What Standing Ovations for Newt Gingrich in South Carolina Might Mean

Whichever contender wins the South Carolina Presidential Primary, Republicans better take note what happened here. If the people attending these debates are representative of Republicans and others around the country, then the message is clear: Americans want a courageous leader who is not afraid of confrontation and will resolve the problems threatening their country.

Shop Prayer Cards

P>KNOXVILLE, TN (Catholic Online) - The lead up to South Carolina's Republican primary election being held Saturday, January 21, 2010, has set conservatives on fire. All of the presidential contenders have come on strong. Many of their comments clearly struck a resounding chord with those attending the last two debates. But Newt Gingrich has taken on star-like qualities as a result of his exchanges with Juan Williams of Fox News and with CNN's John King.

During the Monday night debate, Juan Williams said it was insulting when Gingrich recently told a black audience "to demand jobs not food stamps" and that "poor children [could] learn the value of work by performing janitorial duties in their schools." Williams said, ""Can't you see that this is viewed at a minimum as insulting to all Americans, but particularly to black Americans?"

"No, I don't see that," Gingrich replied. He explained that when his daughter was 13 years old she earned money doing janitorial work. It would put money in kid's pockets and teach them to show up for work, he explained. Then he said, "Only the elites despise earning money." He turned William's racially charged question into a possible solution for social and economic problems. 

But Williams continued to press the racial angle. He said lots of people felt Gingrich 's comments were derogatory toward the poor and racial minorities. He referenced a woman who felt Gingrich was belittling people when he called President Obama the "food-stamp president." 

Gingrich did not back down. He replied, "The fact is that more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history. I know among the politically correct you're not supposed to use facts that are uncomfortable. . . . So here's my point: I believe every American of every background has been endowed by their Creator with the right to pursue happiness. . . . I'm going to continue to find ways to help poor people learn how to get a job, learn how to get a better job, and learn someday to own the job." The crowd went wild.

Gingrich also had an exchange with John King, who moderated the debate on Thursday night. King began the debate questioning Gingrich about his ex-wife's recent interviews. He said, "As you know, your ex-wife gave an interview to ABC News and another interview with The Washington Post. And this story has now gone viral on the internet. In it, she says that you came to her in 1999, at a time when you were having an affair. She says you asked her, sir, to enter into an open marriage. Would you like to take some time to respond to that?"

Gingrich blasted King with both barrels: "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. . . . I am frankly astounded that CNN would take trash like that and use it to open a presidential debate."

King tried to deflect Gingrich 's accusations by shifting the blame onto others, but Gingrich stopped him in his tracks: "John, John, . . . .You chose to start the debate with it. Don't try to blame somebody else. You and your staff chose to start this debate with it." Then he said, "The story is false," and "I am tired of the elite media protecting Barack Obama. . . ." The crowd went wild again. 

Three times, once on Monday and twice on Thursday, South Carolinians who attended the debates gave Gingrich standing ovations. This is very unusual, possibly unprecedented. So why such a strong response from this mostly conservative crowd? Because they are starved for a leader who believes as they do and who holds the same moral values. And they are sick of the lies, manipulation, and double standards.

Of course, we don't know if Gingrich 's stardom will carry South Carolina for him, and if it does whether he can win the Republican nomination. Only time will tell. After all, many people seem to think the other contenders also did well.

Mitt Romney may be the most moderate, but he is extremely polished and does not seem to make mistakes. He also made some comments that were real crowd pleasers. And Rick Santorum has finally gotten the nation's attention. Like Gingrich, he can articulate his political, economic and moral beliefs with real intelligence and power. Furthermore, Rick Santorum has truly walked the walk.

Regardless who wins the South Carolina Presidential Primary, Republicans better take note what happened here. If the people attending these debates are representative of Republicans and others around the country, then the message is clear: Americans want a courageous and moral leader who is not afraid of confrontation and will resolve the problems threatening their country.
 
 
-----

Michael Terheyden was born into a Catholic family, but that is not why he is a Catholic. He is a Catholic because he believes that truth is real, that it is beautiful and good, and that the fullness of truth is in the Catholic Church. However, he knows that God's grace operating throughout his life is the main reason he is a Catholic. He is greatly blessed to share his faith and his life with his beautiful wife, Dorothy. They have four grown children and three grandchildren.

-----

The Battle for Catholic Education - Prevent the Collapse Now!

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'