Spirited debate: Crowded GOP field might be just what voters need to see -- and hear

Fourteen and counting -- no one knows for certain if there will be anyone else who will throw his or her hat into the already-crowded Republican nomination ring.

So that means we will continue to listen to the speeches, the bickering and everything else that goes along with having a bevy of candidates in the race and a primary campaign to endure.

And along with that will be the inevitable media-created controversies and bouts of foot-in-mouth disease that further muddy any chance of finding out early who really is the best choice for the nomination.

And while there could be absolute justification for wondering just how there is going to be a real narrowing of the field so that only the cream of the crop are running -- and reason to already be tired of the dumb questions and manufactured "scandals" -- the bottom line is, this might be just what the doctor ordered.

If the candidates really say something -- and talk about what is really worrying the American people -- there might actually be, surprise, surprise, real talk about real issues.

And they will have to do more than charm the crowd this time around. Taking a stand -- on more than one issue -- is what will whittle down the candidates. The hopefuls will not able to leave the house or hit the campaign circuit without substance and a message.

And that is good for anyone who might actually be considering putting some thought into for whom they will vote in 2016 and not just choosing the candidate with the "D" or "R" by his or her name.

So the more the merrier. Let a spirited battle begin.

We might talk about more than the usual fluff that accompanies most campaigns these days. We might have to talk about immigration reform, taxes and job growth. We might hear a plan to boost the economy that has a real roadmap and not just the same old pablum that says all the right things, but has no real chance of effecting anything -- except the same old same old.

So don't be intimidated by the number or influenced by the criticism from the other side. Having a bunch of people who want to be president of the United States is a great thing -- and so, too, is having someone willing to challenge the coronation on the other side, by the way.

Competition breeds top performance and accountability -- and this time, just might bring us the best candidates for the job.

Then it will be on to November.

Published in Editorials on July 10, 2015 10:44 AM