Newt plays life like chess - he's thinking several moves ahead.
He KNOWS obummer will never agree to even ONE 3-hour debate, let alone 13. (obummer, to save face, may agree to one of shorter time, but not the others.)
When obummer refuses the challenge, he loses face - Strike one.
Newt promised obummer that if he doesn't debate, then whenever/wherever obummer goes to speak, Newt will follow with hours and give a rebuttal. (Besides the effect of nullifying obummers speeches, it will become a game everyone - including the media - will follow.
Brilliant.
Cant believe no one seems to follow his strategy beyond step one.
Oh - and to add to that - the media must give each candidate, in the general, equal time. With Newt’s game, they’ll find it hard to not give him equal time - the country will be watching.