After all the elaborate efforts that Republicans took to avoid the mistakes of the 2012 presidential nominating process, the party is confronting its worst nightmare—one that’s partly of its own making. Despite the Republican National Committee’s strict qualification rules, Donald Trump nonetheless threatens to be the skunk at the garden party when the first debate takes place in August.

This isn’t what RNC chairman Reince Priebus envisioned when he cracked down on the unruly 2012 nominating process, where an endless number of debates (27) and a lengthy calendar forced Mitt Romney to limp to the finish line. Back then, the problem was a roster of not-ready-for-prime-time GOP candidates making it harder for the inevitable nominee to lock up support. But by fighting the last war, Republicans were blinded to the embarrassment of riches they have on their hands for 2016.

This year, the party’s problem is the exact opposite—a talented roster of prospective candidates with whom too few voters are familiar. If Republicans wanted to coronate Jeb Bush as their inevitable nominee, a limited slate of debates would make sense. But given that other electable, establishment-friendly candidates are gaining momentum, the party’s goal should be to get them more exposure—not limiting their opportunities.