Politics & Government
Delaney Has Yet To Qualify For Third Presidential Debate
Although he most likely won't qualify for the ABC News Debate next month, former Maryland Rep. John Delaney says he isn't backing down.
BETHESDA, MD — Wednesday is the deadline for candidates to qualify for the third Democratic presidential debate in Houston — and it looks like former Maryland Rep. John Delaney won't make the cut.
Although he most likely won't qualify for the ABC News Debate next month, Delaney says he isn't backing down.
"I'm not going anywhere," Delaney said on MSNBC Wednesday.
Find out what's happening in Bethesda-Chevy Chasefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
So far, only 10 candidates have met the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) requirements before the 11:59 p.m. deadline. And if no one else joins the group, the debate will be confined to one night (Sept. 12).
In order to qualify for the Houston debate, candidates have to get two percent of support in four separate polls and amass donations from 130,000 people (coming from at least 400 donors in 20 states).
Find out what's happening in Bethesda-Chevy Chasefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The 10 candidates who met the threshold are:
- Former Vice President Joe Biden
- Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders
- Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren
- New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker
- California Sen. Kamala Harris
- South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg
- Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro
- Former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke
- Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar
- Businessman Andrew Yang
Author Marianne Williamson, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, and billionaire Tom Steyer have only reached the fundraising threshold, according to CNN. Delaney, however, is among the contenders who didn't meet both the polling and donor requirements.
Two DNC-approved polls from Suffolk University/USA Today and Quinnipiac University found Delaney hovering around 0 percent.
So what's at stake for Delaney if he misses the debate?
Well, it really comes down to opportunity. Candidates — especially middle- to low-tier candidates — want to get as much air time and good press as possible. It's harder to stay relevant with voters if they aren't sharing the stage with the likes of Warren, Biden, and Sanders.
But Delaney tells MSNBC he isn't worried.
"I think this race is just getting started," Delaney said.
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