I agree with you. As important as the state is, the entire electorate is not comprised of South Carolina-minded voters. How will Gingrich play in Florida? Would Santorum have a better shot at PA and OH? How will Newt look against the Chicago thug commercials showing the perfect obama family against the serial adulterer? There really needs to be some kind of strategy going forward besides throwing out red meat at a debate. Perception is important.
Of course, this is about ten times worse than Cain, because it’s an ex-wife, among other things.
And there are no mitigation strategies at all for Newt (or anyone speaking on behalf of Newt.)
He can’t ignore it. He can’t dismiss it. He can’t say she’s lying. He can’t say her memory is faulty. He can’t say the DNC is paying her. He can’t say Karl Rove is paying her. He can’t say she’s trying to get a book deal. All of those steps would actually make it worse.