Former President Donald Trump mocked the Biden campaign’s demands for head-to-head debates with independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., suggesting that Joe Biden does not want Kennedy Jr. in the debates because he is far left and more intelligent than Biden. Trump and Biden have tentatively agreed to two forums hosted by CNN and ABC News, but the Biden team specified that no third-party candidates should be allowed in the debates to ensure the president’s participation.
CNN and ABC News announced that candidates must poll at a minimum of 15% in select surveys and be on the ballot in enough states to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to win to qualify for the debates. Kennedy has polled as high as 16% in recent polls and is aiming to make the ballot in all 50 states. Trump expressed indifference towards Kennedy joining the debates, stating that his polling numbers are low and he is not properly qualified in all states. Trump previously dismissed RFK Jr. as “not a serious candidate” and declined his proposal for a head-to-head debate earlier in the month.
Kennedy expressed disappointment in being left out of the debates, accusing Trump and Biden of colluding to lock America into a head-to-head match-up that most people do not want. Kennedy believes that he is being excluded from the debates because they are afraid he would win, and feels that keeping viable candidates off the debate stage undermines democracy. Kennedy, who identifies as an independent, highlighted that 43% of Americans also identify as independents, indicating a significant portion of the population without representation in the debates.
Trump’s criticism of Kennedy’s qualifications and polling numbers suggests a lack of interest in his participation in the debates, despite Kennedy’s persistence in seeking to be included. It is evident that there is unrest among independent candidates who are being shut out of the debates by the main political parties. The exclusivity of the debates to only the two major party candidates raises concerns about the exclusion of diverse voices and perspectives from the political discourse, ultimately limiting the democratic process and diversity of ideas that are essential in a functioning democracy. It remains to be seen how the dynamic between the main party candidates and independent candidates will unfold as the election draws nearer.
