RFK Jr. Misses Qualification for CNN Presidential Debate
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate, did not qualify for the 2024 presidential debates hosted by CNN. The qualification criteria included achieving at least 15% in four national polls and appearing on enough state ballots to potentially win 270 electoral votes. Kennedy fell short, reaching the required poll percentage in only three surveys and attaining ballot access in six states, totaling 89 electoral votes. In response, Kennedy criticized the exclusion as undemocratic and filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, accusing CNN of favoring Joe Biden and Donald Trump by imposing different criteria on him. CNN defended its position, stating that the requirements were fair and reflective of the major parties‘ nominees meeting the necessary ballot access threshold.
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. failed to qualify for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle that CNN set to host in one week.
CNN said the qualification window closed after midnight on Thursday, with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump meeting the requirements.
Kennedy did not meet the criteria to appear, a CNN spokesperson told NBC News. He missed the threshold to qualify in two key areas.
Candidates needed to receive at least 15% in four national polls approved by CNN. Kennedy only earned that percentage in three of the accepted surveys.
In addition, Kennedy is not on a sufficient number of state ballots to reach the requisite 270 electoral vote threshold to win the presidency.
Kennedy’s signature-gathering effort has gained him ballot access in six states as of Thursday, according to The New York Times, which totals just 89 Electoral College votes.
In a statement, Kennedy said his exclusion from the debate is “undemocratic, un-American, and cowardly.”
Kennedy filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) at the end of last month, accusing CNN of colluding with Biden and Trump to keep him off the debate stage.
The complaint alleged that CNN was making “prohibited corporate contributions” to Biden and Trump by demanding Kennedy meet different criteria.
CNN defended its requirements, noting how Trump and Biden meet the ballot access threshold because they are the presumptive nominees of major parties.
The last time a third-party candidate appeared in a presidential debate was in 1992 when Ross Perot faced off against President George H.W. Bush and Arkansas Democratic Governor Bill Clinton. Clinton won the election but did not receive a mandate.
Kennedy initially ran this cycle as a Democrat but shifted to an independent campaign after criticizing his party for not holding primary debates, among other gripes.
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CNN’s debate is slated for 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 27. “State of the Union” anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash have been selected as moderators.
It is expected to be a 90-minute event with two commercial breaks during which staff are not allowed to interact with their candidate. There will be no studio audience.
Rules include no props, a coin flip to determine who stands at what podium, and muting each candidate’s microphone when it is not his turn to speak.
Another presidential debate between Biden and Trump is planned for Tuesday, September 10. ABC News, the host, has set criteria that match CNN’s requirements.
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