Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called on former President Donald Trump to formally debate him during the Libertarian National Convention taking place in Washington, D.C. later this month.
Kennedy, who issued the May 7 debate invitation over X, stated he will also be attending the Libertarian National Convention as a speaker, and that the party would be willing to organize the debate during their speaking time. He cites his polling numbers in both a hypothetical match-up with Trump and in a three-way race including both Trump and Biden. Kennedy said he also views the Libertarian National Convention as an ideal debate venue due to its neutral setting.
“You yourself have said you’re not afraid to debate me as long as my poll numbers are decent. Well, they are,” Kennedy said. “In fact, I’m the only presidential candidate in history who has polled ahead of both major party candidates in head-to-head races. So let’s meet at the Libertarian convention and show the American public that at least two of the major candidates aren’t afraid to debate each other. I asked the convention organizers and they are game for us to use our time there to bring the American people the debate they deserve!”
Angela McArdle, chair of the Libertarian National Committee, formally invited Trump, Kennedy, and Democratic President Joe Biden to attend the convention late last month to address delegate concerns, with Kennedy being the second candidate to confirm.
RFK2.0 was confirmed by the LP several days ago. The current schedule is being adjusted to accommodate, but as to the specifics of what that means, no information. It’s rather fluid.
Don’t get so carried away. It’s not even clear Kennedy will be there at all. The LP invited, and he off the cuff accepted, but no party announcement was made, so it’s not clear that he really followed through with any plans to actually be there.
If he’s there, that doesn’t mean Trump will want to debate him there. Trump committed to a speech, not hanging around for the weekend or an impromptu hastily organized debate. I think Trump will eventually debate Kennedy, but not at the LP convention on short notice, and certainly not including a no name sub 1% l.p. nominee, if there is to be one – there very well may not, and hopefully won’t be.
It’s also unlikely Fox will cover the LP convention. Maybe Trump’s speech, or parts of it.
If there is to be a debate between RFK Jr. and Trump at the Libertarian convention, shouldn’t it include the eventual Libertarian nominee? In which case, I am all for it! Maybe Fox News’ Kennedy could moderate….
Maybe Bob Jr. can debate either himself or his apparently gaslit Veep on the issue of abortion? https://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com/2024/05/rfk-jr-apparent-gaslighter-on-abortion.html
Until such time as there is separate confirmation from the LP, assume that RFK is simply blowing smoke in the same manner that he has been doing the past week when he challenged Biden to drop out.
In the meantime, patience.
Steve Berson: try reading the convention schedule.
What is there to negotiate? McArdle says she gave him the invitation. He said he accepted it. And now we’re going on three days with no public statement about it whatsoever from either McArdle or the party. It’s weird. Whatever there is to negotiate, it’s not the basic fact that he’ll be there, unless somebody is lying.
Curiouser,
I personally don’t find it strange at all. Negotiation takes time. Patience is a virtue.
But it’s not just the debate proposal. He said he’s accepted the speaking invite regardless of that. It’s very weird to not acknowledge that part, particularly in contrast to how loud and proud they blasted out that Trump will be there.
Curiouser,
Actually, it’s probably good that AMc is not rushing to respond to the RFK’s proposed debate. It’s likely that there is some negotiation going on. My guess is Trump won’t do it, just as he didn’t debate the other Rs that were seeking the nomination.
When Trump said he’d speak, they had graphics and press release and merchandise and a bunch of tweets about it ready to go. But it’s been complete radio silence on RFK saying he’s accepted the invitation. Something’s up.
It’s been well over 24 hours now since he tweeted it, and neither McArdle nor anybody else from the national LP has confirmed or acknowledged RFK saying he’ll be a speaker at the convention.
Lol, when is there going to actually going to be time to hear from the actual Libertarian candidates, or to settle party business, amidst all this proposed blabbing by LNC invited authoritarian statists? The LP should just make sure Biden shows up as well, change the name of the organization to the New League of Women Voters, and just dedicate their whole convention to running Presidential debates for the 3 best known candidates ala 1992 😛