Michigan elections FAQ: Will Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West matter in presidential race?
- In new Michigan elections FAQ episode, Bridge Michigan reporters break down the latest campaign news
- Reporter Mike Wilkinson discusses Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s withdrawal from the presidential race and Cornel West’s fight to make the ballot
- Simon Schuster and Lauren Gibbons discuss major party political conventions, China and more
After another wild week of political news, Bridge Michigan reporters met Monday to discuss the latest developments, including the Democratic national convention, state party nominations and the end of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential bid.
Kennedy endorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump because he “didn’t want to be a spoiler,” reporter Mike Wilkinson said in the latest Michigan elections FAQ live show. “He doesn't want to be on the ballot, but he's going to be on the ballot, because under Michigan election law, he has to stay there.”
Watch the full episode here, and subscribe to the Bridge YouTube channel for more:
While Kennedy may fight to get off the Michigan ballot, independent presidential candidate Cornel West is fighting to get on. A state judge on Saturday reversed West’s disqualification, but appeals are planned and the fight is far from over.
Related:
- Michigan elections FAQ: China, Gotion, NDA claims fly in Slotkin, Rogers race
- Michigan elections FAQ: Are Elissa Slotkin, Larry Nassar attack ads true?
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ending presidential bid, backing Donald Trump
The Michigan Democratic Party is among groups trying to keep West off the ballot. Why? “He’s an African American academic and socialist, and they're afraid, probably, that he would take some of their votes,” Wilkinson said.
Other topics in this week’s show:
- Michigan Democrats and Republicans met this weekend for nominating conventions marked by a pro-Palestinian protest and the police removal of former Michigan GOP Chair Kristina Karamo, respectively.
- “The Republicans used a hand-count ballot process, essentially to avoid any sort of appearance of election fraud within their own party,” which delayed results and made this convention draw way into the evening,” said reporter Simon Schuster.
- The Democratic state convention was less dramatic, but the Israel-Hamas protest “speaks to sort of some of the tensions that are undergirding the coalition that Democrats are trying to maintain heading into this presidential election,” he said.
- Michigan was well represented at last week’s Democratic National Convention, and at least a couple state speakers ended up as memes, reporter Lauren Gibbons noted. Senate candidate Elissa Slotkin appears to be embracing a new fanbase moniker coined on “The Daily Show.”
.@jonstewart, welcome to the SlotHive 🌭 pic.twitter.com/oz8uxbWdsq
— Elissa Slotkin (@ElissaSlotkin) August 23, 2024
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