I thought they wanted less debates (not that I'm complaining)?
This is fewer than last time. In the 2012 cycle, there were over 20 debates.
Also, the scheduling of the IA/NH/SC debates is going to get messy, since I don't believe those states are going to vote when the RNC would like them to. Good chance that Iowa and New Hampshire will be voting in January, which means that the New Hampshire debate at least will have to be moved earlier.
The RNC has ensured a february start to the season. It says in their new rules that any january-voting state will have no more than 9 delegates at the convention. 2012 had January contests because FL forced it - but in 2012, FL delegates were only cut in half from 100 to 50, this time it would be from 100 to 9. FL isn't going to repeat it's leapfrogging attempt of 2012. Granted, Iowa could vote in January without penalty because it's a caucus and doesn't actually elect national delegates on caucus night. But without FL trying to leapfrog, iowa has no reason to vote in january.
