No need for an extra podium. CNN confirmed that third party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. failed to qualify for the network’s June 27 debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. With Kennedy’s fellow independent candidates Cornel West and Jill Stein also falling short, Biden and Trump will go head-to-head in CNN’s Atlanta studio for their first match-up of the 2024 election cyle.
Per CNN, the debate qualification window closed at midnight on Thursday with only the Democratic and GOP candidates meeting the necessary constitutional, ballot and polling requirements. While all three independents demonstrated the ability to serve as president as outlined in Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, they were well behind in both ballots and polling.
In order to qualify for CNN’s debate, candidates had to appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to reach 270 Electoral College votes. They also had to receive at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters conducted by outlets that meet CNN’s standards. That list of approved outlets included ABC News, CBS News, Fox News, The New York Times/Siena College and The Washington Post.
As of Tuesday, Kennedy was polling at 15% in a trio of qualifying polls and made the ballot in six states, giving him a potential total of 89 Electoral College votes. But his numbers didn’t rise quickly enough to join Biden and Trump in Atlanta. He may still have a second chance when ABC News releases the qualification requirements for its presidential debate on Sept. 10.
A recent poll conducted by Puck News and Echelon Insights indicated that voters do want to hear from Kennedy on a debate stage. 50% of those polled said they would like to see him be part of the June 27 debate, while 56% agreed that he should be permitted to participate.
CNN also revealed that a coin flip has given Trump closing argument privileges. Meanwhile, Biden’s team won the chance to pick the candidate’s podium placement and opted for the right side of the stage. No props will be allowed on either podium—just a network-provided pen, pad of paper and bottle of water.