New DNC debate requirements could 'seriously endanger' most 2020 candidates

Could more than half of the participants in last week's Democratic debate be on the verge of getting kicked off the stage?

The Democratic National Committee once again raised the threshold to qualify for the sixth Democratic debate Friday, with candidates now needing to reach four percent support in four approved early-state or national polls, or six percent support in two approved early-state polls, as well as 200,000 unique donors, Politico reports.

This is up from the three percent support, and 165,000 unique donors, required for the November debate, and Politico writes that the new rules could "seriously endanger the participation of all but the top five candidates" in the December event.

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The race's three top candidates have nothing to worry about, with former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) already having the four qualifying polls, CNN reports. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg are reportedly also just one poll away, so they should have no problem qualifying considering the deadline isn't until Dec. 12. Outside of this top five, businessman Tom Steyer has two of four polls as well.

But according to CNN, every other candidate has no qualifying poll yet, creating the possibility that next month's debate could be a swan song for much of the field. That debate is set for Nov. 20.