Gingrich Can't Debate Without a Bunch of Hooting Yahoos to Back Him Up

Gingrich Can’t Debate Without a Bunch of Hooting Yahoos to Back Him Up

Newt pouts, threatens to skip debates

WingnutsJanuary 2012 • Views: 25,759

Newt Gingrich is raging at the media again, for shutting down the hooting yahoos who would normally cheer his far right race-baiting: Gingrich Threatens to Skip Debates if Audiences Can’t Participate.

Mr. Gingrich clearly noticed something was off, too. “We’re going to serve notice on future debates,” he told Fox. “We’re just not going to allow that to happen. That’s wrong. The media doesn’t control free speech. People ought to be allowed to applaud if they want to.”

For a self-proclaimed constitutional expert and historian, Newt Gingrich has a very weird concept of “free speech.”

But since Gingrich is touting himself as the only candidate who can debate Obama, he should be aware that cheers and applause are forbidden in debates during the general election, by order of the Commission on Presidential Debates. Maybe he should skip those too.

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75 comments

Obdicut Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:45:18pm

How else is he supposed to rabblerouse?

erik_t Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:45:44pm

Newt, the media most certainly does control free speech within their own priva--

/mic turned off by Rush

darthstar Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:46:27pm

He needs to feed off their energy...like the Borg.

iceweasel Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:46:41pm

Nominate "hooting yahoos" for rotating title.

calochortus Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:48:52pm

How can he be a demagogue without a demos to ~~gag~~ gogue?

dragonfire1981 Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:48:59pm

Today's GOP:

Actual political discourse or really bizarre performance art?

You decide.

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:49:45pm

AND I NEED CHEERLEADERS TOO! I REFUSE TO DEBATE WITHOUT CHEERLEADERS! FREE SPEECH!

PhillyPretzel Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:50:56pm

OT: I just posted a page about Facebook/Timeline use. [Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:51:27pm

I demand that the audience be allowed to show their undying adoration of me!

Kragar Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:51:38pm

Because nothing says distinguished statesman like having a hollering mob behind you

TedStriker Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:52:10pm

Let him skip them...last I knew, he's not setting these debates up, the various networks, the national/state parties, and other sponsors are. He just wants a pliable audience that will hoot, holler, and show their asses to use as psychological warfare against Mitt and the other remaining candidates. As Charles said, audience reactions are prohibited in the debates for the general, so this hissyfit is just histrionics.

Fuck Newt in his earhole...

PhillyPretzel Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:52:33pm

This sounds like Newt is throwing a hissy fit.

wrenchwench Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:52:36pm

I'll bet Rep. Paul is with him on this one.

wrenchwench Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:52:50pm

Frank says:
I can't think of anything I like more than audience participation -- From the Mothers of Prevention

Iwouldprefernotto Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:53:35pm

I say keep the cheering. It perfectly demonstrates were the audience is coming from: against gay soldiers, letting people without health insurance die, executing convicts, etc.

erik_t Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:54:13pm

re: #15 Iwouldprefernotto

I completely agree, but that doesn't mean Newt isn't being a dumbass.

Iwouldprefernotto Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:59:15pm

re: #16 erik_t

I completely agree, but that doesn't mean Newt isn't being a dumbass.

Newt's ego is going to kill his campaign. It's almost a Greek Tragedy. The audience is the chorus and Newt is going to blame everyone but himself when he falls from grace.

Locker Tue, Jan 24, 2012 1:59:16pm

I keep thinking of Happy Gilmore when he works up all of the spectators at the tee box so they'll clap and cheer for him.

Come on lets make a little noise! Let's hear it for Newt! We can't begin this debate without you chanting my name! Come on!

Newt! Newt! NEWT!

Wait what? I'm here to "debate" someone? Sorry no time for that...

Newt! Newt! NEWT!

jaunte Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:01:26pm

He said he regretted that he had not “protested” when it was announced the audience was to be silent.
“I think he took them out of it,” Gingrich said of NBC moderator Brian Williams, “because the media is terrified that the audience is going to side with the candidates against the media, which is what they’ve done in every debate.”

He's going to have to demagogue with one audience tied behind his back.

darthstar Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:01:39pm

re: #15 Iwouldprefernotto

I say keep the cheering. It perfectly demonstrates were the audience is coming from: against gay soldiers, letting people without health insurance die, executing convicts, etc.

Republican debates are the tractor pulls of American politics. I wouldn't be surprised if there were Ford v. Chevy fan fights at the pre-debate tailgaters.

Feline Fearless Leader Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:02:08pm

re: #12 PhillyPretzel

This sounds like Newt is throwing a hissy fit.

He is just preparing. He has a debate scheduled outside the regular GOP contests verses one of these.

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

jaunte Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:02:35pm

Gingrich would rather run against the media, and that's easier if the audience can cheer and shout.

Jack Burton Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:03:04pm

re: #18 Locker

I keep thinking of Happy Gilmore when he works up all of the spectators at the tee box so they'll clap and cheer for him.

Come on lets make a little noise! Let's hear it for Newt! We can't begin this debate without you chanting my name! Come on!

Newt! Newt! NEWT!

Wait what? I'm here to "debate" someone? Sorry no time for that...

Newt! Newt! NEWT!

Newt to Romney: "You will not win this debate, JACKASS!"

Newt: "When I was in congress we created tens of thousands of new jobs."
Romney: "I see you can count."
Newt: "And you can count... on me, waiting for you in the parking lot!"

darthstar Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:04:37pm

Romney squeezes three lies into a 26 word sentence.

“We’re headed to a Greece- type collapse, and [Obama] adds another trillion on top for Obamacare and for his stimulus plan that didn’t create private-sector jobs.”

Literally everything in this sentence is false. The United States is not headed toward a Greek-style collapse. Obamacare didn't add to the debt; according to the CBO, it's lowering the debt by $230 billion through 2021. And the stimulus created millions of jobs. Aside from that, though, it's a fine sentence.

erik_t Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:08:40pm

re: #24 darthstar

If he'd held it to two falsehoods, the sentence would have been correct.

Damn these multiplicative negatives!

Talking Point Detective Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:09:08pm

I have to say, I am seriously lovin' me some Republican nomination process.

Each and every day brings more to laugh at; and I don't feel guilty about laughing because I'm also watching their election chances circling, inexorably, closer and closer to the drain.

Dancing along the light of day Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:11:46pm

re: #10 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Because nothing says distinguished statesman like having a hollering mob behind you

With pitchforks!

Talking Point Detective Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:11:49pm

re: #26 Talking Point Detective

And, I seriously hope Newt gets the nomination; not only does he stand less of a chance of winning, but I just can't get over seeing his wife's hair on the tele.

HTF does she do that? It has to be superglue for hairspray - right?

Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:12:43pm

I don't know, I don't think it's "suppressing free speech," but at the same time I do think that last night's virtually silent debate was a bit eerie. It didn't seem like they were having a debate, but instead participating in a 2-hr campaign commercial.

Way I see it, you have to have one or the other, either audience participation or a moderator who can actually grill the candidates.

Robert O. Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:13:01pm

I am coming around to the idea of EMBRACING Gingrich as the GOP nominee. I invite you to check the head-to-head poll numbers at RealClearPolitics. Against a "generic" Republican, Obama lags by 3% (not surprising because things are still turning around slowly, and people have short memories). Against Romney - the strongest opponent - Obama leads by around 2%. This increases to ~5% for Ron Paul, 10% for Santorum, and 11% for Gingrich.

Robert O. Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:13:10pm

...Only recently, Jennifer Rubin (a hyper-partisan right-winger at Washington Post if you are not familiar) was fretting over what a Gingrich candidacy means. Let's face the fact: Gingrich is toxic even amongst many Republicans. And many in this country have yet to be reminded what Gingrich was about the last time he was Speaker of the House. Rubin was worried that a Gingrich candidacy would mean Obama winning 40 states, and putting the House in jeopardy. Other Republican Party elites are also openly dismayed by the Gingrich surge. He is, quite simply, unelectable, which is all the better for Democrats, since the goal in 2012 should not only be returning Obama to office, but ensuring Democrats make the most extensive gains possible in both Houses so Congress and the White House can once again work together, as intended by the Constitution. Thus, we should be encouraged if Republicans pick their most toxic candidate.

Robert O. Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:14:43pm

BTW, Charles, I am experiencing problems with posting comments. I had to break up a long comment into two posts #30 and #31 because it wouldn't post, despite the fact I still had 2700+ characters remaining. I had the same problem yesterday too.

jaunte Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:16:12pm

re: #29 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

a moderator who can actually grill the candidates

That would make for a change.

Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:20:50pm

re: #33 jaunte

That would make for a change.

A very welcome change at this point. Just having a mod stand up and ask "Do you intend to give me a straight answer?" would be a real change.

erik_t Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:22:29pm

re: #34 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Also acceptable.

PhillyPretzel Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:23:17pm

re: #35 erik_t
lol

Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:23:34pm

re: #35 erik_t

Also acceptable.

There's an idea: Samuel L. Jackson for debate moderator.

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:24:29pm

re: #37 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

There's an idea: Samuel L. Jackson for debate moderator.

I have had it with these motherfucking wingnuts in this motherfucking room!

Feline Fearless Leader Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:25:13pm

re: #33 jaunte

That would make for a change.

Maybe with a nice garlic marinade applied beforehand.

Lidane Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:27:37pm

re: #28 Talking Point Detective

And, I seriously hope Newt gets the nomination; not only does he stand less of a chance of winning, but I just can't get over seeing his wife's hair on the tele.

HTF does she do that? It has to be superglue for hairspray - right?

Honestly, I keep wondering if that's just a really expensive wig.

Bulworth Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:27:58pm

My only request is that the GOPteabag nomination process be allowed to continue through October.

Charles Johnson Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:29:09pm

Let's test it...

re: #30 Robert O.

I am coming around to the idea of EMBRACING Gingrich as the GOP nominee. I invite you to check the head-to-head poll numbers at RealClearPolitics. Against a "generic" Republican, Obama lags by 3% (not surprising because things are still turning around slowly, and people have short memories). Against Romney - the strongest opponent - Obama leads by around 2%. This increases to ~5% for Ron Paul, 10% for Santorum, and 11% for Gingrich.

re: #31 Robert O.

...Only recently, Jennifer Rubin (a hyper-partisan right-winger at Washington Post if you are not familiar) was fretting over what a Gingrich candidacy means. Let's face the fact: Gingrich is toxic even amongst many Republicans. And many in this country have yet to be reminded what Gingrich was about the last time he was Speaker of the House. Rubin was worried that a Gingrich candidacy would mean Obama winning 40 states, and putting the House in jeopardy. Other Republican Party elites are also openly dismayed by the Gingrich surge. He is, quite simply, unelectable, which is all the better for Democrats, since the goal in 2012 should not only be returning Obama to office, but ensuring Democrats make the most extensive gains possible in both Houses so Congress and the White House can once again work together, as intended by the Constitution. Thus, we should be encouraged if Republicans pick their most toxic candidate.

Charles Johnson Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:30:15pm

re: #32 Robert O.

Don't know why you're seeing that - I just quoted both of your comments in one, and it posted fine.

What happens? Do you see an error message, or it just doesn't post?

iceweasel Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:30:16pm

re: #31 Robert O.

Thus, we should be encouraged if Republicans pick their most toxic candidate.

I've been quietly enjoying the schadenfreude.

In any case, you're bang on.

Lidane Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:31:36pm

re: #35 erik_t

Also acceptable.

I want that for every debate between now and the November election.

Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:35:06pm

Think the media should send a note back to Newt: "We'll allow the audience to participate, on the condition that you and the other candidates give us straight answers."

Iwouldprefernotto Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:36:18pm

re: #46 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Think the media should send a note back to Newt: "We'll allow the audience to participate, on the condition that you and the other candidates give us straight answers."

I'd settle for answers to the questions and not speeches.

Robert O. Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:41:33pm

re: #43 Charles

Don't know why you're seeing that - I just quoted both of your comments in one, and it posted fine.

What happens? Do you see an error message, or it just doesn't post?

Charles, the message doesn't post. The upload just hangs, and I see the circle thing turning. Waiting doesn't help. I have tried clicking on preview first and then post, but that doesn't work either. Not sure why this is the case.

OhCrapIHaveACrushOnSarahPalin Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:41:49pm

Con version of "free speech": I get to say whatever the fuck I please, right to your face and there is nothing you can do about it. You get to say whatever you want, too, so long as it doesn't hurt my precious and superior moral sensibilities.

OhCrapIHaveACrushOnSarahPalin Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:45:29pm

re: #30 Robert O.

I am coming around to the idea of EMBRACING Gingrich as the GOP nominee. I invite you to check the head-to-head poll numbers at RealClearPolitics. Against a "generic" Republican, Obama lags by 3% (not surprising because things are still turning around slowly, and people have short memories). Against Romney - the strongest opponent - Obama leads by around 2%. This increases to ~5% for Ron Paul, 10% for Santorum, and 11% for Gingrich.

Nah, I'm not embracing any of them for any reason, not even statistics. They are all bad for my person so FUCK THEM.

TedStriker Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:50:03pm

re: #38 Sergey Romanov

I have had it with these motherfucking wingnuts in this motherfucking room!

""What" ain't no country I ever heard of! They speak English in "what"?"

Kragar Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:54:15pm

re: #51 talon_262

""What" ain't no country I ever heard of! They speak English in "what"?"

SAY REAGAN AGAIN MOTHER FUCKER!

Wozza Matter? Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:54:34pm

Oh, good lord, Marsha Blackburn is dense.

(she was just on hardball)

TedStriker Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:55:33pm

re: #52 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

SAY REAGAN AGAIN MOTHER FUCKER!

"There's this passage I memorized. Sort of fits the occasion. Ezekial 25:17. The path of the righteous man is dissect on all sides by the inequities of the selfish, and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and goodwill Shepard's the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper. And the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger, those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon thee!"

TedStriker Tue, Jan 24, 2012 2:59:00pm

re: #53 wozzablog

Oh, good lord, Marsha Blackburn is dense.

Try having her as one of your Congresspeople...

/blehhhhhh

Kragar Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:00:12pm

re: #54 talon_262

"There's this passage I memorized. Sort of fits the occasion. Ezekial 25:17. The path of the righteous man is dissect on all sides by the inequities of the selfish, and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and goodwill Shepard's the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper. And the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger, those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon thee!"

"Which means Jesus wants to take care of rich people because they love him more." - David Barton

erik_t Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:01:25pm

re: #52 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

SAY REAGAN AGAIN MOTHER FUCKER!

Standing O.

Wozza Matter? Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:01:56pm

re: #55 talon_262

Try having her as one of your Congresspeople...

/blehhh

I would rather not, thank you though.

aagcobb Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:06:50pm

re: #52 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

SAY REAGAN AGAIN MOTHER FUCKER!

Gingrich has said Reagan 55 times during the debates, compared to Romney's mere 6 Reagan references.

Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:09:27pm

re: #59 aagcobb

Gingrich has said Reagan 55 times during the debates, compared to Romney's mere 6 Reagan references.

I keep waiting for the "I knew Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan was a friend of mine. And Governor Romney, you're no Ronald Reagan."

Kragar Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:09:35pm

re: #59 aagcobb

Gingrich has said Reagan 55 times during the debates, compared to Romney's mere 6 Reagan references.

Obviously this means Newt is a much better candidate.
/

jaunte Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:11:23pm

re: #59 aagcobb

Over the course of the 17 debates that he has participated in during this cycle, Mr. Gingrich has used the term “Reagan” 55 times, according to debate transcripts. By comparison, the nine other Republican candidates who have participated in the debates mentioned Reagan just 51 times combined.

Wow, he's lapping the field.

Lidane Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:13:21pm

re: #60 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

I keep waiting for the "I knew Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan was a friend of mine. And Governor Romney, you're no Ronald Reagan."

I'm shocked Luap Nor didn't pull that one out, since he's constantly bragging that he's the only one who was ever actually endorsed by Reagan.

Of course, doing that would remind his idiot followers that he's old and has a political career spanning almost 40 years.

aagcobb Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:13:26pm

re: #61 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Obviously this means Newt is a much better candidate.
/

It means Gingrich knows how to push the buttons of his audience, whereas Romney can only spew the canned responses his staff has downloaded. That's why the Romneybot malfunctioned in response to questions about his taxes.

Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:13:34pm

Think part of it also has to do with the fact that Newt gets in 4 or 5 "Reagans" every time he recounts just how much he's "accomplished" in his years in Congress, while the rest usually just invoke St. Ron to argue for more tax cuts.

Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:16:48pm

re: #63 Lidane

I'm shocked Luap Nor didn't pull that one out, since he's constantly bragging that he's the only one who was ever actually endorsed by Reagan.

Of course, doing that would remind his idiot followers that he's old and has a political career spanning almost 40 years.

Except for that six year stint where he held no office, because he'd run on the Libertarian ticket for President in '88 and gotten his ass handed to him at the polls.

Four More Tears Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:18:05pm

I love how they don't think highly enough of other former Republican presidents to mention them.

boredtechindenver Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:23:45pm

re: #54 talon_262

"There's this passage I memorized. Sort of fits the occasion. Ezekial 25:17. The path of the righteous man is dissect on all sides by the inequities of the selfish, and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and goodwill Shepard's the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper. And the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger, those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon thee!"

Youtube Video

your quote starts around 1:30.

Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:23:51pm

re: #67 JasonA

I love how they don't think highly enough of other former Republican presidents to mention them.

That's because they don't worship Ronald Reagan the man and his presidency, they worship Ronaldus Magnus and the campaigns he ran.

RadicalModerate Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:23:57pm

The supposed three front-runners (Obama, Gingrich, Romney) for the Presidency have released their 2010 tax records. And the details are... interesting.

Romney had the highest earnings of the three, by and far, but also had the lowest tax rate of the three - his rate was only 14% to Obama's 25% and Gingrich's 31%.
Obama and Romney both gave 14% of their income to charity - however 50% of Romney's charity donations were in the form of tithes to the Mormon Church. Gingrich, on the other hand, donated next to nothing to charity.
Finally, as a percentage of income, grouping charity donations and taxes together, Obama paid out the most at 39%, Gingrich 34%, and Romney 28%

[Link: money.cnn.com...]

Lidane Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:39:21pm

He's not a bomb throwing asshole. He's normal, y'all!

Gingrich: My Flawed Past Makes Me ‘More Normal Than Somebody Who Wanders Around Seeming Perfect’

The Ghost of a Flea Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:42:03pm

I still suspect that Newt's going to max out his coffers and then drop out of the race.

Lidane Tue, Jan 24, 2012 3:44:31pm

re: #72 The Ghost of a Flea

I still suspect that Newt's going to max out his coffers and then drop out of the race.

With his ego? Nah. He's in it until the bitter end.

RealityBasedSteve Tue, Jan 24, 2012 7:40:03pm

Over in Freeper Land they have convinced themselves that it's because the MSM want's to stifle the free speech of the candidates. A number of the quotes I saw were to the effect that "Newt has to feed off the feedback of the crowd" (I though he fed off the souls of kittens), or that "The MSM knows that the crowds reactions will unmask them for the leftists they are". Others were complaining that it was boring without the crowd noise.

Who knew that what should be a rational discussion of issues of concern to the nation is actually designed to reward the candidate with the least mannered supporters.

ARGH!!!!! Maybe we can just throw them all in an arena with battle axes and shields.

RBS

wheat-dogghazi Tue, Jan 24, 2012 8:54:47pm

re: #27 Floral Giraffe

With pitchforks!

And torches! Maybe some cool, white bedsheet costumes, too.

Spy Mode Auto

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