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. |
Israel Gaza: Netanyahu vows to press ahead with Rafah offensiveFinance Minister Nicola Willis attending Waitangi commemorations, Iwi Chairs ForumPoliticians arrive at Rātana celebrations in wake of national huiMining for local fertiliser better than buying 'blood phosphate'Government takes 'first steps' to speed up consent processFinance Minister Nicola Willis attending Waitangi commemorations, Iwi Chairs ForumUpdates: MP Efeso Collins dies during charity runNew law to give police, courts greater powers in gang crackdownFrench PM Élisabeth Borne resigns ahead of expected reshuffleIn pictures: 2024 Rātana celebrations