Robert F. Kennedy Jr. didn't make the debate stage. He faces hurdles to stay relevant
PHOENIX (AP) — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., won't be with his better-known rivals, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, when they debate Thursday in Atlanta.
And aside from a livestreamed response to the debate, he also has nothing on his public schedule for the coming weeks. Nor does his running mate, philanthropist Nicole Shanahan.
After a busy spring hopscotching the country for a mix of political rallies, fundraisers and nontraditional campaign events, Kennedy appears to be taking a breather.
Kennedy's absence from the debate stage and the campaign trail carries risk for his insurgent quest to shake up the Republican and Democratic dominance of the U.S. political system. He lacks the money for a firehose of television commercials, and he must spend much of the money he does have to secure ballot access. Public appearances are a low-cost way to fire up supporters and drive media coverage he needs to stay relevant.
Kennedy says he can't win unless voters know he's running and believe he can defeat Biden, a Democrat, and Trump, a Republican. That problem will become increasingly acute as the debate, followed by the major party conventions in July and August, push more voters to tune into the race.
Still, Kennedy has maintained a steady stream of social media posts, and he continues to sit for interviews, most recently with talk show host Dr. Phil.
"Mr. Kennedy has a full schedule for July with many public events, mostly on the East Coast and including one big rally," said Stefanie Spear, a Kennedy campaign spokesperson. "We will start announcing the events next week."
For Thursday's debate on CNN, the network invited candidates who showed strength in four reliable polls and ballot access in enough states to win the presidency. Kennedy fell short on both requirements.
He has cried foul about the rules, accusing CNN of colluding with Biden and Trump in a complaint to the Federal Election Commission and threatening to sue.
Kennedy won't be on stage, but his supporters have a visible presence on the streets around the debate hall.
Some Kennedy backers set up a lemonade stand a few blocks from the spin room where the press was gathered. A sign on top of the stand read, "CNN Lemons = Kennedy Lemonade." Others waved "Heal the Divide" signs. Not far away, a Kennedy campaign bus blasted music.