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MANCHESTER, N.H., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Carly Fiorina failed to meet the criteria for ABC News' GOP presidential debate on Saturday in New Hampshire, which will not feature an under card debate. The lineup for the debate was announced Thursday evening. Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore -- who has only qualified for two debates so far -- was also excluded.
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Seven candidates made the cut: Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Dr. Ben Carson, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
In order to qualify, candidates had to place in the top six in an average of national or New Hampshire polls, or place in the top three in the popular vote of the Iowa caucuses.
Fiorina, anticipating her failure to meet the criteria, pleaded her case for the prime time stage in recent days. She even wrote an open letter to the chair of the Republican National Committee, which is barred from intervening in the selection process.
Fiorina's case elicited sympathy from some prominent Republicans, including former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Even Cruz told reporters: "She deserves to be there."
Hey @ABC: put @CarlyFiorina on the debate stage! She got more Iowa votes than John and Chris. Don't exclude only woman.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) February 4, 2016
.@CarlyFiorina should be on the debate stage Saturday!!
— Rick Perry (@GovernorPerry) February 4, 2016
Carly is one of the best story-tellers @GOP has
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) February 4, 2016
Only one poll has mattered so far—& she got delegates
She shld be on the #GOPdebate stage
