Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is calling on former President Trump to formally debate him during the upcoming Libertarian Party convention.
Kennedy, an independent who considered joining the Libertarian Party after a failed primary bid as a Democrat, wants to face Trump during the forum later this month in Washington.
“I would like to make you an offer. We will both speak at the upcoming Libertarian convention on May 24th and 25th,” Kennedy wrote in part in a lengthy post on X on Tuesday. “It’s perfect neutral territory for you and I to have a debate where you can defend your record to your hesitant supporters.”
“You said yourself that you are not afraid to debate me as long as my poll numbers are decent,” Kennedy wrote. “Well, they are. In fact, I am the only presidential candidate in history who has placed ahead of both major party candidates in head-to-head races.”
Kennedy pointed to data from Zogby, a polling and analysis company, indicating that the environmental lawyer wins the election over Trump in a two-candidate race, without including President Biden in the hypothetical confrontation.
“So let’s get together in a few weeks and show the American public that at least two of the leading candidates are not afraid to debate each other,” Kennedy added.
Kennedy has pressed Trump and Biden to debate him in recent weeks, hoping to increase his stature and put himself on par with the presumptive leading nominees.
Republicans and Democrats are equally skeptical that a debate between two or more candidates could take place with Kennedy, noting Trump’s aversion to debating this cycle and Biden’s equally evasive approach.
The Libertarian event could theoretically level the playing field for Kennedy and Trump, as they each seek to court voters who are considered more difficult to define by party and ideology.
Although Kennedy had several conversations with officials and libertarian leaders about his third-party candidacy, he ultimately chose not to switch parties again and says he is committed to running his independent campaign until he reaches 50 statewide ballots. His campaign has reached 10 states so far and plans to add more as new calendar deadlines approach.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
