According to this story, the December 15, 2015 Republican presidential debate had the third highest viewership of any televised presidential primary debate in U.S. history. This is more evidence that having as many as nine candidates does not limit the usefulness or success of a debate.
In the entire history of the U.S., there have never been a general election with more than seven presidential candidates who had enough presidential elector candidates to theoretically win the election. The position of the Commission on Presidential Debates, that its debates should be limited to two candidates, is no longer tenable. Thanks to PoliticalWire for the link.
No. 15-643
Title:
Joseph M. Arpaio, Sheriff, Maricopa County, Arizona, Petitioner
v.
Barack H. Obama, President of the United States, et al.
Docketed: November 16, 2015
Lower Ct: United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Case Nos.: (14-5325)
Decision Date: August 14, 2015
~~~Date~~~ ~~~~~~~Proceedings and Orders~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nov 12 2015 Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due December 16, 2015)
Dec 7 2015 Letter from counsel for petitioner Joseph M. Arpaio, Sheriff, Maricopa County, Arizona filed.
Dec 15 2015 Brief of respondents Barack H. Obama, President of the United States, et al. in opposition filed.