Wankery.

Des Moines Register staffer Jason Clayworth…

Clinton and Edwards suggested that lesser-known candidates should not be part of future debates so that voters could focus on front-runners.

Really? When did either Clinton or Edwards suggest any such a thing? I know they were caught grumbling about problems with the current format, and 8 people lined up to spout 60 second sound bites in succession is neither a debate nor a very useful way to form judgments about the views and abilities of candidates, but who said anything about cutting anyone. But cutting "lesser-known candidates"? They never said it. Nope, Clayworth just made that up, though he admits...

Edwards later said he meant that all candidates should get to debate but in smaller groups.

"All candidates." As in everyone.

That's one alternative to a flawed process, one worth consideration, and perfectly consistent with the conversation between John and Hillary. Of course, the fact that neither John nor Hillary never suggested cutting anyone out doesn't prevent some candidates from chiming in...

“I don’t know how you would draw the line to say that some can participate and some can’t,” Obama said...“My attitude is the more the merrier.”

Maybe if you don't have all that much to say (no matter how well you say it) not having much time isn't a problem.