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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

The Second Coming of Newt Gingrich #EERS

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  January 20th, 2012 at 05:49 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Tonight on WSB, I’m live from Charleston, SC. I’ll be going through the play by play of last night’s CNN Southern Republican Debate. You can listen live at http://wsbradio.com.

I’ll be taking a lot of phone calls too tonight. The number is 1-800-WSB-TALK.

Consider this an open thread.

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COMMENTS

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  • marktx

    NBC cancelled next Monday’s debate because Romney didn’t agree to attend. Nor has Romney yet agreed to release his tax records. Some are starting to suggest that his campaign is in freefall.

    Gingrich will win South Carolina and Florida. After that there is a good chance Romney will quit the race – with a potential new candidate coming in.

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    Ballot access.

    As for Romney dropping out….no way.

  • marktx

    As Erick Erickson, Joe Scarborough and others have suggested, after the Florida primary there is a lull in the campaign which would provide time for a new candidate to enter. And while time is a factor, there is still some time for a new candidate to get ballot access in many of the larger states.

    What party insiders are hoping for is a brokered convention where Romney or Gingrich are replaced by a candidate without so many flaws.

  • elayman

    If Romney quits, although I think the chances of either happening are extremely slim.. He could at least be a highly plausible VP for Gingrich.

  • marktx

    They know if Gingrich wins South Carolina and Florida, he will build up momentum to sweep the south. Romney’s only hope of winning now is keeping Rick Santorum in the race. I guess thats why FOX has suddenly become cheerleaders for Santorum after ignoring him for most of the campaign.

    It’s so predictable.

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    they would’ve been running.

    So you really want to run an un-vetted candidate against Barack Obama. Then when the skeleton comes out, no options remain.

    No thanks.

  • jakeofalltrades

    I’m gonna pray for an asteroid strike.

  • don12345

    Newt Gingrich is the granddaddy of earmarks, even McCain is more conservative than Gingrich. Newt attacked Paul Ryan, even many democrats are more conservative than Gingrich. Gingrich attacked free enterprise, even Clinton is more conservative than Newt Gingrich. Three strikes and your out Newt. On top of getting such a bad president we would probably get the first first lady that puts jerry springer to shame. I cannot and will not vote for a Democrat who attacks minorities, women, and conservative values.

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    So, your outburst here really means nothing.

  • jakeofalltrades

    So what is the context, you flaming RINO?

  • marktx

    Even with the damage GW did with the Bush brand, if Jeb Bush were to enter the race, he would instantly become the frontrunner. He’s already been vetted and would unite the party. Problem is, he doesn’t want to run…at least not yet.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    Tsk, tsk, blam.

  • goodgovernance

    is considering ducking the debate on Monday now. True frontrunners try to avoid debates because they don’t want to commit a gaffe that could blow their lead, and because they don’t want their competitors to score points off them.

    But after his last two poor debate performances, you’d think Romney would be eager to have a shot at redemption. That is, if he were a real fighter. Instead, he’s doing the turtle tuck and no doubt is ordering a new round of polls be done to tell him how he can most effectively duck the tax records question. (By the way, what’s in there he’s so frightened of? It’s possible he’s paranoid the amount he’s tithed to his church would put his Mormonism in the spotlight again, but actually, I kind of suspect he doesn’t want people in the Mormon community to know how much he _didn’t_ tithe and held back!)

    Even Rick Perry never ducked out of a debate, and actually showed a lot of courage and a good sense of humor in terms of battling his way back. As a result the man has a future in the Republican Party. Meanwhile Mitt Romney is confirming every impression I’ve had of him as an overly cautious, principle-less political opportunist who can’t really lead the conservative movement.

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    You want to let Obama run against Bush again?!

  • mikelindell2

    So true. They manufactured the Santorum surge before the Iowa caucuses. for two weeks before the vote they were singing his praises and predicting a strong showing. All of this while endlessly blasting Newt, whether it was Krauthammer, Brit Hume, Kirsten Powers, etc. Every negative ad against Newt was replayed all day on Fox, essentially giving nationwide free advertising to the candidates running those attacks.

  • avagreen

    Maybe they think we are numb and dumb as they are.

    Poor souls. All blondes.
    (speaking as a blonde)

  • mikelindell2

    Romney is such a weak primary and general election candidate. He gets flustered so easily, comes across as so insincere, and is so unable to get off script. I read an article on Politico that when reporters at a Romney campaign event at a restaurant asked Mitt if he was going to try the hush puppies there his staffers jumped in front of them and said he’s not answering questions this event is off the record. WOW

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    Congratulations on your very obviously false and dumb claims like …
    “even Clinton is more conservative than Newt Gingrich”

    Earmarks existed decades before Newt came to power.

    “we would probably get the first first lady that puts jerry springer to shame”
    thats defamatory, disgusting and below the belt.

  • mikelindell2

    The time has come, he’s done better than anyone thought. The sooner Rick S drops out the more it will help Newt defeat Romney. Santorum has no chance of winning at this point, only to keep field fragmented enough for Romney to squeak out a win. Let’s hope he does the honorable thing like Governor Perry and bow out gracefully.

  • elayman

    So, in any case, if any documents are handed over they will no doubt highlight three or four particularly selectively hefty charitable installments. Hopefully Mormons also appreciate that philanthropic donating, church or secular, at its best is private, anonymous and at the mercy of the conscience of the giver.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/11/mitt-romney-gives-million_n_924414.html

  • stumpy

    is how he didn’t get his finances in order. He has been running for over 5 years. Why not move your money into mutual funds and let it ride. Give plenty away. He doesn’t need it anyway.

    This is a major strategic issue. He should have released them months ago. It would be old news by now. Is he just that greedy. I’m betting he blames all the decisions on his broker/accountant.

  • SoFiMil

    Why are you obsessed with how much money someone may give to charity?

    http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/01/01/honest-question/

    You already shared that link. Once is enough.

  • SoFiMil

    Otherwise you’re much more of a disingenuous flip-flopper than Romney.

  • greyeagle

    Was in the race to pull conservative votes from Perry, which he did. Now he has no value. You are correct, FOX is in a panic and it serves them right. They have lost a lot of viewers, me included.

  • carolina

    Romney hasn’t cancelled. What kind of gossip sites are you reading?

  • http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

    http://youtu.be/Icb_tRTnA4g

  • Common_Cents

    Mitt Romney won’t commit to Florida GOP debate

    By Aaron Sharockman, Times Staff Writer
    Posted: Jan 20, 2012 07:41 PM

    TAMPA ? Mitt Romney on Friday wouldn’t commit to Florida’s first 2012 presidential primary debate, further upending a campaign that has swung from perfunctory to unsettled in a span of 48 hours.

    Romney spokesman Ryan Williams said the campaign had “no announcements” on the Monday night debate, which is being hosted by the Tampa Bay Times, NBC News, National Journal and the Florida Council of 100.

  • http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com nathanalbright

    …He can’t handle being the target of a circular firing squad? Pity.

  • aggou

    How is his campaign imploding?

    They’ve had far to many debates to begin with, and we’ve heard the same answers over and over again. What’s left to be covered that hasn’t already? I mean seriously ppl.

    I go to Bob Jones University, and I support Romney because I see him as the only candidate who can truly defeat President Obama. I’d vote for Newt in the GE, but he’s really pissed me off recently.

    Newt has had liberal positions just like Santorum, and Romney, yet, it seems as if most of our more conservative friends tend to neglect Santorum’s big spending view, or how Gingrich supported Health Care back in the 90s. Why do we push their crap under the rug, yet we hold Romney to some “higher” standard in a sense. It’s really confusing if you ask me.

    Also, a Gingrich win, which I’m not ruling out, but I’m also not ruling out a lot of evangelicas bailing on Gingrich at the last second, for Santorum especially up here in the upstate of SC. Doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to win FL. It’s a huge market, and Romney and Paul have the ground game that will take Gingrich months to put together, sure, he had a last minuet surge here in SC, but that doesn’t mean he can replicate the same thing in FL which has much more liberal R’s in those wonderful northerners who are turning our wonderful south into a Dem death hole. Romney has a much more solid chance of winning FL because of that. He probably shouldn’t have tried to “up” the expectations last week for SC, it was always going to be harder for him, and it looked/looks like he was/can still win.

    Tomorrow night will be fun for us political junkies, but plz quit the double standards ppl, it’s particularly frustrating when the other candidates have just as many flaws.

  • redcal

    The Hill, reporting off Tampa papers:

    http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/205503-monday-gop-debate-in-florida-uncertain-without-romney-commitment
    “While NBC said preparations continue, The Tampa Tribune reported Friday the network sent local affiliates a message saying the debate has been replaced on that evening’s schedule with “Fear Factor” and “Rock Center.”"

    And as for Romney’s refusal to commit to the 3-day-away debate, that’s all over the news:
    * Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/mitt-romney-not-committing-to-florida-debates/2012/01/20/gIQALewkEQ_blog.html
    * Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/20/2599979/mitt-romney-wont-commit-to-fla.html
    * Tampa Bay Times: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/mitt-romney-wont-commit-to-florida-gop-debate/1211639

    Stuart Stevens is signaling that the Romney campaign is backing out slowly. They have nothing to gain by teasing the schedule and then attending, as McCain (stupidly) did in 2008. They are almost certainly leaning towards not attending, and are perhaps waiting on SC to make the final call.

  • maybenexttime

    http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/205503-monday-gop-debate-in-florida-uncertain-without-romney-commitment

    Romney hasn’t said he is pulling out of the debate…he is just refusing to commit right now, which is a very odd move for the presumptive front-runner. It seems his campaign might be afraid of another weak debate performance and are instead relying on TV attack ads to dispatch Gingrich in Florida.

    I think it’s a forgone conclusion that Romney will lose SC. The wheels started coming off early this week, and Gingrich is peaking at absolutely the right moment thanks to his debate performances. Romney is now playing defense.

    It remains to be seen what effect a potential Romney debate skip-out would have on his perception of electability. The Bain attacks, the tax forms, the dominance of Gingrich on a debate stage are all taking their toll. If Romney chickens out of the NBC debate (that’s how Gingrich’s camp would spin it) then get ready for the media to start questioning his readiness for the general campaign this fall.

    If Romney is crumbling now, how will he hold up under a full frontal assault from Obama and the DNC…who are much better funded than Gingrich?

  • mikelindell2

    I think it’s because every candidate has held some positions we don’t like. However, Newt is seen as someone clearly based in conservative beliefs who may have strayed once in a while. Romney has held so many liberal positions for so much of his career (guns, abortion, Romneycare, ant-Reagan) and his current economic proposals are so “moderate” (no tax reform plan even), he is seen as someone without any conservative core whatsoever. To totally disavow everything you once stood for is far different than having a few inconsistencies. His endless list of position “changes” will make him unelectable in a GE (John Kerry)

  • redcal

    He will still most likely be the nominee. Gingrich is a far, far more talented politician but doesn’t have the organizational maturity (and can’t build it, this late in the game) to sustain the onslaught past Super Tuesday. It’s too bad — watching Gingrich destroy Romney in each and every debate has been the best part of this primary season.

    His campaign isn’t in free-fall. They are a small, cabal-ish group of insiders who believe they can plan for everything yet didn’t plan for this. Now, they’re taking stock of their next strategy, regrouping. Romney is one of the most hyper-ambitious human beings to ever run for President, and he knows that this primary is the last shot of his life (at 64, after losing in 2008 already) to make it there. He spent tens of millions of his own money four years ago, and will spend even more this time.

  • maybenexttime

    Santorum has been banging the “I won Iowa” drum pretty loudly since Thursday. He’s no closer to dropping out now than he was after losing big in NH. Santorum could finish last in SC, but somehow I think he is determined to stay on through Florida.

    He keeps hoping for yet another Gingrich collapse. It isn’t going to happen in SC, but perhaps a Newt mis-step in Florida gives Santorum a fighting chance. Personally, I think that is highly unlikely…but I sense that Santorum isn’t going to bow out anytime soon.

  • redcal

    Romney’s vaunted organization is getting challenged by Gingrich, who is practically a one-man band (crossed with a loose cannon), and beaten by Santorum in Iowa (a guy who evidently does his own taxes).

    I think Romney’s campaign is leaning towards skipping the debate, and believes (incorrectly) that they can control the framing of the ‘excessive debates’, in spite of their failure to frame anything so far this season.

  • redcal

    I agree that his campaign isn’t imploding, but this statement is ridiculous:

    “They?ve had far to many debates to begin with, and we?ve heard the same answers over and over again. What?s left to be covered that hasn?t already.”

    If that were true, there would be absolutely no viewer interest/demand in the debates, no new soundbites, no new controversies, no shifts in the polls, etc. And yet these are some of the highest rated debates in the history of the GOP primary. Gingrich and Romney saw a 20-point shift after the Monday SC debate. Etc, etc, etc.

    How can someone at Bob Jones support Romney, unironically? That just doesn’t smell right. I mean, that’s barely plausible given the belief system at BJU and Romney’s issues. Have you seen the oppo file? Just read the first 7 pages.

    http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/the-book-on-mitt-romney-here-is-john-mccains-ent

  • maybenexttime

    Mitt Romney doesn’t tap into the “destroy Obama” vibe nearly as well as Newt Gingrich. Nobody will argue that Newt has problems with switching positions, taking Freddie Mac money, marital drama, etc.

    However, Gingrich is the political street-fighter Romney can never be. Mitt’s biggest problem is that he comes from the state of Dukakis and Kerry. Romney’s persona actually comes off as a Republican version of those two failed liberal candidates. Gingrich, on the other hand, is somebody who dominates debates and takes great satisfaction in shredding his opponents. He has that killer instinct.

    It’s that instinct which has forced some voters to overlook his inconsistent postions and moral peccadilloes.

  • aggou

    none of them are. I Would’ve loved to have someone else running, I wanted Perry, but he sadly fell apart…….

    Also, about supporting Romney, I’m the only one in my family who supports him. Dr. Bob threw his support behind Romney in ’08, but hasn’t openly endorsed a candidate this year, so it’s not unrealistic for ppl at Bob Jones to support Romney.

    I’m not a bot, and if supporting Romney makes me a “bot” then so be it. I believe he’s the best opportunity to beat Obama. Like I said in my first comment, I’d support Gingrich, but I don’t think he can beat Obama as easily as Romney. Can Obama be beaten? Sure, both Gingrich and Romney can easily win, but I just believe from what I’ve seen that Gov. Romney has the best opportunity.

    My support for Romney is more based on electability, rather than ideology.

    I wanted Daniels, Christie, Thune, even Rubio before Romney, but none of them stepped forward, and of the current field, Santourm would get decimated. He neglects to mention how he got destroyed in his last senate race.

  • aggou

    the flip flops a lot. However, I’ve come to the conclusion that if they haven’t hurt him much in the primary, he’s still got between 1/3 and 1/2 of the R’s behind him if it goes from a 4 man race to a 2 man race. It hasn’t shown up in his GE polling either, and no, I don’t believe the polls are lying showing him better in the GE I don’t think he’s as much of a turn off to the PA, OH suburban R’s that are up there. We’ll see of course, and this is just my opinion. Not that of everyone.

    I mean we’ve heard this for four years already about how he flip flops so much, yet he still is keeping up with the pack. I guess we’ll see what happens.

  • aggou

    Gingrich is excellent at the debates, and I would love to watch him destroy Obama in them, but it seems whenever he doesn’t debate, he tends to fall off the radar in polling….. and we can’t really afford that imo, of course that can change.

    President Obama excels in the polling when he’s out making his campaign stops, he’s noticable, which Mr. Gingrich isn’t, and yes I love his comments about Obama, but I fear that would be more of a turn off to non-republicans when they hear it, verses just saying what Obama has done, without all the flashy words. Like I said, I love what he says, but I don’t know if the way he says it will fly in GE.

  • nepanyrush

    Gingrich will lose in a landslide to Obama and, as Haley Barbour (a Perry supporter) noted Gingrich will cause a loss of in the Congress as well. Gingrich is an ethical mess. He is a great, great debater, but it is foolish to think Obama will agree to more than 3 debates, and probably only 2. Gingrich’s only strength is debating. Otherwise, he will be torn apart. And, quite honestly, he makes Obama and Michelle. look good.

    There is zero chance that Gingrich could win the general election. Is everyone forgetting his huge amount of baggage? Furthermore, he came in 4th in Iowa and 5th in New Hampshire. He is only strong now because of a good debate on Monday. Furthermore, he is such an egomaniac and erratic and, as Glen Beck says a Progressive, that the GOP will be set back greatly should he, of all people, be made the GOP standard bearer.

    I am shocked that he is being promoted. I would totally lose hope for the general if he actually won the GOP nod. I grew to hate him decades ago for the damage he inflicted, and getting Clinton re-elected, and now he comes back like a zombie that you thought had already been killed.

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    - 5 -

    Jeez, this wishful thinking for a new candidate is a silly distraction.

    It will not happen.

    Mitt Romney wants this nomination badly enough he will fight to get it. It will take someone strong enough to wrest it away from him.

    The ONLY candidate capable of that right now is Newt Gingrich.

    Sunday, if Santorum is in 4th place (or even 3rd) in SC, he will drop out. Ron Paul wont drop out but wont win either. A virtual 2-man race.

    With enough winner-take-all states, the winner of these will take the lion’s share of delegates. A brokered convention will NOT happen.

    We will get Gingrich or Romney, warts and all.

    The idea that a new candidate can parachute in now is ludicrous, after Perry, Pawlenty and other credible
    candidates tried and failed to get even this far.
    Mitch Daniels? He took a pass already. Jeb Bush? C’mon, get real, Perry was enough of Bush 2.0 as it was.

    We will get Gingrich or Romney, time for choosing!

  • redcal

    But it’s just a myth.

    http://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2011/12/27/7_reasons_why_mitt_romneys_electability_is_a_myth/page/full/

    Not that I think Gingrich (with his 27% national approval rating) is actually better. I really just think that all of these guys are deeply flawed and that the GOP has shot itself in the foot for 2012. If only Perry had come in a bit earlier, gotten more debate practice….

  • nepanyrush

    People keep wanting Gingrich to destroy Obama in the debates. And he probably would (although expectations would be so great that any mediocre performance would be seen as an Obama win).

    But what about the vast amount of time between the debates? Gingrich will be destroyed and take Congress down with him. Do conservatives really want such an ethical mess, egomaniac, and erratic person as their standard-bearer? I really feel an Obama rout if Gingrich is the nominee — an all time rout.

  • aggou

    I sometimes wonder what it would’ve been like had Perry come into the debates the way he debated in his last one….

    We might have a better candidate to choose to rally around….

    Sigh, what could’ve been.

  • anonymousbosch

    PPP has their final poll out and Newt leads 37-28 over the 3 day avg from wed to today. But in just today’s polling he was up 40-26. He leads by 30+ among tea partiers and by almost 30 among evangelicals and very conservative.

    He’s headed for a blowout win of 10-15 pts or more. This should be called rather early.

    If Romney gets blown out in SC and then doesn’t show for the debate in FL on Monday his campaign is over. That instant. You get rolled in SC and then bail on a debate in FL, how do you continue?

    If he skips the debate it means that a new candidate will enter the field backed the establishment to stop Newt.

    But 40-26, wow.

  • lineholder

    After all, Perry and Gingrich entered into an agreement of sorts to spur a 10A movement, didn’t they? Time can be spent on this. Emphasis on the Constitution of the United States, along with drastic comparisons of how Obama has trampled on it…I’d say that would be effective on the road.

    And then there are the 100 TEA Party leaders in 25 different states who came out with an endorsement of Gingrich as well. We can count on it that will be thinking of all sorts of activities to fill in the time.

    Plus, who knows at this point what Chuck Norris might be willing to do…or even the Palins for that matter, depending on how things go.

    A resurgence of emphasis on our Constitution, going into the next election year, when Obamacare sits in front of SCOTUS…a lot of good could come out it all the way around.

  • aggou

    They’ve missed the deadlines in too many states.

    Gingrich won’t even be on the ballot in VA, not that I agree with it, but it’s also happening to his campaign in other states. That could hurt him big time down the road.

  • smokeybeagle

    And Calista is nothing more than Monica Lewinsky with a Tiffany charge account. Not even Holly Go Lightly. She would be The First Hoe !!!

  • snowshooze

    nt

  • jakeofalltrades

    Because if I support the same candidate as you, I’m inclined to switch.

  • After Seven

    Nonsense.

    Obamacare,
    Solyndra,
    Gunrunner,
    Fast & Furious,
    Keystone Pipeline,
    Golfer in Chief,
    Liberalism,
    Socialism,
    Gas Prices,
    Unemployment,
    GDP,
    Inflation,

    Need I continue?

  • snowshooze

    Electability? You are delusional… Obama is CONTRIBUTING to the Romney campaign…

  • lineholder

    the left has telegraphed it relatively well that it’s Romney they want to win the Republican nomination. And establishment Repubs, who have their own share of big-gov’t agendas, have been playing right into the Dems’ hands on this. Personally, I think it’s because the left believes O-care has a better chance of surviving if Romney is the candidate, but that’s just me. That’s a big thing for them. They’re getting ready to go into full defense mode right now, when they know O-care is headed to SCOTUS.

    In some ways, I’d like to Romney fight his way on through this. Forget the electability and inevitability narratives. Just be a man, suck it up, and fight his way through it instead of expecting to be handled with kid gloves all the time.

    After the complaining that’s gone on about attacks against Romney where Bain is concerned…those are just “love pats” compared to what he will be facing from the left if he wins the nomination. If he can’t hold his own and crumples from the “love pats”, then we’re in big trouble if he wins the nom.

  • anonymousbosch

    Romney is already on the ballots. He steps down and says that everyone who wants (fill in x here) to vote for him in those states as a placeholder.

    I was just saying that if Romney bails on the debate I think it’ll be a strong signal he’s planning in dropping out.

    I don’t see how you lose in SC then skip a debate in the crucial state of FL and still plan on winning the nomination.

  • bonnman

    He’s been running for President for the last 5 years and will say and do anything to be the nominee. He has plenty of money and media support and this is probably his best and final shot. At worst it becomes a serious two man race between him and Newt.

  • snowshooze

    Obama is drooling over Romney.
    And I wouldn’t doubt for a second that Obama would not contribute cash to the campaign via a surrogate to assure it’s outcome.
    Same game as open primary elections. Back the loser.

    Romney so far talks in circles, hides behind whatever is handy.. never gives a direct answer… continuously quotes the Republican Bible, however has never shown a drop of blood for it…
    Ken-Doll Candidate for sure.
    And put HIM on the front lines… as with his Viet Nam service…
    A low blow I know. Gingrich isn’t in a lot better shape on that one…
    Obama was just a hair too young to be drawn in.
    But in the end.. Obama is PRAYING for Romney.
    It is all he has left.

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    This is just a preview of what the general election will be like.

    Obammy cant run on his lousy record, so he will beat Newt by blasting his character … the baggage.

    Since Newt knows his history, he knows how they called Andrew Jackson’s wife a whore … so he can probably handle this kind of stuff.

  • littlehouse18

    Now they’re salivating at the thought of an even more vulnerable candidate. Maybe the ex-wife story was to gain him a sympathy vote, just like Santorum got in Iowa with the story that came out on him. People don’t like last minute attacks and will jumps to someone’s defense.

    The left really is excited about going against Gingrich. They just never thought it would happen until recently.

  • aggou

    Anyway, I’m not delusional, I can pull just as many stories about Dems wanting to run against Gingrich saying he’ll be a goldmine. So, if you’re done trying to say it’s a one side street, I think we can move along.

    Now, be nice plz! :)

  • aggou

    If you think that’s what he’s going to do. He has the money and ground game to go as long as he needs.

    He won’t drop out, he’s be a moron if he did. Thankfully he’s not.

  • littlehouse18

    But it will be what the women voters will be thinking. They do not want her as first lady. Newt could be the greatest executive of all time and they would not vote for him because of this. And he is far from a good executive – he would be a terrible president. There is no way so many Republicans would be raising red flags about his competence if there were no truth to it. There is true panic, not because these folks are all Romney supporters, but because of Newt’s capriciousness. If Newt were such a great leader, there would not be this concern.

  • snowshooze

    I will go with Gingrich.. and you can have everyone else.
    You are quite silly.

  • lineholder

    what is happening at this point is that the dirty laundry is being aired early. The general public is getting exposed to it now, and what they’ve been exposed to won’t be nearly as effective as it would end up being if the left/Dems could spring it in a “suprise” attack sometime during the general election.

    What’s the main objective? To win against Obama and his socialistic-style policies. To stand our ground and fight our way through to a victory. It’s going be an ugly battle, regardless of who gets the nomination. The left has no intention of going quietly into the night, not when they’re this close to accomplishing and achieving some of the primary objectives that they been striving to achieve for over half a century!

    Whoever wins the nomination for our side will HAVE to be a fighter, through and through. It doesn’t matter who ends up being…that person HAS to be the kind of person who is willing to take on the challenge of that fight head on! That’s what having our dirty laundry come out early in this race is proving…who has what it takes and who doesn’t.

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    If we wanted a super-safe candidate … we should have gone with … GOV TIM PAWLENTY.

    But the poor guy was just plain boring, and never got noticed.

    It is to our discredit that we have been distracted by shining lights and unelectable candidates like Bachmann and Cain … nice folks, but not POTUS-ready … and in so doing it’s muddied the field.

    If it was a Perry, Mitch daniels, bobby Jindhal, Mitt Romney, Haley Barbour, Huntsman contest … we’d have a lot more satisfied primary voters IMHO.

  • bonnman

    I tend to think of Newt’s marital problems as being an issue for voters wanting the President to be more of a moral and ethical guide and not just the visceral response female voters might have to a cheating husband.

  • snowshooze

    They well may get their wish. I’m up for it.
    A Perry supporter just a couple days back…

  • Melody Warbington (rwm52)

    I prefer voting for someone who fails at a standard he believes in rather than someone who can’t even figure out which standard he believes in.

  • lineholder

    Do I like Newt’s history of infidelity? Absolutely not. Do I condone it? No. But it just so happens that I love America and want to see the liberties and freedoms I’ve been able to enjoy during the years of my life passed down to my kids and their kids. I want to see the size and scope of government reduced at least to the point that those who follow behind me have some chance of succeeding in life that doesn’t involved being dependent on government from the cradle to the grave!

    Is Newt Gingrich the only candidate in this race who might succeed in protecting and preserving those freedoms and liberties? No. But for the time being, he is the one who is proving that he has the backbone and temperament that would allow him stand against the vicious attacks that will be coming from the left before Nov, 2012.

  • lineholder

    .

  • benko

    “he is the one who is proving that he has the backbone and temperament that would allow him stand against the vicious attacks that will be coming from the left before Nov, 2012.”

    Romney can’t answer questions about releasing his taxes that he knew were going to get asked without getting flustered.

  • clowngirl

    There are the debates the candidates actually have face to face — then the debating they do through the media – making arguments throughout the campaign. Then there are television and radio commercials.

    In addition to the debating that comes directly from the campaigns there are media types and millions of private citizens who also debate for their candidate of choice.

    Being able to lead this national conversation and make compelling arguments is MUCH more important than what baggage a candidate happens to have.

    In the last debate we saw Newt shut down any line of attack with regard to his past cheating with extraordinary effectiveness, and Romney make a fool of himself over the simple question of whether or not he’ ll release his tax returns and, if so, when.

    Obama has far more baggage than any of the Republican candidate- what we need is not a candidate without baggage ( which isn’t a realistic option anyway) but one who won’t let the media set the rules of engagement.

    A candidate who won’t let them get away with running him into the dirt to cover for Obama, and who won’t dance to their tune – backing off of whatever tactics the liberal doesn’t like.

    Newt Gingrich IS that candidate. That’s why he got standard ovations on Monday and Thursday, why he’s come up 20 points in SC in less than a week*, and why he’ll beat Mitt Romney in the primary and Barack Obama in the fall.

    * actually Governor Perry’s endorsement probably had something to do with that part too.

  • mikelindell2

    Gingrich would make the strongest general election candidate. He will be able to talk about how he has solved all of the issues facing us today (jobs-4.2%unemployment, economy, debt/deficits, entitlements) The main Obama argument of Congressional gridlock will be neutralized because Newt can talk about having to work with a Democrat president to achieve all he did. Newt can articulate the case for conservatism best. Newt can attract Hispanics better than any other candidate. He is the most qualified and exudes strength and knowledge. To go after Obama about his record, we need someone who can contrast that record of despair with a record of prosperity. Also, according to USA Today/Gallup, Gingrich is beating Obama in the 12 key swing states crucial to this election

  • http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

    …regarding “100 TEA Party leaders in 25 different states who came out with an endorsement of Gingrich.”

    I don’t doubt you, but I’d like to read the details [and try to discern the reason for procrastination].

  • http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

    …have been formulated by The Bob [guzzardi and dr. bob] for consideration on RS.

    The following was posted @ two websites started by Guzzardi [critique invited]:

    *

    The following is a summary of the views of The Bob [?guzzardi and dr. bob?] regarding the POTUS-?12 race; critique is invited.
    It has been posted on two websites initiated by Guzzardi which were Perry-themed.
    http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/6284/bob-iowa-work-iowa-caucuses-rick-perry
    http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/5848/rick-perry-hes-guy?page=3
    It will be posted on RS websites whenever appropriate; it will be updated as necessary.
    In short, we are more optimistic than ever regarding the potential to replace BHO.
    *
    Although rocky @ times, the winnowing-process for the GOP-nominee has generally followed a ?rule.?
    Specifically, the people who remain have encompassed the thrust of those who have dropped-out.
    A few days prior to Perry?s departure, concern existed that he had unique policies not encompassed by others.
    Then, the existence of a conjoint plan emerged, to ensure Federalism [10th Amendment] would be promoted.
    As a result, the key-distinction between Perry and The Newt has been overcome, Domestic Policy.
    Specifically, the goal to seek Big Government ?Solutions? has been supplanted by need to empower states.
    *
    [*]?An explicit rejection of the Individual Mandate is needed but, perhaps, can be inferred?
    ?inasmuch as The Newt has supported the need for everyone to buy insurance or post a bond.
    {This has been amply documented via cites from two books and multiple videos, unrefuted by RS-bloggers.}
    Meanwhile, there is no appreciable difference between Perry/The Newt regarding Social Issues and Foreign Policy.
    The Bob supported Michele [having each provided $180 @ the ZOA Annual Dinner this past November].
    Now, The Bob supports The Newt, in opposition to ?Establishment?-Mitt; Santorum is a non-factor.
    *
    The goal is to nominate the most electable candidate who espouses Conservative Principles [Buckley Rule].
    Paul?s foreign policy is unacceptable, and Santorum?s big-spending domestic policy has not been repudiated.
    The ?08 oppo-research on Mitt has just been released, a treasure-trove for BHO during debates.
    http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/the-book-on-mitt-romney-here-is-john-mccains-ent
    And the Mitt-collapse may already have started, regarding a commitment to continue debates.
    http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_tampa/hundreds-of-protestors-to-march-at-gop-presidential-debate-at-usf
    *
    A consensus view, therefore, can be conjured; in-short, a pathway to victory is vividly-lit.
    Latest RCP-polling shows Santorum dropping; if he?s #4 and below 11%, he could be pressured-out.
    He should NOT be offered Veep-position as recompense; he has ?survived? merely as an ?over-performer.?
    If Mitt [and ?all the president?s men? who have endorsed him] resists, he can be pressured.
    We envision, if necessary, Trump endorsing muscular approach to Red-China, consistent with The Newt.
    Paul can be offered a seat on the Fed board, and it?s all over before Super Tuesday [in March].
    *
    It is unclear why EE [Erick Erickson] has publicly pressured Perry to withdraw; he?s a humble guy.
    This contrasts with what may be anticipated if Santorum resists; he?s an arrogant guy.
    When Glenn Beck rejected him ?because I want him to remain Texas Governor? he lost credibility.
    When Laura Ingraham piled-on, she joined others who lost respect; they refused to note his strengths.
    Unforgettable is how FNC blacked-out positive coverage?when he wasn?t repeatedly being bashed for ?oops.?
    This suggests Perry?s plan to dismantle DC threatened BOTH D?s AND RINO?s [plus Bushies, etc.].
    *
    EE said he has been deeply involved behind-the-scenes, but that he cannot yet tell the story.
    Previously, concern had been expressed regarding the absence of comment from potential Perry-supporters.
    For example, the TEA [Taxed Enough Already] Party Movement was mute [e.g., Dick Armey].
    And sudden interest in a brokered convention by GOP-Insiders reflects angst that The Newt can?t be controlled.
    The Bob, understandably, greatly revels in watching this phenomenon unfold, as each GOP-group endorses The Newt.
    Essentially, ?All the King?s Horses? [multiple endorsements] and ??men? [$] can?t reassemble him.
    *
    On a personal level, The Bob enjoyed watching Perry?s announcement [SC] and speaking @ caucuses [IA].
    These mini-vacations [the former which also included MDS, the son of dr. bob] were educational/enlightening.
    Signatures on ?Fed Up!? were acquired from Mr./Mrs. Perry, plus his daughter and daughter-in-law.
    Perry was also provided a bottle of his favorite beer [Shiner] just after he announced his Texas-reassessment.
    {This was accomplished after an e-mail exchange from Shiner?s led to a distributor?who led to a sales-outlet.}
    We do not regret our in-kind contributions to a man who is worthy of deep respect; his poise was/is unique.
    *
    The Bob constantly focuses on the process, rather than becoming mesmerized solely by daily events.
    He ?walked the talk? regarding both public policy [jobs/jobs/jobs in Texas, low-regs, low-taxes]?
    ?and personal policy [noting the optional prayer-service that volunteers could attend daily].
    His alleged-foibles [Gardasil, instate tuitions, etc.] actually were acknowledged or reflect strengths.
    His strengths [Monroe Doctrine rediscovery, Federalism, etc.] must be forever remembered fondly.
    Perry was a role-model, a leader, an ethical force, a populist; Main St. opposed Wall St./K St. interests.
    *
    TO SUMMARIZE, The Bob enthusiastically supports The Newt, as a worthy successor to efforts for Perry.
    A ?mourning period? was completed within 24-hours [mostly due to shock], and optimism prevailed.
    All those who wanted quick-unity to endorse Mitt must now be confronted with their broad assertions.
    Fortunately, The Newt doesn?t resemble prior ?tired? nominees [e.g., Dole] and exudes smarts/energy.
    EE [and others] will still need to ?splain themselves regarding how they publicly/increasingly dissed Perry.
    Ego-driven behavior is understandable, but the ultimate plan is to fundamentally re-change America ASAP!

  • bluerose75

    Sorry to say but while Romney has organizational support that is not translating into votes! You cannot keep ignoring the fact that Romney does not inspire or charge anyone. He is the Establishment candidate. The other day that loon McCain was jesting how this campaign could well be over after SC. WRONG McCain!! AGAIN!! Why Romney allowed this loser to come out and endorse him is beyond me but oh well!! McCain is not a winner he is a behind the scenes GOP Insider. Lets be frank, the Establishment wants Romney and they have heped him left and right. And guess what for all that organizational prowess you mention is now behind in SC, in Gallup he dropped 10 points, in Florida where I live there is unease growing about him and that is with all that organizational prowess.

    Mitt’s problem is and will hang around him is that he is not a conservative. He cannot close the case and he governed as a left leaning moderate. You cannot disspell the fact that in Mass he was not a conservative in any way shape or form. Conservatives know this and are not fooled by his flip flopped 360. His money cannot change his record. If I could see anything in Mitt that was truly conservative I would look at him more seriously.

    Here is his problem when he debates and is LIVE and not in a commercial he is not appealling. He looks and talks so rehearsed. There is no passion. While some people say that he looks Presidential he does not inspire you to vote. McCain had the same problem. Only Palin’s presence on that ticket bought out some conservatives.

    Dropping out of debate is not a good sign sorry! His work at Bain was truly capitalist and I like that he used the greatest system to achieve his success. But when he governed he did not translate that to his state. He was a liberal. I do not believe his transformation. He distanced himself from Reagan in the 80s and for me that is enough to disqualify him as a conservative.

    Jeb Bush would be a great candidate!! He is still THE MOST POPULAR POLITICIAN IN THE STATE!! Think about that! …Florida is a must win for the GOP in 2012. Yes the Bush name is well known but Jeb’s popularity with Hispanics is higher than his brothers and he governed more conservatively than George. But I digress.

    Right now I will take Gingrich’s fire over Romney’s conceived image. Gingrich did things I do no like and I wish Cain was still in the race. Gingrich does have conservative credentials. Yes he has baggage but Newt is good under pressure and that will help him against Obama. Obama will not want to face Newt in debates. Newt is too fast on numbers and he can formulate and articulate ideas that ANYONE can understand. Like OWNING A JOB!! The FOOD STAMP PRESIDENT…those resonate!

  • maybenexttime

    Romney’s “coronation” isn’t going the way he thought it would, that’s for sure. The fact that Gingrich — a candidacy which was left for dead in the spring, and again when Santorum surged in Iowa — can overtake the Romney juggernaut in SC is telling.

    If Mitt hobbles through the rest of the primary calendar and secures the nomination, he could be damaged goods in the general election. There’s already some GOP remorse setting in before any real shots have been fired at Romney. Gingrich would be much better at repelling attacks and putting his ultimate opponent (Obama) on the defensive.

    In the end, the Republican establishment will have their way. They always do. That’s how McCain pulled off his nomination in 2008. Romney knows the establishment will bail him out in the primaries. I’m just not sure he’s going to be worth squat in the fall against Obama and his MSM Army.

  • maybenexttime

    If Romney skips the NBC debate in Florida, it’s a clear sign that he’s trying to run out the clock despite clinging to a narrow lead. Problem is, there’s still a ton of time on clock and Gingrich has the ball right now.

    Romney needs to go on the offensive and reclaim some momentum. He can’t do that if he’s playing defense for the next several months. This shows that Romney is a weak candidate afraid to engage in battle. Gingrich has some obvious weaknesses most political combatants (including Obama) would gladly exploit.

    The question is: why does Romney seem so afraid to fight for the nomination? Did he just think it was going to be handed to him on a silver platter? Would he apply that same sense of entitlement to a general election campaign?

  • Wiseman

    SC will be Newt’t high point in this election. It is down hill from here for his campaign. He is from the state next door, you would think he should beat a Mormon from Mass. The people who think Newt can beat Obama are not very smart. Have you seen his negative ratings! He will lose all minority group by huge margins and white women will move to the family man Obama in droves! Newt would win some southern states narrowly but get killed in the north, midwest and west. Landslide for Obama! Good news is he would not have to raise much money because he wouldn’t bother campaigning in 2/3 of the US! You Redstaters don’t realize that you and Eric are the fringe of the electorate! 130 million people voted for President last time. Have you ever seen American Idol? Likeability is important and my conservative wife describes Newt as “disgusting”!

  • Common_Cents

    McCain laid down, playing not to lose, not attacking. McCain gave up 20-30 yards at a whack to obama and the media.

    We tried that, it doesn’t work. But Romney is doing it right now.

    Gingrich has read and is using the other team’s playbook. Rules for Radicals. Their playbook is out there for any GOP to use, but nobody has the balls except Gingrich.

  • gipper823

    And therein lies the problem with politics today. People just parrot what they’ve heard or read from random people.

    Apparently, solid sourcing for an argument these days includes “I read some stuff on the internet.” or “I heard it on the radio.”

    Do some research and thinking on your own. It’s WAY too late for another candidate to get in. And you think that Romney or Gingrich are simply going to bow out after all the money and time and energy they put into a campaign? Your options are one of the four men on the debate stage. That’s it.

  • bluerose75

    Get a clue yourself! American Idol Obama is not! Last time he had no record….he looked young, vital, had lofty ideals and promised Hope and Change!! This time he will have to defend that record, he looks old, his Hope and Change is a joke and he is not the Annointed One!! This time he will have debate and defend facts…Newt is the best of those remaining to tie him to that record. People like you are not smart because you still think it is 2008. And guess what genius…white women that were single already supported Obama in droves…a Record makes a big difference…and people like you fail to understand in the end it is the ECONOMY stupid that matters most. People vote their wallets…there will always be those that vote for looks….but Obama had that race in 2008 with McCain he will not in 2012.

    Newt can articulate ideas and guess what conservative women like that….the ones you worry about would not vote for the GOP candidate even if it was Mother Theresa!

  • Common_Cents

    Paul? not
    Santorum? not.

    That leaves Gingrich.

  • nocontest

    Romney isn’t a conservative he’s an impostor who has no real sense of what he believes in and yet he has competed very well with plenty of support and mediocre competitors.

    He comes off as a phoney in the debates who will say whatever it takes to win.

  • aggou

    I’m sorry but that was just dumb. n/t

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    and would only be the best choice between if the other choices were Ron Paul and/or Barack Obama.

  • btpull

    All Obama and the left will need to do is keep pushing his buttons causing Newt to come across as being angry and frustrated.

  • Common_Cents

    That hasn’t worked out too well I’d say. America is ready to try something new.

  • Common_Cents

    America is on Gingrich’s side, or will be. There is pent up frustration w/ the left wing biased media and the lying Democrats.

    All it takes is one man with conviction to get the ball rolling. There will be tremendous backlash against the left.

    I guarantee we’ll see a temper tantrum from Obama on camera against gingrich. Obama has no clothes, he is the whimpy wizard in the booth. Someone just needs to call him out.

    Romney will duck and be on defense and look guilty, just like he is doing now.

  • Xasteius

    We need a political Sam Adams to shred the blight that is the Obama administration.

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    Newt has character of a President … (ahem) Clinton … it’s not impossible to be divorced (Reagan) or have affairs in your life (Eisenhower, JFK, FDR, Cleveland, Clinton) and be President.

    … and his temperment is fine for an ambitious person.

    These are flaws, but not barriers.

    They are flaws that hurt his electability, make him a target for bias and will be called hypocrite etc., but he’s now a Grand-dad and what’s being dredged up is his personal history from many year ago. It wont impact his governing.

    I would say this much: There’s a reason newt was in single digits early on but he came back: because we need an articulate *conservative* who can take on Obama. All the other conservatives havent measured up in one way or another, and Romney …

    Romney is flailing right now because of his glass jaw on taxes and his venture capital career. Romney needs to (a) ARTICULATE and be conservative and (b) fight back against Obama and defend himself.

    He does that and the nomination is his. What this means is that the nomination is still his to lose. Even if he loses SC, he has the upper hand.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/288798/re-re-make-your-mind-newt-mark-steyn

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    He has been running for 5 years for President.

    Jeez, what a fantasyland scenario!

    “if Romney bails on the debate I think it?ll be a strong signal he?s planning in dropping out.”

    No, it’s a strong signal that after something like 85 debates, he’s getting tired of them. He’d stop doing them if he can get away with it. (Newt will win SC and he WONT get away with dropping it.)

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    but none of that cures Newt’s fatal flaws. He was not the good guy when he was ousted as Speaker. He loved up to Bill Clinton!

  • Common_Cents

    He disagrees with the media bias but doesn’t hate the person. He is in control of selective smack downs. Just because someone shows aggressiveness or anger, doesn’t mean they are out of control.

    Brilliant.

    An unstable person would hate the person and hang on to resentment.

    Geez Mike, do you want angry Newt or not?
    Would you rather have Gingrich punch King?
    Which is it?

    This is about a larger issue of finally taking on the media.

    Did you bitch at Santelli for his outrage that may have sparked the tea party?

    Let’s get real here.

  • elayman

    I just don’t see Newt as having the discipline or character to channel whatever support he garners throwing leftwing bombs into a positive agenda for the American people. How is he going to deflect the backlash against his attack onto a reasonably popular Obama ? Gingrich is a one-trick pony, a hypocritical bully at heart, someone who enjoys picking on a president that the majority of Americans still personally like but isn’t able to capitalize on that standing to get anything productive accomplished.

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    Fighting populist who had lost previous congressional elections badly vs northeast Republican squish.

    That didnt end well for Republicans.

    Yikes … so if Obama is re-elected we will have war in Korean peninsula in 2 years?!?

    Ponder THAT.

  • trevorb

    is why we need someone who will take the offensive. Romney is too cautious, just as McCain was, and we saw how that played. Our country cannot afford that; think of what Obama will do in a second term.

    Gingrich, while he has many flaws, is one who can hold our opponents by the nose and kick them in the… well, you get the idea.

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    This is the same thinking that Perry likely had. “Governor of a large state, conservative, giddy-up!”

    Here’s the problem: No he has NOT been vetted, not in the ‘under the microscope’ way candidates have. If he cheated on a freshman exam in the 1970s or even shook the hand of a Klansman accidently, we’ll find out.

    Was he ever on stage with Obama like Crist? I think he was.
    He fails the tough on immigration test. etc.
    oh, and how would the Bush brand fare in general election?

    If Jeb Bush wanted it, should have entered 6 months back.

  • jakeofalltrades

    We’ll see what happens as the election draws near.

  • trevorb

    I’m looking forward to how people will react when gas prices go up during the summer and them realizing who killed the pipeline.

  • carolynr

    nt

  • Common_Cents

    Romney will lay down like McCain did. Romney will not go after obama’s sacred cows, like Gingrich will.

    There will be more support for obama in public, but in the privacy of the voting booth, more people will pull the lever for Gingrich. Newt is tapping the frustration of America. Conservatives and independents, I think he’ll even wake up a few moderate dems.

    romney is establishment. We’ve tried that. It’s just not going to work well.

    Romney has a glass jaw and is indecisive. Romney could come up w/ a cure for cancer and look guilty doing it.

  • carolynr

    Do you think that Obama is trying to paint the picture through his surrogates that the Republicans are in disarray? Hey…if you don’t think The Hill and the WaPo are not in the tank for Obama…please visit the paper…they are…WITHOUT A DOUBT.

  • txpat

    you would love to see the media, fox news, Ann Coulter, and the elite GOP factions have to eat crow due to the Romney lovefest that they have displayed.
    I hope Newt cleans Mittens clock today in SC

  • lineholder

    http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/19/exclusive-100-tea-party-leaders-to-announce-support-for-newt/

  • carolynr

    As I have said previously, OWS was a perfect set up for Romney. Obama has been dividing the nation along many lines, one being rich vs poor. So, Romney is hesitant about releasing his tax returns…then add to that his off shore accounts and people who are out of work…don’t look too kindly on WILLARD…not because he is Rich but because of the perception that he is a tax cheat and the public is paying for his lifestyle….that’s at the core of this thing. BUT….there is a bigger mess coming onto the horizon. One of our diaries has it. This concerns Romney’s involvement with the Damon Corporation, their conviction of one of the largest Medicare Frauds in history and fines to the tune of $119 Million. How about those apples?

    Do you think the people of FL are happy to hear about that one when they just got cut a half trillion on Medicare. No…No. Not only that…according to the diary on this website, Romney AGAIN claimed he was unaware of it…then he was on the board when this was going on…blah…blah. It turns out…he was… and his job was to help with the management of this company (ie Bain Capital AGAIN) and all of this was not cleared up until Corning bought the Damon Corporation.

    So….WILLARD’S people…how do you think this is going to play? BTW…the Justice Department has all the records.

  • carolynr

    The one thing that Gingrich has going for him is America’s hatred of Obama. For the Indies and true Dems…they feel betrayed. For the Republicans and Conservatives (notice I split the two)…they want him OUT OF OFFICE AT ANY COST, NO MATTER WHAT.

    No matter what the polls say…and they are run by people skewing questions…the MAJORITY OF AMERICA SAYS WE ARE ON THE WRONG TRACK. Bambi can blame Congress all he wants…but he denied the Keystone XL Pipeline…he’s the one that propelled Obamacare, he’s responsible for the stimulus that failed. All of the Crony Capitalism has been exposed and America is not stupid…Can you say Solyndra, among many, How about his gun running escapades in Mexico. The Fed is pumping money into the NYSE to give a false feeling of hope. Secret money going overseas to the tune of $7.7 TRILLION. If the jobs numbers improved…they are because of ND AND TX…oh and maybe all those Federal employees WE ARE PAYING FOR.
    The rest of America is still hurting.

    It’s this simple…AMERICA HATES OBAMA…excepting the people he bought and paid for. Will the union people go into the voting booth and vote for Obama….with XL…maybe not.

    Obama has one ally…and Republicans had better figure out a way to get this resolved…LATINOS. Yes…I am now a minority…and that is the swing vote. FYI…I believe in LEGAL IMMIGRATION.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    His angry act at King was out of proportion.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    The Obama economy is THE issue.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    ntea

  • carolynr

    gift to his church…or a tax deduction for his benefit. After all…the economy is his wheelhouse.

  • jfree

    pieces, seems to be Newt.org:

    http://www.newt.org/news/100-tea-party-leaders-come-together-support-newt-gingrich-president

    I haven’t seen those endorsements in print yet but that is not meant to imply that they won’t happen.

  • carolynr

    caused some of this. As we all suspected, his son Griffin confirmed that Governor Perry was in a lot of pain during the early debates.

    My insurance man had to have this done three times for it to take. The first two times…he was flat on his back for half the day…and the guy was not a wimp. He is coming along better…but that explains the debates…along with the fact that Perry could not believe that Romney would bring up the Illegals because his his hiring of them…go read the Perry Report.

  • Menlo

    I would argue there is no chance any Republican nominee could beat Obama right now. It doesn’t mean he is popular or that people are crazy about him, but they will vote for him over any of the current group of nominees.

  • redcal

    Gingrich is salivating at this most recent flip-flop; as I said before, Romney looks terrible playing coy on the debates early and then finally committing, because it grabs a news cycle where he is (once again) on the defense. One more unforced error.

    If they were leading in the SC polls, they would have had the balls to skip one of the debates, but with Gingrich poised for a likely victory, they have no choice.

    ——
    http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/01/romney-commits-to-nbc-florida-debate-111720.html

    ”
    Mitt Romney has announced that he will be attending the NBC debate on Monday night in Tampa Bay, Florida.

    “Yeah, yeah, I’ll be doing the debate on Monday,” he said Saturday morning. “Yeah, I’m in.”

    Until now, the Romney campaign had been coy about the candidate’s intentions.

    UPDATE: Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom confirms that Romney will be attending next Thursday’s CNN debate as well.
    “

  • aggou

    The VP is the attack dog. Not the Presidential candidate. You need to learn something about strategy.

  • aggou

    I’m focused on who’s left.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    the prohibitive favorite unless we nominate a man whose character and past history are made the issue. Newt and Ron Paul are the ones best positioned to be such distractions. Mitt and Santorum have been men of character and integrity.

  • lineholder

    where the primary today is concerned. If Newt win decisively in SC, then I suspect that endorsement to solidify relatively quickly.

    Apparently, Romney is struggling rather badly in the upstate area, which is where I grew up. This is one of THE most conservative areas of the state. You don’t have to take my word for it. This article describes what he’s up against.

    http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/af6c4774-437f-11e1-8489-00144feab49a.html#axzz1k725nta0www.ft.com/cms/s/0/af6c4774-437f-11e1-8489-00144feab49a.html#axzz1k725nta0

  • lizzie

    Romney’s myth is solely based on spending five years building a myth of “inevitability” and name recognition, which is the main reason Romney is perceived as so “electable”.

    Gingrich apparently does have a problem with women voters, but the Dems only win because of women voters. I still think that only Perry and Gingrich had the true electability in all 49 states (Vermont will go for Obama no matter what) because they truly represent “opposed, NOT affiliated” with the incumbent, whose policies are NOT resilient, e.g. Obamacare, strangling energy production, etc.

    Black Americans have the highest unemployment rate. Obama is not very popular even with liberal Democrats. His fundraising is desperate – he will NOT have one billion$, maybe half. He has to rebuild a new ground troop organziation because he no longer has any base with enthusiasm.

    Obama is negative-coattails. Only Bill Clinton can show his face in New York with another candidate.

    Perry said “tactical retreat”. to stop Romney, and then deal with Paul.
    Dunkirk was a tactical retreat, but it did require the voice of baggage-laden Churchill to give the Brits enough confidence they could win.

    Just want zero-coattails, no enthusiasm “Romney is so electable” myth to die in South Carolina.

    Romney thinks just like Obama – micro-target to get to 50% + 1.

    still think this is leg 2 of a 40K biathlon relay, and Romney can not sprint or shoot straight.

    oh, and Santorum would hand Obama a landslide because the DNC is already planning on using Senate contests with a lot of women to make this election about “protecting women’s reproductive rights”.

    just wish Callista would get a more casual hairstyle – that blonde bomber helmet is not helpful to her image with women voters.

    Gingrich has a powerful voice, and everyone old enough mostly remembers this tenure for jobs, jobs, jobs, and a few budget surpluses. Everyone seems to have forgiven Bill Clinton for his hound dog days, and 2012 is NOT a typical ‘campaign only in the swing states’ election.

    memo to GOP – even us disillusioned fiscal conservative democrats and the many of us who are now officially ndependent, DO NOT WANT ROMNEY – for all the reasons he fails to generate enthusiasm with conservatives.

    please stop thinking in terms of identity politics – that is what the Democratic Party liberal rump depends on.

    and I would prefer an election about ideas and the fiscal bomb, NOT name-calling “Racist” “Mormon bigot”

    Much rather deal with Newt’s baggage if Perry does not UN-suspend his campaign.

  • jakeofalltrades

    You don’t get re-elected with that.

  • carolynr

    Face it…Newt has tapped into our anger. When he beats up on the press…we feel vindicated. Finally someone is speaking for us. We call Congress…we get lip service. We write on the blogs and are drown out by Nasty Rude Libs or Paulbots. Finally, someone is speaking for us…and that is why people are not paying any attention to the Mad Newt…marital foibles and all.

    I was reading through some of the diaries on this site. Do you know that Bain Capital owns stations that Rush (who I believe does not espouse Romney but will vote for him), Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Glenn Beck. Did you know that. When I read this to hubby.. “oh…now I understand”. Did he feel “had”. Yes. Next diary or thread in diary…it seems that Romney was on the board of a company named The Damon Corporation. They, according the diary, were perpetrators of one the the biggest Medicare frauds in its history. Not only that,Obama’s Justice Dept. has all the records. Add that to the fact that while I do not hate rich people…I believe in capitalism…Romney is stalling on his tax returns. Then a story is leaked that he has money over in the Caymans. Why? Is he hiding something?

    While Obama might be painting this picture of Romney through his media buddies…he is not responsible for the actions of Bain, Romney, his tax status, etc. Romney owns that and it looks like he is a crook..by Romney’s choice of actions. Like all of them said…better we know now than in October. Thank you Governor Perry for calling for his tax returns.

    So…when FL hears about the Medicare fraud…they will not be happy…why…because Obama took a half trillion out of Medicare…and according to this diary…Romney’s management advice (which, btw, he denied) furthers their distrust.

    What say you?

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    the failure of his opponent in the White House and the flaws of Newt.

  • tjms

    http://blog.chron.com/rickperry/2012/01/remember-when-rick-perrys-big-problem-was-his-social-security-rhetoric-these-people-do/
    And we all know who started the rumors: media/mitt romney and his lying flyers

  • lineholder

    ,

  • elayman

    Obama wouldn’t have a prayer. Newt-Jon is the most realistically unbeatable combination I can imagine.

  • acat

    I don’t see Willard’s career in Massachusetts as particularly effective in achieving *conservative* goals.

    I don’t see much in the Olympic rescue, nor in building or rescuing Bain that points to “conservative”.

    In short, you appear to be backing Bush 2.0′s second term.

    Mew

  • Menlo

    Those same polls show Obama beating all Republicans, all of whom are viewed much more abysmally. Regardless, history cannot and does not repeat in elections. I am frighteningly confident that Obama would win by even bigger electoral margins than in 2008 today.

  • acat

    Meant Bush 1.0′s second term, of course.

    Bush 2.0 was an improvement. (I’ll take Robers over Souter any day)

    Mew

  • conservativeparrothead

    If there is a brokered convention and they pull someone off the “bench”, they darn well better be able to secure the nomination and win, or the “establishment” will not recover. Here are some thoughts:

    1. A Party which is centering on a theme of returning power to the people and a strong voice of the Tea Party Movement are going to ignore millions of voters and choose someone who voters havent been able to support or reject? Rick Perry is a tremendous candidate on paper, has arguably the best resume of any candidate in the field to be President, yet was rejected overwhelmingly by the voters. How do we know their “chosen one” wont be the same?

    2. If its a late entry by Jeb, and it was a coordinated effort, wouldnt it have been in time for Florida? Its his home state. I realize Florida going early this year, its not winner take all, but still. How many states can he still get on the ballot? Is he someone who can truly unite the party? Im not a Florida resident and havent studied his policies all that well in FLA, but I seem to recall: Very moderate immigration policy similar to what his brother wanted, limited Oil exploration off Florida coast (tough to sell Drill baby Drill when you wont take the step yourself) and seemingly some Compasionate Conservatism policies from his time as Governor.

    3. How about the others on the bench?
    A. Chris Christie – supported Mitt Romney, is more moderate than many primary voters are probably comfortable with.

    B. Haley Barbour – Pardons and Lobbying – news of late doesnt exactly push for a Barbour run at the White House that is going to drive the party.

    Then…there is the one candidate to me who does make sense, Mitch Daniels. The fact that he is giving the rebuttal to the SOTU coming up, perhaps is an indicator that perhaps he is the chosen one? I think the fact he made the comments about “social issues truce” actually becomes much less of a factor now that we are past Iowa and to some extent South Carolina.

    I know he didnt want to put his family through this campaign, look at what is going on with Newt right now. Daniels was faithful, but his wife was not, she left him to go to California with another man, she returned sometime later and they are reunited, but still are we going to see 20/20 interviews with “the other man”? Is that something he wants to put his family, especially his wife through?

    Paul Ryan – not yet his time, I love the guy and would of been one of my top choices if he decided to run, but I just dont see him being the “chosen one”.

    Retreads from 2008? Huckabee or Guliani? Nope.

    So what are your thoughts?

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    2 million jobs will be created between now and the election, even if they have to invent the BLS numbers out of thin air. Meagre sub-standard progress will be touted as awesomeness. There’s nothing that the liberal MSM wont do for our affirmative action union shop food stamp President.

    We will need a FIGHTER who can cut through the fog of liberal MSM meme-warfare.

    A Dewey/Romney cant do it with kidgloves. Even that blueblood GHWBush at least had his Lee Atwater. Newt’s willing and able to challenge MSM memes. Can romney to fullbore and debunk Obama’s class warfare rhetoric? That’d be hard.

  • fightnright

    But as I pointed out in the last ‘horserace’ thread, debate competence is only one facet of many required to maintain success through a long grueling campaign, and win a general election scientifically polling around 50/50 leaning Dem/Repub. A candidate must also leave the debating stage to complete a successful presidency, which requires long term psychological equilibrium to actually control the current profile (not a decades old paradigm) of people and institutions in DC to be able to wrestle legislation even in the *direction* conservatives want it to go. Given the current state of the courts, academies, bureaucracies, regulatory systems and burgeoning dependent populations, that’s a far more difficult proposition than it was when Newt was last in office, and Newt was headstrong and skittish a lot of the time then. The political/social environment – not just the micro-cosmos of the debating stage – is radically more hostile and complex today

    I have a second concern about the profile of our own party. It will be virtually impossible to present conservatism as the natural home of those who are pro-family, pro-marriage and religious values with Newt as our chosen leader. I think trying to do so will indeed make us a laughingstock of the mainstream and secular Dem factions. I don’t believe the time lapse or Newt’s repentance and asking forgiveness will obliterate that dynamic – Evangelical leaders and Catholic priests with transgressions have been booted from authority no matter how old the sexual episodes, an outcome with which most followers concur. If we could articulate a rationalization against what are valid charges of hypocrisy, I would feel better about Newt.

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    since 2007, and yet the slimy DNC head Wasserman whatever is out there saying he destroyed jobs, bankrupted companies and shipped jobs overseas. Liar.

    How on earth can that be? How can he let a good career be so maligned?

    “Romney could come up w/ a cure for cancer and look guilty doing it.”

    yup.

    liberals do lies. but when the media lies with their phony story (started by mother jones) about Newt serving divorce papers on her deathbed (didnt happen, she is still alive over 30 years later), Newt punches back.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    Bush didn’t balance the budget in either of his terms.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    Newt is a fighter. He is many things. He is not the best nominee among the choices that remain, imho.

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    The Gingrich- Huntsman ticket and you’d get Olympia Newton John.

    :-)

  • carolynr

    wake up to the fact that you are being fed false information and you a buying into a lot of it without investigation. People on the Board like Perry and his policies.

    As for me…this was the only chance back to the America I knew. Why…because I saw it…I didn’t read it…I saw it. So…you stay focused on what is left…But there was a reason to “KNOW” because it did matter. The policies and the proof were exactly what we needed to have to bring this country back. That is why it matters…so you don’t do the same stupid thing that we did with McCain and with Dole!!!

  • renl57

    carolynr: “Face it?Newt has tapped into our anger. When he beats up on the press?we feel vindicated. Finally someone is speaking for us….
    “What say you?”

    I say that to get elected, a Presidential candidate has to speak for a majority of the voters, not just for you.

    And according to the polls, the voters aren’t angry at the press the way you are. They aren’t even that angry at Obama. They believe his policies aren’t working well, not that he’s a bad person out to wreck the country.

    I say that the type of red meat that turns on the party faithful like you, is going to scare away Independent voters (who are now a plurality of the voters). They became Independent to get away from both parties, remember?

    And I say that choosing Newt represents the same poor judgment and failure to look ahead, that also chose Sharron Angle and Christine O’Donnell–with disastrous results. Newt had terrible approval rating numbers, the last time I checked.

  • annie54

    is Huntsman. Where do they eventually end up? With Romney. Beck is supporting Santorum and talking extremely negatively against Gingrich. When Santorum goes, Beck will be with his Morman Brother. It’s all in the Plan.

  • conservnca

    Also on The Perry Report is a piece by Jack Wheeler on the VanderPlatts-Santorum endorsement. Heard a lot about this at the time.

  • goodgovernance

    He’d have been far better off having them come out months ago, when no one was really paying attention.

    Back in December he wasn’t planning on releasing his tax records at all. I think he really thought he could get away with that response. And you know what? If he just said, “I’m not releasing them” firmly throughout his campaign, maybe he could have.

    Instead we saw his usual whiffle-waffle behavior. “Well, maybe I will. That is, perhaps… don’t want to release too many at once…” Come on, Willard. We, the electorate, aren’t buying it.

  • carolynr

    “I say that to get elected, a Presidential candidate has to speak for a majority of the voters, not just for you.”

    Really…so is that why the MAJORITY of people in the USA think we are headed down the WRONG PATH.
    ***************
    “And according to the polls, the voters aren?t angry at the press the way you are. They aren?t even that angry at Obama. They believe his policies aren?t working well, not that he?s a bad person out to wreck the country.”

    Really…is that why Newt Got a STANDING OVATION from the audience. Were they all “red meat” people like me. A good number of people on this board did not like the blackout of Perry and those sentiments are iterated on some of the blogs…and not just right wing either. The press is a tool for the Progressives.

    The people don’t believe he is a bad person. Again…Really..are you into some of Paul’s Pot? The man has been mentored by communists…go check it out. Father…communist, step father..socialist…mommy’s lover, Frank Marshall Davis..Communist. Appointed Czars..Communists/Marxists and at best socialist. So…are the majority of people in America pro-communist? Yes or No Answer to our Progressive Friend, Ren. What is it…Y or N.
    Do Americans like liars and cheats…because that is what Obama is. Why was the TPM started…it was because of the policies of Obama. All those people are off the rails…right. What about Santelli..he off the rails. What about his appointments..Geithner. Are you aware that Obama minions tapped into the Federal Pension fund to help out with the debt. Ponzi Pension Fund. How about we need to be energy independent so we give Brazil (Congress did not vote this in) $ 2 BILLION and we’re in a recession. How about the nix on the Keystone Pipeline. No…he’d rather give OUR MONEY to entities like Solyndra, where his donors have invested, and then let them go broke after the doner cleans out the money. Solar energy and windmills. They are not job creators…they are one time deals…and the fool has not discovered how to retain the energy in a battery form YET. How about Government Motors and the violation of contract law in favor of the unions? Oh…btw…his prize..the Chevy Volt seems to catch on fire…how do you think that is going. How about the $7.7 trillion that went out of our Treasury to foreign nations while we are in recession. How about him abandoning the States on the border, suing them and letting the drug cartels come over. Oh…and let us not forget his gun running operation, run by the Justice Department.

    I could keep on going…but all of this makes the American People Happy and they like him? The man has done more harm to divide this country along gender lines, financial lines, racial lines than any other president…including Woodrow Wilson. You keep on smokin what you are smokin…meanwhile…I’ll stay with the facts and I don’t think Americans are masochists!

  • annie54

    there’s no doubt in anyones’ minds how Gingrich could turn it around to Obama’s baggage that is so conveniently locked up. He would probably get some more Standing O’s because this has been a thorn in all of our sides since 2007.

    Do ya’ think that Obama realizes that?

  • Wiseman

    With the economy slightly ticking up, the media will make it seem like the Reagan recovery. Obama is still liked as a person and Newt will be treated as the devil, which he plays pretty well! Go back and read some off the articles when he got thrown out as leader. To give you a comparison it would be the equivalent to Pelosi as the Democratic candidate now! Sorry but Newt would be a disaster in the general election! I wish Romney would drop out and run as an Independent! Let the crazies on both side nominate their candidates.

  • annie54

    “played the game” as a very low-key First Lady, we might be able to accept her. She’s certainly no Anita Perry, who would have made an outstanding First Lady. That would be asking Callista to turn around her total first nature. She’s been working toward this position for years, apparently, at all cost.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    Romney or Obama?

  • avagreen

    There are no perfect candidates. Some less perfect than others.

    The MSM and hateful liberal rhetoric which the lazy did not take time to research has robbed us of the one man that could have beaten Obama.

    Newt is the next best in line. Certainly better than (gag!) Glassjaw-scandal-ridden Romney, and Sanitorium.

    Newt’s the last Boy Scout Standing. He has my vote!

  • redcal

    I don’t believe I said anything especially flattering about Romney. Of course he’s a liberal imposter, an untalented robotic campaigner. Yet, mostly on the strength of his organization, he is winning votes – more so far (in IA+NH) than anyone else. I’m glad to hear that FL is starting to wake up to the issues with Romney.

  • submariner45

    You do realize Newt means Obama wins a 2nd term?

    Newt is losing in TEXAS to Barack Obama, and don’t tell me it’s because of name ID, that’s like saying American voters don’t know who Hillary Clinton is.

    But the debates are everything, right? Ask President Gore and President Kerry who soundly beat Bush in the debates how important they are. Funny how insignificant debate performances were when Perry was being pushed around here.

    Newt means Pelosi gets her job back as Speaker, Reid stays Majority leader, and Obama gets a 10 point landslide,

    But the Jerry Springer-style debates will be real fun to hoot and holler at.

    We are the Stupid Party, and we don’t deserve to lead this country if we choose a repugnant man like Newt Gingrich to be the face of our Party,

  • acat

    is right up there with balancing the budget on the backs of the taxpayers – many of whom have fled the State – in being pyrrhic “positives”. That is, they will not play well in the primary.

    Mew

  • aggou

    I liked Perry, until he fell apart in the debates. It’s sad that he had back pain and that hurt his chances, but why reminisce on the past? That’s my point.

    Read carefully what people say, please.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    …and I don’t have to care: you have a gutter mouth and I am happily not actually required to tolerate it.

    Moe Lane

  • ctredstater

    I had an exchange with my Romney Republican New Jersey brother about this yesterday. I was a hard core Perry supporter, still grieving.

    My “take” on the state and the direction of the country is that we need a LOT of change – not someone who will tinker around the edges. When Ron Paul starts talking about cutting $1 trillion and closing departments, he is talking my language.

    I believe that a Romney Presidency would be a repeat of the Bush 41 Presidency – and the country cannot afford a failed presidency, and REALLY can’t afford a failed Republican presidency.

    Newt is the one in the race with the best chance to not only win the Presidency, but lead a conservative down ballot victory. My hope and prayer is that he steps up to this historic moment and becomes a better man, a more able executive.

    When Garfield died early in office, Arthur was regarded as a total hack nobody. But he kind of grew up and was a much better president than could have been predicted.

    Gingrich will have a conservative VP, a strengthened Congress, and a mandate the fix the Obama mess. Romney would be driven too much by what the editorial writers of the Boston Globe, Washington Post and NY Times have to say about them. Not a close call for me. Warts and all, Newt’s the man.

  • ctredstater

    Will love watching “neutral” Karl Rove watch his boy melt down.

    Such a disappointing 2011-2012 development. Fox going from the voice of Tea Party America to the voice of Beltway Republicanism.

  • ctredstater

    this electability stuff is a joke. How did Bill Clinton’s “electability” look when Bush 41 was at 92% approval ratings after the first Gulf War.

    How did “electability” work out for Hillary? for John Kerry?

    Reagan was twelve points down to Carter at this point in 1980. Sitting Presidents have a huge built-in “electability” edge because people see them as the one who holds the job.

    Electability is only determined in the first Tuesday in November. Electability is another scheme by the Beltway Republicans to get their man in so they can continue to feed at the high end consulting trough.

  • porkandcheese

    The want things to stay exactly the same, and they want their seats at the table of power. Romney will keep things exactly the same as Obama. But if he loses like McCain, his speaking fees will still go up as the former nominee. He will blame his loss on anti-Mormon bigotry. But he figures he has a decent shot being the white Obama and reminding America this is too scary a time to trust to a black man who is in over his head.

  • porkandcheese

    A small ABO faction of the electorate does. America does however remember that Newt shut down the government, and Obama plans on running against a “do-nothing Congress” that places partisanship over people.

  • porkandcheese

    He anticipated SC would be tough, but he got cocky for a while with the tea people jumping at every nutjob that comes down the pipeline. Romney will likely be the nominee now with no establishment challengers.

  • porkandcheese

    There went your argument.

  • porkandcheese

    In 1980, after losing to Ford in 1976, Reagan was the establishment candidate. Right now the party is a mess, because Bush left it that way. No VP, etc. So they went all the way back to the 2000 runner up McCain. EE guaranteed it will be Romney by chasing Perry and Huntsman out of the race. Gingrich will be his old self and implode.

  • porkandcheese

    Key words were Newt. Wives. Marianne. Calista. Open Marriage.

    That is all. He will still win, but only because no one wants Romney. It has been framed *by conservatives like EE* as a false choice. While it was pointed out that the endgame is delegates, it was also said that Romney would be inevitable if he places first in SC. This is the year SC quit picking winners by casting a protest vote instead. Romney will win, because he has no other competition now.

  • porkandcheese

    NT

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbt30UnzRWw

  • porkandcheese

    After he squandered the most influential endorsement in NH and placed behind Santorum there.

  • maybenexttime

    Gingrich will have a nice surge going into Florida, but you’re right — he will eventually pay a price for not making the ballot in some of those later contests. This is why Romney still has the best odds of going the distance.

    Granted, those odds are diminished with a big Gingrich win in SC. However, having a solid organization (which Newt does not) could be the difference in this bloody primary fight.

  • maybenexttime

    The tax issue is really indicative of how poorly planned Romney’s presidential bid was from its inception. His campaign staff KNEW this would be an issue; if not in the primary then certainly in the general election.

    They should’ve had this stuff ready to go. It sounds like they’re hastily throwing things together as if this was an unplanned deviation. Amazingly incompetent.

    If Romney is the nominee, Obama’s organization will probably crush Mitt’s on procedural issues such as these. I’m not buying this “electability” argument based on his recent mis-steps.

  • Xasteius

    no text

  • Melody Warbington (rwm52)

    rather family values, marriage, etc. Just because someone fails doesn’t change the value of the standard. Romney can’t figure out which standard he believes in.

  • porkandcheese

    It doesn’t sound like Newt supports traditional family values.