Gingrich Lives for Applause

Possibly the least likeable candidate who's gotten this far.
Image from Raw Story.

Well, there was no doubt that Newt Gingrich had an ego, was there? But Newt's love of applause is beside the point. In many of the previous debates (in this seemingly endless series), the participation of the audience became the story. And it was a decidedly unflattering--if illustrative--story at that. They booed a gay soldier. Cheered executions. Whelped with approval at the notion of letting a sick man die if he has no insurance. It hasn't been pretty.

But you know what else isn't pretty? A Republican debate with no feedback. Sure, this is how it was always done in the (not so) old days. Debates were supposed to be a very serious, somber affair. They were kind of dull sometimes, but that's just how they were. Now that we've gotten accustomed to the crass noises from the GOP crowds, an installment without them is deathly dull. Betcha they're back in the next debate.

Image from Mother Jones

[Excerpt]


Gingrich threatens to boycott debates without applause

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich on Tuesday warned that he might not participate in future debates if moderators didn’t allow his fans to cheer.

NBC News had asked the audience at Monday night’s debate in Florida to hold their applause until the commercial breaks — and Gingrich was perceived to have done significantly worse than in previous debates. . .

Read more at: Raw Story