COMMENTARY | Following a recent NBC Republican debate, candidate Newt Gingrich complained that moderator Brian Williams was stifling free speech by insisting that the in-house crowd remain silent. Newt Gingrich is known for his ability to excite the crowd with his quick comebacks and effortless ability to lay out the conservative message. One of his most effective strategies this primary season has been to point out media bias when questions about his past marital infidelity come up. Rather than allow himself to be placed on the hot seat by moderators, Newt Gingrich has chastised the media for asking what he sees as trivial questions concerning his ex-wife.
As seen in the Jan 19 debates on CNN, Newt Gingrich wins over the crowd by destroying CNN moderator John King. John King opened up the debate with a gotcha question regarding statements made earlier in the week by Gingrich’s first wife. In response, Newt unloaded on King while the crowd cheered like they were watching a sporting event. After watching the video of that debate you can feel the excitement and energy generated by the audience. Newt Gingrich fed off of that emotion, won over the crowd, and went on to win the debate. The NBC debate that followed was a different story.
At the NBC debates on Jan 23, the audience was instructed to remain silent. Mitt Romney was able to point out serious criticisms concerning Newt Gingrich’s past associations and voting record. Newt spent much of his time brushing off the constant attacks from Romney, and his lack of crowd support showed. Newt’s snappy comebacks to Romney’s criticisms didn’t have the same zing without the roar of the crowd assisting his glares back toward his opponents.
Newt Gingrich wants his crowds! He wants to use the crowd to help him to “serve notice” to the media when the media attempts to skew the debate in favor of his opposition. There is not a very good reason to keep the debate audiences quiet. Sure, candidates get a reaction from the crowds, and the crowds might get a little rowdy. However, these are Republican primary debates, and any political debates can use as much excitement as possible. That goes for the presidential debates as well.
A stern boo from the attending crowd in response to an unfair question will keep the moderators honest. The boos from the audience informs the casual viewers at home letting them know that something isn’t right about the line of questioning from the moderator. The boos and cheers from the onsite crowd set the tempo of the debate, and help to keep the interest of the viewing public. The best way for America to get the best possible leaders is to keep American voters informed. If boos and cheers add an element of excitement that will elevate viewership, then we should encourage the added participation in our political process.