Disagreeing with his rival, Mitt Romney told reporters that the rules for general-election debates are much stricter and that Gingrich would have to be willing to follow the rules of the Presidential Debate Commission.
“He better learn to debate in all settings,’’ Romney said.
Romney’s advisers believe that audience participation drove Gingrich’s breakout moments in two debates in South Carolina. They were pleased with the audience reaction during Monday night’s debate, calling it more serious than the raucous crowds at the second South Carolina debate.
Gingrich was an audience favorite at the two debates in South Carolina, particularly when he admonished debate moderator John King of CNN for bringing up ex-wife Marianne Gingrich and her allegation that Gingrich had sought an “open marriage’’ as he was having an affair with the woman who is now his wife, Callista. Audience members cheered Gingrich’s criticism of King as well as some of his policy statements.
Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican who was the GOP’s nominee in 2008, said yesterday that he thinks debates have had an inordinate influence, and at times a negative one, on the primary campaign. McCain is supporting Romney’s bid for the nomination.
“It’s very harmful to Republicans because of instead of presenting their views, their policies and their proposals - it’s all gotcha, it’s all gotcha,’’ McCain said. “And disapproval ratings go up.’’ - ASSOCIATED PRESS
Before resigning, Giffords takes her seat in House
WASHINGTON - In a bittersweet farewell, Representative Gabrielle Giffords accepted bags of chocolates and a big presidential hug as she claimed her seat in the House of Representatives last night.
