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Applause Tracks for Newt?

By Robert P. Kirchhoefer on 1.24.12 @ 12:56PM

I can understand why Speaker Gingrich wants the stifling of applause to stop; he plays to the audience. When answering questions, he has that very particular gesture that is neither to the moderator or the fellow candidates, but is to the crowd. And he knows how to play 'em!

But do we need to make these debates about the reaction of the crowd? Didn't we just elect a guy who was all about crowds, settings, and Styrofoam pillars? … and teleprompters? Further, I'm not aware of the press's ability to stifle free speech. The debates are not statutory, they are voluntary. Candidates have skipped other debates in protest this Primary cycle (see Trump's debate and Huntsman's refusal to participate in the earlier debate).

This is the problem Newt has. It's perhaps a valid point. Maybe. Maybe not.

But the problem -- his problem -- is that this will be seen as more from the guy who complained about being put in to the back of Air Force One.

It seems a little too much like the old Newt. And that's not good.

View all comments (9) | Leave a comment

Dai Alanye| 1.24.12 @ 1:10PM

Hubris, anyone? No one more able than Newt to bring Newt down, and he's working hard at it.

Interested Conservative| 1.24.12 @ 2:06PM

Or, he could just be telling NBC how to run a TV show. It seems they could use the help.

Drek| 1.24.12 @ 2:17PM

He is a populist conservative reformer, as Todd Palin observed.

Clint| 1.24.12 @ 2:20PM

The Sound Of One Hand Clapping.

However, The Pillsbury DoughBoy Serves As Our Useful RINO-CINO Dupe To Extend The Campaign, Deny The Ruling Elites' RINO-CINO Frontman, Mittens Romney Enough Delegates And Head To A Brokered Convention.

The Tea Party Rebellion Is In Florida.

martin j smith| 1.24.12 @ 2:41PM

Each candidate has an equal chance to address or play to the crowd. No one is stopping anyone.
I think the crowd ( of yes you do not like the great unwashed do you from DC ? ) wants to respond and should be given the chance they are the voters. So I am all for it. Bring the cheering or jeering on.

Bumr50| 1.24.12 @ 3:12PM

Sour grapes?

No one agrees with your conclusion.

Lefty| 1.25.12 @ 10:16AM

Really? The point of this articles is not to agree or disagree with the stifling of the audience, but that his reaction reminds of the Newt we've known for 20 years - argumentative, whiny, arrogant, and divisive.

SpiralArchitect| 1.24.12 @ 4:47PM

Reminds me of the NRO poll that asks: Putting aside Ron Paul, who won the Tampa debate?

The crowd is usually a good judge of consensus.

Why has no one asked why have a crowd if they are to remain idle and mute?

Occam's Tool| 1.24.12 @ 4:54PM

Isn't the point of free speech to have freedom to comment on political issues? If it's not interfering with the debaters' speeches, why not let the audience comment? NBC can shove it.