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Two Moments from CNN South Carolina Republican Party Presidential Debate That Could Change The Narrative: Gingrich and Romney

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Most analysts agree there were two moments from last night’s CNN South Carolina Republican Party Presidential Debate that could change the narrative about former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as front-runner. These two segments are the ones that would be shown in the future by networks when they talk about debates, if these segments have the impact that many think they will.

#1: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich blasts CNN’s John King for asking him about his ex-wife’s ABC interview as the first question. This got Newt Gingrich a standing ovation from GOPers who supported any of the candidates:

Some thoughts:

  • The issue is whether King should have asked it and when he should have asked it. Virtually any working journalist will say the question had to be asked. The debate will center on whether that’s the first question that should have been asked. In many cases, you’d insert that kind of question into an interview a little into it. Clearly, Gingrich was ready to answer the question, and clearly he has attacked the media in every single debate and gotten great support for it (some would argue that helped bring him back from the political dead in earlier debates).
  • King’s placement of the question was the best Christmas and birthday gift combined to Gingrich. My reaction in the debates is negative when Gingrich goes after the press because I was a working journalist for many years and I’m also an independent voter. I don’t see a big media conspiracy or reporters out to get candidates. Others (particularly many Republicans) have a different perception of this. A journalist who did not raise the question could get into trouble with higher ups. By starting with that question, King suggested he had prioritized issues and this was the most important one. Most likely that isn’t how he felt but it was a big story.
  • Gingrich’s response showed that he was prepared. This showed to many GOPers (they are already saying it on Morning Joe, arguably the best political discussion show on television) that Gingrich is tough and will be prepared for tough questions in debates with Barack Obama.

    • #2: Mitt Romney blows it again on the tax return issue and gets booed by the auidience:

    This clip shows Romney’s response in the context of how others answered:

    Some thoughts:

  • If Romney loses South Carolina or the nomination this clip will be shown.
  • Romney knew this question was coming. This shows a) lack of preparation b) absolutely no learning curve on the part of him or his staff c) that he would be risky as the Republican nominee due to the lack of prep and no learning curve.
  • Romney’s response feeds into the growing image of him as a super-wealthy person who seems to be trying to either hide something or keep it from coming out until he has the nomination and it can’t be used against him by members of his own party to deny him being at the top of the ticket.
  • He looks so awkward. He reminds you of Rick Perry.