Independent presidential candidate Cornel West appeared on Thursday’s CNN NewsNight, where he was asked the question on many Democrats’ minds: Will he cost President Joe Biden reelection in November?
West is one of several third-party wild cards in the race, along with independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Green Party nominee Jill Stein.
According to one recent survey, West is polling at 5% while Kennedy enjoys 14% support. Meanwhile, Stein receives 2%. Given Biden’s tight winning margins in a handful of states that put him over the top in 2020, those margins could tip the balance.
CNN’s Abby Phillip asked West about his potential role as spoiler in the election.
“There’s a conservative activist, Scott Presler, who says he’s trying to get you on the North Carolina ballot,” she said. “Would you accept his help?”
“No, no, I don’t think so,” replied West, who said his candidacy is about “integrity” and “truth.”
“Harlan Crow offered you money,” Phillip noted of the billionaire GOP donor and Clarence Thomas benefactor. “He’s a major Republican donor. Why are so many conservatives wanting you on the ballot? Do you think it’s because they think you will hurt President Biden?”
“He’s the only one,” West protested. “And I’ve known Harlan for the last year and a half. He’s got a precious family. I’ve connected with him.” The candidate explained he refused Crow’s money.
Phillip then asked West if he’s going to help swing the election to Donald Trump:
PHILLIP: At the end of the day, Dr. West, are you worried at all that this effort – even Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s effort – could result in a Donald Trump presidency?
WEST: Well, we’ll have to see in real time. We still got a number of months. Trump may end up in jail and Biden may run out of gas and do an LBJ thing and pull out and they had to move to the B team as we move to Chicago. We don’t know. What we gotta be is true to our…
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