As Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign picked up steam through the summer and into the fall, concerns were mounting internally about its management.

Former Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, then Kennedy’s campaign manager, faced doubts about his leadership — doubts that persisted despite convergence with Kennedy on policy. Days after Kennedy left the Democratic race to become an independent, Kucinich left the campaign and said he sent an email to the staff announcing his departure.

Three people with direct knowledge of the campaign said he was fired. The reason, one person said, was persistent internal concern about his capability in that role. A separate memo from a staffer outlined a lack of direction and a pattern of poor communication.

The nature of Kucinich's departure is now a matter of dispute.

Kucinich said he “was not asked to leave the campaign.” In a phone interview, he called the idea that he was fired “insane” and “totally false.”

Former campaign treasurer John Sullivan said in a phone interview that........

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