GOP debate audience booed bickering and interrupting

Everyone has different aspects they consider in a presidential debate as part of their individual analysis of winners and losers. Who seems most presidential? Most coherent? Most aggressive? Best zingers? Best jawline? Best hair?

Personally, I study the boos. They're a clear sign that the speaker has misjudged the audience. In Tuesday's GOP presidential debate in Las Vegas, the Boo Awards go to two guys named Rick.

Now these aren't Democrats booing; these are Republicans turning on their own, expressing displeasure.

The first boo-worthy candidates at the Western Republican Presidential Debate was former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, who wouldn't stop interrupting former Gov. Mitt Romney's answer about Massachusetts' health care program.

Romney, who is not a serial interrupter, tried to answer, but Santorum repeatedly spoke over him. When Romney asked for more time, Santorum said his time was up, seizing the role of candidate and moderator. It's hard to imagine Santorum speaking with world leaders after hearing him squeal, "You're out of time. You're out of time."

The second boo eruption went to Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who, like Santorum, just kept talking over Romney, after hurling the hardball that Romney "hired illegals in your home." But Perry wouldn't let Romney reply. CNN host Anderson Cooper even said, "I thought Republicans followed the rules."

Perhaps because he had explained it in 2008, Romney left the attack unanswered and turned to immigration policy.

That provided Perry the opportunity to give him a second smackdown. "You stood here in front of the American people and did not tell the truth that you had illegals working on your property."

Romney should have taken his first opportunity to explain that the lawn service he hired had hired illegals. Who in Las Vegas checks the residency of landscapers? We check if a company is licensed and bonded, but I doubt anyone demands to see immigration papers of individual workers.

The only booing I didn't understand came when the host asked Romney to respond to Perry's accusation that Romney failed as a governor. Wasn't clear whether the crowd didn't like Perry's comments or the question.

The final boos came when Cooper began asking a question referring to a pastor who said, "Mormonism is a cult." The question alone annoyed the crowd. Cooper quickly adapted the question to, "Should voters pay attention to a candidate's religion?"

The boos showed a definite pattern. This audience of 1,500 didn't like rudeness or candidates who didn't let others have their say. They didn't want to hear any anti-Mormon sentiments.

Besides boos, I also watch whether candidates actually answer a direct question or just deliver a rehearsed spiel on the general topic. Perry offered the most blatant non-answer.

The question: The 14th Amendment allows that anybody born in the United States is an American citizen. Should that change?

Perry announced he would address another issue Herman Cain mentioned.

"Actually, I'd rather you answer that question," said Cooper, trying to regain control.

Showing Cooper who was the boss, Perry replied, "I understand that. You get to ask the questions. I get to answer like I want to."

The Honesty Award goes to the candidate with the most truthful analysis of the two-hour debate: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. "Let me just point out for a second that maximizing bickering is probably not the road to the White House," he said.

Gingrich was right. The eighth GOP presidential debate did seem oddly reminiscent of that old radio show featuring the Battling Bickersons, who traded insults for laughs.

While that's fine for entertainment, this Nevada audience showed it wanted good manners and civility intertwined with conservative positions on taxes, immigration, health care and foreign policy. That is what the two Ricks should realize, if they were listening.

Jane Ann Morrison's column appears Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Email her at Jane@reviewjournal.com or call her at (702) 383-0275. She also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/Morrison