“Assuming the RNC looks at this as a ‘debate’, I don’t think they are going to get a very good turnout.”
Never mind - I see this is clearly just a ‘forum’ and shouldn’t affect their participation in sanctioned debates.
Think money and audience. If it’s designed to be for a national audience on a network, it’s going to be called a ‘debate’.
Panel discussions like the one in Iowa this weekend will likely yield more info about the candidates, but won’t show up beyond C-Span. And Bush and Paul won’t be there.