RFK Jr. fails to qualify for first presidential debate
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at the Libertarian National Convention on May 24. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did not qualify for the first presidential debate set for next week, CNN said Thursday.
Why it matters: Qualifying for the network's debate would have given the independent candidate a national platform to propel his long-shot presidential bid.
- The last independent candidate to make the presidential debate stage was Ross Perot in 1992.
Driving the news: To qualify for the June 27 presidential debate, candidates had to hit at least 15% in four national polls that meet CNN's standards, and achieve ballot access in enough states to have a chance at winning 270 electoral votes.
- On Saturday, CNN said Kennedy was on the ballot in states totaling 89 electoral votes and had hit the polling requirement in three polls.
State of play: Kennedy has launched an aggressive plan to get on the presidential ballot nationwide ahead of November, but the June 20 ballot access deadline for the debate complicated his efforts.
- Kennedy's campaign has claimed it has collected enough signatures for ballot access in states totaling 310 electoral votes, but in many of those states, the signatures have not yet been verified by state election officials.
Between the lines: Kennedy has criticized President Biden and former President Trump for "colluding" to keep him off the debate stage after they agreed to forgo the traditional fall debates hosted by the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.
- His campaign has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission accusing Biden, Trump and CNN of violating campaign finance law.
What they're saying: "My exclusion by Presidents Biden and Trump from the debate is undemocratic, un-American, and cowardly," Kennedy said in a news release.
- "Americans want an independent leader who will break apart the two-party duopoly. They want a president who will heal the divide, restore the middle class, unwind the war machine, and end the chronic disease epidemic."
What to watch: There's a second presidential debate scheduled for Sept. 10 hosted by ABC — another opportunity for Kennedy to make the debate stage before the election.
- The network hasn't yet released qualifying standards for the September debate.
Go deeper: Debate window is closing fast for RFK Jr.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
