How crowded will the first debate be?

[SPC]

As of right now, 15 candidates have obtained at least 2% in either national polls, Iowa polls, or New Hampshire polls:

Walker
Carson
Bush
Huckabee
Christie
Cruz
Paul
Perry
Rubio
Kasich
Santorum
Jindal
Fiorina
Trump
Pataki

Granted many of these pols will drop out before August, but I cannot realistically picture a debate stage with over a dozen candidates participating. Will the networks adopt a more strict standard for participation, or are we in store for another three-ring circus?

[Vega]

I fully expect that there will be a podium for all the candidates polling above 5%.

But, you see, it's not like every candidate will be at every debate, so that will make it smaller.

[Del Tachi]

First debate will be:

Walker
Carson
Bush
Paul
Rubio
Santorum
Fiorina

and then some smaller players, as all the others on that list will commit to not running by August

[SPC]

First debate will be:

Walker
Carson
Bush
Paul
Rubio
Santorum
Fiorina

and then some smaller players, as all the others on that list will commit to not running by August

Christie, Cruz, and Perry are going to be scared off, in your opinion?

[Del Tachi]

First debate will be:

Walker
Carson
Bush
Paul
Rubio
Santorum
Fiorina

and then some smaller players, as all the others on that list will commit to not running by August

Christie, Cruz, and Perry are going to be scared off, in your opinion?

Its not as if they don't want to be President, but they will each arrive at the conclusion that there simply won't be any oxygen left in the room after Bush/Walker/Paul/Carson become the biggest contenders.