I mean this is getting ridiculous. Here we are going on the 3rd debate, and we have several candidates that are scraping dirt in their polling numbers, and they haven't dropped out, except for Rick Perry & Scott Walker.
CNBC has set new ground rules for the upcoming debate in October.
The network is not limiting the number of candidates who appear in the main debate, but it is setting a new threshold for who qualifies. To be eligible for the two debates, a candidate must score at least 1 percent in one of the national polls conducted by NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, CNN and Bloomberg between Sept. 17 and Oct. 21.
The top-tier debate at 8 p.m. will include any candidate with an average 2.5 percent or higher standing — which right now includes Donald Trump (23 percent), Ben Carson (17 percent), Carly Fiorina (11.5 percent), Marco Rubio (9.8 percent), Jeb Bush (9 percent), Ted Cruz (6 percent), John Kasich (4 percent), Chris Christie (3.8 percent), Mike Huckabee (3.5 percent) and Rand Paul (2.8 percent), according to Real Clear Politics data.
At this point, the earlier 6 p.m. debate will feature Rick Santorum (0.8 percent), Bobby Jindal (0.5 percent) and George Pataki (0.3 percent). Not invited at all : Lindsey Graham and Jim Gilmore. The numbers may change as new polls come out and Paul is certainly on the hot seat to maintain his numbers and make the top debate.
Jindal cried foul about the criteria. But the Republic National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus defended the rules, saying “we applaud CNBC’s efforts to ensure that all of our top candidates will have an opportunity to share their views with the American people.”
CNBC sets criteria for GOP debate in Colorado
It's a freaking 3 ring circus
CNBC has set new ground rules for the upcoming debate in October.
The network is not limiting the number of candidates who appear in the main debate, but it is setting a new threshold for who qualifies. To be eligible for the two debates, a candidate must score at least 1 percent in one of the national polls conducted by NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, CNN and Bloomberg between Sept. 17 and Oct. 21.
The top-tier debate at 8 p.m. will include any candidate with an average 2.5 percent or higher standing — which right now includes Donald Trump (23 percent), Ben Carson (17 percent), Carly Fiorina (11.5 percent), Marco Rubio (9.8 percent), Jeb Bush (9 percent), Ted Cruz (6 percent), John Kasich (4 percent), Chris Christie (3.8 percent), Mike Huckabee (3.5 percent) and Rand Paul (2.8 percent), according to Real Clear Politics data.
At this point, the earlier 6 p.m. debate will feature Rick Santorum (0.8 percent), Bobby Jindal (0.5 percent) and George Pataki (0.3 percent). Not invited at all : Lindsey Graham and Jim Gilmore. The numbers may change as new polls come out and Paul is certainly on the hot seat to maintain his numbers and make the top debate.
Jindal cried foul about the criteria. But the Republic National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus defended the rules, saying “we applaud CNBC’s efforts to ensure that all of our top candidates will have an opportunity to share their views with the American people.”
CNBC sets criteria for GOP debate in Colorado
It's a freaking 3 ring circus