Fox debate rules could push Christie off main stage

Chris Christie could be kept off the main stage at next month’s GOP debate.

Republican presidential hopefuls will need to clear a 2.5 percent average in the polls to secure a place on the main stage at the November 10 debate, Fox Business Network announced Tuesday.

If the debate were held tomorrow, the New Jersey governor would be relegated to the earlier undercard debate alongside Lindsey Graham, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal and George Pataki.

Fox Business says that candidates’ placement will be determined based on an average of the four most recent national polls conducted through November 4. Those who score 2.5 percent or higher will participate in the prime time 9 p.m. ET debate, while the remaining candidates will take part in a 6 p.m. ET faceoff.

Christie is averaging just 2 percent in the four most recent national polls, with eight days to go until the polling window closes. And he isn’t the only one on the bubble: Ohio Gov. John Kasich is averaging exactly a 2.5 percent.

Samantha Smith, a Christie spokesperson, told CNN that the campaign was “not worried” and feeling “confident.”

The debate will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and co-hosted by The Wall Street Journal. Fox Business anchors Maria Bartiromo and Neil Cavuto will moderate the primetime debate alongside Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief Gerard Baker. Fox Business’ Trish Regan and Sandra Smith will moderate the undercard debate alongside Journal Washington bureau chief Gerald Seib.

Christie is on the main stage for CNBC’s Republican debate Wednesday night in Boulder, Colorado, along with nine other candidates, while Graham, Santorum, Jindal and Pataki are appearing in the earlier match up.