NBC: The next debate will go to 10: What we learned from this week's polls.

[crazytown]

1. Tom Steyer didn’t hit two percent in either poll — in fact, he was below one percent in both — which means there will be just 10 participants next month: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, Beto O’Rourke, Cory Booker, Andrew Yang, Amy Klobuchar and Julian Castro.

2. Because only 10 qualified — instead of 11 — there will be just one debate night in Houston, on Sept. 12, which means Biden, Bernie and Warren will all share the same stage.

3. The higher threshold to make September’s debate (130,000 donors, hitting 2 percent in at least four polls) winnowed a field with some 20 candidates in half — to 10.

4. Money doesn’t buy you love or participation in a presidential debate: Steyer has spent nearly $12 million for an opportunity to make the debate stage, while Kirsten Gillibrand (who also didn’t make it) has spent more than $2 million.

5. Steyer and others still have a shot to make the October debate, since the qualifying polling period lasts from June 28 to two weeks before the debate — which gives them more time to make that debate stage.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/next-debate-will-go-ten-what-we-learned-week-s-n1047141?cid=public-rss_20190828

[pangaia]

1. A good development... I think..... others may not. :))))

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Any change in requirement for October compared to September?

I'm guessing there will be a wave of candidates dropping out who haven't made the debates, and an ensuing surge in the polls for both Biden and Warren; the other eight, I'm not so sure.

[thesquanderer]

3. Yes, the qualifying period includes the entire September qualifying period, and newer.

That means candidates have more time to hit 2% enough times in the polls that count. Everyone who qualifies for September is automatically qualified for October, but more may qualify as well.

[crazytown]

4. So, we have 10

and Steyer needs only one more? A 2 night debate in October? This is getting ridiculous.

[brooklynite]

5. So the likely podium arrangement is..

Biden and Sanders in the center, flanked by Harris and Warren. Then Buttigieg and O'Rourke. Then Booker and and Yang. Out the outsides, Klobuchar and Castro.

[LincolnRossiter]

6. Urgh I just can't help but hate these huge debates. They're more like panels or forums.

I'm glad we get all the leaders up there at once, but I really wish they'd gone with a 5-5 split.

[crazytown]

7. I would have liked to see

Biden, Warren, Buttigieg, Castro, Yang
Sanders, Harris, Beto, Booker, Amy

[sacto95834]

8. Since they have the auditorium for two nights...

might be a good idea to split the panel into two w/5 each. Probably get better answers, or at least more time to deliver more thoughtful answers to questions. Just want to experience a panel w/less candidates. The first two debates were often mind numbing.

September's debate can go back to the one panel w/10 if need be.

[Tarc]

9. No more "New Zealand" moments, no more faux "takedowns" of Harris by a 1-percenter

I am looking forward to time spent engaging with viable candidates.