PHOENIX (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long argued that the biggest hurdle of his presidential campaign is the perception that independent candidates can’t win. He has looked to the debates as a singular opportunity to stand alongside Joe Biden and Donald Trump in front of a massive audience.
But to make the first debate stage, he’ll have to secure a place on the ballot in at least a dozen more states and improve his showing in national polls in one month.
With a famous name and a loyal base, Kennedy has the potential to do better than any third-party presidential candidate since Ross Perot in the 1990s. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns, who fear he could play spoiler, bypassed the nonpartisan debate commission and agreed to a schedule that leaves Kennedy very little time to qualify for the first debate.
Publicly, Kennedy is expressing confidence that he will make the stage.
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
Racial bias did not shape Mississippi's water funding decisions for capital city, EPA says
Xander Schauffele gets validation and records with one memorable putt at PGA Championship
Arrow McLaren selects Pourchaire as replacement driver for the injured Malukas
Arrow McLaren selects Pourchaire as replacement driver for the injured Malukas
Utilities complete contentious land swap to clear way for power line in Mississippi River refuge
Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment fails in acrimonious end to legislative session
Kate Hudson performs music on the Howard Stern show as she cites Madonna as her hero