GOP Debate Rules Pose Challenges for Underfunded Candidates.

The Republican National Committee has set the criteria for candidates to qualify for the first Republican presidential primary debate, including a minimum of 40,000 unique donors to their campaign and support of at least 1% in multiple national polls. This poses a challenge for underfunded candidates, who may struggle to meet the fundraising threshold. Some campaigns are already racing to ensure they have enough donors, while others have expressed concerns about the criteria. Candidates who make it onstage will be grouped according to polling, with the highest-polling candidate in the center.