Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is racing against time to secure his spot in the June 27 presidential debate hosted by CNN, with less than 24 hours remaining until the qualification deadline.
The presidential debate, featuring President Biden and Republican rival Donald Trump, requires candidates to meet specific criteria to qualify. According to the Washington Times, Kennedy claims that CNN’s setup is biased and favors the two major party candidates. The qualification deadline is midnight on Wednesday, adding urgency to his efforts.
Kennedy filed his complaint with the FEC in late May, alleging that CNN’s debate setup constitutes an illegal campaign contribution to Biden and Trump. He argues that CNN imposed different criteria on him compared to the other candidates. Kennedy demanded that the FEC take action by Thursday to prevent the debate from proceeding unless it complies with the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Federal business operations will be limited due to the Juneteenth holiday, posing additional challenges for Kennedy to meet the debate qualification criteria. Historically, televised presidential debates have been managed by the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates rather than news organizations like CNN.
CNN has set a high bar for candidates to qualify for the debate. They must score at least 15% in four national polls and appear on enough state ballots to win 270 electoral votes. According to CNN, while it’s “not impossible” for Kennedy to qualify, he has not yet met all the criteria.
Kennedy has reached the 15% polling threshold in three qualifying polls. He is eligible for 89 electoral votes, having secured ballot access in six states. However, Kennedy claims he is now on the ballot in nine states, totaling 144 electoral votes, and has gathered enough signatures to be on the ballot in 14 additional states, representing 166 more electoral votes.
The Washington Post reported that Kennedy is not on the ballot in several states where he claims to be, making it unlikely for him to meet the threshold needed to qualify for the debate. This discrepancy raises questions about his ability to participate in the upcoming debate.
Kennedy’s complaint highlights the unusual nature of CNN’s control over the debate criteria. Since the start of televised presidential debates in 1960, news organizations have rarely had full control over the terms and conditions of debates between leading candidates. This responsibility has traditionally fallen to the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.
In his complaint, Kennedy alleges that CNN’s criteria are designed to favor the major party candidates. The complaint demands that the FEC intervene to ensure a fair and impartial debate process.
Kennedy’s campaign is under immense pressure to meet the required criteria, and the debate qualification deadline is fast approaching. The Juneteenth holiday, which slows federal business operations, adds another layer of difficulty to his efforts.
CNN has maintained that its criteria are fair and transparent. The network requires candidates to demonstrate broad national support and the ability to secure enough electoral votes to win the presidency. While Kennedy has made significant strides in his campaign, he has yet to fully meet these requirements.
The FEC has not yet responded to Kennedy’s complaint, leaving the outcome uncertain. The debate, scheduled for June 27, will proceed as planned unless the FEC intervenes.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s struggle to qualify for the upcoming presidential debate highlights the challenges faced by independent candidates in the current political landscape. His complaint against CNN raises important questions about the fairness and impartiality of debate criteria. As the qualification deadline approaches, Kennedy’s campaign remains hopeful but faces significant obstacles. The outcome of his complaint with the FEC will have a major impact on his ability to participate in the debate. With the stakes high, the next 24 hours will be crucial for Kennedy’s campaign.
