PHOENIX — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.will not be with his best-known rivals, the president Joe Biden and former president donald trumpwhen they debate Thursday in Atlanta.
And other than a live-streamed debate response, he also has nothing on his public agenda for the next few weeks. Not his running matephilanthropist Nicole Shanahan.
After a busy spring touring the country with a mix of political rallies, fundraisers and nontraditional campaign events, Kennedy appears to be taking a breather.
Kennedy’s absence from debate stage and the campaign brings risks for him insurgent search to shake the Republican and Democratic dominance of the US political system. He does not have money for a series of television commercials and must spend much of the money he has to guarantee access to the polls. Public appearances are an inexpensive way to attract supporters and boost the media coverage he needs to stay relevant.
Kennedy himself says he can’t win unless voters I know he is running and I believe he can defeat Biden and Trump. That problem will become increasingly acute as the debate, followed by major party conventions in July and August, drive more voters to tune in to the race.
Still, Kennedy has maintained a steady stream of social media posts and continues to give interviews, most recently with talk show host Dr.
“Mr. Kennedy has a full schedule for July, with many public events, primarily on the East Coast and including a large rally,” said Stefanie Spear, a spokeswoman for the Kennedy campaign. “We will begin announcing the events next week.”
For Thursday debate on CNNthe net invited candidates that showed strength in four credible polls and access to voting in enough states to win the presidency. Kennedy fell short in both requirements.
He criticized the rules, accusing CNN of colluding with Biden and Trump in a complaint to the Federal Election Commission and threatening to sue.
Sujat Desai, a 20-year-old student from Pleasanton, Calif., who supports Kennedy, said Kennedy’s absence from the debate is a major hurdle to overcome.
“I don’t think there’s any way to raise awareness if you’re not on the debate stage,” Desai said. “I think it’s a pretty lethal blow not to be in this debate, and it would be damaging not to be in the next one.”
Still, Desai said he won’t be dissuaded from voting for Kennedy, even if he appears to be a longshot in November.
“I think this is probably the strongest independent candidate I’ve seen in a while, so I’ll give you that,” Desai said. “I think he’s definitely OK. His policies are strong enough to win, I just don’t know if there is awareness”.
Kennedy plans to answer the same questions posed to Biden and Trump in real time on a live broadcast.
Independent and third-party candidates like Kennedy face extremely long odds, but the Kennedy campaign has scared supporters on both sides, who fear he will turn the election against them. Biden supporters fear his famous Democratic name and history of environmental advocacy will sway voters on the left. Trump supporters worry his idiosyncratic opinions, particularly his questioning of the scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and effective will attract people who might otherwise vote for Trump.
Christy Jones, 54, a holistic health and mindfulness coach from Glendora, California, worries that people won’t know that Kennedy is running without him alongside Biden and Trump at the debate. But she said he’s still on her social media feeds and she’s confident he’s making himself visible.
“I feel like he can still win if people decide to be brave,” she said. “If all the people who really want change voted for him, he would be in. People are asking for change.”
Until recently, Kennedy’s website promoted a variety of events weeks or more in advance, including public rallies and private fundraisers. He has hosted comedy nights with prominent comedians in Michigan and Tennessee.
But since attending the premiere of a film about fighting addiction on June 15, Kennedy has been somber, although he continues to host in-person and virtual events for his supporters.
