Newt's Debate Comeuppance

Last Monday's blog posed a pertinent political question: "When Will Gingrich Get His Debate Comeuppance?"

Well, it didn't take long to find out. And it was CNN, the target of a Newt Gingrich tirade a week earlier, which double-teamed the Republican Presidential candidate, and exposed him as the compulsive liar that he is.

During the past nine months, and through 19 Republican Presidential debates, candidate Newt Gingrich has deflected unwelcome questions by chastising moderators and castigating the media. And in most instances, his Oscar-worthy outrage has elicited audience support--including a standing ovation last week in South Carolina.

After that ovation, which was, in effect, a put-down of moderator John King, Gingrich stated emphatically that there were personal friends--witnesses--who had tried unsuccessfully to appear on ABC to refute the damaging claims of an ex-wife during an interview. According to Gingrich, the names and the request to appear were given to ABC, but the network declined.

Days later, John King spoke live with Gingrich for clarification, and the former Speaker reiterated his claim that names of witnesses, along with the request to be heard, had been given to ABC. This reconfirmation eliminated the possibility of any misspeak or misunderstanding. Gingrich stood by his original statement.

Meanwhile, however, ABC debunked Gingrich's story, and after CNN repeatedly asked for the names of the supposed witnesses, Newt Gingrich's campaign manager acknowledged that there never were any such witnesses eager to appear.

Wolf Blitzer completed the double team last night during the Florida debate, when he stood his ground to prevent Gingrich from escaping a question by attacking the moderator. This time there was no audience support for Mr. Gingrich.

The CNN double team finally gave Newt Gingrich his debate comeuppance.