Mistake by Mr. Gingrich. His SC debate and subsequent win had nothing to do with the audience, it was the power of his words.
Gingrich/Santorum 2012
Santorum/Rubio 2018
Not so sure I agree. The buzz after the debate was the standing ovations he received; the first anybody could remember.
Of course, what he said was critical, but think how it would have resonated (or not) to a silent auditorium. The standing ovation immediately validated his comments. John King glared more at the crowd than at Newt, and was off his game (if he had any) the rest of the night.