Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden answers a question as President Donald Trump listens during the second and final presidential debate on Oct. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Molly Gash, Pool)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should storm Atlanta in his own way.
General William Tecumseh Sherman had done the same thing in 1864, but Kennedy's approach was more peaceful, yet he managed to capture the nation's attention.
It wouldn't be the proverbial scorched earth tactic, but Kennedy's actions would show just how cornered he was.
Atlanta is the site of the first presidential debate between Democrat Joe Biden, 81, and former Republican President Donald Trump, 78. Kennedy, 70, has not been invited.
The one-on-one debate, hosted by CNN, will take place on June 27th.
CNN reported that third-party candidate Kennedy was not considered for the position, but some believe it, Biden and Trump simply did not want Kennedy around them.
As we all know, three makes a crowd. The debaters themselves pose an added challenge: Kennedy suffers from a condition called spasmodic dysphonia, which affects the larynx.
It's bad enough that voters can barely understand what Biden is saying as he chokes up his English, but viewers will also have to listen to Kennedy's hoarse delivery. Trump is not a great speaker either.
It might be helpful if CNN provided English interpreters for all three.
Where would JFK be flying when he needed to be?
CNN reported that to win, Kennedy would need to appear on the ballot in enough states to reach the electoral vote threshold of 270. So far, at least for now, it appears Kennedy won't meet that threshold.
Kennedy said CNN had put rules in place to deliberately keep him off the stage, but he still wanted to give it his all and make it through to the end.
A Kennedy on the debate stage could act as a buffer or referee between Biden and Trump, or at the very least, bring some energy to a debate that seems designed to take all the drama out of it and protect Biden.
The debate will last 90 minutes — assuming Biden can stay awake for the full 90 minutes — with no live audience and the candidates' microphones muted when they're not speaking, so there will be no interaction between them.
But sign language has no rules.
They clearly hate each other: Trump has called Biden the worst president ever, Biden has called Trump (or used to call him) a convicted felon, and since Hunter Biden was convicted on a gun felony, Biden has called Trump a dictator.
CNN reported that hosts Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, Democrats, would “do everything in our power to ensure a civil debate and stay on time.”
If the current exchanges between Trump and Biden are any indication, a civilized discussion between the two will be one to watch.
The debate will begin with each candidate standing at a podium rather than onstage to prevent Biden from being seen stumbling, stumbling or pacing. Barack Obama will not guide Biden on and off the stage, as he did at a recent Los Angeles fundraiser.
Each contestant is also given a pen, notepad and water bottle, but is prohibited from stabbing, throwing water or bottles at each other during two commercial breaks, sending hateful messages with pen and paper or spitting at anyone.
There will be no opening statements, but each candidate will be given two minutes for closing remarks.
When asked a question, each candidate has two minutes to respond, followed by one minute for a rebuttal. If a candidate exceeds the time, a red light flashes.
In his closing remarks, will Biden try to emulate JFK and his famous “Ask Not” speech? Biden's version would be, “Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what you can do for me.”
Seriously.
Peter Lucas is a veteran political reporter. Email him at peter.lucas@bostonherald.com.
