Spin Cycle

Finally, 68 minutes into the Iowa GOP debate, we get a question that is not so high-minded as to avoid revealing any differences between the candidates. Giuliani is asked whether his handling of security costs relating to Judith suggest he won't run a very open and transparent government as president.

Rudy says "everything that was laid out two weeks ago was laid out six years ago." He calls it "very well known." And again -- all that information was available and known to people six years ago."

Taken literally, that's demonstrably untrue. The reason it was news was because six years ago no one knew security expenses were being charged to the loft board, and Giuliani refused to release records. But this seems to be the kind of debate where the moderator doesn't remind the candidates of facts.