The Democratic National Committee released the new standards for the upcoming primary debate following Super Tuesday, on March 15. To qualify for March’s debate, candidates must have obtained 20 percent of the pledged delegates to date. Thus far, former Vice President Joe Biden has 48 percent, while Sen. Bernie Sanders had 41 percent.
New: We have the threshold for the March 15 debate. Candidates must earn 20 percent of pledged delegates awarded thus far — meaning we will almost assuredly have a Biden vs. Sanders showdown https://t.co/5cuh8PS2lG
— Zach Montellaro (@ZachMontellaro) March 6, 2020
Gabbard (who hasn't been in a debate since Nov.) has 2 delegates.
— Alex Seitz-Wald (@aseitzwald) March 6, 2020
You need 20% of all delegates by March 15 to debate, which is ~374. There are only 352 delegates *total* available on March 10, so...
Biden (596 delegates) vs. Sanders (528 delegates).https://t.co/KhC0Hc6xHg
This threshold boxes out Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) from the debate, again. Gabbard has failed to meet donor and polling requirements previously but is still very much in the race.
Thank you for turning out last night, Texas!! #StandWithTulsi #Vote pic.twitter.com/iOMZRYt5qE
— Tulsi Gabbard ?? (@TulsiGabbard) March 3, 2020
Rep. Gabbard has largely been ignored in this primary, from establishment officials and fellow candidates. After Sen. Warren dropped out of the primary Thursday, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), who also tried her hand at a run for the White House, claimed that there were no women remaining in the race:
Sen. @KamalaHarris: "Look at what's happened. Look at what's happened. There are no women currently in this race." https://t.co/K4brLkv1rv pic.twitter.com/MmQ02LdA0r
— The Hill (@thehill) March 6, 2020
In a crowded primary that began with six female candidates, Rep. Gabbard is the last one standing. Gabbard has consistently been an outsider in this primary, and not a favorite of the DNC. The March debate will be a one-on-one contest between former Vice President Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
