In the age of the Internet and every recording device that is out there available to people, the second tier candidates will be just as widely heard, at least for those who want to listen. I agree with you that the polls will be manipulated. I just don’t think it will matter that much so long as FOX NEWS truly tries to be fair to the 2nd tier.
If you are in the second tier, you are finished. The herd will be culled by just who makes the top 10.