And don’t forget the second tier debate

Once again, the debate organizers have sorted out the field into top tier candidates, getting prime time exposure, and bottom tier candidates, getting a time slot during the rush hour.  With Carly Fiorina getting promoted to the adult table, Rick Perry dropping out,  and Jim Gilmore not even racking up the necessary one percent, tonight’s slate will include only four candidates:  Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, George Pataki and Lindsey Graham.

With so few debaters, the conversations will probably be much more substantive than the sound-bites that will be allowed to the top 11.   Frankly, if they are going to have 11 debating, they might as well have 15.  Or, they could divide the field evenly into one group of 8 and one group of 7.   But here we are.

I don’t know if I can handle a whole night of presidential candidates trying to get my attention, but I might try.  I don’t know if I can live blog this preliminary bout, which will start at 6:00 p.m. ET.  But if you are watching, please post your comments.