GINGRICH, SANTORUM, COME ON STRONG; ROMNEY FUMBLES AGAIN; PAUL ALL BUT AN AFTERTHOUGHT; IN LAST NIGHT'S SOUTH CAROLINA DEBATE............

With the South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary tomorrow, the remaining four GOP contenders met in a CNN sponsored Debate last night, in what began as a fiery two hour interaction. CNN moderator John King opened the questioning by asking Newt Gingrich about the ABC News interview with his former, second wife Marianne, alledging while having an affair with his current wife during his marriage to her, he asked her for an open marriage. Gingrich responded ballistically to the question and excorciated John King, CNN, ABC News, and the elite media, for raising this calling it dispicable, and an intentional on Republican candidates, in President Obama's favor. The audience gave Gingrich a rousing standing ovation, and it occurred to me as I watched it, that Gingrich likely won the Debate in those first five minutes of the event. Gingrich, as he has repeatedly during the debates put in a strong performance throughout the entirety. Rick Santorum, exuding confidence, poise, and focused energy, after officially being certifiedv as the first place finisher in the Iowa Caucuses, also came prepared to mix it up with his opponents, and stayed on message strongly throughout the debate, effectively questioning the viability of the others, to be the best standardbearer to face President Obama inthe Fall. Santorum particularly raised concern about Gingrich's grandiosity and the unpredictability and fallout from what he might say on the General Election campaign trail. Mitt Romney struggled for the second time this week in a Debate, to clearly articulate whether and when he will release his tax returns. His fumbling fuels Gingrich's growing momentum in South Carolina in recent days, putting him within striking distance to possibly defeat Romney tomorrow and fuel a protracted battle going into the Florida Primary on January 31st. Ron Paul put in another highly respectable debate, but was allotted the least questions and seemed to have to wade into the exchange, when he could, while the other three fired foremost on each other. Overnight polling shows Gingrich has closed the gap with Ronmey by as much as 4% in one day; Romney stalled with 34% support; Gingrich surging upward with 28% support. With what will surely be a vigorous day of campaigning today and balloting tomorrow, come Saturday night / Sunday morning, what was thought to be a week ago, 3-0 wins by Romney; may actually be a 1-1-1 tie between Santorum, Romney, and Gingrich, that will leave the state of the Republican nomination race wide open for the time being............Fr. Troy