In a revealing development, Frank Fahrenkopf, co-founder of the Commission on Presidential Debates, asserted that Biden’s campaign pressured CNN to exclude Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from its highly anticipated June 27 debate. Such manipulations by the Biden team to secure their faltering candidate hold significant implications for our electoral integrity and contribute to growing concerns over media bias.
Fahrenkopf suggested that these actions might constitute a violation of Federal Election Commission rules, opening the door for Kennedy to pursue legal action. Reflecting on the situation, Fahrenkopf commented, “It could [violate rules], but my lawyering days are over. I’ll leave that to the lawyers on both sides. But it’s an issue certainly to raise. I’m surprised. When this thing went down yesterday, I said, ‘Boy, I bet Kennedy is going to file some lawsuit somewhere.’”
Kennedy’s candidacy, initially a Democratic challenger, has now taken the independent route, leading to speculation that his presence in the race could siphon votes from Biden, potentially tipping the scales in favor of former President Donald Trump. The aggressive tactics by both Biden and Trump against Kennedy showcase the fear they have of his influence. Trump has labeled Kennedy a “Democrat plant,” while Biden seeks the traditional Kennedy family endorsement to undermine his opponent’s legitimacy.
Kennedy’s aspiration to participate in the CNN debate looks stymied by unfair and likely engineered requirements. Despite asserting that he would meet CNN’s criteria by the June 20 deadline, current metrics show he still falls short. His national polling average stands at 9.7%, with CNN’s own polls favoring him at around 13%, just below the mandated 15%. Moreover, while his campaign attests to securing petitioning for 201 electoral votes, Fahrenkopf highlights logistical barriers that make meeting the complete ballot requirement by June 27 impractical.
A strategic affiliation with the Libertarian Party could alleviate some of these ballot obstacles, granting him access across all states—a route suggested by Fahrenkopf. Yet, the primary hurdle remains the polling requirement, a significant challenge with a fast-approaching deadline.
Kennedy’s campaign is in a race against time, attempting to navigate the biased landscape that seems stacked against him. Conservative voters should keenly observe these developments and question the motivations behind such exclusions, particularly with Biden’s obvious unwillingness to face a broad spectrum of challengers.
While Fox News has proposed hosting a vice presidential debate, Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, remains unconfirmed as a participant. Such developments beg the question: Are we witnessing the gatekeeping of democratic discourse to favor the establishment candidates?
Both Trump and Biden have moved beyond CPD-sponsored debates, opting for independent debates that better fit their campaign strategies. This signals a significant shift in how debates are approached and signals to voters to scrutinize the terms and conditions of participation closely.
As we stride into a critical election season, Defiance Daily remains committed to uncovering the truth and exposing biases that threaten our democratic processes. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to investigate the integrity of our electoral system and champion the voices that strive to uphold liberty and justice for all.
