CNN debate: Christie, Paul on main stage

The Hill reported Friday that Paul faces a serious risk of missing the prime-time debate, depending on how his polling this weekend goes. It pointed to CNN’s decision to change the polling standards for its last GOP argument in Simi Valley, California, which hit on Fiorina after a solid showing in the very first Republican argument onto the main stage.

Paul was in danger of being eliminated from the prime-time debate, which will air Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. The Fox News poll gave Paul 5 percent of the vote in Iowa, which fits one of CNN’s criteria (the threshold was 4 percent in either Iowa or New Hampshire or 3.5 percent nationally) for making the main stage.

Under CNN’s rules, a candidate can make the main stage if they garner 3.5 percent in an average of national polls, or 4 percent in an average of polls in either Iowa or New Hampshire.

Donald Trump, who’s spent much of the primary race atop polls of the party’s crowded 2016 field, will again be at the center podium for the debate in Las Vegas. Ted Cruz to his left. Rand Paul, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, businesswoman Carly Fiorina and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the network said.

Four candidates – former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, South Carolina Sen. CNN will begin its live coverage of the debates at 6 PM.