CNN debate: Christie, Paul on main stage; Huckabee out

David Jackson | USA TODAY

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, bounced from the main stage at the last Republican debate, will return to prime time Tuesday in Las Vegas, CNN announced Sunday.

Christie, relegated to the preliminary debate Nov. 10 in Milwaukee, will be on the main stage in Las Vegas along with businessman Donald Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, businesswoman Carly Fiorina, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.

"Christie has seen a resurgence in recent weeks, particularly in New Hampshire, a key state for his campaign," said CNN, which relied on both state and national polls to determine debate participation.

CNN also said that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will remain in the preliminary debate Tuesday, along with former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, and ex-New York Gov. George Pataki.

Paul came close to relegation this time around, but "was saved at the 11th hour by showing viability in Iowa in a Fox News poll released Sunday morning," CNN said.

Also reported CNN:

"CNN's debate, which will be held in Las Vegas and is the fifth of the primary season, is the first to use early-state polls as a way to make the main event in prime-time. Candidates must meet one of three criteria in polls conducted between October 29 and December 13 and recognized by CNN: An average of at least 3.5% nationally; at least 4% in Iowa; or at least 4% in New Hampshire.

"Along with Christie, Fiorina and Kasich qualified for the prime-time debate because of their New Hampshire average.

"CNN considered live interviewer national and state surveys by: ABC News, Bloomberg News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, Gallup, Marist University, McClatchy News Service, Monmouth News Service, NBC News, The New York Times, Pew Research Center, Quinnipiac University, Time, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Des Moines Register, the University of New Hampshire, WBUR and WMUR."