Posted on 01/24/2012 8:21:28 AM PST by Bigtigermike
Newt Gingrich insists his fans will not be silenced.
Mr. Gingrich, a former House speaker, on Tuesday morning threatened not participate in any future debates with audiences that have been instructed to be silent. That was the case on Monday, when Brian Williams of NBC News asked the audience of about 500 people who assembled for a debate in Tampa to hold their applause until the commercial breaks.
In an interview with the morning show “Fox and Friends,” Mr. Gingrich said NBC’s rules amounted to stifling free speech. In what has become a standard line of attack for his anti-establishment campaign, Mr. Gingrich blamed the media for trying to silence a dissenting point of view.
(Excerpt) Read more at thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com ...
The above thread was an article that concluded that Gingrich wouldn't be an effective speaker without audience participation. I agreed, and said:
This is EXACTLY what happened to Obama!
While he was out among his adoring crowds, and they were hollering “Amens” and the women were swooning and the men were swaying, he was hailed as the Greatest Orator since . . . well, pick your start-point. He was viewed as the one who was so very inspirational that he could even be viewed as a sort of political messiah, The One.
All that and more was based on Obama’s oratorical skills, as demonstrated in the reaction of HIS crowds, the faithful, those who really wanted someone who was going to take them to new rhetorical heights by overpowering the political opposition with the shear, brute force of his powerful oratory.
We all know the rest of the story.
This is exactly what will happen to Newt Gingrich when he has to stand up and deliver an actual presidential speech, without the audience soundtrack, with no one (media person or political opponent on the dais next to him) to pound on, humiliate and verbally harass and insult.
I’m not at all suggesting that Newt will be an epic fail as a communicator if he wins the White House. But thinking that what you see in a campaign is what you’ll get in a presidency misses the mark. Widely.
And, think about it: NO ONE was attracted to Gingrich as a candidate until he repeatedly delivered a certain kind of debate performance — the kind of performance, like Obama’s in his campaign, that will NOT characterize his presidency.
Standing up for people’s right to applaud, for heaven sakes, is not petulant at all!
Another vote for boring debate. Not so much because of the lack of fireworks, but because we have covered this territory ad nauseam.
Trying to corral the audience into a prescribed behavior is pointless for a simple reason. Ron Paul supporters will do whatever they like, while Newt’s will abide by the “rules”.
All NBC’s gag rule did was insure fewer viewers on the next debate.
and I replied to you (as a huge Gingrich supporter) when I heard him live this morning it sounded like he was a whiner and would take his toys and go home if he didn’t get his way on debate formats(audience).. not Presidential sounding.. and evidently I’m not the only Gingrich supporter who thought that either... jerk
So I take it you like magic underwear?
LMAO!
Here's a different perspective... The nominating contest is one of the few times that Americans have the opportunity to directly interact with, and express themselves to those who would deign to be the nation's Chief Executive.
Once these people ascend to the heights of elected office (especially the presidency), they're effectively insulated from the voice of the people, and are much more difficult to reach.
We're supposed to have a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." I think it's entirely appropriate that we have an opportunity to add our voices to the mix in the public debate leading up to choosing our nominee - even if all that amounts to is applause in an auditorium.
Ya, I lost count around 15.. :p
I clearly heard people in the audience applauding last night.
If ego was Newt’s problem he would hav not said as he did after the S.C win....it was all about the people.
It’s a Primary and people have the right to cheer on their candidate. Just as in any race where candidates are running. This was plain and simple a tactic to protect the moderator, who loves Obama, so he would not have to be in the position where Newt might critique him and get auduance approval.
The media is trying very hard to “silence” our candidates and take them out....most recognize the media is opposed to our candidates....the audiance is “ours” let them be “free” to express themsleves over and above the media’s desire to silence them. It’s “Our” Primary...not Obamas.
LOL Yea I get carried away sometimes EEK
That’s it; bottom line.If someone says something the audience can still break out into applause or stand.The Ron Paul supporters with Soros’ money and hot air balloons were nice to NOT hear; it gives more time to the candidates.The debate was boring because it was nothing but Ken doll desperately trying to gun Gingrich.
That's exactly right!.....Newt isn't just running against other candidates....he's running against the media who is in Obamas pocket....therefore it is right for him to call the media out...they are Obama's surrogate campaign.
Well to bad that hardly anybody agrees with you. So go back in your hole.
Thank you!!
Maybe the mods could at least add something to the title like - **Media Spin Alert!!** ?!?!
Tatt
Newt’s entertaining to you? And a professional debate means gagging the audience? You certainly are lacking in conservative values. Those standing ovations for Newt have been repulsive to rinos.
I’m glad to see you are exposing yourself, finally, that no one can misread - as it’s been obvious for quite some time.
I’m with Newt on this. The media fears the reactions of a Republican or conservative audience. Does anyone else remember that great press conference of Dan Quayle’s years back? It was conducted outside in front of Bush-Quayle supporters who booed each time a lib journalist asked a biased question. The news guys openly complained, then got booed again! It was priceless.
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