The
debate is set to take place in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Dec. 6,
according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.
To qualify, candidates will need to receive 6% support in at
least two national polls, or both 6% in one national poll and 6%
in one statewide poll in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina or
Nevada. Those are crucial states in the nominating process, as
they are the first four to select their preferred nominee.
Candidates will also need 80,000 unique donors, and at least 200
donors from each of 20 or more states and territories, the RNC
said in a statement.
Traditionally, candidates that fail to make a debate stage lose
the attention of the media, voters and donors. For the
candidates that make it, a smaller stage will mean more speaking
time, giving them valuable exposure in the lead-up to the Iowa
caucuses, set for Jan. 15.
As of now, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former U.N.
Ambassador Nikki Haley appear to be easily meeting the polling
threshold. Former tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy also would
make the stage, considering current surveys, albeit by a
narrower margin.
Unless their fortunes improve, U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South
Carolina, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and North
Dakota Governor Doug Burgum would not make the stage in Alabama.
Former President Donald Trump, who is by far the frontrunner,
meets the polling thresholds, but has declined to participate in
the debates so far, saying it would be a waste of time given his
significant lead.
The third Republican debate, which has a similarly structured
polling threshold of 4%, will take place on Wednesday in Miami.
Haley, DeSantis, Christie and Ramaswamy will be in attendance.
Scott is on the cusp, but has said he has qualified. Burgum
appears so far to be short of the threshold.
(Reporting by Gram Slattery; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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