Godwin doesn't say the reference invalidates the debate, it doesn't even say the reference is certain to occur; it merely states that the probability of the reference being made approaches one as the discussion continues. Were it as simple as it's often made to seem, every skinhead with a keyboard would just post "Violent racism is good threads" and "win" his argument by having a sock/meat puppet respond, "No, because of Hitler. " It doesn't even have to make sense; they invoked Hitler, they lose.

As for the Newt, he seems to run hot and cold on thinking; one day he'll be bashing the liberal intelligentsia, and the next he'll be teaching a class at Pepperdine.