WITH NEWT GINGRICH SURGING IN IOWA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE IS A DONALD TRUMP MODERATED DEBATE A SERIOUS DISCUSSION OR A POLITICAL CIRCUS ?...........

With former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Republican of Georgia surging in the polls in both Iowa and New Hampshire, where the GOP caucus and primary voting begins just four and five weeks from today; the question of the hour is whether Gingrich can maintain his momentum and continue to be the major alternative choice to former Governor Mitt Romney, of Massachusetts, making it a two candidate race for the 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination, or will he stumble, or fade, as have three others to adequately challenging Romney ?  Newt Gingrich's peak timing may be fortuitous in allowing him to successfully take his newfound into Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, and Florida, the important first five contests.  What role Donald Trump's newly announced sponsored and moderated presidential debate on December 28, looms as a potential mixed blessing.  Republican candidates Texas Representative Ron Paul, and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, will not be participating, and thus far only former Senator Rick Santorum, of Pennsylvania, and former Speaker Gingrich, have indicated their willingness to take part in the Trump event.  Whether this is a sincere attempt on Donald Trump's part to have the candidates delineate and debate substantive, pertinent, issues; or is more a showcase for himself and his enterprises, as was seemingly his flirtation with running for President in 2012 himself - and the assertion if he is not pleased with the GOP nominee, that he may mount a third party Presidential bid yet, make his motivations in this Debate invitation very questionable.  Trump's Monday interviews with both Chuck Todd on MSNBC; and Matt Lauer, on NBC;s Today Show, both bellicose, and evasive, give this latest proposal, a skeptical feeling.  Seeking the Presidency of the United States, is serious matter, not a circus performance.  The issues, candidates, debates, and other considerations, all need to be screened through that prism, not in a jocular manner...........Fr.  Troy