Debate Recap: Mainstream Media Got Served
by Alexander MarlowOnly the mainstream media could make Newt Gingrich sympathetic on a personal level. All you need to know about the CNN South Carolina debate happened in the first three minutes, when moderator John King began the night by questioning Newt on allegations made by his ex-wife Marianne. Gingrich proceeded to do what he’s done best in the campaign—and better than any other candidate on the stage by a wide margin—and that’s rip into the MSM for their malignant and pathological liberal bias. For Gingrich, a man largely known for having a sordid personal history, to spin the interview that we were told could “end his career” into a net-positive is simultaneously a mega-victory for him and a loss for the increasingly embarrassing CNN. That is, of course, unless the media can keep the “open marriage” story alive somehow… The standing ovation last night wasn’t just for Newt; it was for all of us who have raised awareness about the Democrat Media Complex.
Mitt Romney’s night will likely be defined by his mealy-mouthed non-answer when pressed on his reluctance to release his tax returns. I’ve been a proponent of saving anything that could be potentially useful in the general election for the general election, so up until recently I was sympathetic to Mitt’s plan to hold off on disclosing those documents until the likely event he squares off with Barack Obama. Why not try to trade them for Obama’s illusive college transcripts? Alas, it has become a political football, so Mitt’s probably best advised to drop them now. My only hope is that the other candidates’ insistence Mitt releases his tax returns post haste isn’t so that they can use them to play the divisive and dispiriting Occupy-style class warfare politics we saw last week. It’s startling that the record national debt wasn’t discussed last night, but the candidates talked about Romney’s tax docs until they were blue in the face.
Hopefully people will also remember Romney’s excellent answer when King asked what the candidates would have done differently during the campaign. Romney delivered a witty and self-deprecating line about how he would have made sure to secure 34 more votes in Iowa and then that he should have focused even more narrowly on Barack Obama, which has been the cornerstone of his campaign.
Since only four candidates remain, we heard a lot more from Rick Santorum last night than we had in the past, and I like him less because of it. We simply exceeded our Santorum quota. The former Pennsylvania Senator seems to be a man of integrity and we share many of the same values, but he only has one tool in his kit, and that’s a bludgeon. I’m aware there’s typically a moratorium on Reagan’s 11th Commandment during primary season, but Santorum’s inability to be subtle overwhelmed. Anger is often a good thing and negative campaigning tends to work, but after about an hour and a half of Santorum ripping into the other candidates, all I could hear was…
Thanks to Santorum filling the role of anti-Romney attack dog, Newt was able to stay calm and collected, and that served him very well. If Newt can keep that up and keep the race tight in South Carolina (let alone win), we may well have a competitive primary after all.
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108 Comments
Republicans should take a lesson from this and call the liberal media out for their BS every chance they get. They're not your friends.
This is what I'm talking about. It's not as much what the candidate gets accused of- 99% of which is a lie, or insubstantial in any way. It's how they handle it. I was waiting for Cain- then he bailed. Newt stepped up to the plate and changed what the media wanted everybody to believe as a "career ender" into something that just might put him over the top. I got more energized- How 'bout you?
I'm just wondering how much Bain Capitol stock the ex-Mrs Gringrich got for "speaking out"?
Did we learn anything? Nope
I think paul did the best. He is consistent.
If our primary intent is to rid America of the reign of BHO, then Newt is the man for the job, none of the others have thick enough skin to do it. Although I like Santorum, he's not quick enough to outspeak Obummer. Romney hems and haws too much and the way he stutters at times makes me uneasy. Paul isn't even close, and BHO would make mince meat of him, besides, while he's right on the money on many things, he doesn't seem to be able to articulate the meaning of what he thinks. Now Newt?, he's got the chops and the heart to take the battle to the muslim in chief.
Newt can't win.
He was sanctioned for ethics violations and lying to Congress while he was Speaker by HIS OWN PARTY and was forced to resign from Congress. Newt is a good speaker, but his actions don't live up to his words.
Mr. Marlow makes a projection I've also read in three or four other articles written since the S.C. debate – that Mitt Romney is our "likely" candidate.
Until last night, I was of the same mind.
Right now I'm calling it even. But if Newt can continue to effectively swat away his ex-wife's claims, even if he comes in a close second in S.C., I'm all about Newt for the long haul.
He is single-handedly slaying the MSM Borg, lunging and thrusting before they even unsheath their weapons. He does so consistently, efficiently, eloquently and effortlessly – unlike Romney, who always needs a few hours or days before deciding how to respond.
I believe Romney is finally coming to the realization that the MSM actually are our enemies. But he is committed to playing defense.
You don't beat a pack of bloodthirsty word ninjas with jiu-jitsu.
Where Romney will spend his campaign responding, Newt will force the dialogue into his wheel-house – policy. He will steer the debate to an assessment (if not by the media, then by the electorate) of the miserable failures of the Obama administration's policies.
I'm not saying that Romney will not be able to respond effectively. But he will never be able to adequately attack Obama if he's spending all of his time defending himself.
Newt is infinitely better at using the media's own weapons against them. And imo, that is the key to defeating Obama.
Newt has turned the tide.
I don't think Newt needs to discuss his responses with his staff beforehand as to how best to cover his tracks. He is a leader I could follow. That being said, I would vote for Carrot Top(Hat tip-Laura Ingraham) if he were chosen to run against Obama
Bullseye. Gingrich has it.
"Would you like to take some time to respond to that?"
"No, but I will."
SLAP!
CNN,s John King Just got a good lesson in interviewing people, first the audience ripped him then Newt gave him a good lesson on how to ask a question. I bet King wishes he had that one back !
Newt hit it out of the park last night! Can you imagine Newt calling out the anointed one for his BS and LIES in a live debate? If the anointed one brings up Newt's past as a topc, I'm sure Newt will ask him about his travel to Pakistan, college transcripts, Connecticut birth certificate, bill ayers, frank marshall, and so on and so on. He is the only one with the grapes to do it!
The audience sure smacked the moderator down with a load of Boooos when they tried to skip Ron Paul on the abortion topic.
Paul wants to reverse Roe v Wade by removing Federal jurisdiction which only requires a simple majority and a Presidential signature. Remember, you can't have judicial activism if you remove it from their jurisdiction.
Oh that is rich……………Marianne Gingrich said that Newton lacked the "moral character" to be POTUS.
Didn't stop Bill Clinton. Didn't stop noblama.
The biggest mistake Newt made, was staying married to that shrew for 18 years……….
I think more and more every day…………….that Newt is the one who could slay the anointed one.
The remainder of the field………lacks the will………..and balls………..to slay the lying dragon at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
What a coincidence. Obummer was at Disneyland yesterday. Disney owns ABC. Coincidence, not.
If even ONE person in the msm had 'dared' to ask Obama ONE question like that he would NOT be thinking he was King of America now!!! As it is (was) he has NEVER been asked the hard questions!!! New is the ONLY ONE who can take Obama down in a debate!!!
Go Newt!!! Got my vote!!!
Remember…….this is war.
"Did ya ever shoot women and children?"
"Sure! Plenty!"
"How can you do that?!"
"Easy! Ya just don't lead 'em as much!"
I'm no Paul supporter, but when you skip the ob-gyn on the abortion question, you pretty much disqualify yourself as a serious journalist.
I'm no Paul supporter, but when you skip the ob-gyn on the abortion question, you pretty much disqualify yourself as a serious journalist.
…Borg within The Borg.
In addition, the bummer has hours upon hours of sound bites for his campaign, thanks to these debates!
What are you going to do now that you won the Presidency ?
I'm going to Disney !
King works for CNN. Come on.
Newty
Newty used a political bully tactic and the crowd cheered.
Attack, dismiss, marginalize and wrap yourself in the flag.
This tactic is used normally when you are CYA.
Now i smell smoke where i dismissed it before.
Disneyland-magic kingdom in the background with him looking like the King. Blessing tourists from two communist countries to come here quick just in time for November elections. Well, it is creative.
Just loved that stupid, blank look on John King's face during his beatdown. It almost said "I'm just a parrot. My masters tell me what questions to ask and I do it."
I know how to stop all the BS over tax returns!
WE should push of a new bill requiring anyone running for public office on a state or federal level to disclose ALL pertinent documentation AS SOON AS they file to run for that office. That would be birth certificates, tax records going back 12 years, college transcripts, adult criminal history, and driving records. And any documents involving business dealings with companies that have ties to any government agency, including subsidies.
Let's get this "you show me your's and I'll show you mine" crap out of the way right up front. If one of us applies for a government job, do you think they aren't looking at all our documents before we are hired? If you don't believe it, you should read the fine print on all those papers you signed for employment.
Big tent?
Republicans always claim they are a big tent? Judging from the actions of republicans the only thing they want is your vote, NOT your voice or concerns.
Since true republicans/conservative/family values is preached, but it is NOT their practices.
The democrats are exactly the same.
I thought the goal was to save the country and that can only be done by the trading of words Not smut peddling.
Both government parties(republicans and democrats) positions are take it or leave it.
I will NOT choose between evil and support the system that created and elected BO, because it will elect another.
I am free and unaffiliated
Fighting to return to the people their voice and power.
Freedom has always been the enemy of the powerful and road block to those who fear and hate.
Read my little blog spot and tell me where i am wrong.
I have to stop and think, who has the debating skill to dethrone Obammy? Who has the sac to attack when the time is right? So far Newt is the only one that has shown the skill and bravado to take down the Liar-in-Chief.
Ditto on Cain and ditto for Gingrich. He is showing to be the only one trying and succeeding to push back the media. By doing it so well he shows that he can change the discussion. Leadership.
Newt is playing CHESS !
everybody else is playing checkers…
good idea..
same requirement kids and parents HAVE to do
when the kids START school !
check into THAT BS ..
Emperor Hussein will absolutely refuse to debate Newt if he's the nominee. He'll hide wimpering behind the skirts of Jarret and Moochelle.
Amen! Can't you just imagine a debate of Newt and Obama, finally all the hard questions will get asked. I doubt any answers will come out but they will be a bludgeon against "the one". Go Newt!
Was dueling outlawed in South Carolina?
Exactly right.
The MSM has gotten their orders from Snow White`s castle – "we don`t want mean `ol Newtie bothering us with facts and proving to the public we really ARE socialist/marxist anti – Americans" (you did see the story that Kucinich and 4 other dems want to establish a "reasonable profits board" to take oil company 'windfall" profits) The alphabet media tried to pull a Palin last night, problem is, unlike the MSM, America learns from being fooled by leftist lies – it simply won`t work on us again, it IS different now. Read "chemo for conservatives" at http://www.40bagsand40barrels.com – I think it`s what we must do, like it or not.
Smut
Politics is about smut, it is about the twisting of facts and a play for feelings.
To some a picture of a naked women is smut, to others like myself it is a work of art. The picture is the fact and feelings made it smut.
To many republicans paul is smut, but to paul supporters he is a work of art. In reality paul is a republican, just not a typical republican.
Paul supporters are real problem for republicans, because their loyality is to paul and freedom, thus they have been treated as smut and worse by both government parties.
To me paul supporters are a work of art, but I wonder why they accept such abuse when they have the power and numbers to create a new party based on the defense of freedom. They could send both parties to the trash heap of history where they belong.
There is a large segment of voters disenfranchised by the corruption created by both government parties. Soon paul supporters must decide are they followers of freedom or republican.
I never could stand Santorum, but after last night, I hate him more and more. He's a shallow,angry, self-righteous little p_ick of a man. The only tune he know is anger.
and if Newt get his chance, he will take him down hard. He truly will wipe the floor with him. It will be almost embarassing to watch – NOT!
I know, I have two kids in grade school, the paperwork and documentation are ridiculous.
damn
Newt did good! It's about time someone acted like a man. I wish Mister Cain would have done the same thing.
and did you know that Disney does not allow Fox News in the park on any of their tvs at all?!
I watched CNN after the debate and they were all standing up for John, making excuses. Liberals are deaf-dumb-blind.
He'll be dropping out after S.C.
"All you need to know about the CNN South Carolina debate happened in the first three minutes"
All you need to know is we're broke!
I would hope, but I don't think his ego will let him. He's that blinded by his internal anger and his own shallow self righteousness. Sad to say, but that's what typically happens to people that have internal emotional issues that turn to religion. They use religion as a way to avoid their own lack of self-esteem issues.
—
Yep, Newt gets kudos galore for putting the LSM in its place. Mitt should also respond to the obama media worms that, as soon as the toddler releases his school records, he will release his tax records.
Yep, the toddler was in fantasyland looking for unicorns and pixie dust.
Yes, Newt is the real fear to the toddler and his handlers.
I did enjoy immensely the look on King's face after both Newt and the audience trounced him. I would like to see more such expressions on the faces of obama lapdogs.
The Republican that becomes president will also have a massive cleanup to do. The government agencies and regulators have to be roped in and purged of progressives. The educational system has to be cleaned of progressives. The cancer has to be removed so this country can become great again. We will need a strong president, not a chief apologist.
Which is why John McCain lost in 2008. It seems he was running for p u s s y -in-chief.
Apparently not and it was rather fun to watch last night don't you think?
Newt done good. I'll give him that.
Remeber that old song? "He's got the look"?
Well Newt has the nads. My reaction to his eviscerating King was "OMG, about time" !!
He's also the one that doesn't go into a blabbing mode. The rest of them just go on and on and on.
Romney definitely has a repetitive stuttering problem.
Santorum can't stop saying: look at me, I am the one.
Ron Paul makes a lot of sense but is stuck in a time warp. Mostly WW2.
Newt will make mincemeat out of Oblahblah.
Have we forgotten Chappaquidik Ted, a Volkswagen, and Mary Jo? And when Ted passed on, everyone cried over his grave calling him the Lion of The Senate? Cry me a river.
to paul supporters, he is a work of art.
to many other potential voters, paul is a piece of work.
Ah the Paulbot is back having a conversation with himself.
How's it going out there in kookville?
agree 100%… to see Newt debate the POTUS without his TOTUS would be fantastic.
This is a MSM station we're talking about. The only thing these guys wish for is to clear the field of any opposition to Obama so Obama can just retain the Presidency for another 4 years.
Tear it up Newt!
Very fun indeed!
Newt wearing a red tie and king wearing a blue tie. Kinda says it all don't it? Well last night, Newt turned the tables, called out King's punk card then proceeds to skin, skewer and b!^ch slap the #e!! out of King. King and his liberal toadies in the MSM are bullies and are more than deserving of payback. Then King makes the lame excuse about ABC tantamount to to "mama mama that mean consoivative just hit me, mama mama do something!" Smack a bully and they whine, wilt, and fold like a house of cards. Good on ya Newt, King had it coming in spades.
Obama should also release his employment records.
It's gettin' awful close to bein' comparable to when Reagan knocked Carter back in 80.
that's what makes a potential debate with Obama so tasty… Newt is brilliant. they will have back and forth dialogue, and Newt will be setting him up for zingers two responses away.
* Ron Paul and his rhetoric would be great if only,…..
the world were one big college campus demonstration.
* If Mitt is soooooo proud of his "being successful",…
why is he soooo afraid of showing just how successful he was.
* Rick Santorum if ya want a chance, than stop looking and talking,…..
so much like Dobie Gillis.
* Newt I only hope the folks voting ahead of me have the sense,……
and give me a chance to vote for ya here in Illinois.
Newt should be good at clean-ups. He taught ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES at the college level. It is high time someone does an in-depth interview of him, on the subject. We could be stumbling into electing an ENVIRONMENTALIST prez without even realizing it.
Anyone in business knows by now, that the radical restrictions EPA is spewing out weekly, on producers of products in the U.S.A. is KILLING the flow of capitalistic practices. It is the precise reason so much production has moved "off-shore". I don't hate Newt, but we need to learn all we can about his ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES gig at the GA college ASAP, as well as EXACTLY what he plans to do at EPA if he's the next POTUS. If he games the answer on EPA he's too dangerous to be our nominee, IMO.
.
<DIV>I think it will be worse than that, because Obama is so much worse than Carter. It's almost going to be embarrassing to watch. Almost.
—
I think Newt's going to survive this round of assaults (we know there will be more). And I sure liked the way he NEWTralilzed pocketboy John King!
That's the sound of a NEWTlear attack!
In a baseball game a single home run can create enthusiasm but a grandslam creates emotional responces that change the corse of a game. Newt is like Babe Ruth, he keeps swinging the big stick at the hapless pitchers of lamestreet media…………..soon we will start to see them develope a tic whenever they approach him. All candidates for any office should emmulate Newts approach to the media…………..if the question proffered isn't related to the economy or national security belittle the reporter for not paying attention to the real issues of the country.
Of course you will, and that's why you will lose. A movement requires convictions and you people have none. Newt will lose by 8 points leaving you wondering where you went wrong and screaming election fraud.
You heard it here first.
Classic beat down. Loved it.
I submit that John King is the one who did the proving of mainstream media bias. His own comments , rather than Newt's, or other's, retorts to them, were the proof in the pudding. I point to one statement that he made about everyone agreeing to something in particular. With that, he demonstrated that this was not a debate between the candidates, it was a debate between the candidates and media. On that front, the media demonstrates bias because there was no questions directed at Mr. King, there is no accountability for his "side" of the debate. A one way attack by a referee that is playing in the game but cannot be sacked, stuffed or even opposed. Newt did well to break the "rules" and sack him without worrying about the "penalty" for doing so.
Today's politicians are so afraid to "rock the boat" most especially when it comes to media. They fail to understand that rocking the boat is exactly what people are looking for.
Cindi Sheehan, is that you?
I don't think you understand how our government works. First, it takes a constitutional amendment to override a supreme court decision. And even if it didn't, you are still required to meet the 60 vote threshold it the senate to get legislation to the president's desk. So there is no "simple majority" that can decide the abortion issue in your favor. It has to go through the courts.
Amen bro, I've been saying the same thing for damn near a decade now.
Go ahead and nominate the Freaker of the Spouse. The race will be over by August.
can't wait…
This is a war of words. You don't get to shoot at children. Sorry to disappoint.
A law like that would have saved the country from George W. Bush.
That assumes that the next election will be a battle. Time for a quick economic recovery is running out.
Lock yourself into the debate being the golden key and you will disappointed seriously when Barry refuses to debate altogether. I can already see him claiming "crisis" that demands his immediate attention.
As it is now, there aren't any candidate debates anyway. There is only a leading of sheep to slaughter by a media that is dead set on electing Barry no matter what anyone else says or does.
Remember please that "against" elections never end well. 2008 was an "against" election and look what it produced!
We have to think and act in terms of "FOR" rather than against. Put Newt in that light and the picture changes. From government control over individual rights, think gun rights as example, to global warming, think Nancy Pelosi and a park bench, and Newt is just as much Big Government as anyone on he left – though he would exercise that control a bit differently than other progressives.
IN order to break the cycle of the growing leviathan we can't look to what a candidate would do with the power, we have to be looking at how to take usurped power away from them all and how to return it to the individual where it belongs rightfully.
I enjoyed it too.
WHAT employment???
surely you're joking, right? —
I was wondering when someone would say that… she's obviously a beetch, drama queen looking for attention. Good for Newt for leaving her.
I haven't heard anyone demanding to see Romney's college transcripts. In fact I can't think of any candidate who has ever voluntarily released that information. Tax records are a different issue. Every president and most candidates release this information each year.
Ummmm, activist courts "override" Constitutional amendments and have been doing so for well over a century. Once again, droid, you have it backward. In order to deal with the activist courts, the legislature has to exercise it's authority over the courts on the $$$$$ front and with the impeachment function – remove judges from the bench who refuse to apply the law AS WRITTEN.
Contrary to your failure to understand that law is to be crafted in the LEGISLATURE – as opposed to your position that it must be made in the Judiciary – the reality is that courts have long been overstepping the authority delegated to it by the Constitution. From the Doctrine of Judicial Review to the Selective Incorporation Doctrine, the Legislature does need to step up and put the court in its rightful place. It will not take a Constitutional Amendment to see that through – a matter of budget handling can solve that all by itself.
But hey droid, go ahead and explain to us all how the Constitution empowers the Judiciary to make law. We will wait anxiously to see how you go about doing that.
reminds me of what my son said when he came home on leave after his first tour in Iraq. One liberal hippie fool said to him trying to put him down, how many people did you kill? And my son retorted nonchalantly, "including women and children"? It shut that idiot up right quick!
I don't know if it would have "saved the country" (considering his opponents) but at least we would have known and been prepared. Knowing is half the battle, being prepared is the other half, and acting on it is the third half…. hold on…wait…that doesn't add-up……well you get my point…..lol
But, you know, it was too bad not seeing Dana on another CNN panel. She missed a golden opportunity.
Lots of red meat for the droids last night. Bring it to the general and see what happens.
Yep, and I like how Paul dodged the tax statement question. Really? He doesn't want to be embarrassed?! Please the guy's a politician just like the rest.
LOL!
If Newt keeps this up, the people may nominate and even elect him just to say thank you for stomping the traitorous offensive legacy press.
It's not a matter of political policy as such — but it's sure a damned important issue in our national life.
At a minimum, let's hope he's setting a precedent which will be followed.
Nice.
Over the years these debates have become a version of "American Idol" on steroids. There is very little substance there. Too often they take on the flavor of a grade school argument: Did to! Did not!: Are to! Am not!: You are a putz! No, you are a putz! The LSM doesn't make matters any better as the candidates seldom answer the question; but that presupposes that the moderator is even asking a question rather than making statements to show how smart they are. The moderators attempt to lay traps to trip up the candidates. I will say that Newt is pretty good at avoiding those traps and will call the moderators out on them.
Most annoying.
My concern is that we don't have anybody in the field "perfect" for the position, she just didn't run and we just have to get over it.
But in the mean while, Cain just endorsed "the People" and while seemingly wildly inept, he has a valid point. Who ever we get in for prez, we are going to need to use our congressional picks to hold the next administration's feet to the fire.
While I would say that the same would be true if Barry got re-elected, we already know that he can do anything unethical or unconstitutional and no one questions it.
The Lizard has shown that he can smack the media down (in ways that all conservatives were waiting for Bush to do and never happened no matter how treasonest they became), he'll make smart appointments (Sarah being the first he's mentioned- bravo) and his past performance has proven he can lead. Newt has become the flavor of the week, me thinks.
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