CNN: Iowa, New Hampshire polls part of debate criteria

The Republican presidential candidates at an October debate. (Mark J. Terrill, AP)

CNN said Friday it will take polls from Iowa and New Hampshire into account when determining the lineup for the Dec. 15 prime-time Republican debate in Las Vegas.

GOP candidates must meet one of three polling criteria to make the main stage, CNN reported

Networks have used national polls to cast previous debates, drawing protests from Republicans who said surveys in the opening states of Iowa and New Hampshire are a better gauge of how candidates are doing.

Under the expanded criteria, CNN said nine candidates would qualify for the main debate at The Venetian in Las Vegas: Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Carly Fiorina and Chris Christie.

According to CNN:

“Paul is on the bubble for the debate. He clears the national hurdle of 3.5%, but doesn’t average 4% in either of the first two states to vote in the 2016 nominating process.”

Christie failed to qualify for this month’s main event in Milwaukee and was relegated to a preliminary debate.

There will also be an early debate in Las Vegas, CNN said, also with criteria: “Candidates must reach at least 1% in four separate national, Iowa or New Hampshire polls that are recognized by CNN.”

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