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.
Teoscar Hernández hits a grand slam and Paxton pitches 6 strong innings as Dodgers beat Padres 5
Cannes Film Festival is set to kick off. What you need to know
What to know about Michael Cohen, the central witness in Trump's hush money trial
Israeli army says it kills over 130 militants in E. Rafah
Ohio police officer killed in 'ambush,' suspect sought
Despite Indiana's strong record of second
James Cleverly will announce new crackdown on Line Of Duty
Who is Abi Carter? Inside the American Idol winner's unconventional family life
Catholic priest stuns worshippers by telling them Christ had an erection when he died on the cross