Should audiences be allowed to cheer at presidential debates?
Newt Gingrich says that asking debate audiences to hold their applause is an assault on free speech — and vows that he'll protest such rules
After an unusually subdued Florida debate, Newt Gingrich said Tuesday that he wouldn't "allow" the moderators of future GOP forums to prevent audiences from cheering. Gingrich's often-fiery performances at the podium, especially his attacks on the media, have energized conservative crowds and fueled his rise in polls, but, at Monday's debate, NBC's Brian Williams told the crowd to hold its applause until the breaks. In hindsight, Gingrich says he wishes he'd protested NBC's rule, arguing that it amounts to stifling free speech. Do audiences really have a right to cheer at presidential debates?
No. Gingrich's complaint is bogus: "Free speech? Meh," says Ed Morrissey at Hot Air. That's a "false and silly" argument. The First Amendment says the government can't regulate free speech, but news organizations "have every right" to avoid cutting into the candidates' debating time by setting some rules. If Gingrich and his fans in the audience don't like those rules, they can stay home. "Free speech does not mean that NBC has to broadcast cheering sections."
"Gingrich: I'll 'serve notice' that future debates must allow audience cheering"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Spectators should be allowed to cheer: Newt's right — "asking the audience to remain silent is silly," says Jed Lewison at Daily Kos. "If you don't want audience participation... then don't invite an audience." Still, he's "a fool to be complaining about it." He's only reminding people that "without an audience cheering him on, he transforms from the Incredible Hulk into the Pillsbury Doughboy."
Like it or not, the crowds will be quiet in the fall: Get used to the silence, Newt, says Pete Spiliakos at First Things. The fall presidential debates against President Obama won't take place in "some Tea Party Thunderdome." They'll be orderly affairs, no applause allowed. Gingrich might look like a "awesome debater" when he's getting hoots and hollers for attacking "the elitist, weenie, liberal media," but he'll look absurd if he tries his "indignation act" in a silent auditorium.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Xi-Biden meeting: what's in it for both leaders?
Today's Big Question Two superpowers seek to stabilise relations amid global turmoil but core issues of security, trade and Taiwan remain
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published