The organizers of the next Republican presidential debate have announced changes to debate criteria that mean former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina will almost certainly join the rest of the top-tier candidates on the main stage at the Reagan Library on Sept. 16.

"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 network announced. "Now, any candidate who ranks in the top 10 in polling between August 6 and September 10 will be included."

The CNN move is being greeted as a positive development, and not only for the most obvious reason, which is that a woman will be in the mix, in contrast to the 10-man tableau that a huge national television audience saw at the first debate on Aug. 6 in Cleveland.

Fiorina also had fairness on her side, say supporters. The original rules would have made the cut according to an average of polls conducted between July 16 and Sept. 10. That arithmetic minimized the significant rise in Fiorina's numbers since she gave what was widely reviewed as the single best performance of the evening in Cleveland, despite being relegated to the earlier, non-prime-time "undercard" debate of longshot contenders.

Now, Fiorina's presence on the main stage -- which, under the new formula, may end up including more than 10 candidates -- is likely to make that faceoff a far more interesting debate.

It was the only logical thing to do.

I applaud CNN for doing the right thing...it will now reflect the current poll numbers, which is more fair to Carly Fiorina who has moved up considerably in the polls since the last debate.

I wonder how Donald Trump will handle Carly's presence on the debate stage...she will certainly be ready to counteract any perceived foul language directed towards women, and she certainly is the best candidate in the GOP at articulating her position on the issues. Will Trump counter punch, and go after Carly's record as CEO of HP? (which even as a Carly supporter, I say is fair game...Carly has thus far defended her record very well thus far)...it will surely be interesting.

Originally posted by heckinglovato Oh Carly's gonna snatch wigs

Originally posted by Nikolai. I'm here for Carly vs Hillary. Lets see who The real HBIC is (even tho we all know its Fiorina)

Originally posted by Retro I can't honestly support or like her after her completely off-the-mark environmental tirade, but I support the change to the rules (and the inclusion of the woman in the debate).