I agree with Santorum. Many voters wait until the debates to learn about the candidates. There could be a worthy guy or gal that just doesn’t have a lot of name recognition, yet.
What is there about Santorum that we need to learn beyond that he likes sweaters and bow ties?
Yeah, I get that, but at the same time, you have to draw a line somewhere. If there are dozens of jokers onstage, nobody could get more than a few minutes of time, and that wouldn’t do the voters any good either.
Ten people seems like a sensible number to me. Though Santorum does have a point that national polls probably aren’t the best way to judge viability.
That’s why it takes money to get the machine rolling. If he went into this expecting some inexpensive leverage from a debate process, then he wasn’t planning well. Cruz went in early because he understood the benefit of doing so. To win, you have to be able to get votes. If you can’t get votes unless Fox gives you free advertising, you’re in the wrong line of work. No sympathy from me. I’ve seen, and worked with, good people who worked hard at getting on the ballot. The only thing I’d worry about with Cruz is what polling data do they use and how do they use it in setting the ranking of each candidate. Room for manipulation there. But in principle, how else can it be. Here in Illinois candidates have to get x number of valid ballot petition signatures, just to get on the ballot. There has to be some way of finding the people who are generating real interest. So while the system could be improved, the principle is valid. JMHO.
Peace,
SR
How are you going to learn about any candidate when you have 19
on the stage with limited time.
Explain that to me. I’d like to know.