PHOENIX (AP) — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will not be with his better-known rivals, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, when they debate in Atlanta on Thursday.
And apart from a livestream response to the debate, he has nothing on his public agenda in the coming weeks. That includes his running mate, philanthropist Nicole Shanahan.
After a busy spring crisscrossing the country for a mix of political rallies, fundraisers and non-traditional campaign events, Kennedy appears to be taking a breather.
Kennedy’s absence from the debate stage and the campaign trail poses risks to his insurgent quest to shake up the Republican and Democratic dominance of the American political system. He doesn’t have enough money for a whole series of television commercials, and he has to spend much of the money he does have to secure access to the ballots. Public appearances are an inexpensive way to encourage supporters and increase the media attention he needs to stay relevant.
Kennedy himself says he cannot win unless voters know he is running and believe he can beat Biden and Trump. That problem will become increasingly acute as the debate, followed by the major party conventions in July and August, drives more voters to tune into the race.
Still, Kennedy has maintained a steady stream of social media posts and continues to conduct interviews, most recently with talk show host Dr. Phil.
“Mr. Kennedy has a full schedule for July with many public events, especially on the East Coast, including one large rally,” said Stefanie Spear, spokesperson for the Kennedy campaign. “We will begin announcing the events next week. ”
For Thursday’s debate on CNN, the network invited candidates who showed strength in four reliable polls and access to ballots in enough states to win the presidency. Kennedy did not meet either requirement.
He has cried foul about the rules, accusing CNN of colluding with Biden and Trump in filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission and threatening a lawsuit.
Sujat Desai, a 20-year-old student from Pleasanton, California who is supporting Kennedy, said Kennedy’s absence from the debate is a major hurdle for him 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 fatal blow not to be in this debate, and it would be damaging not to be in the next debate.”
Still, Desai said he won’t be deterred from voting for Kennedy, even if he seems like a long shot in November.
“I think this is probably the strongest I’ve seen an independent candidate in a while, so I’ll give him that,” Desai said. “I think he’s definitely doing well. His policies are strong enough to win, I just don’t know if there is awareness.”
Kennedy plans to respond in real time to the same questions asked to Biden and Trump in a livestream.
Independent and third-party candidates like Kennedy face extremely long odds, but Kennedy’s campaign has frightened supporters on both sides, who fear he will tip the election in their favor. Biden supporters worry that his famous Democratic name and history of environmental policies will sway voters on the left. Trump supporters worry that his idiosyncratic views, and especially his questioning of the scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and effective, will appeal to people who would otherwise vote for Trump.
Christy Jones, 54, a holistic health and mindfulness coach from Glendora, California, worries that people won’t know Kennedy is running for office without him standing next to Biden and Trump at the debate. But she said he’s still all over her social media feeds and she feels confident he’s making himself visible.
“I feel like he can still win if people choose to be brave,” she said. “If all the people who actually want change would vote for him, he would run. People are asking for change.”
Until recently, Kennedy’s website promoted a variety of events, including public gatherings and private fundraisers, weeks or more in advance. He held comedy nights with prominent comedians in Michigan and Tennessee.
But since attending the June 15 premiere of a film about fighting addiction, Kennedy has been dark, though he continues to promote in-person and virtual events for his supporters.
