Newt Gingrich received a standing ovation from many attendees of the debate this evening when he rebuked CNN’s John King for opening the presidential debate with a question about his ex-wife’s accusation that Gingrich wanted an “open marriage” — a charge that Gingrich denied.
“I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that,” Gingrich told King, the debate moderator. “I am frankly astounded that CNN would take trash like that and use it to open a presidential debate.”
King reminded Gingrich that ABC had broken the story, which has dominated today’s presidential news coverage, but a clearly angry Gingrich rejected King’s defense. “John, it was repeated by your network, you chose to start the debate with it, don’t try to blame someone else.”
Gingrich also said that he is “tired of elite media protecting Barack Obama by attacking Republicans.” He called the ABC’s decision to air an interview with his second wife “as close to despicable as anything I can imagine,” adding that the claim that he wanted an open marriage is “false.”
