There will only be a few candidates, because only a few qualify based upon the criteria.

I think it says something that both Amy Goodman and Columbia University (the location sponsor) think it is important for US voters to hear a more diverse and expansive political debate, considering the precarious state of the nation.

If this is "the most important election of our lifetime" (as it has been billed so often), then one would think opening up the political discourse would have some real value.