Gingrich stole the night

Newt Gingrich mixes it up with moderates at every debate but tonight was different. Tonight was personal for the former house speaker.

Wow.

Even though this is not debating the public, especially conservatives, love it. This media bashing that Gingrich engages in endears him to a large swath of the Republican base because, well, many Republicans hate the press and what they perceive as its liberal bias. It's a cheap way to score points but Gingrich has found a way to turn what should be a single into a home run. Tonight, though, was a grand slam for him.

Key reason why is the following exchange:

“I am appalled you would begin a presidential debate with a topic like that.”

“Every person knows personal pain. I am astounded CNN would take trash like that and use it to open a presidential debate.”

This is what people will be talking about tomorrow around the water cooler and over coffee. They will not be talking about Rick Santorum's solid answer on bringing manufacturing back to America or Mitt Romney's awkward handling of questions about his income taxes. They won't even be talking about Ron Paul's attack on the controversial legislation known as SOPA. No, they will be talking about Newt Gingrich going after John King for asking about his open failed marriage.