Key Player Likely Cut From Next GOP Debate

Rand Paul has found a podium on the primetime stage at each of the last four Republican debates. On Tuesday, he'll "almost certainly" be pushed to the sidelines, per Bloomberg. To make CNN's main stage on Dec. 15, a candidate must average 3.5% national support or average 4% support in Iowa or New Hampshire in polls since Oct. 29. The Kentucky senator falls short on all fronts. His best shot at a Hail Mary: a poll showing him with 6% support in Iowa before Sunday's cutoff.

Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Jeb Bush make the cut based on national polls. And while Chris Christie, John Kasich, and Carly Fiorina fall below the 3% mark in national polls, they're polling well enough in New Hampshire to likely also be included, Politico reports. (More Rand Paul stories.)