No argument. However, based on cause and effect (possibly just coincidence) Gingrich's poll numbers seem to have increased since the start of the Republican debates. The same might hold true in Presidential debates. I seem to remember the Nixon / Kennedy debate was devastating for Nixon.
Newt has consistently been the better debater all along yet his poll numbers only went up recently after Cain slid. Bachmann > Perry > Cain > Gingrich. So it’s not just debating skills. There is this buzz factor and Newt is today’s flavor.
I haven’t given up on Cain but he seems to be yesterday’s news. :-) primaries are supposed to sort these things out however I hope we get enough consolidated mass around a candidate to stop Romney