12 is too many but the first criteria should be announced candidates, the second should be poll standings and the third should be an ability to raise money. The GOP-E will probably do whatever it takes to stop before Senator Cruz is selected even if the number of debaters is one or if the debates have to be cancelled.
I think there should be no more than six on a stage and there should be another six on another stage, and so on until all the candidates are particiopating. These debates should be done simultaneously with the same questions for each panel, and aired consectuvively over 3 nights.
After that first debate, those candidates who receive the most individual contributions whould continue to the next round, narrowing the field to six.
It seems fair to give them all one chance to be heard by the public. Their performance and voter response in contributions will then determine their inclusion or exclusion in the rest of the debate series.
I agree. Non-announced “candidates” are just in it for the personal exposure and money.