NBC's most strange debate; questions about Terry Schiavo

Just when you thought the NBC GOP Presidential Debate in Florida couldn't get any stranger, one of the moderators asked about the Terry Schiavo case. That subject took up a lot of time.

Ironically former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich brought up a substantive point. He reminded the mods that murderers on Death Row get a great deal of opportunities for appeal.

The debate did not include any questions about Fast and Furious, Solyndra, SOPA, Agenda 21 or other topics many of us are interested in.

I'll have more tomorrow, but to be honest, all the action was among my fellows on Twitter. That's where the fun was.

NBC had apparently mandated the audience not clap or make noise. Newt and Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) did get a nod of subdued applause. Newt drew laughter after questioning about the Castro regime in Cuba when former Gov. Romney mentioned Fidel passing onto somewhere.

I guess NBC is unaware that historically debates like the Lincoln-Douglas senatorial debates were rowdy affairs as were other presidential debates.

Newt said something along the lines of Castro going the other way.

I'll check the transcript tomorrow on that. Newt also had excellent answers on what he's done for conservatism.

Each candidate was asked to tell what he'd done to advance conservatism. Newt rattled off a thesis in about 3 minutes, listing item after item.

When the debate ended, Newt's campaign sent out a press statement titled 'Mitt Romney's Top Conservative Achievements.' The page was blank.

I pegged this the dullest debate in US history. I figured they were afraid if people clapped, it might benefit Newt. Thing is, he's already ahead in the polls.

I pegged Newt the winner by default.

(Filed by Kay B. Day/Jan. 23, 2012)