Newt returns to civility and logic

Presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
(R-Ga.) returned to his original game plan in last night’s South
Carolina presidential debate of not being so negative toward his
compatriots, but rather attacking the issues head on.

He was particularly effective in responding to the issue of race. The
questioner wanted to bait him about his earlier controversial race
comments regarding janitorial jobs for youth. He clearly made the point
that any type of job is good for young people, for it teaches them work
ethic and sets them on a path of self-reliance.

He was also highly effective with respect to foreign policy and how we should react toward our obvious enemies. His answers contrasted significantly with those of Ron Paul, and Mitt Romney found himself echoing Gingrich. Rick Santorum was vanilla, neither making big gaffes nor scoring big points. Rick Perry maintained his role of comic relief.

Given the fact that South Carolina has correctly chosen the nominee for the GOP since 1980, the poll numbers over the next several days will be extremely revealing.