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Updated 2:48 p.m.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich helped revive his campaign -- twice -- with strong performances in GOP presidential debates.
The self-styled intellectual of the campaign, Gingrich has relied on expressions of support from debate audiences to convey strength in the gatherings, tossing red meat to the conservative audiences with attacks on the media and his Republican rivals.
And that helps explain why Gingrich, whose performance at a Monday night debate in Florida seemed subdued compared to recent appearances, is now threatening to skip any debate in which the audience is barred from participating.
"I wish, in retrospect, I protested when Brian Williams took them out of it, because I think it's wrong," Gingrich said this morning on Fox News, referring to the NBC Nightly News anchor, who moderated the bulk of the debate. "And I think he took them out of it because the media is terrified that the audience is going to side with the candidates against the media, which is what they've done in every debate."
Gingrich vowed to "serve notice" on future debate appearances, insisting that audiences be allowed to express support or opposition to candidates' answers. (A spokesman said Tuesday afternoon that Gingrich intended to attend all the debates, but would certainly protest rules barring audience participation.)
WATCH last night's entire NBC News/National Journal/Tampa Bay Times debate
The declaration wasn't necessarily a surprise, given the way in which Gingrich has made a conscious effort of playing to audiences at debates. Winning their applause by lobbing zingers at the media -- never unpopular among audiences -- is an easy way to improve perceptions of his performance, especially among television viewers.
He won his most raucous applause by assailing CNN moderator John King at a debate last week for asking a question of Gingrich about allegations from an ex-wife that the speaker had asked for an "open marriage" or threatened divorce.
“I am tired of the elite media protecting Barack Obama by attacking Republicans," Gingrich responded, winning a standing ovation from the audience, which wasn't barred from expressions of support.
Gingrich’s indignation with the “media” was such a hit, it was a major theme of his victory speech after handily winning the South Carolina primary Saturday night, as well as his round of interviews on the networks' public affairs programs the next morning.
Americans are “just sick and tired of being told what they’re allowed to think, what they’re allowed to say,” he told NBC’s David Gregory. “The highest, the most intense passion in both debates [in South Carolina] was a head-on collision about what the news media is doing.”
Amidst cheers of "Newt can win," Newt Gingrich calls the S.C. race "humbling" and "sobering" to see so many supporters rally behind his political message.
But Gingrich has also relied on the news media, too, to help advance his presidential bid. Like all campaigns and candidates, Gingrich uses press accounts to press his attacks on his rivals and to bolster his own claims on the stump.
When his campaign was being nearly crippled by the broadside attacks made by a pro-Mitt Romney super PAC in Iowa, the former speaker frequently pointed to fact-checking work done by news outlets to support his contention that the charges were bogus, an acknowledgment that the media can get it right, at least when it supports Gingrich's claims.
More importantly, the evidence suggests that Gingrich’s campaign has largely been sustained by his performances in the 17 debates that have been nationally televised thus far. In exit polls released after voting finished in South Carolina, almost 90 percent of those voters interviewed said the two debates held in South Carolina were a factor in deciding which candidate to vote for -- and 42 percent of that group said they chose Gingrich, compared to 25 percent who picked Romney.
The debates have been so integral to Gingrich's rise that he has pledged to challenge President Obama to a series of seven, three-hour-long Lincoln-Douglas style debates. Gingrich wins laughter and applause among crowds of supporters with this line, especially when he jokes that he'll allow the president to use a teleprompter, if Obama wants to.
It's smart politics, because Gingrich has made his ability to effectively debate Obama a central selling point of his candidacy. It plays well especially in a primary environment in which Republicans are longing for someone to take a fight to the president.
There's just one problem: It won't happen.
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD)is a nonprofit organization that has set the debate sites, moderators and rules for the general election in each cycle since 1988. They have already set the parameters for this fall's debates between Obama and his eventual GOP challenger. There will be three debates, held in October in Denver, Hempstead, NY, and Boca Raton, FL. The second debate will be in a town meeting format.
Gingrich probably won't be able to skip these debates if he's the nominee. But he might be reduced to protesting since, per the rules established by the CPD in every previous debate, the audience has been required to hold its applause through the duration of the meetings.
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wonder if Newt has thought about maybe the audience didn't like what he was saying, cuz they sure did cheer when Ron Paul spoke!
Nah hippie Vegetarian Liberals would be thrown a bushel of sprouts and some Tofu--
I actually was a little astounded that Grinch threw his hat into the 2012 ring way way back ...
What does it say that the lunatic-fringe base wants to be appeased by a cantankerous 'ol fool ?
So c'mon Florida ... we have plenty more caucuses for Noot to shmooze-up the wacko-base for book-signing dollars ... so where's the love for a senile 'ol grandpa who wakes-up to belch, fart, hack, scratch his butt & groin and snortle & chortle & spout off & spittle in vile hate & vitriol in front of everybody all the while old-fool idiot-grinning before going back to bed ...
... simply because it's okay and not a lie ... if Grinch believes it ...
Jus'damn ... LOL.
The left think they are the only ones who know how to occupy! the tea party and the conservatives need to show them this is for real, and we want Obama and the progessive marxists OUT!
really and this is how smart you guys are newt mitt paul and santorum.....if you can't get a canidate better than those mentioned you don't deserve to win....what you guys forget the election this year....or your good canidate is at the cleaners....the party of excuses the problem is the gop no one else your making this happen....
They are still find the good one to run. Perhaps 2024.
Obama / Biden 2012
Well edwardo -- if you want Obama out you better come up with somebody to run against him other than the clowns you're offering up now .
THE clown is in office now, stupid! anyone can beat him.
an acknowledgment that the media can get it right, at least when it supports Gingrich's claims.
Surprising no one. When he does well screw the media. When he isn't doing well, thanks media for helping.
i'm just glad newt 's screwing the medic not another staffer....
Just as I predicted, it was solely those 2 debates in South Carolina that put him over the top. He is most effective in a debate when he can get audience attention or response. Last night with no audience participation he did not get the attention that he wanted, he looked tired, too tired to respond to Romney's attacks and did not score any additional points. He tells the people to look for the responses at his website, yes, I am sure people are running to the website to look it up, give me a break! If he becomes the nominee and debates against Obama, not that he won't do well but he might come across some trouble if there is no audience participation and from what I hear, there won't be. Something for voters to think about if this is a primary reason for voting for him.
can't we all be nice newt response to attacks by romney in iowa or better yet yes i know i did all that stuff mitt but you don't have to tell everyone with those commerials...why did i cheat because i love the country so much his response to cheating at a religous right interview....response to king why are you bringing up the fact that i'm a lying cheating adultereer...just because my wife said so. now i hate the media because what they limit applause so they don't waste big money sponsoring 45 minutes of applause....it's not your debate why can't he play by any rules and why do you always make excuses... oh yes your newt ....
NBC is afraid of audience reaction. Hence their brown shirts silenced the people of Fl. Kudos to CNN and FOX for the two great debates in SC!!
Christ Christie's people are working in the Romney Campaign! This is bigger news than his tax return. People in FLA have had enough of Christie. Say good night Mitt. Take the next flight to Vegas.
Gingrich only wants the audience to participate because it allows him to say outrageous things that garner large applause and help distract from all of his lies. The man says and does whatever he has to, to get what he wants.
Gingrich frequently plays fast and loose with his record and the truth. Last night he took credit for balancing the budget for 4 years while it was really only balanced for 2 while he was in office, and that is just one of his tall tails. All the fact checking going on today is quite enlightening.
If you really want to know who the true conservative is don't ask the guy who filmed an ad with Nancy Pelosi promoting climate change, called Paul Ryan's medicare plan right wing social engineering and most recently has spent his time misrepresenting Mitt's successful turnaround record and attacking capitalism. Regan conservative... bah!
Newt isn't a Washington outsider he is a carrier politician that has spent his life in Washington and the only reason he is still not in Washington is because no one could work with him. He did not walk away, as he stated last night in another unsuccessful try to rewrite history, he resigned in disgrace. Even Ron Paul, who was there, called Gingrich on trying to bend the truth in his favor.
It was about time someone called Gingrich on his lies. Gingrich tried his old attack the questioner and side step the truth again but without an audience to interrupt he couldn't get off the hook and he was left speechless. Gingrich was caught.
He has a great chance to become the nominee BECAUSE of all the things you mentioned, Layne. BECAUSE ALL THOSE THINGS ARE THE HEART OF THE GOP.
IT IS A PARTY WITH NO SOUL. He represents it exactly perfectly.
GOP= Money and Lies.
Layne, great post. Everything here is so true. Thank you. Hopefully this message will get across successfully through the Romney campaign. Newt Gingrich is self destructive and I am very worried about him becomming the nominee. he needs to be exposed as a career politician with self serving interests. He absolutely does not represent the heart and soul of the GOP!
i don't think the gop cares they want blood there just a mob not a party no one controls them kind like the house and boehner no control no party disc....
This is the mindset of the South. Yes, they are looking for blood and a good fight, they think this is enough to take the fight to Barack Obama. We will see how this plays out in the rest of the states.
i heard the mitt's boys response to the fact that mitt paid alot of taxes but no one mentioned that it was at 12.5 to 15% rate...as middle class guy i'll take his rate for 30 years and he does mine.....see if that solves the income and flat wages for us true working class people not people who sit on their assess and make all there money in investments...
I demand canned laughter at these gop debates.
i laughted
the only people affair of newt is the republican party they talked to a bunch in the house and senate....they believe newt is doing to the gop brand what sherman did to georgia during the civil war....the gop has nothing to gain and everything to lose by the bull in the china closet grinchster....they the gop believe if he keeps it up they will lose control of the house....of course that would'ld have anything to do with the 9 % approval ole john boehner and the teaparty folks in the worst house ever......good luck gop your angryand wanted a fight you're fighting against your future.....and man it's great to watch....
you know what you get with newt the problem is it isn't good....
fyi in all the debates they mentioned reagan like 800 times and w. only 22....hmmmmm what funny is i knew ronald reagan and ronny wouldn't be invited to be with these right wing wack jobs...the gop is off the charts to the right....
maybe the problem is that the voters on the right are just nuts pushing farther and farther to the right to where some grown up should say shut up and go to your room. you yes, you the voters are ruining the gop chances of beating obama.....to late now..
The problem is that the voters are looking for the most conservative in the primary election without thinking through the fact that a more moderate candidate has the best chance against Barack Obama. No one is looking at the big picture. They need to elect a moderate who has a better chance with independents, who will most likely determine the outcome of the election.
they know it but there to stuborn to care they want a conservative ultra conservative canidate like them square peg in a round hole....they'll never learn...oh well.
By the election, we won't even remember any of this. Whoever the Republican nominee is, they need to hold the President accountable for the dismal record he has compiled. Won't be easy, as Obama has a billion in the bank, plus the free ride he is going to get form the alphabet networks. The Obama agenda - get the different income classes to hate each other - divide and conquer - so sad that this Presidency has become so divisive.
Sure, let the audience respond, but also let all party affiliations into the debate audience..
This is a Republican primary, they are the ones choosing the republican candidates, not the Democrats.
yes no clapping in this debate was the defining momont of the 2012 election please
I did not say there should be no applause. I have no problem with it.
I don't understand why suddenly audience demonstrations are a problem. We've had televised debates for years and when one candidate makes a bullseye zinger at the media suddenly they have to sit on their hands? Don't get me wrong, I have no intention of voting for Gingrich, but if applause and ovations are too disruptive, I say they should be banned from the State of the Union address. They would only be ten minutes long if the President could just deliver his address straightforward.
The protocol for any president's State of the Union Address is respectful applause. Gingrich prefers a boxing match atmosphere. There is a cultural difference between respect for the government and Republican blood sport.
The "respectful applause" and standing ovations every 2 seconds could be taken down a notch below a college football game. It's a pep rally for the party in office, nothing less. this has been my beef for years, which is why I no longer watch the SOTU address and read the transcripts online.
Let the audience resond, but also let all party affiliations be allowed into the audienc...
Newt is trying to dumb down America. That's what is is good at.
Did get it right when I heard Newter in the debate invite 1/2 million Cubans to emigrate to the US without entry visas? And this is different from the Mexican invasion because ...?
Oh, the Cubans speak Cuban and the Mexicans speak Mexican. Somehow that makes it different.
Also, it doesn't hurt that the Florida Cubans vote Republican.
i don't like mexican's but if i can win florida by pandering to the cubans oh yes....newt a man of momentary standards...
You are right. You got it wrong.....
Mitt and Newt convinced last night's audience that neither of them is fit to be president.
i agree but they aren't fit to be canidates either did some one miss a memo in the gop.....
Barack Obama with his abysmal record is not fit to the President
Dee, Your lack of information about the president's actual record has nothing to do with him. At best, you are the victim of propaganda. Don't be a Ditto Head.
So - I'm a little unclear on this - is 'Feisty Redhead' the collective name of the newsrooms of ABC, CBS and NBC, or is there really such a person out there who is just given the first spot on all of the postings here? Whichever it is, the hatred dripping from this entity is really something (dumbfux?). I do note that ALL of the 'progressives' postings are getting more vitriolic as the possibility of the end of the obamunist regime becomes more of a reality with each $58,000 PER SECOND spent by the giant federal sow, and more and more Americans losing their jobs to the 'no hope and do 'ya have some spare change' agenda of the President and Senate. Panic is never a pretty thing to watch.
sorry j man that w2as 750,000 people losing jobs the last month of the bush which obama without help from the gop has turned into gaining 200,000 a month the a million a month difference imagine if the gop put country first instead of beating obama.....blah blah obviously the only things you care to know are regurgitated from your mother fox news....if you don't even know the jobs numbers and the trend vitriolic cool word not saving ya....and you know that obama has never had a majority in the senate right....since it's the 60 vote rule right....duh.....no rubber stamp majority like ya al in the 2001 2007 bush regime that damn near ruined the country forever....nice try nitwit play again next year when you can at least be honest about jobs and who runs the senate....duh
No, Marc, you are wrong....
what would be better is sitting down no audience and answering the questions....
wouldn't be too surprised to find out that those who hooted and yelled at the SC debate were his plants set up to yell and scream every time he made one of his phony indignation comments.
“I am tired of the elite media protecting Barack Obama by attacking Republicans," Gingrich responded, winning a standing ovation from the audience, which wasn't barred from expressions of support.
Elite Defined: the choice or best of anything considered collectively, as of a group or class of persons
Elite Synonym:
common, low-class, lower, lower-class, ordinary,poor, worst
For a man with a Phd in the Humanities, he surely must know the correct definition of elite and it's synonym. If he has a problem with our "elite" media (FOX not included) would he replace it with the "common, lower-class, worst" media (Fox included)?
I understand that his target audience is the disenfranchised double-wider but he takes the chance that some educated Republicans may be totally embarrassed by his pandering to the rednecks.