Martin O'Malley slams NBC over announced debate criteria
NEW YORK -- NBC News announced its criteria for the last Democratic debate before the primaries on Friday, and it appears that Martin O'Malley might not make the cut.
In order to qualify for the debate, which will take place on January 17 in South Carolina, each candidate must reach an average of 5 percent in either national polls, or polls in Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina, in the five most recent polls recognized by the debate's host.
O'Malley blasted NBC at a campaign stop in Davenport: "They're treating your presidential selection process as if it's another episode of 'The Apprentice,'" he said. "This election is not up to NBC executives. It's up to you, the people of Iowa."
O'Malley, who has emerged as the strongest voice for more debates on the Democratic side, has struggled to get his poll numbers out of the low single digits since he began his campaign.
According to the most recent Real Clear Politics averages, O'Malley is only polling above 5 percent only in Iowa, where he is currently campaigning. Nationally, O'Malley earns only 3.5 percent of the vote. In South Carolina and New Hampshire, he does not meet the threshold.
O'Malley's ability to participate will likely depend on the criteria for the polls NBC accepts into its average. For instance, CNBC, which is owned by NBC, determined the criteria for its last debate based on a small group of polls -- by NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, CNN and Bloomberg -- which were deemed "methodologically sound and recognized national polls." In the current roundup listed by Real Clear Politics, the two polls that show O'Malley's support above 4 percent, Gravis and PPP, would not be included in the average.
A spokeswoman for O'Malley did not respond to a request for comment.
Brian Fallon, a spokesman for Clinton, tweeted in support of O'Malley on Friday afternoon.
"We believe all three candidates should participate in the South Carolina debate, and oppose any criteria that might leave someone excluded," he wrote.
Michael Briggs, Sanders' director of communications, said in an email: "Gov. O'Malley should be in the debate. Fair is fair."