What should the CNBC GOP debate criteria be?

[Likely Voter]

We still don't know what the criteria will be for inclusion in the next debate (October 28 on CNBC in Colorado, focus on the economy).

The Fox August debate criteria was: Top 10 in average of last five national live phone polls debate in primetime, other candidates who are listed in polls attend early debate (originally early debate required avg of 1% in polls). The CNN September debate criteria was also a 'Top 10' but they spread the poll average over six weeks. Only later (after not enough polls came out after the Fox debate) did they add a new criteria for the top 10 of post-Fox debate polls. They also had earlier second debate that had minimum requirement of average of 1% in 3 polls over 6 weeks (only Gilmore didn't qualify).

Now there are 15 candidates left. How would you set the criteria for the next debate:

- Use national polls or state polls or both?
- Live phone only or some non-live phone pollsters? (if so, who?)
- Top 8? Top 10? Or minimum criteria (like anyone averaging 1%+ or 2%+, even if they end up with more than 10)
- Early 'kiddie table' debate or not?
- If no kiddie table, do non-qualifiers get any kind of consolation prize (promise of airtime? A forum on a dif night? )

[Likely Voter]

I agree no kiddie table but I think that means no 'top x' cuttoff either. I think it's time to go back to a basic qualification criteria. A simple one would be anyone over 1% nationally ( average of last 5 live phone polls). Or possibly 2%. Currently either would end up with same group as CNN debate. Maybe 2% national or Iowa or New Hampshire.