It apparently worked.  The establishment GOPers, without much pretense have pulled it off.  With the help of the media, they’ve all but nominated Romney.  Hard to believe that with  the upcoming primary states that Newt is going to pull it out.  By God, they went after him, and they got him.

So it’s Mitt.  Do we pray that he isn’t what he is?  Maybe he’ll experience a heavenly-inspired epiphany.  Or he’ll start actually believing the superficial mantra he throws out ever now and then…not very good lines written by a not particularly clever bunch of speechwriters.  Or, based on some theories, he’ll be under so much pressure by the conservatives he’ll have to actually have to morph into a conservative of some sort.

But, it doesn’t really matter.  Conservatives will vote for him in the general election; hopefully most will.  With tongues bleeding from incessant biting, we’ll trudge to the polls and hope that despite everything Romney has done and said that he, in fact, ain’t what he is.  That’s after the Obama machine and media eviscerate him on TV and in the debates.  Somebody please help me:  in the debates, Obama simply asks about Romneycare.  What the hell does he say?

If, by some ever-decreasing chance, Romney wins, what are we in store for?  I think I know, but pray I’m wrong:  a mealy mouthed caretaker until the roof falls in…for which he and conservatives, not Republicans, will be blamed.  Ain’t that an irony?  A democrat takeover of the House in 2014…and the Senate…who cares?  Doesn’t much matter which gaggle of sanctimonious, haughty ‘statesmen’ reside there.

Looks like we have a choice between Obama and a candidate that will insure democrat control for many years; likely forever as the country’s demographics change.

I’m 64 years old.  Until relatively recently it was a great time to be an American.  I am seeing things I never thought I would.  Really glad I’m not 30.

Divine intervention seems to be the only option.  Never thought I would have to pray for our country…kneeling and fervently asking for help to protect us from ourselves.

Admittedly, I may not have the strategic perspective of many… probably too focused on the ‘now’ with the accompanying emotional reactions.  However, the last few days of seemingly coordinated attacks on Newt leave me frustrated and depressed on many levels.

Never, in my memory and I’m 64, can I ever recall this sort of intra-party venom heaped on a fellow member, particularly one running for president.  Seems to me there can only be two explanations.

First, Newt is the most awful human being and Republican politician since Satan himself (yes, Satan was and is a pretty powerful political force; but, Satan is not necessary a Republican.)  Newt is a bomb-thrower for sure; erratic, at best; a SOB, who isn’t a times; and, intellectually incoherent at the most inopportune times…no doubt.  But can anyone argue that his conservative accomplishments are second only to what Reagan managed in the 1980s?  Newt’s means may be criticized, but not even the most hopelessly uniformed nitwit can reasonably argue that he didn’t deliver results.

Now, the other option which gains more and more credibility with me by the hour:  The ruling class of the Republican party is, indeed, more concerned about retaining their power and control than the welfare of the country.  The timing of the ruling class Republicans’ vicious accusations reeks of a carefully orchestrated, coordinated effort to insure their guy (Romney) wins in Florida, and beyond.  A half dozen or more of these ‘leaders’ of the party simultaneously undergoing a fit of self righteousness defies the laws of probability.  Remarkably, within a span of 48 hours, they, all of a sudden, can’t control their decades old heartfelt concerns about the dishonest, dishonorable and disloyal Newt.  They actually believe I’m as stupid as the the democrats do.

I’m certainly not knowing of how this whole sordid mess will play out, but my instincts are yelling at full volume. They tell me Obama will be reelected.  Prior to the last few days I thought that a possibility, but attributable to an increasingly ignorant and selfish electorate.  Today, if it happens, I’m convinced our Grand Old Party’s elitists must take the responsibility for the end of our country as we (at my age) grew up knowing it.

Damn shame.

Good ‘ol Joe’s no-comments today regarding Gingrich:

The analysis has begun and the emerging conventional explanation of Newt’sSouth Carolinavictory seems to be coalescing around one of two themes: 1) Romney’s debate incompetence; 2) Newt’s answers to two specific questions in the South Carolina debates.

Though I generally agree with the two theories, I believe they are simply symbolic of issues a whole lot deeper.  I’ll use the chronology of my thoughts/emotions, not assuming I’m representative of all, but certainly of some.

The entire primary season and the months leading up to it have been analyzed to the point of absurdity.  For me, as theIowacaucuses approached, there was sense of resignation.  Romney’s money and backing by the establishment led to a feeling of his inevitable nomination, exactly what his campaign wanted.

However, the muddled outcome in Iowa proved nothing, even weeks later when they finally figured out who won.

Then, Romney’s preordained victory inNew Hampshire.  Everything’s on schedule.

South Carolina approaches with Romney holding a double-digit lead; ho hum.  I’m resolved to take on the ABO (anybody but Obama) mindset and hope for the best.

Then, the South Carolina debates.

Romney’s performances really grabbed my attention, not the fumbling on any particular issue, but a glaring flash of the obvious: this guy is remarkably inarticulate.  His lines are scripted.  And, not only is he unable to express a conservative vision (likely because he hasn’t one) but his explanations and answers to the most simple issues and questions are awkward, stilted and seemingly delivered with little if any forethought.

Then Newt does his thing, first with Juan Williams’ question, then CNN’s leadoff bumble, and I’m out of my chair cheering.  What the…?

All of a sudden, the ‘Newt issues’ don’t matter any more.  Nationwide unpopularity.  Foolish attack on venture capital and private equity.  Ex-wives.  With Pelosi on the sofa.  Etc., etc., etc.

I sit back down to try to understand and figure out my unbridled enthusiasm.

Yes, observing a conservative grabbing the mainstream media’s throat and squeezing tightly is more than satisfying.  That’s fun to watch, but that wasn’t it.

Then I figured it out.  Though it’s become a cliché, the country is really facing a terribly consequential turning point.  The progressives have been on the offense for years; the Republicans acquiescing, often jumping on the big government bandwagon themselves.  And, the contemplation of four more years of Obama creates actual fear.

So, an articulate, slightly erratic, sometimes mean-spirited, emotional, bright SOB is much preferable to another go along to get along candidate.

Go get ‘em Newt!