Is this a good idea?
Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota has voiced his support for independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to participate in the upcoming presidential debates. He believes that including Kennedy would provide a valuable chance to scrutinize his stances on various important issues facing the electorate.
Both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, have agreed to a debate hosted by CNN on June 27. Kennedy’s campaign has been advocating for his inclusion, despite the fact that no independent candidate has been part of a presidential debate since Ross Perot in 1992.
During an appearance on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, Burgum commented on the situation, stating, “President Trump has indicated that if Kennedy meets the qualifications, he should be allowed to debate.” Burgum emphasized that such a debate would be an excellent opportunity to reveal Kennedy’s positions, particularly highlighting his alignment with the Green New Deal and other liberal Democratic policies. He added, “Seeing President Trump debate two Democrats would be something the American public would find engaging.”
Trump has intensified his criticism of Kennedy as the election approaches, challenging Kennedy’s stance on vaccinations and suggesting that he is not as critical of them as he claims. Kennedy’s presence in the race is seen as having the potential to disrupt the chances of either Trump or Biden.
In discussing the debates, Burgum also touched on concerns about Biden’s leadership, specifically questioning his ability to effectively fulfill the responsibilities of the presidency, an issue that many Americans reportedly share.
There is speculation that Burgum might be among the candidates Trump is considering for the vice-presidential spot. Burgum has shown support for Trump, notably attending his legal trial in Manhattan, which he described as “election interference.”
Other names mentioned as potential vice-presidential picks for Trump include Representative Elise Stefanik of New York, Representative Byron Donalds of Florida, and Senators Marco Rubio and J.D. Vance from Florida and Ohio, respectively.
In related news, Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation from CBS News to debate Trump’s running mate. This debate is set to take place either on July 23 or August 13 and will be held in a studio setting without a live audience, similar to the presidential debate.