A look at tonight's debate stage

soundoff (12 Responses)

1. Cathy ODonnell
   

   I want to compliment you on the way you handled Newt's outrage in the debate. You showed class and stood your ground. My hats off to you.

   January 19, 2012 at 9:01 pm |
2. rob
   

   NOPE I HAVE NO SHAME JUST WANT TO PLEASE OBAMA

   January 19, 2012 at 9:04 pm |
3. Ray
   

   John, your first question to start the debate reminded me of something I would see on sleazy afternoon television. Bad judgement in my mind. Having said that you did an excellent job of moderating this debate. Your willingness to allow candidates to answer credible questions and debate each other without time limits led to additional information you may have not gotten from a more traditionally moderated debate. I also commend you for keeping your composure when Mr Gingrich took you to task(deservedly so). Well done. This was my favorite debate to date. Thank You!

   January 19, 2012 at 10:57 pm |
4. Bill Seattle, WA
   

   John, I thought that the first question you asked was completely appropriate and necessary. Mr. Gingrich's attack on the media for asking that question was unfair, distasteful, and obviously full of emotional denial. He says the claims are not true–his ex-wife says they are true–I don't know who I'm going to believe. Considering his track record with women, I'm more inclined to believe his wife. The people of South Carolina disgust me that they took his side on the issue. Here we have a man who clearly has had past problems with moral issues and by attacking the media he is trying to hide from the issues.

   January 19, 2012 at 11:45 pm |
5. Christina
   

   John King was not wrong to ask his question about Marianne Gingrich. However, I think it would be better if it were included in with other instances of how Speaker Gingrich has obviously believed that the rules don't pertain to him rather than asked alone, which risks making the press look salacious. Here you have someone in power who doesn't just cheat on one wife, but cheats on two, thereby breaking two instances of holy vows. There are indications that he did not believe in supporting his children. He had ethics problems as Speaker. He says he is a changed man. Really? Recently, he indicated he would send federal marshals out to arrest judges he did not agree with. The key is to build the argument that Speaker Gingrich STILL does not believe the rules pertain to him and that it would be risky to have someone as arrogant and as angry in the highest office of the land.

   January 20, 2012 at 8:52 am |
6. Christine
   

   I compliment John King on his question to Newt Gingrich last night regarding his second wife's recent charges against him that he tried to persuade her to have an "OPEN MARRIAGE" so he could have both his wife and his long-time mistress Callisra ... all one big happy family!!!! How disgusting!!!

   In his dramatic response of outrage to blame CNN, ABC and everyone else but himself - Newt Gingrich called it a "despicable" act. However, the only person despicable in this situation is the arrogant, pompous Newt Gingrich himself.

   His daughters along with some reporters said, "This happened over a decade ago and he has repented and therefore should not be mentioned now." YES ... IT DOES MATTER!!! WHY? Because it is a reflection of his true character and shows that he cares about only one person - and that is himself!

   Gingrich didn't mind when John King and other moderators attack Mitt Romney, who is a good decent man of integrity, a successful businessman and entrepreneur. He is also a dedicated family man to his one wife of more than 40 years and his five sons, their wives and grandchildren.

   There is something terribly wrong with pastors and evangelicals who are urging Christians to vote for a man who has had 3 wives, divorcing 2 of them while they were ill to marry another woman with whom he had been having an affair. This is NOT a man of integrity and it is unthinkable that he should become the next President of the United States.

   Dnewsjunky

   January 20, 2012 at 3:54 pm |
   • Bupathi
     

     You know, he sopsupedly wrote a work of fiction that I liked, but the concept of this guy as a "conservative" candidate is really upsetting my world view. No way he gets my vote.

     February 22, 2012 at 12:35 pm |
7. Ray
   

   Hey Christina, I guess at that time Newt figured if its ok for President William Jefferson Clinton to partake in extramarital affairs, why not the Speaker of the House. Heck, it was ok with the American people before Bill was elected President, why hold Newton Gingrich to a different standard?

   January 20, 2012 at 4:31 pm |
8. geo924
   

   There was a question I thought should have been asked during the debate last night. With the announcement earlier in the day that General Motors had become the number one auto company in the world, it's clearly obvious that Mitt the brilliant business guy was wrong about not using TARP money to help GM out, as he was wrong about bailing out Wall Street. He could have been pressed on this.

   January 20, 2012 at 4:52 pm |
9. QUINTUS
   

   Since when promiscuity is an off topic subject in a nomination
   for the Presidential election?
   Since when personal morality is taboo, hence no one should talk about it?
   Since when I have to judge a candidate not by the way he lived his life
   but by the way he’s telling me he did?
   I don't want my son to say: "Hey! The President had three wife’s! I want five!
   And I want to cheat on all of them!"
   I do want to beat the Taliban, but not on that particular issue!

   January 21, 2012 at 3:08 am |
10. Pam Shepstone
    

    I totally agree with Christina comments. John King maybe as you were the one who asked the Hot question should push his ethics problem as speaker. He is a snake in the grass! The way he attacked you should show the people what he is really LIKE?I would not trust him to run a great country like America. You need a business person who has made money why are people against that?Jobs would be created books would balance,Mitt could show people how to build a business it's amazing the average person dosnt see this.Gringrich must GO!!!

    January 21, 2012 at 4:32 am |
11. Jon
    

    Christina above is right. John King would have been better served (and may have effected a different outcome of the primary) if he had framed the question within the context of "...provide the voters some reasons or assurances why they should trust you to be leader of the free world, when you have a history of violating the trust of two wives and being condemned by your peers for ethic violations. Please also explain to the voters why they should not think that differences between your behavior and your well articulated positions should not be regarded as complete hypocrisy?"

    January 22, 2012 at 12:50 pm |