Soon after Fox News announced the formatting for the first 2016 GOP presidential debate in August, CNN and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library outlined the criteria for candidates to participate in the Sept. 16 debate in California, which will be divided into two parts — one with candidates in the top 10 in recent public polling and another with candidates that fall outside the top 10.
Candidates in the September debate will be required to file a statement of candidacy and register with the Federal Election Commission by Aug. 26 and achieve an average of at least 1 percent in three national recognized polls between July 16 and Sept. 10, among other requirements.
The format reflects the challenge a potentially large field presents to the Republican National Committee, which has sought to tighten the debate schedule in the wake of the 2012 GOP nominating contest.
“We support and respect the decision CNN has made,” RNC chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement.
Fox News also announced Wednesday that its Aug. 6 debate in Cleveland will feature candidates who place in the top 10 in the five most recent national polls leading up to Aug. 4 at 5 p.m. eastern time, as recognized by Fox News.
The top 10 in the latest RealClearPolitics average of the 2016 GOP field, which includes both candidates and prospective candidates, is as follows: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.
SEE ALSO: Fox News announces its plans for the first Republican presidential debate in August
At this point, that means the August debate could leave out people like former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, who announced her candidacy earlier this month, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Caroina.
“We support and respect the decision Fox has made which will match the greatest number of candidates we have ever had on a debate stage,” Mr. Priebus said.
Fox News’ Executive Vice President of News Editorial Michael Clemente also said the channel will provide additional coverage and air time on Aug. 6 to candidates who do not place in the top 10.
For her part, Ms. Fiorina and her supporters expressed confidence she’d end up onstage in August.
“Glad @FoxNews released metrics for 1st debate. I’ll look forward to making the cut and making my case to GOP voters on Aug 6th,” Ms. Fiorina tweeted Wednesday.
“We are confident that Carly’s growing momentum and support will meet and exceed whatever inclusion criteria Fox News and the RNC set,” said Steve DeMaura, executive director of the super PAC Carly for America.
Mr. Carson, who is currently the only black candidate in the field, actually wrote to Mr. Priebus recently saying he was concerned about the prospect that the debate criteria would exclude Ms. Fiorina, who is now the only female candidate in the field.
“I am particularly concerned with widespread speculation that my respected and well-qualified colleague, Ms. Carly Fiorina, may fall victim to those who want to limit debate participation to the more ’popular’ candidates, and I am serving notice herein, that I could not support such a decision,” Mr. Carson said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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