New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee have been relegated to the "undercard" debate next Tuesday, Nov. 10. They will join Rick Santorum and Bobby Jindal in the first debate prior to the primetime debate, featuring the remaining eight candidates. Lindsey Graham and George Pataki are both not polling high enough to make either debate.
In order to make the "main stage" debate, a candidate must poll above 2.5 percent in the four most recent major polls prior to November 4. A candidate must poll above one percent to make the "undercard" debate.
The debates will both be hosted by Fox Business Network and will be held in Milwaukee.
So, to be blunt: it's not looking good for any of the "undercard" candidates, and it's really not looking good for Pataki and Graham. As primary season draws ever-closer, it's probably a good idea if the GOP field begins to thin itself further.
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