The Republican Party needs to "clarify the choice" among the 15 candidates seeking the presidential nomination — and this will most likely happen after contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato said on Friday.
"We need to thin the herd," Sabato, director of the university's Center for Politics, told Eric Bolling on
Fox News. "I think almost everybody agrees.
"When you watch a debate with 9 or 10 people and have you an undercard, too, it is just too many people. Time to clarify the choice."
Nine contenders appeared in the main debate on Tuesday in Las Vegas, while four others squared off in the undercard contest.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul's campaign was most at risk for being eliminated from the main stage, based on the polling criteria used by CNN.
The first contests of the primary season are the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1, with elections in New Hampshire on Feb. 9 and South Carolina on Feb. 20.
"Yes, Iowa and New Hampshire and South Carolina will clarify the choice," Sabato said.
"The sooner, the better.
"Because the Republicans have a crucial decision to make."
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