Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy has not qualified for the upcoming presidential debate with President Biden and former President Donald Trump, hosted by CNN in Atlanta on June 27. To be eligible, a candidate must appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to potentially win 270 electoral votes needed to secure the presidency. Kennedy is currently on the ballot in five states, with additional potential electoral votes from California and Hawaii. However, his applications for ballot access in other states are still pending review by election offices.
In addition to ballot access, candidates were required to reach a polling threshold of 15% in four major national polls by June 20. Kennedy fell short of this requirement, with only three qualifying national polls. In response to his exclusion from the debate, Kennedy accused Presidents Biden and Trump of not wanting him on the stage and claimed that CNN illegally agreed to their demands. He described his exclusion as undemocratic, un-American, and cowardly.
Kennedy’s campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in May, accusing CNN, Biden, Trump, and their campaigns of violating federal election law. The complaint alleges that CNN applied different criteria to Kennedy compared to the presumptive nominees of the Democratic and Republican parties, Biden and Trump. The campaign argues that the debate is an illegal campaign contribution to both Biden and Trump, as it is taking place before the parties formally nominate their candidates.
Kennedy stated that he is unable to file a lawsuit until the FEC complaint is dismissed. While the FEC has acknowledged the possibility of merit in the complaint, it has not yet reached a decision and declined to comment further. Kennedy’s campaign maintains that the debate criteria set by CNN are in violation of FEC laws and represent a substantial corporate contribution to Biden and Trump’s campaigns. They are awaiting further action from the FEC before proceeding with legal action.
Despite his exclusion from the debate, Kennedy remains determined to continue his presidential campaign. He has expressed disappointment in the actions of Biden, Trump, and CNN in restricting his access to the debate stage. Kennedy believes that his voice and platform are being suppressed unfairly and that the American people deserve to hear from all legitimate candidates in the presidential race. As the election season progresses, Kennedy will continue to advocate for his candidacy and challenge the established political norms that govern the electoral process.
