CNBC debate criteria could push some candidates off debate stage

CNBC's stricter criteria for participating in the Republican debate could mean some candidates will be knocked off the primetime debate stage.

CNBC will use national polls conducted by ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and Bloomberg between September 17 and October 21, according to a network announcement. To appear in the later debate at 8:00 PM ET, candidates must average 3 percent in the polls, while other contenders can participate in an earlier 6:00 PM ET debate. Candidates must be polling at least at 1 percent in order to attend the undercard debate.

These stricter qualifications could mean that even for the second-tier debate, some low-polling GOP hopefuls, like South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, wouldn't appear at all. According to a Washington Post analysis of polls that fit the CNBC criteria, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore also wouldn't make the debate cut.

The CNBC criteria could also spell danger for one Republican contender teetering on the edge of the first tier debate stage: Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. Paul's current poll numbers average at 2.8 percent -- enough to round up to 3 percent and secure a spot in the primetime debate. But two new polls at 2 percent would be all it takes to shove Paul into CNBC's earlier debate.

The October 28 debate, to be held in Colorado, will focus on the economy, unemployment, and retirement.

With fifteen Republican candidates vying for a national television spotlight, networks' debate criteria have become a contentious issue since the first GOP debate in August. CNN even changed its requirement for the second debate, allowing former Hewlett-Packard head Carly Fiorina to participate as a first-tier candidate.

The October 28 debate, to be held in Colorado, will largely focus on questions about the economy.