Carly Fiorina Poised to Join Next GOP Debate After CNN Amends Rules

New formula includes any candidate who ranks in the top 10 in polling between August 6 and September 10

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Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina will most likely join the rest of the top 10 GOP candidates on the main stage for the next Republican debate on September 16. This, after organizers made changes to the debate rules.

“CNN reevaluated its criteria and decided to add a provision that better reflects the state of the race since the first Republican presidential debate in August,” the cable news network announced Tuesday. “Now, any candidate who ranks in the top 10 in polling between August 6 and September 10 will be included.”

The original rules, based on an average of polls conducted between July 16 and Sept. 10, would have prevented Fiorina from participating in the main CNN debate.

Fiorina gave what was widely considered one of the best performances during the Fox News Cleveland debate last month, despite being relegated to the non-primetime “kiddy table” debate which aired earlier that evening.

Under the new formula, the second GOP debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, may end up including more than 10 candidates.

“CNN and the RNC have announced a change to the debate rules,” Fiorina wrote in an email to supporters on Tuesday. “I look forward to appearing on the main stage for the next debate.”

If she earns a spot, Fiorina will be the only woman in the mix.

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