2020 presidential hopeful Bill de Blasio complained about the Democratic National Committee’s rules on candidates qualifying for the primary debates.
The DNC said in order for candidates to appear on stage, they must be 1% in three approved polls or get donations from 65,000 people, with 200 of those originating from 20 states, according to Politico. In order to appear for the third debate in September, candidates must receive 130,000 individual donations from 20 or more states and reach 2% or more in four polls.
De Blasio said the rules will limit the over-20 candidate field and is unfair to voters since they want to hear from all of them.
“Look, I appreciate the impulse, but I think we have to ask the question, ‘Is this going to limit debate and limit the diversity of the field and limit the options for voters in a way that’s unhelpful?'” de Blasio told NY1. “When I talk to Iowans, especially first up to bat, they like having the choices that you know they want to hear from everyone.”
“But I do hope the DNC remembers that we’re always better off being inclusive,” he added.
In a recent CNN/Des Moines Register poll, De Blasio came in at 0% with Democratic caucus participants. When it comes to New York City, President Trump has a higher favorability rating than de Blasio.
Thirty-four percent of registered voters said they have favorable view of Trump, while 63% said they had an unfavorable view. De Blasio has just has a 29% favorable view, with 53% saying they view him unfavorably.
