Like Newt Gingrich or not, the man must be admired for having tried to elevate the political pig scramble for Iowa voters by not going negative.

The trailing candidates are not so inclined, have predictably gone ugly and Gingrich is paying the price with plummeting poll numbers.

We don’t agree with everything Gingrich says but the fact that he offers ideas and rarely talks down to his audience makes him a pleasure to listen to in the context of a political brawl. If he doesn’t respect his audience, it doesn’t show.

It is anybody’s guess whether the trailing candidates go negative because they have contempt for the intelligence of voters or they simply have no pragmatic solutions or message.

Most likely both.

The irony is the only candidate in the presidential field arguing for Christian charity in the debate is the one who hasn’t made an issue of his Christianity.

Most Christians see that and find it embarrassing.

Unfortunately, 30-second hate spots move poll numbers, even amongst Christians.

Nothing delivers the votes like appeals to fear and ignorance and broadcasting is the perfect medium for that.

Politicians spin fear and ignorance into votes. Broadcast e-gaddies like Rush Limbaugh spin it in to ratings and gold.