Back-to-back debates offer a surreal moment

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) shaking hands. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) chatting with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R).

{mosads}Television viewers watching the end of the GOP debate at Saint Anselm College Saturday night might have been rubbing their eyes after ABC News moderator Charlie Gibson invited the Democratic field onto the stage to join the Republican candidates who had just finished debating.

After the Republicans were finished, Gibson surprised many in the audience by inviting the Democrats, who were waiting in the wings, to come out.

With the general election picture still far out of focus, some of the pairings were surely the stuff of news photographers’ dreams.

One pairing of particular note was that of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) chatting briefly.