CNN's Democratic debate criteria leave the door wide open for Joe Biden

CNN invited all five declared Democratic presidential candidates to the Oct. 13 debate, and, should he formally launch a campaign in the meantime, Vice President Joe Biden would be qualified to join them. Based on the criteria the network announced Monday, any declared candidate averaging at least 1 percent in polls between Aug. 1 and Oct. 10 is welcome on the Las Vegas stage.

Biden has repeatedly expressed uncertainty over declaring his candidacy, saying he's not sure if he's ready to make the commitment so soon after the May death of his eldest son, Beau. Even so, his super PAC is staffing up in states with early primaries, and he's already polling well.

The vice president would join frontrunner Hillary Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee, and former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb in the virtual reality extravaganza.

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