WASHINGTON — (CNN) Republicans, say goodbye to the undercard debates.
Next week’s ABC News Republican primary debate in Manchester, New Hampshire, will feature just one debate, and that debate is likely to exclude several bottom-tier candidates, CNNMoney has learned.
The criteria for the February 6 debate, which is set to be released Wednesday afternoon, will exclude any candidate who does not finish in the top-three in the Iowa caucuses or in the top six either nationally or in New Hampshire.
At present, such criteria would likely keep Rand Paul, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum off the debate stage — unless they can pull their numbers up in the days ahead.
The forthcoming criteria from ABC News is as follows: Candidates must:
— Place among the top three candidates ranked according to the popular vote in the Iowa Republican caucuses on February 1, 2016.
— 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 January 1, 2016, and must be released to the public before 5 p.m. ET on February 4, 2016. Poll averages will not be rounded.
— 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 January 1, 2016, and must be released to the public before 5 p.m. ET on February 4, 2016. Poll averages will not be rounded.
The February 6 debate takes place just three days before voters in the Granite State head to the polls.
ABC News anchors David Muir and Martha Raddatz will moderate the debate, along with WMUR Political Director Josh McElveen.
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