Fox News tweaks debate rules, helps trailing candidates | CNN Politics

Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, John Kasich, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders,

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Businessman Donald Trump <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/16/politics/donald-trump-2016-announcement-elections/index.html" target="_blank">announced</a> June 16 at his Trump Tower in New York City that he is seeking the Republican presidential nomination. This ends more than two decades of flirting with the idea of running for the White House.<br /><br />"So, ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we are going to make our country great again," Trump told the crowd at his announcement.

Businessman Donald Trump announced June 16 at his Trump Tower in New York City that he is seeking the Republican presidential nomination. This ends more than two decades of flirting with the idea of running for the White House.

"So, ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we are going to make our country great again," Trump told the crowd at his announcement.

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Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has made a name for himself in the Senate, solidifying his brand as a conservative firebrand willing to take on the GOP's establishment. He announced he was seeking the Republican presidential nomination in a speech on March 23.

"These are all of our stories," Cruz told the audience at Liberty University in Virginia. "These are who we are as Americans. And yet for so many Americans, the promise of America seems more and more distant."

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Ohio Gov. John Kasich joined the Republican field July 21 as he formally announced his White House bid.<br /><br />"I am here to ask you for your prayers, for your support ... because I have decided to run for president of the United States," Kasich told his kickoff rally at the Ohio State University.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich joined the Republican field July 21 as he formally announced his White House bid.

"I am here to ask you for your prayers, for your support ... because I have decided to run for president of the United States," Kasich told his kickoff rally at the Ohio State University.

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Hillary Clinton <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/12/politics/hillary-clinton-president-2016-election/index.html" target="_blank">launched</a> her presidential bid on April 12 through a video message on social media. The former first lady, senator and secretary of state is considered the front-runner among possible Democratic candidates.<br /><br />"Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion -- so you can do more than just get by -- you can get ahead. And stay ahead," she said in her announcement video. "Because when families are strong, America is strong. So I'm hitting the road to earn your vote, because it's your time. And I hope you'll join me on this journey."

Hillary Clinton launched her presidential bid on April 12 through a video message on social media. The former first lady, senator and secretary of state is considered the front-runner among possible Democratic candidates.

"Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion -- so you can do more than just get by -- you can get ahead. And stay ahead," she said in her announcement video. "Because when families are strong, America is strong. So I'm hitting the road to earn your vote, because it's your time. And I hope you'll join me on this journey."

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<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/28/politics/bernie-sanders-2016-election-announcement/index.html">Sen. Bernie Sanders</a>, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, announced his run in an email to supporters on April 30. He has said the United States needs a "political revolution" of working-class Americans to take back control of the government from billionaires. <br /><br />"This great nation and its government belong to all of the people and not to a handful of billionaires, their super PACs and their lobbyists," Sanders said at a rally in Vermont on May 26.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, announced his run in an email to supporters on April 30. He has said the United States needs a "political revolution" of working-class Americans to take back control of the government from billionaires.

"This great nation and its government belong to all of the people and not to a handful of billionaires, their super PACs and their lobbyists," Sanders said at a rally in Vermont on May 26.

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Washington CNN —

Fox News is making it easier for Republican presidential candidates who don’t make the cut for the network’s August 6 prime-time debate to get at least some attention in an earlier event.

A network spokeswoman confirmed to CNN Tuesday that it is dropping the mandate that candidates earn at least 1% support in an average of the five most recent national polls in order to qualify for its 5 p.m. debate – an appetizer before the main event, an evening debate for the top 10 highest polling candidates.

Fox News executive vice president Michael Clemente first told Politico of the change, saying in a statement that it’s due to “overwhelming interest” in the event.

The change is helpful for a handful of candidates, including businesswoman Carly Fiorina, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and former New York Gov. George Pataki, who are all hovering around 1% in recent polls.