I think the problem is that 19-20 debates is just way over the line for any party.
If you can't figure it out with say 6-7 debates a person is too stupid and shouldn't be voting anyways. I hope the candidates have learned from this.
But here's the problem- when do you have the debates?
We insist on dragging out this process for months and months.
Let's review everyone foolish enough to get into this and be in debates-
Pawlenty- Dropped out after the Ames Poll
Cain- Dropped out after the revelation he was a player
Bachmann- Dropped out after Iowa caucus
Huntsman _ dropped out after New Hampshire
Perry- Dropped out after New Hampshire
So really, after only two contests, we lost five of the nine contenders.
Ron Paul is never going to be the nominee. But they insisted on letting him be in every debate.
Meanwhile, Buddy Roemer and Gary Johnson never got high enough in a poll to ever be invited to a debate. The only thing that separates them from Romney is not qualification, but Romney's willingness to spend his millions promoting himself. They were both accomplished governors.
The real reason this has dragged on for so long is that Romney is that the GOP rank and file doesn't really want Romney, but there aren't any better choices out there. So we need 20 debates to let you guys talk yourself into thinking this was a really good idea.