In case you missed it

Well, the presidential primary season is fully in swing.  We've sort of figured out who won Iowa - Mitt Santorum, or something like that.  We've heard from the granite folks of New Hampshire.  And by the time you read this, you know that the Newt Train is chugging in SC.

Which brings me to this clip.  Watch it, and I'll offer a couple of comments afterward.

Okay, now for some comments.

First, whether or not you vote for Newt or anyone else on that stage, he's dead right on the question of leading off a presidential debate with something like this.  Leadership is all about character as I've argued before.  So his character is certainly in question in a presidential race.  But it seems (!) that a 13-year old claim against him by an ex-wife who has reason to profit from this when his daughters and friends all claim its falsehood might be a little out of place.  And by all other accounts, it seems that Newt has genuinely changed over the years.  So character matters.  But let's think about his character as it's revealed now (hello, Herman Cain).

Second, I appreciate the fact that Newt called John King out on this deal by pointing out that he and his staff chose to lead the debate with that question.  And then he made sure that he knew that CNN wasn't going to pass the buck to anyone else.  Good for him.

Now for John King's response.

I'm 100% for character studies when it concerns our elected leaders.  I'm also for responsibility in media.

But that's just me thinking thoughts...