Staff Reports
President Biden has officially agreed to participate in Presidential debates after initially avoiding the question. He chose to withdraw from the Commission on Presidential Debates but later expressed his willingness to debate Trump. Trump quickly accepted Biden’s challenge. Surprisingly, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. remains a potential contender for the debate stage, according to CNN’s criteria.
CNN’s rules dictate that to qualify for the debate stage, a candidate must receive at least 15% in four national polls recognized by CNN. Polls from reputable sources such as CNN, ABC News, and others are considered for eligibility. Many polls have shown Kennedy polling above 15%, meeting the threshold required by CNN’s standards. Despite this, there are reports that a CNN producer assured a Trump official that Kennedy would not be allowed on the stage.
Kennedy’s campaign asserts that they will reach the required threshold for participation in the debates. With Kennedy polling at 10.8% on average, he only needs one strong poll result to meet CNN’s criteria. If denied a spot on the debate stage, Kennedy could consider legal action to challenge the decision. It remains to be seen whether CNN will allow Kennedy to participate, which could create additional pressure for both Biden and Trump.
The potential exclusion of Kennedy from the debates raises questions about fairness and democracy. As a candidate who has met the polling qualifications, denying Kennedy a spot on the stage could be seen as stifling democratic participation. Supporters of Kennedy argue that he should be given the opportunity to debate alongside Biden and Trump, especially since he has met the polling requirements set by CNN.
In the end, the decision on whether to include Kennedy in the debates will impact the perceived fairness of the process. Denying him a spot could be interpreted as a move to limit diverse voices in the political arena. The controversy surrounding Kennedy’s potential participation adds an intriguing element to the upcoming Presidential debates and puts pressure on those involved in the decision-making process.
