Something I Wish I Had Seen in Last Night's Debate

Gingrich received a standing ovation for his direct and combative response to CNN's John King's opening question regarding an ABC News interview with Gingrich's ex-wife--Marianne--where she alleged that Gingrich proposed an "open marriage" rather than end his 18-year marriage in divorce.

It was the first question of the night and Gingrich fired back with a scathing attack on King for opening a presidential debate with a question based on a scandalous interview.  He said, "To take an ex-wife and make it two days before the primary a significant question in a presidential campaign is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine."

He went on say that he was sick of the media asking offensive questions to Republicans in an effort to protect Barack Obama's Presidency.

Fair question?  Debatable.

Gingrich's fiery response has earned him praise and plenty of media attention, but I say, not so fast.

AP Photo

The fact of the matter remains that for the President of the United States, character matters. Integrity matters.  Does that imply that an individual must be perfect in order to attain the highest office of the land?  Of course not.  We have all made mistakes and are entitled to change and start over.

But what I found so interesting about last night's heated exchange is that although Gingrich dodged an embarrassing question and was able to skillfully turn the tables and lecture John King on using "good judgment," he didn't address the issue.  An issue that would help define his character.  He adamantly denied his ex-wife's charges, but in doing so, he is insinuating that she is a liar.

Has he denied the affair with his now wife, Callista?  No.  Is it hard to imagine an extremely powerful political figure--then Speaker of the House--making this kind of suggestion to his wife in order to avoid the outbreak of a scandalous and damaging news story?  Of course it isn't.

So, as a wife and a young mom, I needed Gingrich to acknowledge the human side of this scandal which is that a wife was publicly betrayed by her spouse and she is still hurting.  He should have apologized to her.

Furthermore, I wanted an apology for the stance he took on President Clinton's infidelity while in the White House (although it goes without saying that I am not defending the scandal itself).   Gingrich was one of the loudest voices calling for defense of morality, family values and standards from our elected officials and yet, during the scandal, he was secretly involved in his own destructive behaviour.  Hypocrisy at the highest level.

Last night, his ex-wife needed an apology.  Last night, America deserved more.

That kind of response to John King's controversial question would have spoken volumes about his true character--much more so than turning the tables on a moderator.