OTOH, it’s a good thing for Gingrich to try to make his points in an environment where he cannot use the audience as a crutch.
That’s what he’d be doing most of the time in the White House and he might as well get used to it now — and we might as well evaluate whether or not he can do it, and how well.
Obama was the master of using the audience as a crutch on the campaign trail. This led everyone to truly believe that he as a great orator, an inspirational speaker, The One.
Yet when he was put behind a podium and simply had to communicate — not cheerlead — he was an epic fail.
Gingrich needs to show that he can do both: communicate without using the audience as crutch AND cheerlead.
You are completely missing the point. Newt is doing this for America and Americans to retain it's right for free speech and not be controlled by the media. Anyone can hear Newt and what he says without an audience or clapping - his message gets through! He used to that - he teaches!
So Newts does NOT need to show anything - His Patriotism and love for America is KNOWN! And he is putting it into action! Different than the other candidates - they haven't voiced anything on this. He knows when Americans are being wrong or robbed of their rights and when he sees it he immediately tries to correct it. Too back if that grates you but Americans who value their freedoms back the one who has a voice and uses it for America.