Should there be a higher bar for inclusion in these debates?

[redstateblues]

Let’s be honest. There are some folks that have no business being on that stage. And now Joe Sestak is wanting in. Some of these folks are using this stage to promote their careers. They know they have no chance. If they honestly think they do, they are delusional.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Yes I do

Eom

[hlthe2b]

2. Yup... There are several long-shot candidates who have decided to run relatively late compared to

the rest. That puts them at a disadvantage meeting the requirements, but I think it is fair.

I wish the next debates had tightened requirements. There will likely be more than 20 that qualify but I'm hearing they will limit it to 20 based on "best performance" whatever that means.

[JI7]

3. having been a public official within the last 15 years or so

should be required.

[Agschmid]

9. Disagree.

[dalton99a]

11. +1. A perfectly reasonable requirement.

[AlexSFCA]

4. yes

[Tribalceltic]

5. Yes

Top 5 only!

[Celerity]

6. lol, careful what you wish for

[Blue_true]

8. And how do you decide the top 5?

This mess goes back to Bernie Sanders and his supporters behavior in 2016, during the race for DNC Chair and the lead up to this primary.

The DNC is bending over backwards to look evenhanded. Hooefully this clears up fairly quickly and we get only viable candidates on the debate stage.

[Blue_true]

7. The debate cluster F is a direct result of Bernie Sanders and his supporters claims.

The DNC is so adverse to looking like it is tilting the playing field that people are getting into the debates that don't belong there.

[Eric J in MN]

14. We said there should have been more debates last time.

We didn't criticize the admission criteria.

[customerserviceguy]

10. It will happen

it's just going to take time, that's all. Low-polling candidates are going to be given another shot to catch fire, and after that, the qualifications for making the cut tighten.

[Wounded Bear]

12. Not a fan of changing the rules in mid stream...

I say let it play out.

[Eric J in MN]

13. Yes. They should have just included the Top 10 in the polls

...five on each of two nights. With equal time for the debate participants.

Andrew Yang and Michael Bennet were on stage but barely allowed to talk. It was a pointless gesture to admit them but barely let them talk.

[DavidDvorkin]

15. Any bar that lets Marianne Williamson into the debate is too low.

[octoberlib]

16. Yes.

[Curky]

17. Yes. Yang and Marianne are dangerous

They spread Trumpian and kooky conspiracy theories.