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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'Fixer of Trump's problems has become one of them'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Pros and cons of oat milk
Pros and cons Oat has emerged as the king of Britain's plant-based milks, but how does it stack up against the alternatives?
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
What happens if TikTok is banned?
Today's Big Question Many are fearful that TikTok's demise could decimate the content creator community
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published