RFK Jr & The Media: From Politeness Then To Pillorying Now

[Riddick]

On July 20, 2005, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. explained his views about vaccines on The Daily Show—and was met with respect and interest. His message was the same one he delivers today. In the years since, what’s changed?

Back then, the very same ideas, expressed the very same way, earned RFK Jr. a friendly, measured spot on the nation’s hottest television program. Today, it brings him smug condescension and often vicious contempt.

RFK Jr. is the same RFK Jr., and the science is the same science. That’s more than we can say for those who call themselves “liberal” or “progressive” or “left wing” and still fancy themselves smart or educated.

Once upon a time, these cats were able to do as Jon Stewart had done all those years ago: ask probing questions, listen politely, and acknowledge that a person making an argument you dislike—even one you believe is wrong—is not necessarily a peril to be eliminated or a threat to be silenced but a voice to be engaged.

These formerly smart people also used to understand that “science” wasn’t an article of faith—as in Fauci’s “I am the science” or the COVID-era mantra “trust the science”—but a disinterested method involving constantly arguing about facts, even those that seem settled.

As Kennedy continues his presidential bid, it’s likely we’ll hear more terms like “anti-vaxxer” or “conspiracy theory” or “disinformation” thrown about with cloying, sanctimonious gravitas. But if you want some real insight into the folks wildly brandishing these terms, just watch how they treated RFK Jr. not too long ago. He hasn’t changed a bit, but they, alas, have.

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[Riddick]

The left is freaked out about Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s renegade candidacy. With his famous name and family legacy of helping to take down incumbent Dem presidents (LBJ and Carter), and already polling around 20 percent among Democrats, you can sense the disturbance in The Force of the leftist Evil Empire.

So what do leftists want to say about RFK Jr? That he’s.... a conservative! That’s the line the NY Times is taking:

Robert Kennedy Jr., With Musk, Pushes Right-Wing Ideas & Misinformation

Funny how the Times—or any other media outlet—never did any fact-checking of RFK Jr’s claims over the years about vaccines, climate change, or anything else when he was a leftist icon. But now that they are clearly worried he might do some damage to the Democratic Party, he must be destroyed. And the best way to do that for Times readers is to call him a conservative. That’ll show him!

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