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Gabbard Cries Foul In Democratic National Committee Poll Dispute

John Bazemore/AP

Hawai Rep. Tulsi Gabbard continues to push along her uphill presidential campaign as she attempts to make headway in New Hampshire, where a poll this week finds her doing better but still trailing the front-runners.

According to the Boston Globe/Suffolk University survey, Gabbard came in at 6 percent behind Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and former Vice President Joe Biden. All four front-runners polled in the double digits.

Still, 6 percent is one of Gabbard's better showings. Previous polls have had her in the 2 to 3 percent range against the crowded field of Democratic candidates.

In a news release Friday, Gabbard charged that the Democratic National Committee refused to recognize the Globe/Suffolk poll for purposes of qualifying candidates for the next presidential debate.

"Again, this is another example of the DNC being arbitrary and inconsistent. New Hampsire is the first in the nation presidential primary, but the DNC has not shown its voters the respect they deserve," Gabbard said in the release.

The Democratic National Committee, which organizes the debates, could not be reached for immediate comment.

Gabbard's appearances in previous debates have made news as she attacked her fellow candidates. Earlier this month, she clashed with California's Kamala Harris and Buttigieg. In the July debate, she and Harris had their first confrontation over Harris' record as California attorney general.

The Hawaii representative has also gained conservative support following coverage of her spat with former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Clinton has suggested without proof that Gabbard is a Russian asset seeking to hurt the Democratic Party. 

Newsweek does cite a Foreign Policy Research Institute study, which says Russian-sponsored propaganda outlets favor Gabbard by 46 percent compared to 11 percent for Elizabeth Warren, for example.

Gabbard announced in October that she will not seek re-election in Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District 2 but that she plans to keep the position until her successor is seated. She said she wanted to focus on her presidential run.

Her announcement drew a good luck tweet from Kai Kahele, a Democrat and Big Island legislator, who is running for her seat. He has criticized Gabbard's absence from Congress as she pursues the White House.

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