Gingrich's attack on the media sets feisty tone for GOP debate

A fiery attack by Newt Gingrich on the news media for raising questions about his acrimonious divorce set the tone for a bruising Republican presidential debate that featured tough critiques of the presumptive front-runners - and more gaffes for Mitt Romney.

Gingrich was pressed by moderator John King to comment about recent interviews given by Gingrich's second ex-wife, Marianne, in which she said that Gingrich had requested an open relationship. "I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run for public office. And I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that," Gingrich said, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd. "I am frankly astounded that CNN would take trash like that and use it to open a presidential debate," Gingrich added. The former House Speaker went on to denounce the story as "false" and accuse the media of raising the issue to protect President Obama.