DNC Ups The Ante With New Debate Rules Aimed At Narrowing Crowded Field

Democratic presidential candidates Marianne Williamson (L-R), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), former Texas con... Democratic presidential candidates Marianne Williamson (L-R), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke, former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper, and Montana Gov. Steve Bullockduring the Democratic presidential debate on July 30, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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The Democratic National Committee on Monday announced new rules requiring higher polling numbers and fundraising minimums to participate in November’s presidential primary debate.

While candidates needed to reach only 2 percent support in four DNC-approved polls to be invited on the debate stage in September and October, now candidates must reach 3 percent in four polls or 5 percent in two single-state polls in the early primary states (Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada).

The number of required unique donors has also increased from 130,000 to 165,000.

The November debate follows the debates on October 15 and 16 in Ohio.

According to NBC News, former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), former Housing Secretary Julián Castro, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), Andrew Yang, and Tom Steyer have qualified for the October debates.

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Notable Replies

  1. Can we please add one that makes it so that everyone participating is an actual Democrat?

    TY

  2. By registration or by 20+ years of voting and caucusing?

    I have no problem if one meets either criteria.

    (BTW, I too would like to see Bernie drop out as I see Warren gathering more of his supporters than Biden, and while I prefer Harris, Warren beats Biden any day)

  3. It’s time to cut this field down. DiBlasio leaving over the weekend made me hopeful, but it’s time to get the stragglers out. We’re almost in October. Let’s get to the serious ones and stop diluting the message.

    The lesser candidates in polling numbers have had ample opportunity to make themselves heard. If they haven’t gained traction, that is no one’s fault but their own. They’ve had more time than in previous years to state their case and, if it hasn’t resonated, it’s time to move on and get behind the stronger candidates.

    Enough already.

  4. But how can we make an informed choice without adequate representation from the Green - Shirley MacLaine - Ramtha - Rent Is Too Damn High - Howard Schultz - Freedom Dividend - I Wanna Pony - Antivaxxer - Stealth Minsk - Let’s Topple Pelosi - Mike Gravel’s Not THAT Crazy - Slightly Chartreuse - Sarandonista faction of American politics?

    Rigged!

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