[Hot Tabasco]

The question itself was not out of line.....

This was a debate of presidential candidates. The first question should be something that is relevant to everybody inside and outside the debate room, e.g., the economy, national defense, and so on. Not what an ex-wife said about her marriage.

Sounds like you're contradicting yourself. Shouldn't ALL the questions be relevant to the candidates and their personal policy issues rather than focusing on one's ex-wife?

It was clearly apparent that the audience didn't agree with your first statement either......

[paudio]

I don't think I contradicted myself. there several aspects to consider. (1) Topics are not 'flat'. There are hierarchy to it. Hence, people's answers in survey to questions on which topic would be the most important to them. In debates, the first question usually sets the tone for the whole evening. (2) I think some issues are relevant only to certain candidates, hence, I think it's fine to ask specific question. However, such specific question should not be put at the beginning precisely because it pertains to only one person. By making it the first question, John King tried to put Newt on defense all evening, perhaps hoping that other candidates would join him attacking Newt, but he failed.

And, no. Newt's complain included '...the first thing that you (John) asked'. It implies the importance of first question, as I mentioned above. There is no doubt that the topic itself may be questionable, but his answer includes also the order of the question. And we cannot make a claim that the audience boo because it's the first, or the issue itself (more likely, both). In any case, my opinion is my own. May or may not be the same as the audience.