DNC rule change will likely let Michael Bloomberg qualify for February's Democratic debate
The Democratic National Committee is breaking one of its biggest promises.
Every time the DNC's debate qualifications kept key candidates off the stage, the committee was criticized for its seemingly arbitrary and exclusionary rules. But the DNC still refused to relent — until Friday, when it abruptly dropped the donor requirement for February's second debate.
Candidates will have three ways to make the February debate stage, the DNC revealed. They can earn 10 percent support in a combination of four national polls or those from Nevada and South Carolina, they can get 12 percent support in just two Nevada and South Carolina polls, or they can earn one delegate in the Iowa caucus or New Hampshire primary. Contenders will have until Feb. 18, the day before the Nevada debate, to do so.
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.
It immediately became clear the change would benefit former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who entered the 2020 race late but has polled fairly well ever since. There's a good chance Bloomberg will hit one of those polling requirements and, with his own billions largely funding his campaign, he doesn't need to worry about racking up small-money donors anymore.
The change came despite candidates of color noting the rules had kept them off the stage, leading to an entirely white debate in December and a dismissive defense from the DNC. Some critics on the left even speculated the DNC made the rule change explicitly for Bloomberg, but Addisu Demissie, who was the campaign manager for Sen. Cory Booker's (D-N.J.) 2020 run, had no words for what went down. Kathryn Krawczyk
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
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
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
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published