The Democratic National Committee announced Friday that candidates can…

The Democratic National Committee announced Friday that candidates can meet either a delegates threshold or a polling threshold to qualify for the February debate in Las Vegas, dropping a fundraising requirement and potentially paving the way for Michael BloombergMichael Rubens BloombergThe Memo: Trump tries to steal Democrats’ thunder in IowaTrump mocks 2020 Democrats during Iowa campaign rallyKlobuchar meets with Congressional Hispanic Caucus campaign armMORE to make the stage for the first time.
The Las Vegas debate will take place on Feb. 19, just three days before the Nevada caucuses.
To qualify, candidates must have been allocated at least one pledged delegate at the Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary.
But even if a candidate does not win any delegates in one of the first two contests, they can qualify by reaching 10 percent support in at least four sanctioned national polls or surveys of South Carolina and Nevada released between Jan. 15 and Feb. 18.
Alternatively, a candidate will qualify for the debate by reaching 12 percent support in two sanctioned national or early-state polls.
Only six candidates qualified for the previous debate in Des Moines: Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Memo: Trump tries to steal Democrats’ thunder in IowaDemocrats make closing arguments to Iowa votersTrump mocks 2020 Democrats during Iowa campaign rallyMORE (I-Vt.), former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenThe Memo: Trump tries to steal Democrats’ thunder in IowaDemocrats make closing arguments to Iowa votersAlexander to vote no on witnesses, bringing trial close to endMORE, Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenThe Memo: Trump tries to steal Democrats’ thunder in IowaDemocrats make closing arguments to Iowa votersTrump mocks 2020 Democrats during Iowa campaign rallyMORE (D-Mass.), former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegThe Memo: Trump tries to steal Democrats’ thunder in IowaDemocrats make closing arguments to Iowa votersTrump mocks 2020 Democrats during Iowa campaign rallyMORE, Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharDemocrats make closing arguments to Iowa votersKlobuchar meets with Congressional Hispanic Caucus campaign armBloomberg says he won’t change donor policy to make debate stage MORE (D-Minn.) and businessman Tom SteyerTom Fahr SteyerDemocrats make closing arguments to Iowa votersBloomberg says he won’t change donor policy to make debate stage Bloomberg surges past Warren into third place in new national pollMORE.
Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, has polled in double-digits in several recent national surveys. He has been self-funding his campaign and so has failed to reach the fundraising thresholds for previous debates.
But now with that barrier removed, he might join Democrats on stage for the first time.
The higher polling thresholds will make it very difficult for several candidates going forward, unless they build momentum after the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.
Businessman Andrew YangAndrew YangBloomberg says he won’t change donor policy to make debate stage Bloomberg surges past Warren into third place in new national pollBiden tops Sanders by 5 points nationally: Pew surveyMORE and Rep. Tulsi GabbardTulsi GabbardGabbard says she’s received no reason from CNN for lack of invitation to town hallsBiden looks to pull off an upset in New HampshireSanders opens up 15-point lead in New Hampshire: PollMORE (D-Hawaii) both failed to meet the polling requirements for the debate in Iowa last month.