Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been excluded from the upcoming debate in Atlanta after failing to meet the necessary benchmarks for state ballot qualification and polling. This means that the face-off on June 27 will only feature Democratic President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. Kennedy’s campaign asserts that he has met the requirements to appear on the ballot in 22 states, with a total of 310 electoral votes, but not all states have confirmed his inclusion on the ballot. California, with 54 electoral votes, will not certify any candidates until the end of August.
Candidates were required to reach a polling threshold of 15% in four national polls by June 20, a criteria that Kennedy did not meet according to CNN. Despite polling at least 15% in three qualifying polls, Kennedy is currently eligible for 89 Electoral College votes as he is on the ballot in six states. Kennedy filed a complaint last month accusing CNN of colluding with Biden and Trump to exclude him from the debate. He claims that the participation requirements were specifically designed to ensure only Biden and Trump would qualify, and that he is being held to a higher standard.
The complaint against CNN has been deemed as without merit by the network. Kennedy’s campaign has not responded to CNN’s announcement regarding his exclusion from the debate. Last month, both Biden and Trump agreed to participate in the CNN debate on June 27 and a second debate hosted by ABC on September 10. This decision bypassed the nonpartisan commission that typically organizes debates. Biden’s campaign chose the right podium position after winning a coin toss, with Trump on the left. Both campaigns have agreed to appear at podiums, with microphones being muted except for the candidate speaking at that time.
Kennedy’s exclusion from the debate denies him the opportunity to stand alongside the leading candidates and potentially gain support for his longshot bid. With the debate only featuring Biden and Trump, both campaigns are concerned that Kennedy could play spoiler in a closely contested general election. While Biden and Trump have easily cleared the polling threshold and secured enough delegates to lock in their nominations, Kennedy’s absence from the debate raises questions about the inclusivity of the electoral process. As the election draws closer, the focus will be on the next steps for Kennedy’s campaign and how his exclusion will impact the dynamics of the race.
