O'Malley's numbers could push him out of the next debate, but the DNC says it expects him on stage
Gabriel Debenedetti @gdebenedetti 11m11 minutes ago
NEW: O'Malley's numbers could easily push him out of the next debate, but the DNC says it expects him on stage http://politi.co/1IUAKVF
Criteria announced by NBC on Friday could bump Martin O'Malley off the stage for the next Democratic debate, but party leaders said they expect all three major Democratic candidates to secure a lectern.
According to NBC's announced criteria, candidates have to reach an average of 5 percent in national polls or in Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina to make the debate stage on Jan. 17, and the former Maryland governor is at 2.8 percent in the five most recent national polls, 5 percent in Iowa, and 2.4 in New Hampshire, according to POLITICO's calculations.
That means his best shot at making the stage would be maintaining his place in Iowa in polls that are released between now and the debate.
There haven't been enough South Carolina polls to count yet, according to NBC's criteria, but he does not reach the threshold in those that have been released.
Already, the DNC said it expects O'Malley to make the stage, indicating the pressure's on NBC to round up as it assesses the polls. "We expect all three of our major candidates onstage next Sunday in South Carolina," said DNC spokesman Luis Miranda.
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http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/martin-omalley-could-miss-democratic-debate-217500
Luis Miranda @MiraLuisDC 32m32 minutes ago
@Hadas_Gold We expect all three of our major candidates on stage next Sunday in South Carolina. Tune in! #DemDebate