A University of New Hampshire political science professor's three word pop culture reference in the New Hampshire U.S. Senate race debate Tuesday night in Concord had the audience laughing and the Internet buzzing.
"Winter is coming," Dante Scala said in kicking off a question on rising energy costs directed at Democratic incumbent Jeanne Shaheen.
NBC's "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd, who was moderating the debate, quickly said it wasn't in reference to HBO's hit show "Game of Thrones."
The light moment in an otherwise testy debate came as Shaheen and Republican Scott Brown face a close race.
A recent WMUR Granite State poll showed Shaheen leading her GOP challenger 44 percent to 38 percent among likely voters at the start of the month. Seventeen percent remained undecided.
Questioner in #NHSEn debate: "Sen. Shaheen, winter is coming.” !!!! — Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) October 22, 2014
U.S. & World
Thus far, the #nhsendebate's most memorable line is from @Graniteprof. ("Winter is coming.") Figures. He made Research Methods interesting. — Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) October 22, 2014
"Winter is coming" - nicely done, @Graniteprof! #gameofthrones — Jim Merrill (@JimMerrillNH) October 22, 2014
Mic drop by @Graniteprof: "Winter is coming...." #NHsendebate — Cory True (@corytrue) October 22, 2014
Oh yeah #GOT reference "winter is coming" to intro energy issues #nhsendebate — Bridget Bartol (@Bridge_B) October 22, 2014