle’s campaign tactics, which included extensive grassroots efforts in West Virginia.

Kennedy reminisced about JFK’s mission to connect personally with West Virginians. He said, “My uncle aimed to shake hands with every citizen he could. He came very close.” Kennedy was accompanied by family members, reflecting on how they immersed themselves in understanding local issues during JFK’s campaign. This engagement left a lasting impression on the Kennedy family throughout JFK’s presidency.

Ultimately, John F. Kennedy triumphed over Republican opponent Richard Nixon by a seven-point margin in West Virginia, marking a pivotal upset.