On The Rachel Maddow Show, DNC Chair Tom Perez announced that the DNC would begin having debates in June of this year for the 2020 election.
Here are the key points: First, there could be up to 20 candidates in the field, spread over two nights. In such a case, the candidates will be randomly assigned to the two debates; there will not be a “kiddie table” debate.
Second, there will be two ways for candidates to qualify for the debate:
- Polling: Candidates need a minimum of 1% polling in three polls—either national polls or early-state polls (New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina, or Nevada).
- Grassroots funding: Candidates need a minimum of 65,000 unique donors, including at least 200 donors in each of 20 states.
- According to Politico, if more than 20 candidates qualify under these criteria, then preference will be given to candidates who meet both criteria, followed by candidates with the highest polling averages.
I think the most important thing is that the DNC is being upfront about the requirements, and is not creating a “kiddie table,” which basically hobbled those candidates before they got out of the gate.