Kennedy Jr dismays Democrats - but pulls in populists

It was standing room only when Kevin O'Keeffe, wearing a Robert Kennedy Jr campaign T-shirt, joined the audience to welcome the candidate, introduced as "Bobby Kennedy", who walked across the sunbaked stage decked with hay bales to whoops and applause.

- David Smith

"He supports freedom of speech, and he's questioned the efficacy of the vaccine, which is legitimate at this point," said O'Keeffe. "I like his views on foreign policy and keeping us out of the war. He cares about his fellow Americans in a way that a lot of the politicians nowadays I don't think really do." 

O'Keeffe was far from alone in rooting for Kennedy at the Iowa state fair this month. The long-shot challenger to Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination in 2024 drew one of the biggest and most energetic crowds, outnumbering conventional politicians on the Republican side. The shouts of "We love you, Robert!" and "Thank you, Robert!", handshakes and selfies, hinted at the stirrings of a movement.