GLENDALE, Ariz. – Former Democrats Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard blasted their one-time party as “warmongers” and “the party of censorship” while stumping for Donald Trump in Arizona Saturday.
“Today it’s become the party of war, it’s become the party of surveillance, it’s become the party of censorship,” Kennedy, 70, told the crowd at Arizona Christian University in Glendale.
“It’s no longer the party that I recognized.”
His remarks came less than a month after the Democratic dynasty heir suspended his independent presidential bid and endorsed Republican Trump, 78, at a Glendale rally, and he continues to face court battles to get his name off the ballot in critical swing states.
Trump’s “going to end the chronic disease epidemic … and Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy said to applause.
“We need to bring America together,” he added.
“If we want to Make America Healthy Again, if we want to Make America Great Again, we need to unify this country.”
Gabbard, a veteran and former Hawaii rep who sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2020, frequently noted in her remarks that foreign policy was behind her decision to leave the party in 2022 and back Trump this election.
“How could I […] align with a party that stands for tyranny and war?” she said, before referring to Democrats as an “elite cabal” with “warmongers.”
Gabbard, 43, said the goal of the event and the “Reclaim America Tour” is to “point out the truth that this is not about Democrats versus Republicans. This is about our country.
“This is about we the people standing up for freedom. This is about we the people standing up for peace.”
Some Arizonans believe Kennedy could help Trump’s chances in the state and nationwide.
“I think there will be some Democrats that will come over Trump’s side,” Peggy, a retiree from Peoria, told The Post at the event.
Meanwhile, the “Republicans for Harris” coalition continues to be a key point for the Democratic campaign in the Grand Canyon State, including holding a debate watch party.
“During the debate, I was asked what I expected Donald Trump to do that night. I said the American people saw him for who he is, which is an unstable, morally reprehensible fearmonger,” said event host Olivia Troye, a former official in his administration.
“I think that the best way forward for the Republican Party is we’ve got to defeat this man, and we’ve got to defeat this movement.”
Trump and Harris, who duked it out on ABC News on Tuesday night, are deadlocked in the battle for Arizona’s 11 electoral votes. The RealClearPolling average indicated a 1.6% lead for Trump, and FiveThirtyEight also suggests a 0.7% lead for him. It could be the aisle-crossing voters who ultimately decide the election in the state.
The Republican and second gentleman Doug Emhoff held dueling events in Tucson on Thursday, and Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, addressed a Mesa, Ariz., audience before the debate on Tuesday.
Republican veep hopeful JD Vance visited the Phoenix area earlier this month.
8:58 am on September 15, 2024
