A radar image taken as the debate kicked off Tuesday night shows the strength of the storm over Manchester.
A map shows the amount of lightning strikes in Manchester, New Hampshire during the first half hour of the debate.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - So just how was bad was the weather Tuesday night outside the GOP debate site in Manchester, New Hampshire?
CNN Severe Weather Expert Chad Myers sends along this radar image of the Manchester area just as the debate was kicking off. It indicates the strongest part of the storm happened to be centered right over Manchester just as the Republican hopefuls were making their opening statements.
Watch Video: Giuliani's abortion answer zapped by lightning
Weather Services International, Inc. reported several instances of lightning strikes throughout the debate, the effects of which could be heard a few times when some of the candidates' microphones went in and out as they were speaking.
In a particular case of bad timing, lightning struck just as Giuliani was responding to recent comments from a Catholic bishop likening the former New York City mayor to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who condemned Jesus to be crucified.
As his microphone buzzed in and out, Giuliani joked, “For someone who went to parochial schools all his life, this is a frightening thing that’s happening right now.”
Check cnn.com/ticker for the latest political news.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
can you people be serious about tying this to a sign? you are probably the same people that said Y2K meant judgement day or year around the world. Its a lightening jolt..happened the entire program..geeeze
Why can't lightning just be lightning? Why does it have to be a message from God? It's such a shame that politics can't just be politics and that religion can't be kept in the church/temple/mosque/etc and OUT of the political arena.
he doesnt agree with abortion, he just understands that our country has a little thing called the separation of church and state. he won't let his religious beliefs interfere with his civic duties and I commend him for it.
I think god was trying to say that there was a lot of moisture in the air (created the storm) and it was very electrically charged (caused the lightning). Beyond that... there was no message one way or the other. Take it from someone who lives in Storm Central...
intersting that 2 men feel confident enough to comment on abortion. When you can carry the child and are the one that ends up having to raise it alone, then you can complain.
My guess would be "hmm, I think Manchester needs some rain." I think it is funny how people make such a big deal over some lightning.
Seriously??? The lightning was a warning to Rudy from God? Maybe the STORM was God's displeasure at the republican party and the cut-out of Rudy's microphone was because he didn't want the charade of Evil to include real truth and confuse the populace: He wanted pure evil to be seen by the nation in pure form.
Sound stupid? It is. God's warning??? Grow Up.
I think it is utterly pathetic that the press and weather agencies are wasting time on this. So there was a technical malfunction, big deal... I suppose the Janet Jackson Wardrobe Malfunction could be blamed on a quick blip in the earths rotation. There are way too many other things bigger that need our attention than a malfunctioning microphone....
Maybe God was irritated with the bishop for dragging his name into a political debate. I certainly would be. God help us all.
If I had to vote for a Republican, it would probably by Rudy. I hope he sticks to his guns. Some things are between a woman and her doctor.
Nope, no lightning. Still sitting here at my computer.
Lightning isn't scary. People who seriously believe it is a sign from God are scary.
Reality check for the religious: Giuliani's stated position was not an endorsement of abortion. He simply takes the stance that it's not the proper place of a government to enforce religious rules. If you disagree with that stance, perhaps you should consider joining the Taliban or moving to Iran, where the government provides religious police.
I swear I had nothing to do with that.
so what is god trying to say when a tornado hits a church?
Actually, it seeme more like God must LOVE Guiliani. He apparently prevented his answer from upsetting the people who want to hear the opposite view...How can you get upset with Guiliani's answer when you didn;t really get to hear it?
Absolutely amazing. A news organization of CNN's stature willing to damage its reputation with dim witted conjecture.
There is a huge difference between supporting a woman's right to choose, as Giuliani does, and encouraging abortion. Go do some research, please.
And by the way, I'm pro-life, so don't go shooting yourself in the foot by attacking me.
It's called weather created by the natural forces on earth ....unless we want to believe in a vindictive GOD who reek's havoc on any opposition by floods or any other form of bad weather.....let's get real and understand bad weather is just that .........
its so funny, rightwingers display how primitive and medieval there thought patterns are, they really believe thunder is the sound of God bowling. Its terrifying that kindergarden level minds like this can vote. Giuliani just believes that his own religious beliefs shouldn't be imposed on a free society, his opossition on the extremist right wing believes their own personal religion should rule over everyone else, they are like the Taliban.
I think God is angry that the Republicans are interfering with free will; God is the only judge, anyone else who judges thinks they know better than God.
You people are crazy. God has some more important things to worry about than lighting in Manchester for a Republican debate. Guilani and McCain are the best candidates to lead our country we need someone with a backbone. If you can't speak your mind to the American people what are you going to do when it come to foreign policy. Voting for any of the Democrats that are running would be like voting John Kerry into office. However, I will agree that Al Gore should run. He is the democrats only hope. He would win hands down.
As long as God did't say, "Start another war, George," I'm happy.
I agree with him, abortion may not be the right choice, but that choice belongs to the woman, not to the government.
If there is an all seeing God and he does care about such a trivial matter as a political debate over a year befor an election instead of the millions of children who are starving all over the planet then that selfish God is not worth worshiping.
He who eyes to see will see the truth.
LOL... If lighting strikes in the mountains and no-one is there to see/hear it, did God do it or Nature? It's amazing how people will bring God into the picture to support their views.
I think God was saying that SHE thought this was Rudy's moment to speak up strongly for women and reproductive privacy!