Did the first standing ovation for Newt strike anyone else as staged?

[underpants]

I guess I have become jaded into seeing PR in everything now especially in PR events like a free television debate but that looked like plants in the audience.

Last night - another partial standing O. See nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd and standing ovations (when the audience is supposed to be quiet) is now THE THING TO DO.

The Obama campaign had better be aware of this because if Newt does get the nomination the standing O is gold for the party that is all empty spectacle anyway.

[redqueen]

1. I thought so, too.

Something about the way the first few people to stand up seemed to be all sitting together.

[gordianot]

2. All Republican debates reek of stagecraft on some level.

The only alternative is spontaneous stupidity I vote for planned stupidity. CNN debates appear to me particularly complicit in allowing this charade without openly enabling them as done by FOX.

[knowbody0]

3. absolutely

john king got a bonus I'm thinking