Presidential Candidate Robert F. Excluded from CNN Debate

Independent Candidate Responds in Real-Time

Debates by Himself and Draws a Crowd

The first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump was a critical moment in the 2020 election. However, one candidate was conspicuously absent from the stage: Robert F., an independent presidential candidate.

F. was excluded from the debate due to CNN's polling criteria, which required candidates to have at least 15% support in national polls. F. did not meet this threshold, despite polling at around 10% in some polls.

F. reacted to his exclusion in real-time on social media, posting a video of himself watching the debate alone in his hotel room. He criticized CNN for its decision, arguing that it was undemocratic to exclude him from the debate based on polling data that he believed was inaccurate.

Despite being excluded from the debate, F. drew a significant crowd of supporters to a rally in Washington, D.C., the same night. He used the event to deliver a speech in which he attacked both Biden and Trump, and outlined his own vision for the country.

F.'s exclusion from the debate sparked a debate about the role of polling in determining who is allowed to participate in presidential debates. Some argued that CNN's criteria were unfair to independent candidates, while others defended the network's decision, arguing that it was necessary to ensure that the debate stage was not cluttered with too many candidates.

The debate over polling criteria is likely to continue in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. However, F.'s strong performance at his rally suggests that he will be a force to be reckoned with, regardless of whether he is included in future debates.