As the stakes in the 2020 presidential election increase, several candidates have chosen to drop out. The two factors linking 2020 drop-outs are low poll numbers and failing to meet the criteria to appear on the third primary debate stage later this month.
To be clear, the DNC mandated that attendees of the third debate obtain 130,000 individual donors and reach 2% in four national or early state voting polls. Multiple Democrat candidates who knew they couldn’t meet these thresholds ultimately chose to end their presidential campaigns.
However, not all contenders who won’t make the third debate chose to simply bow out of the 2020 race. Tulsi Gabbard is one of the candidates who failed to meet the aforementioned debate criteria; however, she’s not letting this stop her from campaigning.
Gabbard also recently took two weeks off to train with the Army National Guard. Now, she’s back and determined to continue running for president, as documented by The Daily Caller News Foundation.
A Closer Look at the Tulsi 2020 Campaign
On Saturday, Gabbard spent time in Atlanta, Georgia in order to speak with attendees and voters at a town hall. During the event, Gabbard noted that the press has regularly asked whether or not she would ultimately drop out of the 2020 presidential election since failing to make the criteria to appear on the third debate stage in Houston, Texas.
Much to the elation of the Atlanta’s town hall audience, Gabbard very clearly articulated her determination to remain in the race. Her specific comments on the situation read as follows:
“Hell, no! Hell, no! If any of them had been listening to what I’ve been saying about what this movement is about, about why I’m running for president, and what is at stake, they would understand why we are here and why we will never quit.”
In recent weeks, Gabbard has censured the DNC’s determination of eligible polls to appear in the upcoming debate. At this time, Gabbard is at about 1.4% in the polls.
A Major Campaign Hit
Failing to appear on any debate stage is a major blow to any candidate’s campaign, especially one who is polling in the single digits. During Gabbard’s attendance at the second primary debate, she went after fellow 2020 contender Kamala Harris over the latter’s actions during her time as a prosecutor.
Gabbard’s confrontation of Harris garnered significant attention and praise from Democrats, although the momentum was not enough to get Gabbard to the next debate. At this point, only time will tell what lies ahead for Gabbard’s campaign. Additional candidates, like Tom Steyer and Marianne Williamson, have failed to meet the thresholds to appear on the third debate stage, yet still remain in the 2020 race…for now.
Which Democrat is now most likely to end their campaign to become president? How long do you think Tulsi Gabbard will remain in the race? Sound off with your thoughts in the comments section below!
