With the Third Debate Set and Several Candidates Picking Up

[LincolnRossiter]

next to go?

Qualified for Debate:

Joe Biden
Elizabeth Warren
Bernie Sanders
Kamala Harris
Andrew Yang
Cory Booker
Pete Buttigieg
Julian Castro
Amy Klobuchar
Beto O'Rourke

Did Not Qualify:

Kirsten Gillibrand
Tulsi Gabbard
John Delaney
Marianne Williamson
Wayne Messam
Tim Ryan
Michael Bennet
Steve Bullock
Bill de Blasio
Joe Sestak
Tom Steyer

Pure speculation since we don't really know what these candidates' intentions and motivations are. I'm thinking Gillibrand and at least one of the newer candidates who most voters couldn't pick in a line-up Joe Sestak or Wayne Messam. Good time for de Blasio to get out, too. Tulsi is going to hang on for a while longer. Steyer isn't going anywhere because he can buy as much organization and exposure as he wants with his own dough.

Really it's anyone's guess. Ryan, Delaney, Bullock, and Bennet have to know they're wasting time and money.

[zaj]

1. I could see some benefitting from others dropping out...

...and thus more staying in as long as possible.

[LincolnRossiter]

2. I wouldn't necessarily think those supporting candidates near the bottom of the polls would

shift their support to another bottom-tier candidate is theirs dropped out. I almost suspect they'd more likely pick one of the leaders. We'll see, though.

[Sherman A1]

3. I have to ask, just what is the rush?

beyond the "horse race" speculation?