The 2020 Democratic Party Presidential Debates: Who Will Make the Cut?

The 2020 Democratic Party presidential nomination debates continue to capture the attention of Americans and global news outlets. As the primary season progresses, narrower criteria are being set by the Democratic Party for participating in these crucial debates. This article aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the fifth debate schedule and the candidates likely to be present.

Current Debates and Candidates

As of November 4th, the following candidates have qualified for the fifth debate:

Joe Biden Elizabeth Warren Bernie Sanders Pete Buttigieg Kamala Harris

These candidates will have until November 13 at 11:59 PM to meet the polling and donor requirements set by the Democratic Party. However, an analysis by CBS News indicates that the following nine candidates have already met these thresholds:

Joe Biden Cory Booker Pete Buttigieg Kamala Harris Bernie Sanders Tom Steyer Elizabeth Warren Andrew Yang Amy Klobuchar

Scheduled Debate on November 20, 2019

The fifth debate, scheduled for November 20, 2019, has the following confirmed candidates:

Joe Biden Pete Buttigieg Kamala Harris Bernie Sanders Elizabeth Warren Cory Booker Tom Steyer Andrew Yang

While these candidates are confirmed, the schedule always remains subject to change.

Previous Debates Overview

The fourth democratic debate, held on October 15, 2019, had a different lineup:

Tulsi Gabbard Tom Steyer Cory Booker Kamala Harris Bernie Sanders Joe Biden Elizabeth Warren Pete Buttigieg Andrew Yang Beto O’Rourke Amy Klobuchar

This lineup included candidates from the third debate, with potential additions from Tom Steyer. Additionally, Marianne Williamson and Tulsi Gabbard had an outside chance of qualifying if they gained sufficient poll support. However, both were not taken seriously in the race.

Current Party Dynamics

As the nomination process progresses, it is clear that the focus is shifting from broader fundraising efforts to meeting stringent party requirements. The criteria for the sixth debate, set for December, has become even more rigorous, reflecting the party's desire to streamline its candidate field.

Final Thoughts and Significance

The upcoming debates are significant as they will notch up the momentum for the Democratic candidate they support. Each of these individuals, with their unique experiences and ideologies, offer a blend that could potentially resonate with the diverse electorate of the United States.

While each candidate has unique qualities, the race is largely seen as a referendum on President Trump and the Republican Party. The ideological differences are stark, and many believe that the Democratic nominee will be a clear and decisive alternative to the current administration.

The debate schedule, with its increasing criteria, suggests a narrowing of the field. This continuity from the previous debates to the current one highlights the importance of these discussions in shaping the future direction of the Democratic Party and, by extension, the nation.