Republicans Rumble in Charleston

North Charleston, S.C.

The debate here began with the most salacious news of the day: the claim by Marianne Gingrich that her ex-husband wanted an open marriage. And, in a sense, it ended there, too.

Newt Gingrich, rising in the polls in this state on the strength of his debate performances, angrily smacked down the question and delivered, quickly and forcefully, a lecture on media ethics. Gingrich, of course, knows how to create a moment. And the audience roared its approval, three times standing as Gingrich excoriated CNN moderator John King.