It's not "serious business", it's all a dog-and-pony show. Like the debates are actual debates and really get much out of the candidates beyond their well-paid-for ads (except possiby how well they can handle a slow curve ball, which doesn't come all that often during the debates anyway). 15% may be difficult to obtain on a shoestring budget for candidates who are not part of a "mainstream" party, but it would do wonders for some of the more serious candidates as far as getting their names out there for all to see. Oh - unless everyone thinks that only candidates who can put up millions and millions of dollars should be the deciding factor as to who can run for president (wouldn't the founders drop dead if they knew how bad it's gotten!).
Of course, the two candidates from the two major parties don't want the competition. Look at how both sides freak out when a third-party candidate is even mentioned. "OH MY GOD! You're going to take away our votes! Waaaa!"
I don't see why it couldn't be the 6 highest-polling candidates instead of being limited to 15% polling. Or maybe 100K signatures on a petition. Something other than 15% polling. But the powers-that-be don't want any real competition anyway. Makes it easier to control things.
