COMMENTARY | Somewhere between the New Hampshire and South Carolina debates, Ron Paul learned how to talk, and Newt Gingrich took a stand. It was shocking especially since we watched Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum flounder. Santorum and Romney really didn't get much air time, and that's a good thing. Both seemed more interested in debunking television ad attacks rather than answering the debate questions.
Thursday night's debate was all about Gingrich and Paul with the opening question directed at Gingrich. Unfortunately for CNN, the question was about his ex-wife's statements, and Gingrich was not happy about it. After being asked if he'd like to discuss her statements, he said, "No, but I will." The audience erupted in applause and cheers.
Gingrich then said: "I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run for public office, and I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that. Every person in here knows personal pain. Every person in here has had someone close to them go through painful things. To take an ex-wife and make it two days before the primary a significant question in a presidential campaign is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine."
I can't imagine a better answer to that question. When I first heard that ABC News was airing statements from Gingrich's ex-wife, I was certain they would end Gingrich's campaign. Such statements and character attacks have ended campaigns in the past. We only have to look at the affair allegations that ended Cain's presidential bid. But after Gingrich's answer, I'm certain his campaign is solid. It is refreshing to see a candidate demand the debate stick to presidential issues. I, for one, am more interested in how Gingrich plans to run the country. I could care less about what he does in his bedroom.
When it came to job and how to get Americans back to work, the only candidate that gave a complete answer was Paul. He stated, "I'd like to see the federal government have a sound currency. We have to understand why we have unemployment. We have to let the economy cycle and correct itself. We need to enforce contract laws and bankruptcy laws."
I understood Paul's statement. We do need to fully understand why we have unemployment. We also have to understand that the economy is cyclical. We have periods of growth and periods of decline, but today are modern government and people are terrified of the declines. Economic declines are normal. They are corrections to periods of fanatic growth and must be allowed to run their course. It's basic economics.
All in all, it was Gingrich and Paul on top of Thursday night's debate. They were both well spoken. They answered the questions, and they didn't dive too far into their political agendas. I hope we see more debates like Thursday night.
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