At this point, I was wondering if Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the likely Democratic presidential candidate, had a lot of good things to say.

And the son of my political hero, Attorney General, Senator, and 1968 presidential candidate, ruined everything by tweeting stupid things about immigration.

Historians point out that one of Robert F. Kennedy’s most admired personal traits was courage. In a 1966 speech at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, President Kennedy said, “Few people dare to confront the disapproval of his peers, the criticism of his colleagues, and the outrage of society.”

Robert Jr. is not afraid of disapproval, condemnation or anger. He is an outspoken critic of vaccine policy, blaming it for the surge in children with autism.

I found myself rooting for him to bring victory to President Joe Biden. It comes from a tribute to the first Robert Kennedy, whom her Mexican grandmother affectionately called “El Bobby.”

I majored in U.S. history in college and spent hours studying the life of Robert F. Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Bobby was tough, caring, vulnerable but sincere, tireless, and a relentless seeker of social justice.

Robert Jr. seems to share those traits. After graduating from the same schools as his father, Harvard University and the University of Virginia Law School, he became a prominent environmental lawyer during the 1980s and his 90s.

Now the left-wing media are trying to discredit Robert Jr. as a threat to Biden’s re-election.

Ultimately, Democrats will drag Biden (who has just 36% approval, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll last month) to the finish line and make him the nominee.

But given polls showing Robert Jr. backed by nearly 20% of Democratic voters, he could hit Biden hard, making it easier for Republicans to defeat him. be.

Things were not much different in March 1968 when Robert Sr. announced his candidacy for president. The Democratic establishment also avoided Kennedy.

Still, Bobby had a magical connection with everyday Americans. In his book Robert Kennedy: A Memoir, journalist Jack Newfield wrote that Kennedy lived in the shadow of his older brother and felt neglected in the family hierarchy. He wrote that he was self-professed helpless.

Kennedy also shared his thoughts. He once chided a roomful of white college students that the government should do more for the poor. The student exclaimed, “Who will pay for this!” Kennedy angrily shouted back, “You are!”

Most politicians want to be liked, so they don’t push back like that. You need guts. rather they pander. For example, when Robert Jr. posed with some farmers in Yuma, Arizona, and then tweeted a photo with a completely ignorant comment, what happened on June 6, the 55th anniversary of his father’s death? Let’s see what happened.

“Yuma County provides 90 percent of green leafy vegetables like iceberg lettuce, arugula, spinach and broccoli to American tables from November through April. tsunamis threaten the security of food supplies.”

Shortly after, Kennedy was praised by the host of the Fox News show “The Five.” Mission complete.

I was born and raised in an agricultural area of ​​Central California. I know more about leafy greens and canals than Robert Jr. and right-wing commentators.

The pollution problem is real, and perhaps there is a solution. It is a way to treat irrigation water to kill fecal bacteria and protect the public. But there are already plenty of anti-immigrant hatred and fear-mongering activities out there. Politicians should not add to this.

And take it from the countryside. In Robert Jr.’s words, it’s absurd, especially for farmers, to complain about “immigrants walking across farms.” Who do you think sent the immigrants into the fields in the first place, and who depends on them for their livelihoods?

That’s right, a farmer. they are not victims. This problem is made by farmers.

Without illegal immigrant labor, the entire Arizona economy, including agribusiness, would collapse.

I imagine Elle Bobby would have said to the hypocritical farmers: “Who is primarily responsible for immigration issues?” You! Instead, Robert Kennedy Jr. took the easy road. What a missed opportunity!

what they say is true. Admittedly, sequels are often not as good as the original.

Ruben Navarrette’s email address is crimscribe@icloud.com. His podcast “Ruben in the Center” is available on all podcast apps.