New CNN debate criteria could put Christie back on main stage

[Geee]

The Hill :

GOP presidential candidates will be able to leverage early-state support into a spot on the main debate stage at CNN's Dec. 15 debate in Las Vegas, the network announced Friday.

 

While there's still more than three weeks of polling left to consider before the spots are finalized, the new criteria as of now pulls Gov. Chris Christie (N.J.) back onto the main debate stage after he dropped off earlier this month.

 

The inclusion of Iowa polls specifically would have set up Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.) for his first appearance in a main stage debate — had he not dropped out earlier this week.

To qualify based on national polling, candidates will have to hit a 3.5 percent mark in an average of national polls conducted between Oct. 29 and Dec. 15. That's a full percentage point higher than the threshold for this month's Fox Business News debate.

CNN will also put a candidate on the main stage if he or she has an average of at least 4 percent in polls in either Iowa or New Hampshire.

While the new rules bring Christie back onto the main stage after falling to the undercard during November's Fox Business News debate, former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.), who also dropped down to that second-tier debate, does not currently qualify to move back into the main event.

[Geee]

Paul at risk of being cut from next GOP debate

 

Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul, who has struggled to gain any traction among GOP voters, is on the cusp of not qualifying for the next GOP primary debate in December.

According to criteria for the debate released by CNN on Friday, there are three ways for a candidate to make it on stage for the main debate at 9 p.m. Candidates must have a national poll average of at least 3.5 percent, average at least 4 percent support in Iow, or average at least 4 percent support in New Hampshire.

 

Paul is currently qualifying for the national average, according to select polls CNN is considering, but CNN noted that he does not average 4 percent in Iowa or New Hampshire. If polls released before the Dec. 15 debate show Paul dropping nationally, it would disqualify him.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/paul-at-risk-of-being-cut-from-cnn-debate/article/2576850

[Valin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-acrj51Yew