The debate stage is set and only seven candidates have made the cut. Carly Fiorina, however, was not one of them:
ABC NEWS is partnering with ABC affiliate WMUR, Independent Journal Review, the Republican National Committee and Saint Anselm College to host “New Hampshire: The Republicans Debate” on Saturday, February 6, 2016. Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos kicks-off pre debate coverage at 8:00 p.m. ET with the powerhouse ABC News politics team in New Hampshire.
The following candidates have gained an invitation to the ABC News Republican Presidential debate on February 6, 2016 per the criteria announced by ABC News on January 27, 2016.
The candidates will take the stage at 8:15 p.m. ET in the following order from left to right:
John Kasich, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, Chris Christie
Candidates can gain an invitation for the debate stage through one of the following ways:
1) Place among the top three candidates ranked according to the popular vote in the Iowa Republican caucuses on Feb. 1, 2016. (OR)
2) Place among the top six candidates in an average of New Hampshire Republican presidential polls recognized by ABC News. To be included, polls must be conducted no earlier than Jan. 1, 2016, and must be released to the public before 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 4, 2016. Poll averages will not be rounded. (OR)
3) Place among the top six candidates in an average of national Republican presidential polls recognized by ABC News. To be included, polls must be conducted no earlier than Jan. 1, 2016, and must be released to the public before 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 4, 2016. Poll averages will not be rounded.
The lineup was just announced within the last few minutes, well after several Republicans came to Carly’s defense saying she should be included:
.@CarlyFiorina should be on the debate stage Saturday!!
— Rick Perry (@GovernorPerry) February 4, 2016
Hey @ABC: put @CarlyFiorina on the debate stage! She got more Iowa votes than John and Chris. Don't exclude only woman.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) February 4, 2016
Carly is one of the best story-tellers @GOP has
Only one poll has mattered so far—& she got delegates
She shld be on the #GOPdebate stage
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) February 4, 2016