Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reiterated his support for abortion rights, despite his belief that “every abortion is a tragedy.” During a town hall event in New Hampshire, Kennedy argued that the government should not be involved in decisions that belong to women and advocated for medical freedom and bodily autonomy. He acknowledged that he finds third-term abortions appalling and expressed a desire to end them in other ways, although he did not specify his stance on government intervention at various stages of pregnancy.
Kennedy’s stance on abortion has garnered support from some Democrats, with a recent poll showing that 52% of Democrats support his candidacy. This support could potentially pose a challenge to President Joe Biden’s 2024 run, given his current polling weakness and historical precedent of sitting presidents losing general elections after facing primary challengers.
Kennedy’s campaign did not provide additional clarification on his abortion position, but emphasized his belief in “bodily autonomy” and the view that moral decisions regarding abortion should be left to the woman, her family, and her religious community.
Kennedy’s focus on bodily autonomy ignores the fact that abortion ends the life of a genetically distinct human being. His organization, which aims to hold “bad actors” accountable for a healthy future for children, should extend its mission to include protection for preborn children from the moment of conception.