Rep. Tulsi Gabbard might not be polling well in the 2020 Democratic primary race, but she does add something valuable to the conversation.
Now, after Super Tuesday results show that she placed second and won a delegate in American Samoa, it appears Gabbard may have qualified for the next Democratic debate. If the qualification rules going forward stay the same that they were for the Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina debates, then you would only need to win a single delegate to earn a spot on the debate stage. Under this standard, Gabbard would now qualify.
If Tulsi Gabbard gets a delegate out of American Samoa, as it appears she has done, she will likely qualify for the next Democratic debate. We don’t have new debate rules yet, but party has been inviting any candidate who gets a delegate.
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) March 4, 2020
Were she to meet the delegate standard, assuming current projections hold, it would set up a dramatic showdown between Gabbard and the Democratic National Committee, longtime enemies. If they change the rules now, conveniently, it would seem suspect, like they are trying to keep Gabbard off the stage. Otherwise, she will grace the debate stage again soon — and take the establishment to task.
UPDATE: A Democratic Party spokeswoman suggested on Twitter the party will raise the delegate threshold, calling into question Gabbard’s qualification.
