Presidential Debate Exclusion of Independent Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. failed to qualify for a debate between Democratic President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, citing insufficient state ballot qualification and polling benchmarks.
Key Points
- Kennedy failed to meet state ballot qualification and polling benchmarks for the debate
- CNN criteria required candidates to secure a place on the ballot in states totaling at least 270 votes in the Electoral College
- Kennedy's campaign alleges collusion between CNN, Biden, and Trump to exclude him
Cons
- Denial of opportunity for Kennedy to stand alongside leading candidates
- Potential spoiler role in close general election feared by Biden and Trump campaigns
- Allegations of undemocratic and un-American exclusion