MLK had a dream. Newt is a nightmare.

It’s been a while since I’ve written anything about a Republican presidential debate.  Since then, I’ve been amused (Rick Perry’s oops)….I’ve been amazed (Mitt Romney isn’t always a robot)…and I’ve been appalled (many times).

But I haven’t felt compelled to write anything.  Until now.  Until Newt.  Until South Carolina and an audience of racists.  On Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Oh my God.  OHMYGODOHMYGODOHYMYGOD.

A white candidate versus a black moderator.  The candidate being cheered.  The moderator being booed.  My stomach being turned.

Let’s set the stage.  It started innocently enough.  Juan Williams questioning Newt Gingrich about his controversial comments that poor kids in low-income neighborhoods work as janitors in schools.  When Williams asked if Newt could see how that was insulting, especially to African Americans, Newt said no.  The crowd cheered.  Williams asked if Newt intended to belittle the poor and racial minorities.  The crowd booed.  Newt dug into his greatest hits, and replayed his “Barack Obama is the food stamp president” attack.  The crowd cheered again.  Louder.  Longer.  A standing ovation.  It was a redneck red meat moment for the ages.

So think about it.  A white, largely conservative audience in the deep south cheered racism and child labor on the day we honor the greatest civil rights leader of our time.

Look, I understand Newt’s strategy.  His poll numbers are down, he has no chance of winning the Republican nomination, and he certainly has no chance of being Mitt Romney’s running mate.  So he doesn’t have to worry about trying to appeal to moderates, or anyone who isn’t a member of the KKK.  He’s catering to the base.  The really, really, really extreme wing of the base.  And South Carolina is the perfect place to do it. 

This week’s primary is Newt’s last chance.

He’s going down swinging.

And in the end, he’ll sell more books, he’ll make more money on the lecture tour, he’ll make more money as a consultant, and he’ll continue to be a very rich man.

It’s not the first time the audience at one of these debates has gotten as much attention as the candidates.  Remember when they booed a gay soldier?  Or cheered for people dying?  But what  happened last night took things to a whole new level.  Hopefully, one that won’t be reached again….or, God forbid, topped at a future debate.  Unfortunately, I’m not that hopeful.