Newt Gingrich bashed the CNN host at the South Carolina debate when he was questioned about his ex-wife’s interview with Nightline. Gingrich criticized the media and received a standing ovation from the audience while he gave the moderator, John King, a tongue lashing for beginning the debate with a loaded question. Ouch! Watch Newt’s comeback if you missed it.
Newt Gingrich SLAMS CNN For Question About His Ex-Wife! SC Republican Presidential Debate pt.1
He dressed down the moderator for leading the debate with a question about the interview, and his GOP opponents did not challenge him.
Going into South Carolina’s Saturday primary, Gingrich’s opponents stayed virtually mum on the topic. Rick Santorum, who was Gingrich’s chief critic Thursday night, said Friday only that “those issues are issues that people will look at.”
Gingrich on Thursday unequivocally denied the charge from his ex-wife Marianna that he sought an “open marriage” so he could carry on his relationship with Callista Bisek — whom he eventually married. Though Marianne Gingrich told ABC News she stands by her claim, Gingrich said at the debate that the story is “false.”
And he turned the tables on the media, as he has in prior debates.
“I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that,” Gingrich told the CNN moderator. “To take an ex-wife and make it, two days before the primary, a significant question in a presidential campaign, is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine.”
He added, “I am frankly astounded that CNN would take trash like that and use it to open a presidential debate.”
Gingrich now enters the South Carolina primary narrowly leading in most polls, after surging over the past week to overtake Mitt Romney.
Romney’s campaign, while steering clear of Gingrich’s personal life, was trying a different approach on Friday. In retaliation for Gingrich’s calls on Romney to release his tax returns, the Romney campaign called on Gingrich to release a more detailed accounting of the investigation into his ethical problems as House speaker, saying, “You know it’s going to get out ahead of the general election.”[via]
Related articles
- South Carolina Republican debate: Newt Gingrich goes nuclear on media (kaystreet.wordpress.com)
- Gingrich and Paul score well in last-chance South Carolina GOP debate (100gf.wordpress.com)
- Rush Limbaugh: Newt Gingrich asking his wife for permission to cheat is “a mark of character.” (skydancingblog.com)
- Newt Goes Off on On CNN’s John King After “Despicable” Debate Question (fearlessconservative.com)
- South Carolina GOP Primary Prediction (carsonjfbruno.wordpress.com)
- CNN Debate In South Carolina: Newt Owned It From Outset (markamerica.com)
- Holy Herman Cain Batman! – Gingrich ex-wife: Newt wanted an open marriage (reclaimamericafromthelunaticfringe.wordpress.com)
- Ex-wife spits in the eye of Newt (steveoncrisis.wordpress.com)
- Ex-wife: Gingrich wanted an ‘open marriage’ (capitolhillblue.com)
- The Clash in the Carolinas (jamesdboys.com)
- Disdainful of Strategists, Gingrich Acts as His Own – New York Times (nytimes.com)
To think this wasn’t going to be brought up is just plain delusional. This as well as his other characteristics WILL be under the microscope. He’s not running for high school coach he’s running for the PRESIDENT OF AMERICA. Americans wanted to impeach CLinton for as much, so to think this isn’t on every American’s mind, and that we’re just gonna turn the other way and blush is stupid. Good for CNN for bringing it up and getting it out of the way so we would be able to focus on his answers on other things. Why in the world should I vote for a man who cops out of an answer to a legitimate question? Why should I vote for a man who’s own wife shouldn’t even trust? Fine if it isn’t true, just say so, don’t get mad that someone brought up the elephant in the room.