RFK Jr. fails to qualify for first presidential debate

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did not qualify for the first presidential debate set for next week, CNN said Thursday.

Why it matters: Qualifying for the network's debate would have given the independent candidate a national platform to propel his long-shot presidential bid.

The last independent candidate to make the presidential debate stage was Ross Perot in 1992.

Driving the news: To qualify for the June 27 presidential debate, candidates had to hit at least 15% in four national polls that meet CNN's standards, and achieve ballot access in enough states to have a chance at winning 270 electoral votes.

On Saturday, CNN said Kennedy was on the ballot in states totaling 89 electoral votes and had hit the polling requirement in three polls.

State of play: Kennedy has launched an aggressive plan to get on the presidential ballot nationwide ahead of November, but the June 20 ballot access deadline for the debate complicated his efforts.