I was on a flight and landed to over 100 voicemails and over 1000 emails. Rick Perry is dropping out of the race.
Sources close to both campaigns tell me that the Governor and Speaker have spoken and Governor Perry will endorse Newt Gingrich. But it will go beyond that.
I’m told reliably that Governor Perry will head up a 10th Amendment project for Speaker Gingrich to rally Governors and state legislators toward a plan of devolving power from Washington. This project will include helping shape the Republican platform for the general election, something small government conservatives have been concerned about.
Governor Perry will also campaign for Speaker Gingrich in Texas. Texas has more than enough delegates at 155 (and they are winner take all they are proportional) to offset Newt Gingrich not being on the Virginia ballot, which only has 49 delegates.
Looks like we have a race now.
Moe Lane
PG DeFreese
Victoria Coates
Daniel Horowitz
Dan Spencer
hmm
trevorb (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:04AM EST (link)I wonder if a vice presidential position is in the cards.
I don't think Obama....
clintonformccain Thursday, January 19th at 11:16AM EST (link)…will be interested in Rick Perry as his VP.
I hope that the Republicans pushing Newt Gingrich understand that he cannot be elected President.
Some of them understand that, clintonformccain
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:18AM EST (link)I’ve read some comments to that effect here. But really, we’re never going to find out if Gingrich can beat Obama. Gingrich may win the South (other than Virginia and Florida), but the rest of the country belongs to Romney.
What we understand it that hardcore Clinton supporters
NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:25AM EST (link)hate Newt Gingrich with the heat of a thousand suns. I know that your perspective is not that of the majority of the electorate.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
That may be true....
clintonformccain Thursday, January 19th at 11:35AM EST (link)…but consider that a Republican has no prayer of winning the Presidential election in November without some votes from people who voted for Bill Clinton and/or voted for Hillary Clinton in key swing state primaries (Ohio, Florida, etc.)
However much it may be a “feel good” story to think of a flame-thrower like Newt Gingrich “taking it to” Barry Obama, there is no conceivable math that allows him to win the Presidency. Can’t do it without women and moderate swing independent voters.
Women supported and still support Clinton
NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:37AM EST (link)even after the revelations of his affairs. I don’t see how it’s different with Newt. The moderate swing voters would go strong for Newt because they want a job. Obama hasn’t and can’t give them that.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
Nope, he'd get a few swing voters, but not
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 12:50PM EST (link)nearly enough.
A lot of men wouldn’t respond negatively to the fact that Newt cheated, but they’d see it as just one more flagrant example of his ego–a guy who wants what he wants when he wants it, a guy with no control over his impulses, something that is on display throughout his life…and still is.
Newt is not seen as man capable of moderating his base instincts, whether that be appetite for food, for garish spending, for sex, or the important one, for POWER. Worse, when given any sign of affirmation from the public, his appetites seem to grow.
What guys care about is whether their President will be steady–no indication in his life that Newt can be steady in any aspect of his life (one reason I am so stunned that guys like Erik think that, in the end, Newt is “conservative,” Hell, no, he’s not “conservative.” He couldn’t stand the idea of power being removed from any office he inhabited, any branch of government he was put in charge of.)
As for women–forget it, I mean forget it.
I think it would have be entertaining to have Newt as one of my history profs, but that’s about it.
Newt's got a major problem right now.
gladtidings Thursday, January 19th at 1:02PM EST (link)Marianne Gingrich is going to appear in front of millions of TV viewers, including at least a million South Carolina voters and she is going to tell them that: (1) Newt does not believe in the sanctity of marriage, (2) Newt told her that she “needed” to share him with his mistress (now wife), Callista,and (3) Newt is two-faced.
Some might say that this is old news. But Newt’s suggestion to his wife that she share him with his mistress is not old news. The adultery was old news. But this unholy suggestion is new.
Why Sarah Palin and Rick Perry endorsed this guy is beyond my ability to comprehend. It might have something to do with Romney’s religious beliefs or it might come from jealousy of Romney. Either way, the Perry/Palin establishment is showing its true colors now.
Retread. Rebanned.
Why did Palin and Perry endorse him (well, Sarah
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 1:37PM EST (link)hasn’t exactly endorsed him, but we won’t quibble)….they did it to remain relevant.
Perry got a deal with Gingrich to work on 10th amendment ideas, so that Rick Perry doesn’t look like a total loser who entered the race for nothing, and Sarah–well, even her greatest supporters have come to learn that when things are quiet on the Western Front, Sarah believes she has lost some street cred, so she has to come out on tv occasionally.
These are not criticisms meant to demean either. I am realist enough to know and to accept that all pols hate irrelevancy.
Constituion is not top down
celador2 Friday, January 20th at 11:39AM EST (link)If Rick Perry wants to start a states group at the convention and make some plans to confront the DC government that is one thing. Tenth authority is a good idea for the platform. But the president does not hand out these authority dispensations like a Roman emperor(Rome had no constittuion). Rome was top down with governors and conquered peoples living afar,
Its the wrong meassage to cut a deal with a future president to decide what he would restore to the states is my point. Perry should work with states only. Delegates not Perry and Newt should decide membership in the Tenth group. It should be open in fact at local level and not top down and grow at state level..
The states have a dual authority with federal gov. States do not have ‘rights’ as they are not individual residents but governing bodies. The federal gov is limited by its enumerated authoritity and responsibilities.Here is the area to be worked on by constitutional conservatives,. Who does what in federal government, for whom and why? The rest goes to the states by constitutional authority.
Gov Perry should have stayed in the race with this Tenth plan and soon by Florida in fact he would gain strength.
celador2
Lesstressrx (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 12:27PM EST (link)I agree, Perry should have stayed in. Newt and Mittens will burn out and then we have no one left. Santorum is all about government, he proved that last night when he half heartedly supported SOPA. Club Growth told us that.
Perry is now out& now we have no one left so the Tea Party lost.
Perry's mistake
Lesstressrx (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 12:37PM EST (link)He should have never dropped out, but if he felt he had to endorsing Newt wasn’t the best thing he could have done. He should have endorsed no one until the nomination was made.
This is just he said, she said
eruthk Friday, January 20th at 3:40AM EST (link)We already knew that Gingrich was divorced twice, and that they were messy. And we know that ex’ spouses can be bitter, and that they can lie. I don’t think this open marriage thing, if he did say it, is the big deal that you are trying to say that it is, considering that they were both adulterers anyway. Clearly, she wants to hurt Newt and she will say whatever she thinks will hurt him, whether it is true or not. Besides which, given the moral breakdown which began in our society in our (baby boomer) generation, many of us are in the same boat, we bought into this moral looseness and we got hurt, and we are not proud of our pasts. But it it is up to us to fix this mess for our children and grandchildren, despite our own failings and we cannot dwell on the past and in so doing, destroy those who might have the strength and ability and the wisdom to put things to rights. So we need to forgive each other for our moral failings when we were younger, the temptations were very great and there was no strong social structure to keep us on the straight and narrow.
"This woman", who had a disloyal husband
annie54 Friday, January 20th at 8:44AM EST (link)will campaign and vote for Newt Gingrich; however;” this woman” isn’t a sad and bitter person. I am “this woman” and I put up with it for a lot more years than Marianne did – then got rid of the man. I’m over it. Marianne never processed it – that’s why she looks so sad and is out for revenge.
I wish Callista would look more “real” like Anita Perry, Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan & Jackie Kennedy, but she doesn’t and she isn’t . I wish Newt would lose weight and appear more healthy, also. However, he’s what we’ve got and he is electable and will take Obama on very well. Newt is “Not-Romney” thank heavens.
The more Marianne talks, the more she hurts her “cause”. She looks like a drunk. She needs to get over it!
Same here, annie. Same here, and I'd vote for Newt.....
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 8:49AM EST (link)Over the current crop.
In a heartbeat.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Thank you, avagreen
annie54 Friday, January 20th at 9:07AM EST (link)There are so many women out there who are political like us, who love our country and our GOP so much that they will overlook this trash and not “feed” on it.
It’s OLD news. We’re got a country to take back!
(Newt, puleeze get a trainer and a chef!)
Certianly True
lapert Friday, January 20th at 10:39AM EST (link)Just like all the women who rushed to deny, dismiss and then forgive Clinton.
Anyone though who thinks the voters who don’t have deep attachment to the individual, the party or the cause (which is the majority of them and the ones needed to win the presidency) will be as easily forgiving is in denial.
Lie detector test
olds88er Friday, January 20th at 6:36PM EST (link)The best thing that Newt could do is to offer to take a polygraph test and challenge his ex-wife to do the same. This is the only way you can settle a “He said-She said” conflict.
That only works if the [censored] ain't crazy.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 6:47PM EST (link)And this one… might just be.
Mariane has MS
celador2 Friday, January 20th at 10:35AM EST (link)I do not agree that Mariane is a drunk or that she looks like one. Perhaps if you or we can look past her physical signs of her illness MS which she has manged for years and listen to her speak from the heart you might hear her as she intends.
Some wounds never heal, She suffered out of limelight until Newt became a contender. Look at the people in a court room, witnesses in crime and hearings for custody. Bitter people , broken for sure but very human still. Suffering does that. Its uncomfortable to see and be around.
All the more in this case as Newt never apologized to her.
.
Mariane has merit , Newt is no victim
celador2 Friday, January 20th at 9:43AM EST (link)I have read on conservative blogs including this one that the interview is ‘old news’ and therefore has no merit. A runaway slave often told stories to an audience that were well known about slavery, But the plight of enslaved people was an ongoing event worthy of time to listen. Human suffering and our responses on a personal level are always relevant. They are clues to strength and charcter and faith.
Now, it is a fact many self identfied people of faith from the sin waiver giving religious pundit Tony Perkins to other pundits discount and minimize Mariane’s accounts as not being important for the presidency. On the very day of new details of betrayal emerged Gov Rick Perry steps up and praises Newt Gingrich! That hit as hard as Pat Roberstson Rudy Giuiliani in 2008. After Rudy had called a press conference and kicked his wife and kids out of Gracie to move in a girlfriend I promised I would never vote for him.
GOD gave me free will.
The Mariane interview is news to me though I knew a few details of Newt’s brazen cruelty but not much.Mariane says Newt has not apologized. Her interview and has more details about the life of Mariane and Newt while he was Speaker and spokesman for a new fiscal and social conservative wave in mid 1990s. I admired him.
Mariane says Newt lacks the moral charcter to be president. She gives several examples with ‘open marriage’ as the bomb. Newt denied it. And he attacked the media for the question about his personal life. Newt became the indignant victim. Newt received a standing ovation in SC.
The timing of the Mariane interview was inconvenient, but lets face it, Newt, you gave Mariane the ammunition!
celador, Mariane was having an affair with a married man during this time.....
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 10:40AM EST (link)and she vowed to ruin any chances of Newt’s getting elected as President.
She’s not hardly a “victim”, either.
And, she’s not the only woman to have been cheated on! I was! I lost plenty!
Get over it!
……..quit pulling the heart strings.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Correction: She had an affair with Gingrich for 6 years.
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 10:55AM EST (link)http://jameshartlinereport.blogspot.com/2012/01/marianne-ginther-gingrich-2nd-wife-of.html
Marianne Ginther Gingrich, the 2nd wife of Newt Gingrich, is a chain smoking woman who has never given up the last name Gingrich since the divorce.
Marianne Ginther Gingrich, the 2nd wife of Newt Gingrich, is a chain smoking woman who has never given up the last name Gingrich since the divorce. If she is so unhappy about Newt Gingrich, why hasn’t she stopped using his last name since her divorce?
During an interview with Esquire magazine last year, Ginther was all fun and games and eating lunch at a Florida beach outdoor cafe when she granted the interview about Gingrich and her life in the political fast game. Additionally, she was a willing participant in a six year affair with Gingrich while he was married to his first wife.
Ginther-Gingrich loved the fast-paced and powerful life she was living duirng her days in Washington DC and Georgia. She didn’t mind being involved in adultery and cheating when she entered into an affair with Newt Gingrich over two decades ago. Now, it seems that Ginther wants another stroll under the media-hyped glitz and glamour of the political spotlight with her deal to do an ABC interview during the GOP primaries. We wonder if she will discuss her years of cheating with a married man when she grants said interview.
The interview she gave last year to Esquire Magazine.
http://www.esquire.com/print-this/newt-gingrich-0910?page=all
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
She should have known
lapert Friday, January 20th at 11:10AM EST (link)Yep, she certainly should have known to expect that from him after being the other party to the first wife.
Of course, we should also know to expect that from him – and not just in his personal relationships. Does his buddying up to Nancy Pelosi, selling out to Freddie, shilling for Dede in NY, pimping Medicare Part D (and pushing for an insurance mandate before it was popular) not fit a similar pattern of behavior. He talks a lot about accomplishments from the 90′s but what exactly has he done for the conservative movement in his last ~15 years out of elected government?
He may be the best of a bad crop this year (I haven’t concluded that yet) but he is no savior or ideal man (even using the lower standard we would for a politician) and I think his battle against Obama is an uphill one for this among other reasons.
Ex-Wives
edintexas Friday, January 20th at 10:57AM EST (link)My wife and I have put up with each other’s foibles for 44 years, so I have no personal experience with divorce. But I have a great number of friends who have gone through divorce. Only one I can think of was what we might call “amicable”. Most of the women would, even years later, gladly make the men eunuchs if they could. Not all, but a significant number were, and are still, that bitter. And their basis for divorce was not necessarily cheating either. I can’t explain it, but it is true. Filing charges of threats of injury (to obtain a protective order from the court) just so the husband will lose his 2d Amendment rights, when there were no threats, is simply one nasty tactic being used.
With Newt’s denial at the “debate”, and his daughters’ denials, there might not be the validity to the charge which you assume is true. At best it is, as other have said, a “She said, he said” moment. If you have an axe to grind, then you believe it it true,
Kowalski
edintexas Friday, January 20th at 10:58AM EST (link)“…believe it it true.” Should be “believe it is true.”
Once again I wish we had edit capability.
5!
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 11:01AM EST (link)That very scenario just happened to my boss. He did not cheat on his wife, he was an honorable man. They were re-united high-school sweethearts who married at age 50. He had loved her all his life and never laid a hand on her or threatened her.
She lied about threats to get that protective order, and the sheriff came and took his guns.
It’s all fixed now that he paid her off. Ridiculous.
Some chicks are just crazy. (And yes, some guys are too).
Swing voters?
gladtidings Thursday, January 19th at 1:04PM EST (link)Freudian slip?
Retread. Rebanned.
Ego?
edintexas Friday, January 20th at 10:45AM EST (link)Are you suggesting that Dear Leader isn’t a supreme egotist?
It's not any different,NT.
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 8:52AM EST (link)And, if any woman can’t put the nation over her own hurt feelings, she wouldn’t be much to consider for her opinion on anything.
Selfishness and dwelling on one’s self ……..does not make good decisions.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
That may be NOT true...
Money Thursday, January 19th at 12:14PM EST (link)…because Clinton never won a majority of the vote. So a candidate could mathematically win without getting any of Clinton votes.
More importantly, it’s a logical flaw to assume that every person that voted for Clinton supported him enough and followed politics closely enough to STILL hate Gingrich. It’s been a decade and a half. The Dallas Cowboys were a dynasty back then.
People will listen to what Jon Stewart and SNL tell them and (maybe) watch a debate or some local news coverage. Then they will ask themselves whether they blame Obama for the current financial problems, and vote. Most people are not the political junkies that we are.
“Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject, so you know you are getting the best possible information.” — Michael Scott
Yes, but Republicans need older voters.
clintonformccain Thursday, January 19th at 12:36PM EST (link)That means that they need a clear majority of voters who were old enough to vote 20 years ago., i.e. the 40+ year old portion of the electorate. I don’t see any math that allows a Republican to win without swing voters from that bracket. Those swing voters elected Clinton and many of them propelled Hillary Clinton to primary wins over Obama in key swing states. Those voters remember the Gingrich train wrecks. This is a guy who was so abrasive that he was rejected as Speaker by his own party.
I am "older", clintonformccain
annie54 Friday, January 20th at 9:36AM EST (link)and I’m for our nation’s recovery at all cost. My friends, who are also “older” feel the same way. Besides, is there a man alive who hasn’t stepped out on his loving wife?
Same here......"older" voter. Lived through A LOT! of candidates.
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 9:45AM EST (link)pride comes after survival.
that’s what we need.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Seriously, that's where we going with this?? Not good.
Ann_W (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:53AM EST (link)This is the most dangerous turn of all. The answer is, no, my husband has never stepped out on me and if he did, I would leave him and break up my children’s stable home.
Clinton already did yeoman’s work to normalize adultery, we don’t need the right providing excuses to men who think a fling would be more fun than living up to responsibilities, and protecting their relationships in families.
Disgusting– young men making decisions don’t need this kind of example with the stress families and children are under now. There were three men on that stage last night who honor responsibilities and their families… would it be so hard to pick one of them?
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”
— Milton Friedman
The War on Poverty– forty-six years and counting!
Yes, Ann, it would be so hard to pick one of them......
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 10:05AM EST (link)if the only qualification is that they were faithful to their wives…… when they aren’t qualified, and the major complaint the media can come up against one candidate with is from a disgruntled former wife who was guilty of the same behavior, and had vowed to ruin her ex’s run for Presidency.
Do I like it? No. But, I’d prefer him over ANY of the other men: A statist who is a social conservative but a proven record of being big government and union-friendly; a man trying to buy the election and hasn’t been able to get elected for the last 100 years, and who won’t release his tax record UNTIL after the nomination ; and a total loon.
Of the four, I’ll take Newt.
BTW, you are perfect, I assume? No problems at all. None?
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Newt has policy and tempermental flaws, too.
Ann_W (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:08AM EST (link)It’s not like the choice is clear except for the serial commitment breaking.
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”
— Milton Friedman
The War on Poverty– forty-six years and counting!
Errrmmmm..and Romney, Santitorum, and Paul don't???
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 10:10AM EST (link)*&&&
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Have you ever turned around a company?
Ann_W (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:18AM EST (link)Have you looked at the management and decided what is redundant and inefficient? Have you ever decided what parts don’t help the company to meet it’s corporate goals? Have you ever streamlined a company so it could be profitable again? Have you had to talk to senior management, and force them to change the way they make decisions to save money?
Neither have I, but it seems like a good skill for a president to have at this point in our country’s history.
Also, the Olympics were a mess. People thought that Utah might lose them, and they were definitely losing money like crazy. People thought Romney could change that based on his private business performance. And guess what, he actually could! That’s better than spurting out any random thought that you have.
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”
— Milton Friedman
The War on Poverty– forty-six years and counting!
Red Herring, Ann........
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 10:25AM EST (link)Your statement to which I responded was
Newt has policy and tempermental flaws, too.
Was to ask if any of the others didn’t as well.
Switching the subject to Bain isn’t kosher.
Romney certainly has problems with his temperament and his “policies” are suspect if you are using Bain as an example.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/01/14/2926059/romneys-bain-capital-made-millions.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45900038/ns/business-us_business/t/romneys-steel-skeleton-bain-closet/#.TxW7a_msaSr
Besides fudging on the question of WHETHER OR NOT he’s going to release his income tax records. Let’s not gloss over that when discussing “policies”……..
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Further, regarding temperament, Romney goes stone cold when...
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 10:28AM EST (link)asked about his past tax records, and gets angry when pushed with tough questions……..the Bret Baier interview……..supposedly the new site that is in Romney’s pocket and he got flustered when pushed for answers.
During one of the debates, he almost screamed and sputtered when asked several times about states rights over birth control, and then turned to Paul to answer the question.
He can only handle soft-ball questions. Too thin-skinned = horrible temperament.
This man has SERIOUS problems. SERIOUS!
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Romney, Newt, and Santorum all need to prove themselves
JSobieski (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:41AM EST (link)The each have weaknesses that an extended campaign will be able to test:
Romney needs to get rid of the glass jaw and prove that he can learn to better handle being attacked and questioned
Newt needs to deal with the personal baggage as well as prove that he can stay disciplined and attack without being mean.
Santorum needs to prove that he can build support outside of Iowa in a way that would allow him to win.
The beauty of a a campaign is that the longer it goes on, the more the candidates can work on their weaknesses. Frankly Newt and Romney would each benefit from long campaign so long as it is at least somewhat principled.
My rules of the road for primary season.
Rule #1: Vote for YOUR first choice in the primaries
Rule #2: Vote for the R in the general.
Rule #3: Don’t let anyone convince you to violate Rule #1 or Rule #2
Rule #4: When in a center-right argument, reaffirm Rules #1-#3–it will help us all to get along better.
Rule #5: If you are using the language of the left, you probably aren’t furthering conservativism
Rule #6: The priority is issues first, candidates second, and supporters third. Nobody is bigger than the issues. Conversely, if you spend your time focusing on supporters, you are wasting everyone’s time.
STOP THE MADNESS!
A reduction in the rate of spending increases is NOT a cut!
In-state tuition for illegals is NOT amnesty!
Requiring someone to pay their medical bills is NOT an individual mandate!
Reducing tax rates is NOT a tax increase!
Kowalski: Newt and Romney have complimentary weaknesses
JSobieski (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:48AM EST (link)i.e. when Newt attacks Romney, both Newt and Romney are being tested.
Can Newt clobber Romney while still be Presidential? Not overly narcisistic, not unduly mean, stay in control, etc?
Can Romney be agile enoughlong enough so that Newt eventually loses his cool? Can Romney adequately defend himself in the interim?
I have always had Newt above Romney on my list, but I fully acknowledge Newt’s weaknesses and thinkg that a long drawn out battle would be great for both of them.
If Newt can beat Romney in a long campaign (Romney is definitely a distance runner), then Newt will have convinced me that he can beat Obama. If not, I will climb aboard team Romney (or Santorum).
f it was anything close to a normal year, I would have discounted Newt a long time ago.
My rules of the road for primary season.
Rule #1: Vote for YOUR first choice in the primaries
Rule #2: Vote for the R in the general.
Rule #3: Don’t let anyone convince you to violate Rule #1 or Rule #2
Rule #4: When in a center-right argument, reaffirm Rules #1-#3–it will help us all to get along better.
Rule #5: If you are using the language of the left, you probably aren’t furthering conservativism
Rule #6: The priority is issues first, candidates second, and supporters third. Nobody is bigger than the issues. Conversely, if you spend your time focusing on supporters, you are wasting everyone’s time.
STOP THE MADNESS!
A reduction in the rate of spending increases is NOT a cut!
In-state tuition for illegals is NOT amnesty!
Requiring someone to pay their medical bills is NOT an individual mandate!
Reducing tax rates is NOT a tax increase!
Romney over Santorum for me.
Xasteius (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 11:11AM EST (link)Santorum is the theocrat that the liberals love to demonize the right over.
Don’t leave the party, hijack it back!
The only poll that counts is the one at the ballot box.
I don’t want to be Reagan. I want to be a Chance/Soros hybrid.
Has Anyone Read The New Diary on WILLARD'S involvement In
carolynr Friday, January 20th at 7:38PM EST (link)in the biggest Medicare Fraud? This might have been Obama’s October surprise.
With all of Newt’s baggage…it did not add up to $119 million and you will notice when reading the diary…Obama has all the records and who was in charge and when.
Uh Oh
WHERE?????? Carolyn?
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 9:27PM EST (link)* *
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
5 @ Ann_W
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:25AM EST (link)Romney would be perfect for restructuring federal departments.
I would like to note that he could do that as a czar though. Let’s call it “Czar of Creative Destruction”.
Bad answer, jake.
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 10:33AM EST (link)There’s more to being a president than being able to dismantle businesses.
Any bankruptcy court can do the same thing……don’t think I’d want one of those judges or lawyer for my president.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Chapter 11 to be exact. Happens all the time......
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 10:36AM EST (link)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapter_11,_Title_11,_United_States_Code
NOT A QUALIFICATION FOR BEING PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.
At least, these guys don’t get paid millions to do this and aren’t still receiving income from these actions, and paying 15% income tax on them.
sHEESH!
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Actually, avagreen, I implied that by saying a czar could do it just as well.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:37AM EST (link)So, not so bad.
Having a "czar" do what a Chapter 11 bankruptcy does is not...
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 10:44AM EST (link)a qualification for anyone to be President.
My point was that what Romney did is done every day by the courts. Still, not a qualification for being president, especially when he’s made MILLIONS doing it and still receiving $$ from it.
Nothing to brag about when talking of “qualifications” for being President.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Newt knows how to use existing gov't structures to enrich himself.
Ann_W (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 11:25AM EST (link)Will he have the vision to know what needs to go? Will he have the strength and focus to do it? Or will he just run around spouting great ideas, getting sidetracked sometimes by his ego? A lot of former colleagues have opinions about those things based on working with him.
And a bankruptcy court doesn’t build companies like Romney also did. And they also don’t turn around quasi-governmental orgs like Romney did.
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”
— Milton Friedman
The War on Poverty– forty-six years and counting!
Tell that to the people who have undergone a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Ann. You don't think that Romney didn't get enriched
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 7:45PM EST (link)with “reorganizing” companies through Bain? Paying 15% taxes and having some on them on off-shore accounts?!?
LOL!
YOu really have it bad.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/us/politics/retirement-deal-keeps-bain-money-flowing-to-romney.html?pagewanted=all
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
I'm calling you on your fibs, Ann....take a look at the companies
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 7:54PM EST (link)that have undergone Chapter 11 and tell them they didn’t get “turned around”. You’ve changed the goal posts by adding “quasi-governmental” orgs, now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Companies_that_have_filed_for_Chapter_11_bankruptcy
The following 200 pages are in this category, out of 328 total
They were reorganized, renamed, and kept on doing business or changed the direction of their company………just like Bain did. Some of them went out of business and some didn’t…….just like Bain did.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Pretty juvenile to call someone a liar because you don't agree with them.
Ann_W (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:36PM EST (link)You’re going to need to tell me what you’re talking about. I can’t even follow you.
According to media estimates Bain had a 70-80% success rate trying to turn around businesses and keep them going. The rates for businesses going through Chapter 11 are almost the reverse of that, which indicates to me that Bain performed better than companies reorganized through Chapter 11 courts.
I added in quasi-gov’t agencies because that was another area he had success in; turning around the Olympics.
Actually I don’t care anymore, just don’t call me a liar, it’s not OK to just throw that around.
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”
— Milton Friedman
The War on Poverty– forty-six years and counting!
Saying someone "fibbed" is not calling someone a "liar" as you
avagreen Monday, January 23rd at 7:30PM EST (link)just said.
The saving of the Olympics was accomplished on the back of the taxpayers, which McCain tried to stop. I remember this battle very well. McCain said the federal tax dollars effectively provided huge subsidies for each ticket sold……so the saving of the Olympics was subsidized be the feds……some thought so Romney could use this “success” to help his political career…….on the back of taxpayers. Which he has.
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/feb/03/nation/na-olympics3
According to media estimates Bain had a 70-80% success rate trying to turn around businesses and keep them going. The rates for businesses going through Chapter 11 are almost the reverse of that, which indicates to me that Bain performed better than companies reorganized through Chapter 11 courts.Do you have a link for this info?
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Of course he did, that was his job
Ann_W (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:24PM EST (link)In, you know, the private sector. Where people and companies are allowed to make deals that both parties agree to, and they, oh no, make money on… He paid 15% because they are dividends from corporations that already paid the (probably) 35% corporate tax on them, so it’s actually double taxation, not under taxation. Try to keep up.
You realize that you are on a conservative website, right? Free-market ideals are one of the three legs of conservatism.
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”
— Milton Friedman
The War on Poverty– forty-six years and counting!
Jake..Better Rethink this...go read the article on
carolynr Friday, January 20th at 7:39PM EST (link)the Medicare Fraud…new diary…not good for Romney
Where is the diary, carolynr?
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 8:44PM EST (link)I’ve looked for a diary……..
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Romney has to get elected first, but the guy has a glass jaw
Common_Cents (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:30AM EST (link)He froze up and had a major OOOPS on his own freakin taxes. He is embarrassed of his wealth or hiding something.
That is at a GOP debate for goodness sakes! He should stand tall and proud for the American dream.
Why didn’t he?
Romney is an untested risky candidate at this point. Romney has been coddled by the media. He needs much improvement.
He has little conviction.
Preparation? How the heck can he not be prepared for these questions about his taxes/wealth etc…. That is one of the FIRST topics his campaign should have prepared for.
Obama=Golfer in Chief, Leading from,
behind, the Back Nine.Leaders don’t create movements. Movements create leaders. Get involved. Your future depends on it.
Govt “invests” YOUR tax money for POLITICAL return rather than economic return.
Seriously, annie54?
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:05AM EST (link)“Besides, is there a man alive who hasn’t stepped out on his loving wife?”
Yes, yes there is. Some men actually love their wives.
Jakeofalltrades, sorry for my 9-hours-later reply,
annie54 Friday, January 20th at 8:29PM EST (link)as I’ve been polling today.
My remark, “Besides, is there a man alive who hasn’t stepped out on his loving wife?” comes from my experience in the corporate field work place.
I’ve been approached by married men many times and my comment in return has been, “what do I want with 50% of a man?” Their reply has been, “you don’t know how good my 50% is.”
My reply, “No, but I know what my 100% is and your 50% couldn’t hold a candle to it.”
That’s why I wrote that remark. I DETEST that kind of thing and have not and would never ever do it. But, it’s done all of the time! Our dear Marianne did it with Newt when he was married to his first wife.
5 @ annie54 (nt)
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 8:39PM EST (link)Thanks, jakeofalltrades
annie54 Friday, January 20th at 9:35PM EST (link)n/t
Pragmatism over idealism this time around, annie54.
Melody Warbington (rwm52) (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:43AM EST (link)I support Newt.
I can assure you that there are several men in my life have not stepped out on their loving wives, including my husband, my dad (who was faithful for 60 years), 3 brothers-in-laws, and a whole host of friends. Sure, there are some who have, but not the vast majority of the people I know.
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. (John 4:25)
That's the way it's supposed to be, Melody and
annie54 Friday, January 20th at 8:36PM EST (link)you’re a lucky lady. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
That's right, most are not political junkies at all,
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 12:54PM EST (link)and Obama and his minions have a successful history of blaming his problems on the pit that Bush dug…I expect them to continue to have success with that.
Things were going well for most Americans during the Clinton years, so they overlooked his scandals when he was put up against the very personable, the very likeable Bob Dole (I am joking).
The other thing is this–lots of women identified with Hilary, and a vote against her husband was seen as a vote against her. I know, I know, not logical, but then most people vote their emotions and their pocketbooks.
Callista + Newt = “No,” say women on the fence now about Obama.
Yep, everytime the camera panned to Callista last night
Ann_W (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:56AM EST (link)I pictured her as first lady and threw up in my mouth a little. Would she be HROTUS or FSOTUS? I can’t decide.
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”
— Milton Friedman
The War on Poverty– forty-six years and counting!
Oops, that's HWOTUS.
Ann_W (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:57AM EST (link)nt
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”
— Milton Friedman
The War on Poverty– forty-six years and counting!
Or would it be HPOTUS:
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:59AM EST (link)Hester Prynne Of The United States?
Callista doesn't come across as a Hester Prynne to me.
Ann_W (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:05AM EST (link)No gravitas.
Also, six years vs. one indiscretion, big difference. Making that decision everyday for six years is much different than the heat of the moment.
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”
— Milton Friedman
The War on Poverty– forty-six years and counting!
Good point, Ann_W. (nt)
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:08AM EST (link)They are distinguishable.
People make mistakes and poor decisions, Ann W.
Melody Warbington (rwm52) (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:57AM EST (link)Big ones. Messy ones. Mistakes they regret. Mistakes they can’t take back.
I might be less forgiving of Newt and Callista if I didn’t know some wonderful people who made poor decisions at one point in their lives but have gone on to live in a way so as to try and make up for their past sins. Not perfect, mind you, but living with the recognition that what they did was wrong, they’ve repented and are trying to live right. That’s certainly what Christianity teaches us to do. We don’t condone the behavior or poor decisions, but neither are we to reject repentance and rub their noses in it every time they turn around.
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. (John 4:25)
5! (nt)
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 7:53PM EST (link)True if an only if
bob08034 Thursday, January 19th at 12:18PM EST (link)All the people who came out for Obama last time come out again.
Economy is pretty bad in Ohio.
In Florida there are large blocks of Jewish voters, who aren’t happy with Obama’s Israeli policies. Will Floridians of Cuban, Mexican, and Hatian heritage turn out for him this time? What about blacks?
North Carolina was decided by 13,000 votes last time.
The Republican doesn’t need to win over these voters, he just needs them to stay home. And he needs his own voters to come out.
Also don’t forget that millions of people who voted for Bill Clinton are dead now, and millions of new voters were in first grade when he left office.
Like it matters........
arthurjake Friday, January 20th at 8:44AM EST (link)Romney is such a Nancy that he will be destroyed. Even if he does win then he is such a liberal(his record in Mass speaks for itself) that it really will not make a difference anyway. I would rather have someone with real ideas go against him, not win and be able to say I told you so come next election cycle then have Romney in the same mold because the media tells us he is more electable.
Not being a flame-thrower really worked for McCain!
bs61 Friday, January 20th at 9:00AM EST (link)n/t
McCain came clean on first marriage
celador2 Friday, January 20th at 10:02AM EST (link)McCain did not have a big personal piece of baggage when he ran for president. He had left his wife and family in early 1980s for a rich heiress whose father helped him in politics. But he wrote a tell all book and took all the blame for the horrible things he did to his first wife Carol, I think is her name. He was open in interviews and detailed and frankly sorry for his sins. Ask him today and he will ‘fess up!
Newt has not apologized to Mariane Gingrich or to the public for any behavior that might hurt us or his ability to lead us as president. Newt has done no wrong or if he has its a private matter say Newt and his loud followers.
Trust him voters, he can win a ‘debate’ with Obama.
Maybe I've lost the context...
bs61 Saturday, January 28th at 9:17AM EST (link)I’m not a Newt supporter, but I believe that he’s apologized to everyone and their sister.
I was just pointing out that McCain, decided not to run the attack ads and Rev Wright which you can see on youtube. I’ll choose someone who speaks the truth!
Maybe I've lost the context...
bs61 Saturday, January 28th at 9:17AM EST (link)I’m not a Newt supporter, but I believe that he’s apologized to everyone and their sister.
I was just pointing out that McCain, decided not to run the attack ads and Rev Wright which you can see on youtube. I’ll choose someone who speaks the truth!
Reagan Dems may vote GOP
celador2 Friday, January 20th at 10:15AM EST (link)Conservative Democrasts do cross over if the GOP offers jobs. Obama rejected the keystone pipeline and that may hurt him with blue collar workers and voters.
Newt is the GOP candidate = Obama victory
bestweather Thursday, January 19th at 11:46AM EST (link)simple
He is in no way shape or form qualified to be president or capable of doing the job.
Newt more qualified than Obama, will win
Freedoms Truth (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:49AM EST (link)Your arguments are specious and wrong.
Freedoms Truth,
Travis Monitor – http://travismonitor.blogspot.com
Austin, TX
Qualified?
Christine (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:12PM EST (link)Obama is president. He wasn’t qualified.
Qualifications no longer matter. I’m not sure when they last mattered.
The primary process is FLAWED. Two states should not decide our candidate.
“I would be a poor Commander in Chief”
– Barack Obama, July 3 2008
Exactly right.
gladtidings Thursday, January 19th at 1:27PM EST (link)Newt can’t look voters in the eye and say that he’s the family values candidate.
We’ve never had a GOP nominee as morally flawed as Mr. Gingrich. I will never vote for him.
Retread. Rebanned.
The moral compass
laura211 Thursday, January 19th at 4:50PM EST (link)of America is somewhere at the bottom of the ocean.
Refusing to vote for the Republican nominee will
davesinsanantonio (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 5:19AM EST (link)guarantee that Obummer gets re-elected. Where will your precious “family values” be when your children are forced to work for a totalitarian government in order to survive??? When their debt load will be more than they can ever earn??? When religion is supplanted by worship of the state??? When politically correct speech outlaws any references to God and faith??? When forced abortions and euthanasia of the elderly are equated to “health care”??? When criticizing, or even disagreeing with what is taught in the schools is a crime???
Don’t think that these are impossible conditions. Every over-the-top totalitarian regime started as a “peace” or “justice” movement. If you don’t believe it is possible, study the history of every despotic regime in history!!! They all began as populist movements.
I agree that morals are important, but there is morality and morality. Bedroom morality does not outweigh the morality of government power.
When the government gains too much power, all other morality is supplanted!!!
Turn it around on yourself
celador2 Friday, January 20th at 9:52AM EST (link)Rather than hold one who holds out for moral charcter in a president responsible for an Obama win, I ask of you,
Why do you insist on backing one who lacks it and assume Newt will cure the list of ills facing us today?
This race is not a done deal.
gladtidings, then welcome
dudette Friday, January 20th at 6:24AM EST (link)to Obama again. As if presidents were paragons of morality and loyalty to their wives…I’d hold my nose and pull the lever for whoever is NOT O—–And if you think O isnt morally flawed look up DOnald Young, Larry Sinclair , Jeremiah Wright and the Down Low Club in Chicago. and thats just a start. it makes newt look like a choir boy.
Refresh my memory
arthurjake Friday, January 20th at 8:48AM EST (link)Is the Down Low Club is where BHO went to go have illicit homosexual affairs?
Great one, arthurjake!
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 9:57AM EST (link)Not to mention the fact that it’s been suggested that several of these men have “disappeared” from the scene (and this earth) when this type behavior became news.
Yeah, Bummer is a great example of…..”virtue”. Talk about a “spurned wife”……..
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Gladtidings - then join the Obama Team!
reggie182 Friday, January 20th at 10:37AM EST (link)help Barack Obama to a second term!
Gladtidings - then join the Obama Team!
reggie182 Friday, January 20th at 10:37AM EST (link)help Barack Obama to a second term!
Debates
greenpoint Friday, January 20th at 7:01AM EST (link)Is there any doubt that Newt will clean Obama’s clock in Presidential debates?
I doubt Newt will win Obama 'debates' slam dunk
celador2 Friday, January 20th at 8:59AM EST (link)Obama is no novice with words and ideas. The presumption that blabber mouth Newt will someohow ‘win’ a national audience ‘debate’ is misleading and inncorrect. This group think is an example of how the Newt buzz seduces pundits and partisans who in turn seduce partisan voters into thinking he should be the nominee because, one,
The pres race will be decided by the debates just as the nomination for Republicans has been swept away by the media staged shout matches(debates) where voters are but passive viewers. Sorry
Two, that Obama will not be prepared for some snappy soundbites also in these presidential ‘debates’. that are but more media show cases where voters are told who ‘won’ and told what to think. Sorry again.
Obama will be well prepared and rehearsed with the snappy words and concepts and the high expectations for Newt may not hold. nationwide.
A third false assumption that Newt is the only one is that anyone else as GOP nominee can not stand on a stage and face down Barack Obama will righteous indignation and confidence in his policies! Wrong again!
That. Was. Priceless.
irishgirl Thursday, January 19th at 11:42AM EST (link)I just about spit my sonic coke out across my desk. Thanks, I needed that.
So, it's Callista, Newt's present wife, that
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 12:03PM EST (link)was the “other womam? A
Oi vey. I thought all along it was the first wife that he cheated on.
This would mean that Americans are being asked not only to put Newt in office but perhaps more problematically to make Callista, the other woman who knew he was married when she fooled around with him, the First Lady.
Hmmm. It doesn’t just take an evangelical to have big problems with that. They say prospective first ladies don’t win the day….oh, I think they influence a whole lot of votes. It’s hard enough for a huge % of American women to vote for Newt, but ask how many women want to give a thumbs up to THE OTHER WOMAN…
Not good, no matter how good a debater Newt is.
This thing, in the end, will come out this way: Newt lives larger than life, whether he’s a private citizen or a public official, and whenever he feels he is sitting pretty, he’s the kid with his hand in the cookie jar who takes more than he’s supposed to.
It’s his nature. You never change that.
Let me get this straight @usedtobelib
RichmondG30 Thursday, January 19th at 12:56PM EST (link)Millions of Americans are unemployed, underemployed, suffering through a reduced standard of living, and forced to pay more and more to support a collapsing entitlement state. The guy who has presided over the command-and-control takeover of large swaths of the American economy, while passing out billions to his friends and supporters, is up for reelection.
And you believe that these people will vote to put this President back at the helm for four more years of destruction because the other possible First Lady had an extramarital affair with the man she is currently married to?
OK. Now I understand.
RichmondG30,
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 1:49PM EST (link)Yeah, they will vote for the guy they think can turn things around IF they don’t detest him personally or detest what he stands for.
You live in the USA and you don’t understand pop culture? You don’t realize that women, women who watch Oprah, women who watch Ellen, women who have had men cheat on them, won’t grow to look at Newt and his paramour who is now his wife, the lady who will REPRESENT them, with her platinum hair, her jewels, and detest them?????
Whoa.
Logos. Pathos. Ethos. Read some Aristotle on the art of persuasion.
Agree with usedtobelib
veto Thursday, January 19th at 2:58PM EST (link)They’re are other qualified GOP candidates that can fight spending and unemployment as good as if not better than Newt Gingrich. The problem with Newt is he is not liked much. He is considered arrogant and hard to get along with by the people that know him the best.
Lets not forget about Cain and the affairs? To say this will not hurt Gingrich in this day and age of the media would be naive. Yes people know about the affairs but this will put it fresh in their minds and who knows how much worst will be brought out on the man.
We are not talking about giving a job as a car czar, but the leader of the free world. And as much as we don’t like Obama he doesn’t seem to be a bad family man who cheats on women while they are on their deathbeds. I am just saying this will destroy his electability against Obama. People like Obama as a man, they don’t like Gingrich.
You're funny, veto. I don't know anyone personally that likes Obama as a man........
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 8:59AM EST (link)that’s just the propaganda IMHO put out to counter his low political approval, which is “polled” pretty regularly.
Agree that Oprah’s crowd isn’t known for being that intelligent. She lost me years ago when her popularity went to her head and for a period of time threw white women under the bus for her black audience. (just one of the issues I have with her. And, there are a plethora. Don’t even get me started on her car give-away stunt she pulled some years back. Total hypocrisy.)
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Women who watch Ellen and Oprah
arthurjake Friday, January 20th at 8:52AM EST (link)will not vote for anyone but Obama anyway. They did in the last election. Those shows arent known for the highly intelligent people who watch them anyway.
You are right
mboyle1988 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:17PM EST (link)He did cheat on his first wife with his second wife. He then cheated on his second wife with his third wife. He is clearly a sex addict. Also, when you switch religions to appease your spouse, what does that say about the strength of your convictions? As a committed Christian, I would never marry a woman whose faith wasn’t at least as strong as mine. I wouldn’t even marry a woman who didn’t believe in all five points of Calvinism, let alone a Catholic. That’s not because I have a problem with Armenians or Catholics. I have many friends who are Catholic and Armenian, but the point is, if you really believe something about God, you don’t give that up because you want to stick your member somewhere it doesn’t belong.
I dont see it that way...
conservativeparrothead Thursday, January 19th at 2:09PM EST (link)Newt has a weakness, he was left by his father essentially during his mothers pregnancy or very early in life (he was actually Newt McPHerson, not Gingrich). What I see essentially is a guy who was probably never a ladies man, he had relationships with those he got close to and that turned into romance or maybe what he thought was romance. I know people like this, they can never be alone, and they settle. I knew people like this in college and high school, they wouldnt break up with people until their next girlfriend was in line.
His first wife was his high school teacher, not someone he had to court, probably someone he got close to through many personal experiences. Then after that, you had two staffers essentially.
As for this wifes interview, I dont know many divorces, especially those not involving children (his daughters were with his first wife) that end well. This is just nonsense.
mboyle1988, you set your bar rather high. I'm a committed Christian, too, but I'm not a Calvanist.
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 9:01AM EST (link)so, where does that put me on your scale?
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Unless either of you wants to marry the other
CincoSolas_del_Bronx (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 11:55AM EST (link)it sounds like you could both get along just fine …
Those dreading urbanization should remember that though the Kingdom of God first appeared in a temporal Garden, at the end of the book it is established in an eternal City. (paraphrase, James M. Boice)
soli Deo gloria
both who?
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 7:59PM EST (link)I was talking about your saying you wouldn’t marry anyone…….
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Most Calvinists can actually spell "Arminian".
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:44AM EST (link)And you’re being a little extreme don’t you think? Catholics are single-predestination Christians.
Also, your misspelling actually makes your post look racist,.
And all this time I pictured ol' Jacobus
CincoSolas_del_Bronx (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 12:00PM EST (link)cranking out the Remonstrance in the shadow of Mount Ararat.
Those dreading urbanization should remember that though the Kingdom of God first appeared in a temporal Garden, at the end of the book it is established in an eternal City. (paraphrase, James M. Boice)
soli Deo gloria
LOL. I can't expect everyone to get TULIP and double-predestination,
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 12:23PM EST (link)but they can still have faith, and that’s all that ultimately matters, as God will take care of them to His satisfaction.
Having to listen to Arminian sermons might be too painful, though.
Agreed. As someone* once put it
CincoSolas_del_Bronx (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 1:07PM EST (link)(paraphrased) on the Last Day there will be no test on the Ordo Salutis or the inter-relation of the 5 points or the proper Latinization of the (cinco) Solas, but rather a wonderful–or terrifying–unveiling of what every person has put their ultimate trust in as their heads hit the pillow each night: to whom do I belong, body and soul, in life and in death? in whom is my only comfort and my complete redemption? in whose righteousness will I stand before the Throne?
* probably Mike Horton or Kim Riddlebarger
Those dreading urbanization should remember that though the Kingdom of God first appeared in a temporal Garden, at the end of the book it is established in an eternal City. (paraphrase, James M. Boice)
soli Deo gloria
55555 @ cinco_solas (nt)
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 1:12PM EST (link)I don't remember all this moral indignation
lightspeed Thursday, January 19th at 3:53PM EST (link)when we nominated John McCain in 2008, a man who cheated on his first wife with his current wife, Cindy.
Newt abandoned two wives over serious illness
celador2 Friday, January 20th at 9:19AM EST (link)Last week we learned Newt lied. He had indeed filed for divorce. It was not the first wife who had firsdt filed for divorce as Newt claimed after she received a cancer diagnosis. After Mariane received a MS diagnois Newt left Mariane for his long time staffer Calista of the Agriculture committee. He left the Speakership over her too but not voluntarily. A tabloid (STAR maybe) ran a photo of them exiting her apartment shortly after Newt resigned in 1999.
His entre caucus including long time Lts Kasich ans Paxton said no to another term as Speaker gingrich. That House would go on to impeach Bill Clinton over Monica. Imagine had Newt remained as Speaker.
Mariane says Newt has never apologized to her for the pain and cruelty. And he sure has not to the public. But then Newt backers require less moral backbone from Newt than did the American people demand of Bill Clinton 1999.
Bill Clinton has never stopped apologizing.
.
Oh look, it's the old Clintonian talking points
Neil Stevens (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:32AM EST (link)Newt Derangement Syndrome lives.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Clinton lied under oath...apples and oranges...
APA Guy (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:34AM EST (link)Try to stay focused here…and don’t let your ultra-puritanical instincts dissuade you from observing and recognizing the differences in reality. Very few people I knew in 1998 cared that Clinton cheated. They cared that he did it in the White House and that he lied under oath about it.
Wasn't Marianne the other woman too?
Common_Cents (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:27AM EST (link)Gee, ABC didn’t point that out.
Her interview wasn’t bad at all. She was just looking for an apology, but sat on this for years, wanting to get back at newt. She hasn’t changed her name? why ? It’s been over a decade? Still harboring this? Move on lady.
She ended up still backing Newt on any ethics charges, I bet nobody in the media will play that clip.
Her interview was 2 hours long and this is all they got?
Marianne said she thought the interview was going to be played AFTER SC. Gee, ABC lied to her? no way!
Obama=Golfer in Chief, Leading from,
behind, the Back Nine.Leaders don’t create movements. Movements create leaders. Get involved. Your future depends on it.
Govt “invests” YOUR tax money for POLITICAL return rather than economic return.
You've Got A Point....But...Women are madder
carolynr Friday, January 20th at 7:45PM EST (link)than heck at Obama and I think they would forgive Newt his sins…if only to see Newt give him a MAJOR smackdown on TV.
Sour grapes
chipbennett (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:24PM EST (link)…and this “electability” nonsense is nothing more than bovine excrement.
Ever since BJ Clinton’s cigar games in the oval office, the issue of moral character of a presidential candidate has been forever altered. These personal attacks against Newt will have no real bearing on the ultimate outcome of the general election.
(And I say this not as a Newt supporter, but as someone who wanted to see Perry nominated first, and Not-Romney as my second choice.)
If what you say is true, Romney will cream Newt in the remaining primaries
JSobieski (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:41PM EST (link)and there is nothing to worry about.
My rules of the road for primary season.
Rule #1: Vote for YOUR first choice in the primaries
Rule #2: Vote for the R in the general.
Rule #3: Don’t let anyone convince you to violate Rule #1 or Rule #2
Rule #4: When in a center-right argument, reaffirm Rules #1-#3–it will help us all to get along better.
Rule #5: If you are using the language of the left, you probably aren’t furthering conservativism
Rule #6: The priority is issues first, candidates second, and supporters third. Nobody is bigger than the issues. Conversely, if you spend your time focusing on supporters, you are wasting everyone’s time.
STOP THE MADNESS!
A reduction in the rate of spending increases is NOT a cut!
In-state tuition for illegals is NOT amnesty!
Requiring someone to pay their medical bills is NOT an individual mandate!
Reducing tax rates is NOT a tax increase!
The GOP is split as to Romney, Newt, Santorum
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 1:01PM EST (link)The winnable Democratic votes and independent votes will not be split–that’s the electibility issue here.
Newt is seen, as my dem friend who wants to vote against Obama has termed him, a SMART MEAN person. Her husband, who is leaning Obama, calls Newt “smug.”
Why he doesn’t see Obama as smug I can only guess– he’s a lifelong union democrat so that’s his tribe; thus, he sees what he want to see, but people like his wife are winnable. (BTW, both are retired.)
You have to remember that first people want a Pres they don’t mind seeing in their living rooms a few times a week. That’s not Newt.
There is a lot of truth in what you say but annectdotal evidence is never conclusive
JSobieski (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 12:49AM EST (link)For every independent who would prefer a softer touch, there is an independent who would like someone to shake things up.
Nobody really knows how all the chips will balance out ultimately.
Kind of like saying independents like Romney. All we know is that they like him now, but we don’t know how likeable he will appear later.
Newt should be able to puncture the Obama is brilliant meme with independent voters. I think Newt has a chance.
My rules of the road for primary season.
Rule #1: Vote for YOUR first choice in the primaries
Rule #2: Vote for the R in the general.
Rule #3: Don’t let anyone convince you to violate Rule #1 or Rule #2
Rule #4: When in a center-right argument, reaffirm Rules #1-#3–it will help us all to get along better.
Rule #5: If you are using the language of the left, you probably aren’t furthering conservativism
Rule #6: The priority is issues first, candidates second, and supporters third. Nobody is bigger than the issues. Conversely, if you spend your time focusing on supporters, you are wasting everyone’s time.
STOP THE MADNESS!
A reduction in the rate of spending increases is NOT a cut!
In-state tuition for illegals is NOT amnesty!
Requiring someone to pay their medical bills is NOT an individual mandate!
Reducing tax rates is NOT a tax increase!
Anyone can be elected President
duanej Friday, January 20th at 8:05AM EST (link)With Obama as their opposition. Anyone. Even Ron Paul. All they have to do is promise to repeal Obamacare and they will get the necessary votes. Obama’s record of governing is poor and unsellable. Obama is out. The 2012 GOP primary will pick the next president. The rest will just be going through the motions.
Govenor Perryhas been pretty clear
dereich Thursday, January 19th at 11:17AM EST (link)about his thoughts on the VP position. I don’t see it. Govenor of Texas is a more important post.
I do have hope of a Perry VP position.
cheetah2 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:03PM EST (link)I think he will put the good of the nation ahead of his own desires just like he always does. Whether he would ever be asked is another question. I love what Erick says about Perry having a unique and important role to play in the fight for states rights.
I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order, just like Mike Pence.
@cheetah222
Romney won't ask him to be his VP.
gladtidings Thursday, January 19th at 1:09PM EST (link)So I don’t think that Perry should worry about having to make that decision.
As for Newt, I’m not convinced that he’s a top-tier candidate. He keeps losing primaries. He hasn’t raised enough money to be considered a top-tier candidate. And now it comes out that he’s sort of a swinger. Allegations much lighter than this brought down Herman Cain’s campaign.
I’m 99.9% sure that Newt is finished. I just need to see one poll to confirm what I already know.
Retread. Rebanned.
"Keeps losing primaries"? You mean "primary" there's been 1 so far, in New Hampshire
Chuck DeVore (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:11PM EST (link)N/T
Chuck, you are a fighter, and I love you for it.
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:22PM EST (link)Hope you are enjoying your new home in Texas.
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
Nah, Gingrich would betray Perry too.
littlehouse18 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:26AM EST (link)nt
vp is for santorum to get him out of race
jimbomcw Thursday, January 19th at 11:43AM EST (link)taking bets now
Hi! Check out my HuffPo profile! Because I hate you guys!
What about the mark that will be left...
mercyvetsel Thursday, January 19th at 11:36AM EST (link)…by Drudge’s coverage of his ex-wifes claims that he told he that she had to accept his ongoing affair and then flew off to speak at a “value voters” conference.
Sorry to gloat. I love the way Newt talks and especially the way he tears apart sniveling left-wing reporters, but he is a HUGE political liability and his recent OWS-moment just illustrates how much of a loose cannon he is.
We seriously need to get over this anti-Romney BS. I first stopped calling myself a libertarian (I’ve since become more culturally conservative as well) when I realized the capital-L Losertarian Party was actually bolstering fascists like Obama and Debbie Wasserman due a severe misunderstanding of he different roles that commentators, think tanks and politicians need to play in a political movement.
Now it seems like many of my fellow conservatives and Tea Partiers are adopting similarly counterproductive tactics. Ugh. Ann Coulter is right. Romney is the most conservative one of the lot and this Gallup polls says it all about why he’s a lock for the Republican nomination.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/151961/majority-conservatives-romney-acceptable.aspx
MORE SELF-IDENTIFIED REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVES FIND ROMNEY ACCEPTABLE THAN ANY OTHER CANDIDATE. And by a wide margin.
So, I’m so sorry that you disagree with conservatives, who as a group are most likely to find Romney acceptable, but it’s time to move on. Gingrich would be a five-alarm DISASTER against Obama.
-Mercy
Should have done this after Iowa
scchuck Thursday, January 19th at 12:31PM EST (link)If Rick Perry had gone this way after Iowa it would have been better for him and for the primary process. Here in South Carolina he will be remembered for the vulture capitalism attack that has played into the Democratic line on fair share and the 99%. I predict we will see Perry in more Democratic ads than Republican ones during the general election.
Agree, Scchuck - don't forget that ...
Eyeofnewt Thursday, January 19th at 1:42PM EST (link)All of Perry’s multitude of faux paux caught on record will also be used against him in his own republic, er state. I also think he should have ended that charade-of-a-campaign after Iowa. I find it intriguing that the longer Perry stayed in the race —- the lower his poll numbers dropped. Rasmussen had him at 4 percent yesterday. His Presidential campaign may be over, but the cult of personality still lives on.
You're both wrong. Perry wanted to run; his supporters wanted him to run.....
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 9:13AM EST (link)…….just as much as every other candidate and their supporters do.
What no one expected was the outright onslaught of lies/smears that came out……..from the conservative side (ooops! guess Romney’s not got that complaint tied up) on Perry.
Your post and the one above are fine examples of same.
Yes, the LIBS will attack him in Texas, but it’s no different than before. It’s expected.
We conservatives will rally behind him just like we’ve done for the past 3 elections.
No cigar for you.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
The ads in SC didn't mention Perry
scchuck Friday, January 20th at 1:23PM EST (link)I have painfully be barraged by TV ads, robo calls, direct mail, etc. which will blessfully end tomorrow. There was little attach on Perry, he was a non entity in South Carolina. Winning the Future (Gingrich) and Restore Our Future (Romney) were the big spenders and went at each other not Perry. I think Perry was done in by a bad first impression during the debates and a very poor showing in Iowa despite spending a ton of money. The only push back to Perry came when he one upped Gingrrich on the Bain bashing. In his attempts to localize the experience to South Carolina, he used a plant in Gaffney that even the locals said had little impact and the steel mill in Georgetown which has been on the brink of closing for years due to foreign steel dumping. The only person ever quoted who said the Georgetown plant was doing fine was the head of the local union, a Democrat.
Congrats
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:33PM EST (link)So this site has played a role in consolidating the non-Romney. Well done.
Just one observation. This place is going scorched Earth on Mitt. That’s fine and dandy, but where are you going to go if Mitt pulls this out? You’re leaving yourself no room in the general.
This isn’t like flaming the Paultards, many of whom behaved badly last time. This time this site is blasting a guy who is a legit frontrunner and stands a good chance to beat Obama.
I think zeal in supporting a cause or an ideology is a fine thing. All I’m saying is, just don’t burn all your bridges.
I've got my answer, SteveM.
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:50PM EST (link)If Romney wins the nomination, I’ll hold my tongue.
And at that point, any political chatter will redirect to Senate, House, and statehouse races.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Mitt won't pull out,
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 2:18PM EST (link)but it’s clear Red State has been instrumental in making members of the GOP doubt Romney.
You sow that see with your own party and it seeps into the narrative the other side will tell.
This year, if we lose the general, if we get more SCOTUS appointments (hey, my favorite, Scalia, isn’t getting any younger), in the next four years, we can looked back at this site, at Rush, at Levin, and realize that we played this very foolishly–and dangerously for the country.
That's really jumping the gun.
gladtidings Thursday, January 19th at 1:06PM EST (link)First Newt has to get past the allegations that he wanted an open relationship with Marianne and Callista at the same time.
I don’t think that will play well in South Carolina. It’s not known for being the swingingest state in the union.
Retread. Rebanned.
Newt's suggestion for an open marriage...
renl57 Thursday, January 19th at 1:27PM EST (link)…is too exotic even for voters who forgave Clinton’s affair with Monica.
In fact, it’s too exotic even for some of my happily married liberal Democrat friends in Massachusetts.
As I said before,
Gingrich will lose the female Independent vote by a huge margin. Every one of them will wonder how she would feel if her husband proposed such a thing to her.
If it’s Gingrich vs. Obama, we can look forward to a zillion puff-pieces on Mr. and Mrs. Obama and their rock-solid blissful marriage. Like the one People Magazine did in 2008, but a lot more of those.
While Gloria Allred presents a new bimbo every week to claim that Gingrich was having affairs, threesomes, orgies, goodness-knows-what.
A good prediction!
Don T. (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:19PM EST (link)You have hit it very well, here. I can’t, at this point, support Newt in good conscience, because he is a morally bankrupt person. Yes, he is more conservative, and brilliant, but that is not the full measure of the man who would be qualified to be president. I will support Santorum as the most electable and conservative and moral person now running. I can’t support Mitt because he isn’t close to being a conservative. But just as in 2008, I will hold my nose and vote for the GOP candidate, more a vote against Obama on my part, as with so many others who are disgusted with the Obama policies. I do think that a Gingrich candidacy will be a disaster for the GOP, long after he is soundly beaten by Obama.
C'mon, South Carolina
goodgovernance Thursday, January 19th at 11:07AM EST (link)Let all the conservatives there gather together and vote for Newt. Don’t let Mitt be coronated before he’s truly proven himself worthy!
C'mon, South Carolina -- Not Newt!
nepanyrush Thursday, January 19th at 12:01PM EST (link)As the poster above, stated “Gingrich would be a five-alarm DISASTER against Obama.” I have been around a long time and cannot even image Gingrich as the GOP standard bearer. He was enjoyable on the debate stage, but I never thought I would see the day that Gingrich would actually be considered seriously as a candidate. Has anyone followed the amount of garbage surrounding him? He was the only person who could bail out Clinton for his reelection and now he will bail out Obama. I feel 100% certain if Gingrich is the nominee, Obama will be reelected. 100% sure.
and others are just as certain that Romney would lose against Obama.
cheetah2 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:06PM EST (link)Who do I believe? I guess I will opt to still follow the leadership of my most admired political figure (Rick Perry) and go with Gingrich.
I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order, just like Mike Pence.
@cheetah222
Go cheetah2!
cacharlie Friday, January 20th at 9:53AM EST (link)Slams at Perry and Palin for showing respect for Newt’s candidacy show a sad lack of willingness to believe anything good can come from being a Christian, conservative Republican. As for lumping all scorned women under the “oprah/ellen banner – get real!
No time better than now for American citizens to shake off the chains of political powerbroking. We must individually apply the strength of our own hard won convictions to make our votes count.
That does make me feel better
shinglejim (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:08AM EST (link)knowing he will be involved w/ 10th Amendment issues. Thanks for the info.
“I fortunately have never worried about irritating people.”
— Bob Knight
Follow @Shinglejim
Santorum needs to drop out this afternoon.
Tbone (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:09AM EST (link)He has no chance.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Same with Paul. He has even less chance than Santorum.
conservativemusician Thursday, January 19th at 11:13AM EST (link)I continue to find it amazing that no one seems to be calling for Paul to get out. His views on national defense, foreign policy, and the military are deplorable.
Because most realize that Paul will never drop out...
jswolter (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:23AM EST (link)His play in this is not to win but gain power and influence in Washington for his viewpoints.
Absolutely agree with that Tbone.
irishgirl Thursday, January 19th at 11:43AM EST (link)n/t
Better chance than Newt in the general
nepanyrush Thursday, January 19th at 11:44AM EST (link)Santorum won two statewide election and now it turns out, he even won Iowa. Gingrich is an ethical mess, never won more than a congressional district, and was hated when they finally ran him out as speaker. His baggage is so massive that I am not sure I can hold my nose long enough to vote for him.
Good ideas, great debator, but cannot run his own life, let alone the country. American will not be able to stand him by the end of the general election, let alone 4 years. He will bring the GOP down with him the way he got Clinton a second term in office.
Santorum is the only hope that I have left. I cannot fathom Gingrich. Actually, Romney would be much better for the GOP than the disaster that is Gingrich.. I am really, really scared of Gingrich getting the GOP nod. He makes Obama look good the way he made Clinton look good.
Really?
chipbennett (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:31PM EST (link)The author of the Father of ObamaCare looks better to you than Gingrich?
I certainly have my reservations about Gingrich, but they pale in comparison to my reservations about Romney. Do you remember how McCain campaigned against Obama (as in, he didn’t actually campaign against Obama)? Yeah, that will be what the Romney campaign looks like. And even if Romney does manage to take the fight to Obama, all Obama will have to do will be to point out that the position that Romney is attacking is one that Romney himself has held in the past, since Romney has advocated both sides of every relevant political/policy issue.
Oh, come on.
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:38PM EST (link)I’m going to have to write a diary. One that issues a challenge to every Mitt basher here.
If Mitt were elected, is he going to:
*Nominate liberal judges to the bench?
*Raise taxes and promote job killing regulations?
*Put us on cap and trade?
*Make abortion mandatory?
*Force every state to go 100% union?
*Give Iran a nuclear weapon?
*Force single payer health care on everybody?
What? What is it that you all think Mitt is going to do in office that’s going to be so terrible?
I think he WILL continue to support
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:45PM EST (link)socialized health care, SteveM. A lot of people in politics jumped on that particular bandwagon in one way or another at some time, but most of them have been open-minded enough to consider evidence that has come out since that time showing the foundation on which socialized health care is established is faulty and that it can not sustained economically over long-periods of time.
Romney still to this day supports it, and continues to defends the part he played in ensuring that a socialized health care system was implemented in the state of Massachusetts. I can’t see him having the desire much less the resolve it would take to get it repealed.
So of the items on your list, via socialized health care, we would likely end up with #2, #4, and the last item.
Point being that our nation can’t afford it. We can’t afford the cost of it, and neither can we afford the increase in unemployment that would result from it within a few years due to the fact that health care organizations can not realistically sustain the costs of the regulatory measures that a socialized health care system would impose on them at the present time.
Seriously?
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:09PM EST (link)I’ll remind you that Newt is another proponent of a national mandate. Remember that? The individuals need to provide a bond for healthcare thing?
Even the Heritage Foundation was for the individual mandate. But that’s not the point. WHY would Mitt implement such a thing?
I’m sorry, but I don’t agree with your conclusions. Mitt’s pledged to repeal Obamacare; I’m not sure what else he can do.
No, Newt is not proponent of a nat'l mandate
republitarian Thursday, January 19th at 2:20PM EST (link)Listen to his brief explanation here, from a December debate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ8EzA63Wck
Newt is against the individual mandate and Romney still likes his. So, don’t say that Newt is a proponent as if that is his stated position, unless you want to say that Newt is lying in which case people will have to decide for themselves if he is sincere.
So who's the flip flopper?
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:25PM EST (link)http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/newt-and-the-individual-mandate-contd/2011/12/27/gIQAGX24KP_blog.html
Here’s Newt defending the mandate in 2008.
At any rate, I really don’t care what Newt said in 2008. What I’m asking is what is Romney going to do that is so terrible.
And if you think the IM is coming with his Presidency, we’ll have to agree to disagree.
You'll want to compare that list to his Massachusetts record, SteveM.
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:52PM EST (link)I’ll give you Iran, unions, and abortion…. but 3 out of 7 ain’t great.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
It's easy being green. When you're a GOP'er in TX
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:15PM EST (link)Otherwise, you have to work harder. Was Mitt supposed to avoid the wishes of the vast majority of his citizens in Mass? Just do what he felt like doing?
Come on. As I said, zeal can be a good thing, but let’s not go overboard.
OK, so he's better than Obama.
milehighcon Thursday, January 19th at 2:46PM EST (link)So is EVERYONE. Being slightly to the right of Obama is no hard feat.
And the fact that on 2 out of 3 issues he sided with Obama will only hurt him in the general. Independents are less moderate than they are low-information and pliable. They will gravitate to any strong argument, no matter how stupid it is.
Now, fortunately for us, Obama is weak and fails at making arguments that people understand or can relate to, outside of his rallies. But Romney is worse. He won’t convince the independents because he can’t show strength. We’re electing him on his “electability” when in fact he’s the least electable of the bunch.
He’s a pansy, flip-flopping, East Coast moderate elitist. He’s stiff, awkward, and can’t relate to normal people. He’s John Kerry. John Kerry is also to the right of Obama, but that doesn’t mean I want him to be the R nominee.
Gingrich has plenty of flaws. Sure. But at least he can talk about what a conservative is, and he has the strength to take on Obama and the media, and own the debate. He can win the messaging battle, and he can drive the narrative. If all the dems have is social-issues family-values problems from 20 years ago, then we’re sitting pretty.
I’d take an adulterating, 2-divorce conservative who can articulate his position to a stiff, awkward, flip-flopping, liberal/moderate father-of-Obamacare any day of the weak.
I live in MA
CarolT (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 12:39AM EST (link)We did not want our healthcare ruined by Romneycare. The only people happy with it are people that do not receive W2 forms but 1099 forms or tips as income. They lie about income and people and/or employers subsidize the very low premiums they pay and out rates, co-pays. co-insurance, rates have gone sky high in the last four years.
I have said this before and I will say it again, no good ever came out of a republican working with Ted Kennedy, Ted K is in the famous picture of Mitt grinning and signing that into law, along with Sal DiMasi, the last speaker of the house, now in jail or on his way for eight years. The MA Legislature was poised to pass it, Mitt should have tried to veto it.
Um, Mitt nominated liberals to the MA bench...
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 9:00PM EST (link)…what makes you think he wouldn’t pull a Souter?
Ah Souter... a Reagan appointment.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 9:02PM EST (link)You just compared Mitt to Reagan.
Would that it were so.
Souter was a GHW Bush appointee
Neil Stevens (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 9:06PM EST (link)Sununu ASSURED Bush that Souter was solid.
Bush pulled the trigger.
We all paid the price.
Reagan’s bad calls were O’Connor and Kennedy.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
5 - At least they were swing justices, Neil.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 9:09PM EST (link)I guess nathan’s analogy is much more apt, then!
Great point!
If by 'swing' you mean 'activist on abortion'
Neil Stevens (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 8:52AM EST (link)Planned Parenthood v Casey proved that.
If we’d given Rehnquist (Nixon, Reagan), White (Kennedy), Scalia (Reagan), and Thomas (Bush) just ONE MORE VOTE, then abortion in America would be federalized today. We’d be able to fight politically, and win or lose on the merits of the policy, to regulate and restrict abortion in sensible ways that mesh with our values.
Kennedy (Reagan*) chose to work with O’Connor (Reagan) and Souter (Bush) instead, and got enough support from Blackmun (Nixon) and Stevens (Ford) to prevent abortion from returning to the states.
* I give Reagan somewhat of a break on Kennedy, because Kennedy was Reagan’s second choice after Bork, and we all know where Bork stood.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
You're talking about the Casey case, I assume.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:27AM EST (link)I had forgotten the breakdown on that one. Great point, Neil – both of the swing justices went hard left on that one.
And yeah, that’s why swing justices are a bad thing. They should be original-historical constructionists all the time.
Also, that opinion, along with Roe, had some of the most atrocious legal reasoning I’ve ever seen come out of SCOTUS, include the infamous “sweet mystery of life” line which, IIRC, didn’t even do us the favor of being non-binding dicta.
Also, that opinion had the audacity
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:55AM EST (link)to argue that Roe has so changed our society that even SCOTUS lacks the power to overturn it. Yeah… okay.
Why Perry? Why did you have to drop out? Gingrich better not be our man or Obama wins.
don12345 Friday, January 20th at 6:34AM EST (link)Chip,
Yep that is what he is saying and it’s the truth. I don’t like what Obama has done to our country trying to turn it into a European nation, but at the same time Gingrich would turn this nation into Iran with him as the supreme ruler, but of course Gingrich will not get the nod because he will be worse than Obama in the general. Why do you think McCain lost by a landslide and people didn’t come out. I’ll tell you why my wife and I did could not go and vote for McCain even though we wanted a Republican president, it’s because McCain cheated on his handicap wife for a much richer and younger version. My wife and I will never vote for Gingrich. Perry why oh why did you have to drop out?
What is the sole reason we want to elect Gingrich –because he gives fiery attack filled dialogs? Hitler did that too my friends and got standing ovations for it. If it had been known that Hitler cheated on his wives like Newt did, Hitler wouldn’t have had a chance.
The quality of trolls has really gone to hell.
mbecker908 (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 8:14AM EST (link)Proof that Neil & Company have done a good job with their blam sticks.
don12345, consider yourself the recipient of a Heinz Rule!
not all trolls can be as good lookin as your's Becker. He's pumpin' iron
tngal (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 8:26AM EST (link)and everything. OTOH, your troll is not as good looking as my garden gnome. But they may be related.
So, don12345, Gingrich is Hitler and will turn the U.S. into Iran
Jeff Emanuel (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:24AM EST (link)Do I have that right? And you wish Perry had stayed in because you trust him to be president, but you trust his judgment so little that you’re claiming he endorsed Hitler for president upon his withdrawal. Interesting.
Oh, and you’ll either provide actual evidence for your claims, tone them down, or leave.
Thanks,
The Mgmt.
JE
Gov. Perry has proven that he puts country over self.
avgjo (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:10AM EST (link)Sadly, he’s demonstrated why he’d be the best president out of everyone running…
Ceterum autem censeo, Obamaecuram esse delendam.
It’s the morality, stupid.
Governor Perry
CarolT (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 12:51AM EST (link)I hope and pray that Rick Perry has not lost political capital as Erick write Wednesday and he can contnue as TX Governor as long as he and/or the law allows. I think he was the best conservative in the race, with his ethics, record, and his wife Anita and he will be the recycled candidate in 2016.
I pray I am wrong but Obama’s ratings have increased in the last month, and he has the power of being the incumbent, that the GOP nominee will probably lose to him this year. I am not full of hope at all this year. My only hope was Rick Perry.
Obama's ratings will continue to climb towards the election.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 12:59AM EST (link)Once his campaign kicks into overdrive.
Well, this is excellent news, from both a policy and political stance
Chuck DeVore (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:11AM EST (link)Gov. Perry has a lot of class, is a true patriot and is spot-on with this effort to revitalize the 10th Amendment.
This will help turn the campaign from personalities to principle, starting a much-needed national discussion about the proper role of the Federal government.
One is reminded that Gingrich wrote the foreword to Perry’s “Fed Up!”
Perry's Remarks on Redemption
J. Leg (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:30AM EST (link)…were incredibly powerful.
And if Newt wants to blunt Marriane’s interview, he needs to cut an ad with Rick Perry talking about the power of redemption.
How can any social conservative argue with that?
Easy.
naysayer Thursday, January 19th at 12:49PM EST (link)Redemption squares Newt with God. It doesn’t mean that it’s a great idea for a values voter to elect a serial adulterer, hypocrite, and denomination-hopper to the highest office in the land.
For all his other faults, Romney displays a far greater moral rectitude in his personal life than Newt.
Very easy.
gladtidings Thursday, January 19th at 1:25PM EST (link)Social conservatives want a candidate who walks the walk. Newt Gingrich does not. We don’t need another Bill Clinton in the White House. A President Gingrich in the White House would be a reprisal of the Clinton years.
Only this time, it would be a Republican dragging his party down with him instead of a Democrat doing it.
We can’t have that. Let the Democrats be the swinger party if they want. We can’t allow it.
Retread. Rebanned.
I am sorry gladtidings
conservnca Thursday, January 19th at 3:35PM EST (link)I am not trying to contradict you, but to say social conservatives want a candidate who walks the walk is so painfully not true. I have a broken heart this morning to prove it. We had someone who was not only willing to walk the walk but someone who has been doing it for years. We let so called conservative pundits destroy him by not boycotting their programs and websites when they didn’t walk the walk themselves.They kept telling us who wasn’t for America and when a candidate who was so clearly for America became visible they didn’t promote him and his record.We keep hearing how all we needed was someone with Reagan principles to go against obama and that this country would support him and it would be a landslide. I guess I missed that part. I didn’t see support I saw betrayal. Betrayal to Perry, whom I am sure listening to the rhetoric being poured out from their platforms thought they would rally around his principals if he got into the race, betrayal to us their listeners and betrayal to our Republic. As far as any missteps that keep being used as an excuse of why his campaign floundered, what a joke. In the whole scheme of things, especially with what is on the line,his missteps are nothing compared to the walking off a cliff mistakes Gingrich and Romney bring to what has become a charade of a primary. The right has worked so well with the left to take our right to choose away from us. Our vote was and is the most important constitutional right we have.Today we have seen it marginalized even more.
5! @ conservnca
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:46PM EST (link)brava
today we saw the death of a dream.
cheetah2 (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 2:19AM EST (link)it hurts.
I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order, just like Mike Pence.
@cheetah222
Well said, conservnca! Hit the nail on its proverbial head!
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 8:24AM EST (link)The idiots on TV who have been allowed to speak for all conservatives have done this to the closest thing we conservatives have been begging for, have destroyed him.
And, I have no doubt they will continue the drilling away of the next closest conservative we have in order to coronate the king Romney. It has already started.
If Romney can’t be nominated, they will find another dupe to fill in the blanks.
Idiots, all.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Personally, I think the agenda even from the idiot conservatives on TV
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 8:26AM EST (link)is to re-elect Obama.
I truly do.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
I agree......
arthurjake Friday, January 20th at 9:15AM EST (link)In journalism there is more money to be made complaining about the status quo then to actually fix things.
I heard Hannity supports Newt. Don't know who the other "conservative media" will vote for
Ann_W (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 10:02AM EST (link)Because I don’t watch much Fox. But ultimately it’s the voters who listen and then vote. If Romney wins it will be because the most voters in the R primary voted for him over the other candidates. The “elites” and the “conservative media” do not do the voting. Loving the conspiracies, though.
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”
— Milton Friedman
The War on Poverty– forty-six years and counting!
Social what?
reddgreen Friday, January 20th at 9:18AM EST (link)There is only one social conservative, Ron Paul. And if you disagree, then you don’t know what a social conservative is.
Maybe redemption with those in his own party
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 2:22PM EST (link)No redemption with those he needs to win the general. They already hate him.
Do you people live in the real world, the one that isn’t totally red already?
It's easy to say you've asked for
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 3:53PM EST (link)redemption…and not mean a word of it, just mean it to insure a political future.
Both social conservatives and those who don’t consider themselves such, it’s just Newt being Newt, He’s an ego-maniac. He’ll do what it takes to get first, attention, then power.
That’s the story of his life.
That is freakin awesome! Especially the 10th amendment project.
Common_Cents (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:12AM EST (link)Perry is the perfect guy to help Gingrich wrestle power away from DC. I hope that Gingrich is committed, ( i do believe he is, since he is a student of history and can learn history’s lessons)
I think we do need to think about a coalition of states joining in the fight against the DC elites. It is too dang hard to get it done in DC alone, trying to send conservatives there. We definitely need help from the states taking a larger role. Perry is PERFECT for that.
I also see Palin now coming out w/ a full endorsement. Gingrich should do well tonight in the debate but will have probably the worst day of his campaign life with his ex wife being plastered all over the news Friday. That would be a good time for Palin to come out and break the news cycle. I hope gingrich has a few endorsements lined up for tomorrow to break up that news cycle.
Perry campaigning would be incredible.
Erick, have you heard what Cain’s unconventional endorsement is? Is he going to endorse anyone who supports the 999? LOL
Obama=Golfer in Chief, Leading from,
behind, the Back Nine.Leaders don’t create movements. Movements create leaders. Get involved. Your future depends on it.
Govt “invests” YOUR tax money for POLITICAL return rather than economic return.
I Am With You Common Cents...
Wubbies World (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:19AM EST (link)with a Palin and Perry endorsement and the 10th amendment project on Gingrich campaign. I am feeling much much better.
Join The Red State Strike Force
><> If It’s Worth Doing, It’s Worth Doing Right The First Time.
Hopefully Jindal and Forbes get aboard Friday.
Common_Cents (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:21AM EST (link)That would really help as well.
Obama=Golfer in Chief, Leading from,
behind, the Back Nine.Leaders don’t create movements. Movements create leaders. Get involved. Your future depends on it.
Govt “invests” YOUR tax money for POLITICAL return rather than economic return.
Not just Jindal, Common Cents...also Daniels, Barbour,
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:51AM EST (link)Haley, Rick Scott, Walker, Martinez, and others. This could generate a whole new tone to this entire election season!
Obama is planning to run on a “do-nothing Congress” platform as a way of trying to persuade the American people to give him more time, right? What if this 10A group, including these Governors, could get together the kind of platform that Repubs in Congress could use to show that they aren’t really part of that “do-nothing” Congress? That it is just Obama and the Dems?
Lineholder, after the Miss. Pardons....
Wubbies World (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:00PM EST (link)… on Barbour’s last day in office, I don’t think he is viable anymore.
Join The Red State Strike Force
><> If It’s Worth Doing, It’s Worth Doing Right The First Time.
That's probably true, Wubbies, but
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:05PM EST (link)we still have other people who can and would be relevant in this type of endeavor.
10A is a fairly popular issue right now. I hope that the individuals involved will use this opportunity wisely.
Wubbies Barbours are not quite as bad as appear on first blush.
tngal (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 8:41AM EST (link)He wrote a piece for WaPo a day or two ago. Turns out it was 26 not 215. Of the 26, Some were given release due to medical reasons. But apparently the biggest concern is that five who were murderes were let go. These were people who worked in the gov mansion. Trustees wo were assigned there. Its been a common thing for decades apparently in MS to pardon trustees at the end of a gov term.
There’s a lot more to why he did what he did and how trusttes are chosen for the mansion, who chooses them etc. Given that he came out with this explanation early, I’m hoping it wall quash much of the negativity it initally instilled in Gov Barbour.
Here’s the link.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/haley-barbour-on-his-pardons-of-mississippi-prisoners/2012/01/17/gIQAtOuG9P_story.html
Here's the thing
Death_of_the_Donkey (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:20AM EST (link)While Newt may be able to break the cycle for the primaries and many primary voters may not even care, since he is the “not Romney”, this interview could be a death knell in the general election. I don’t think “open marriages” are going to play well with the electorate at large.
Independent voters, by and large
NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:27AM EST (link)aren’t going to care about the marriage thing. Especially since Newt won’t respond and his daughters are still supporting his campaign. It’s been over 20 years an Newt has been contrite about it for a long time.
It sounds like there’s nothing new here anyway.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
It's the character trait of imperiousness, of
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 2:27PM EST (link)narcissism, of selfishness that all people, not just indies, will be reminded of when they think of his “open marriage” demand.
The character traits, get it. Newt remains humble for all of five minutes. It’s all he can manage, and even then, there really is no humility in him, He can manage to act humble for 5 minutes.
Did you listen to Santorum’s explanation of Newt’s welfare agreement with Clinton? That is the REAL Newt, the one who tried to back out of it and was forced into it by others. He’s got you believing he achieved that, though, right?
Ah, the snake is good.
Yeah, Santorum.
NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:44PM EST (link)No agenda there. I get your hatred for Newt, I really do. He made your hero Clinton do things you hated that he had to do. That just reinforces the conservative successes of Newt.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
All Newt has to do
texashistorian (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:30AM EST (link)is channel Bill CLinton: tear up a bit, bite his lip, and apologize. No, Newt won’t do the first two, but he’s smart enough to bring up Clinton’s fiascos and point out that the media were more than willing to forgive the man. That ought to knock it right back down.
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
- Paul Johnson
Who is Bill Clinton? (nt)
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:34AM EST (link)lol
Bringing up Clinton...
naysayer Thursday, January 19th at 12:53PM EST (link)… is a mistake. If Newt brings up Clinton, the Democrats will instantly respond that Newt was actually involved in an affair as he was spearheading the attack on Bill Clinton, cleanly attacking Newt’s culpability and hypocrisy at the same time.
Newt will have no viable defense.
Uh, Newt didn't spearhead
aesthete (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 3:21AM EST (link)a thing about the impeachments. He opposed the impeachment strategy from the get-go, which was one of many reasons that his fellow Republicans sacked him as Speaker (that worked out well for the rest of us).
The act of defending any of the cardinal virtues has today all the exhilaration of a vice – G.K. Chesterton
True
WillWong (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 3:48AM EST (link)And isn’t it interesting that so many people, including conservatives think that Newt is hypocritical for impeaching Clinto for his affair with Lewinsky while he was having his own affair with Callista. Clinto was impeached for Perjury and Obstruction of justice!
That's even worse
naysayer Monday, January 30th at 3:05PM EST (link)Because then his only defense is that he wasn’t strong enough (as Speaker) to put the kibosh on impeachment in the first place. You don’t want a defense that makes you look weaker than you did to start with.
So, he's even bumbling his departure...
clintonformccain Thursday, January 19th at 11:13AM EST (link)By endorsing Newt Gingrich on the way out, probably hours before Newt crashes and burns like a gigantic political Hindenburg.
What train wreck.
5 (nt)
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:15AM EST (link)I am looking forward
Ender (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:17AM EST (link)to the 2nd wife interview on ABC.
“To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it.” AR
Newt has all the inflamable gas of the Hindenburg --
hls87 Thursday, January 19th at 11:23AM EST (link)but none of its solid structure. He’s all noise and no signal. Win, lose or draw in South Carolina, he won’t even cast a shadow over Romney’s coronation.
I can’t fault Perry for endorsing him. It’s a way to save face a bit and seem relevant for a little longer. It helps preserve his street cred with conservatives so clueless that they think of Gingrich as one of their own (of which there are more than a few). But Harold Stassen is more likely win the 2012 GOP nomination than Gingrich, even though he’d have to rise from the grave to do it.
Newt's instability, Mitt's failures....
fightnright Thursday, January 19th at 11:26AM EST (link)I have been catching up with redstate comments for the last several days and while I understand the despondency of us conservative voters fearing having to default their vote to Obama and allowing the country to go farther left than anyone else would steer it (IMO, as I do not think the ambitious Mitt would let choose to betray his campaign promises so broadly as to let himself go down in 4 years as a Republican one-termer), or vote for a non-conservative, there is one thing that surprises me.
Some folks don’t seem to see that not one big mashed-up amalgam of ‘skill’, but an adequate aggregate of *several different skill sets* are needed by a candidate to win, run, and maintain a successful Presidential campaign – and later a successful Presidency, for that matter. All are necessary, but none is sufficient to achieve the goal. It goes without saying that one’s past C.V/resume and political accomplishments are key requisites for success at the starting gate, but we are now already on the track. Being an eloquent, charismatic speaker and debater with a huge database of historical knowledge to draw from is only ONE of these necessary but insufficient skills. Maintaining emotional stability – the capacity to control one’s personal discipline and character under crushing global psychological pressure is critical. For surviving the years of grueling run-up, being a resourceful and experienced funds and people manager and a tireless campaigner is another set of necessary but not sufficient electability skills. (If Mitt seems to be best so far in deploying those skills, it’s most likely because he has had more years of experience in it than any of the others). Finally and most crucial for the country, both during the campaign and while governing, one’s political savvy is crucial – picking your battles wisely, thus choosing your best opportunities to succeed in moving the country in the direction that your constituents hired you to go in, being able to control media and build an effective communications machine to articulate your goals persuasively to build coalitions to support them, and finally, understanding how people and institutions in Washington work, so you can get things done.
All too often voters only view and judge these skill sets successively and/or individually while evaluating the developing stages of a Presidential race, without taking into account how vital is the long term balance of a candidate’s skills COLLECTIVELY, to achieving a party’s goals. Whenever I read in redstate comments which devalue one crucial skill set, or rely entirely on a candidate’s expertise in one other, I fear the country is in for another disastrous four years.
"I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress or two years and just tell them we won’t hold it against them, whatever decisions they make, to just let them help this country recover," she said. "I really hope that someone can agree with me on that. … You want people who don’t worry about the next election." Beverly Perdue, NC Governor
If you don’t believe that Democrats will do what they say, then don’t
vote. But be warned: your 2016 vote may come too late. Vote Republican
in 2012!
Kowalski
fightnright Thursday, January 19th at 11:41AM EST (link)my point being, esp. now as one of Newt’s specific deficits come to the fore (his infidelities and moral failings) – as we now have a horserace – how can we best judge which candidate’s *total* game competence has a better chance of overcoming Obama?
With respect to a Romney v. Newt comparison
JSobieski (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:53PM EST (link)I think virtually all Republicans would agree with the following ranking:
(1) Good Newt
…
…
(2) Good Romney
…
(3) Bad Romney
…
…
…
…
(4) Bad Newt
If Newt can address his negatives sufficiently, his positives will make him a better collective candidate. If Newt can’t, he will get creamed.
This story about Newt coming out is actually a good thing for GOP primary voters. Newt will either be able to handle his history with a sufficient amount of poise, or Romney will clobber him.
My rules of the road for primary season.
Rule #1: Vote for YOUR first choice in the primaries
Rule #2: Vote for the R in the general.
Rule #3: Don’t let anyone convince you to violate Rule #1 or Rule #2
Rule #4: When in a center-right argument, reaffirm Rules #1-#3–it will help us all to get along better.
Rule #5: If you are using the language of the left, you probably aren’t furthering conservativism
Rule #6: The priority is issues first, candidates second, and supporters third. Nobody is bigger than the issues. Conversely, if you spend your time focusing on supporters, you are wasting everyone’s time.
STOP THE MADNESS!
A reduction in the rate of spending increases is NOT a cut!
In-state tuition for illegals is NOT amnesty!
Requiring someone to pay their medical bills is NOT an individual mandate!
Reducing tax rates is NOT a tax increase!
We should all be happy to get Newt or Romney or Santorum at this point.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:59PM EST (link)Because Obama is a nightmare.
That is the rationale behind Rule #2
JSobieski (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 12:38AM EST (link)nt
My rules of the road for primary season.
Rule #1: Vote for YOUR first choice in the primaries
Rule #2: Vote for the R in the general.
Rule #3: Don’t let anyone convince you to violate Rule #1 or Rule #2
Rule #4: When in a center-right argument, reaffirm Rules #1-#3–it will help us all to get along better.
Rule #5: If you are using the language of the left, you probably aren’t furthering conservativism
Rule #6: The priority is issues first, candidates second, and supporters third. Nobody is bigger than the issues. Conversely, if you spend your time focusing on supporters, you are wasting everyone’s time.
STOP THE MADNESS!
A reduction in the rate of spending increases is NOT a cut!
In-state tuition for illegals is NOT amnesty!
Requiring someone to pay their medical bills is NOT an individual mandate!
Reducing tax rates is NOT a tax increase!
I like the ranking
RichmondG30 Thursday, January 19th at 1:11PM EST (link)Problem is there is a LOT of distance between:
3) Bad Romney and
4) Bad Newt.
Bad Romney is a tight race and perhaps a toss-up.
Bad Newt could be a landslide Obama reelection, the makings of a horrible national nightmare. The marital infidelity won’t kill Newt, but I am afraid he might destroy himself using his most powerful weapon: his own mouth.
Sounds just about right to me
fightnright Thursday, January 19th at 1:15PM EST (link)And I think that this IS the right time to unload on Newt’s biggest failures, with nearly a year to go before the election – you can’t discount the significance of SC, but more importantly the later the bigger ammo is thrown, the more dangerous the outcome to the right. And I can’t conceive of conservatives here tossing aside the ball and giving up the game around the fourth inning, just because the score is 0-whatever.
It’s gonna be an interesting year, with the factions of litmus test values voters and litmus test conservative issues voters so divided, yet each side having such weight in deciding the ultimate direction of the nation. I know where I’d go at this point, but will vote (R) in the general regardless.
"I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress or two years and just tell them we won’t hold it against them, whatever decisions they make, to just let them help this country recover," she said. "I really hope that someone can agree with me on that. … You want people who don’t worry about the next election." Beverly Perdue, NC Governor
If you don’t believe that Democrats will do what they say, then don’t
vote. But be warned: your 2016 vote may come too late. Vote Republican
in 2012!
Disappointed with this endorsement.
littlehouse18 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:28AM EST (link)I had hoped he would decline to endorse, since I don’t see any other candidate who shares his values. Closest was Santorum, whose chances in the general are slim.
Nah, Santorum's chances were
conservativemountaineer Thursday, January 19th at 11:51AM EST (link)Slim and None.. and Slim left.
Just because the cloud has a silver lining doesn’t mean it’s not going to rain.
Keep it classy, clintonformccain.
avgjo (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:35AM EST (link)Reminds of that old, old advice:
‘If you can’t say something nice…’
Ceterum autem censeo, Obamaecuram esse delendam.
It’s the morality, stupid.
Hey. I was a Perry supporter
clintonformccain Thursday, January 19th at 11:44AM EST (link)He has nobody to blame but himself. He has shown zero political instincts for how stuff will play on a national stage.
Anyone endorsing Newt Gingrich is going to end up covered in political slime.
I wish I could blame the debacle on Perry's instincts.
hls87 Thursday, January 19th at 12:18PM EST (link)Unfortunately I think the problem lies much deeper than that. For all the Tea Party fervor of 2010, I don’t think GOP voters were ready for a candidate who told them even part of the truth about where we are and where we need to go. We are getting big government, status quo candidates because that’s what most of us want.
"If you can't say something nice.......
duramater (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:54AM EST (link)come sit next to me”.
And I’ll set you straight.
I'll help duramter.
avagreen Thursday, January 19th at 12:00PM EST (link)The lack of class that gloaters have diminishes whoever they are supporting.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
At last.. we agree.
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:09PM EST (link)nt
I hope Newt
Ender (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:17AM EST (link)will show us more of that “positive” campaign he was going to impress us with. The viciousness of both the media and Newt’s attack on Romney in the last few days points to some nice collaboration between the opposite sides. The media trying to destroy Romney (the taxes, and Bain) as he is the most electable republican, and Newt’s tandem nasty attacks have been brilliant.
As for me, I am still hopeful Romney will put this away in SC and will be able to focus on the actual enemy. It’s a myth that we need a protracted primary battle.
“To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it.” AR
Romney went full on negative against Newt
Common_Cents (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:31AM EST (link)romney’s pacs and surrogates as well.
Newt didn’t have those, until now. He had to strike back.
Now Newt will have some surrogates and Pac money to do the dirty work and Newt can focus on positive campaigns and rip on obama.
Obama=Golfer in Chief, Leading from,
behind, the Back Nine.Leaders don’t create movements. Movements create leaders. Get involved. Your future depends on it.
Govt “invests” YOUR tax money for POLITICAL return rather than economic return.
he won't be ripping on Obama
Ender (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:33AM EST (link)since he won’t get past Romney. So he will continue trying to destroy Romney for a while, at least until it’s obvious that he lost.
“To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it.” AR
Newt attacked Mitt from the left...
renl57 Thursday, January 19th at 12:04PM EST (link)…by playing the class warfare card against Mitt’s time at Bain Capital.
That a conservative Republican would take a card from the liberal Dem playbook to use against a fellow Republican tells you how low Gingrich is willing to sink.
The ABC piece
Death_of_the_Donkey (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:18AM EST (link)looks to be quite damaging to Newt though, especially for those of us who believe in the sanctity of marriage. I am not sure that it will affect the primaries, but it could be another story for the general election.
Yes, Obama will be able to run to the right of Gingrich
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:20AM EST (link)on the sanctity of marriage.
Two words
texashistorian (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:31AM EST (link)Larry Sinclair. Think again- the O won’t go there; he knows better.
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
- Paul Johnson
sinclair failed 2 polygraphs he voluntered for
jimbomcw Thursday, January 19th at 11:39AM EST (link)you sure you aren’t a paulbot wearing a tin foil hat?
no need to be crazy like them
Hi! Check out my HuffPo profile! Because I hate you guys!
Thanks Jimbom
texashistorian (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:59PM EST (link)for contributing absolutely nothing except an silly insult. The larger point is not about Sinclair’s truthfulness nor is it about Ron Paul, tinfoil hats, motherships, or wolf-headed babies. It is about Obama’s past, which can be illustrated by the Sinclair allegations. He doesn’t want to go there, period. This is why we know next to nothing about his private life prior to his arrival in Chicago, and why we know very little even about his time after. Kinghenry below mentioned Vera Baker, same point. I am almost 100% sure that if Newt is the nominee Obama’s campaign will stay away from those personal life issues.
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
- Paul Johnson
The Two Words are Vera Baker
kinghenry (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:51PM EST (link)ignore the sinclair thing.
Death of the Donkey, except one thing....
Wubbies World (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:21AM EST (link)… this is all old news on newt. His wife did an interview with Esquire in 2001 and said all the same things.
The only difference is the video of the tearful and bitter ex wife crying on the screen. That is what will be damaging. The news is the same.
Join The Red State Strike Force
><> If It’s Worth Doing, It’s Worth Doing Right The First Time.
No, not old news since no one was
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 2:32PM EST (link)listening then. Such is the nature of news.
apparently Newt wanted an "open marriage"
Ender (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:23AM EST (link)how progressive of him. I am sure this will play well.
“To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it.” AR
Let the 'great experiment' begin!
jaykali (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:25AM EST (link)-Arrested Development.
555! @ jaykali
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:26AM EST (link)Newt let the great experiment beGingrich
jaykali (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 7:38PM EST (link)Who better than to represent the party of family values?
many will see him trying to save marriage
jimbomcw Thursday, January 19th at 11:41AM EST (link)something better than just hooking up with the mistress and dicthing the wife
plus romney’s great grandfather had 5 wives at the same time
Hi! Check out my HuffPo profile! Because I hate you guys!
Really? Romney's Great Grandfather must have had incredible character to survive that!
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:59AM EST (link)Which party is he running under? He sounds like my guy.
Hey, jimbomcw, can you please tell me what Romney's
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 3:57PM EST (link)greatgrandfather has to do with him? Or you? Or me?
Or are you one of those reparations people that believe that because your grea great grandfather believed in slavery, you ought to pay reparations to the descendants of slaves?
Sounds like you belong in the Progressive Party of Obama.
The left is terrified of facing Gingrich
Common_Cents (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:25AM EST (link)So they will try to take him out now with this.
This will help Gingrich in the general by getting this out early.
If the left thought Gingrich was easy they would have sat on this for the october surprise. They are good at sitting on things like John Edwards scandal.
Obama=Golfer in Chief, Leading from,
behind, the Back Nine.Leaders don’t create movements. Movements create leaders. Get involved. Your future depends on it.
Govt “invests” YOUR tax money for POLITICAL return rather than economic return.
Gingrich's October Surprise Could Be His Kids.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:29AM EST (link)nt
What, are they going to come out in October and chage their minds? n/t
ceili_dancer (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:43AM EST (link)…
I assumed Romney's people were behind this.
burke Thursday, January 19th at 11:40AM EST (link)I think there are those within the Republican party who are irritated with Gingrich’s rise. I really feel that Mitt has been forced on us in a variety of ways, and I don’t think those doing the forcing are going down without a fight.
I don’t think the left is “terrified” of Gingrich.The Dems I know under-estimate Gingrich as an opponent; they think he’d be easier than Romney. Painting Gingrich as erratic and without the follow-through to act as an executive is at least as effective an attack as going after Romney for being an immoral, American job-killin’ robber baron, if not more so. Frankly, I think Romney and Gingrich are both pretty weak candidates, but luckily for them (if not for America), Obama’s weak, too.
If it doesn't affect the primaries, you can be sure
avgjo (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:37AM EST (link)it will not affect the general election.
The independents are unprincipled squishes who only vote their pocketbook. Obama’s ruined that.
Ceterum autem censeo, Obamaecuram esse delendam.
It’s the morality, stupid.
unprincipled squishes who only vote their pocketbook
Freedoms Truth (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:56AM EST (link)- 5 –
Let’s face it.
Will the 20 million under-employed and unemployed Americans who have suffered 4 years of Downgrade Obama stick with him because of Gingrich’s personal history … 15 years ago Gingrich fell for a younger woman, now his wife?
His main issue will be with Republican women, and interestingly there is a gender gap in primary polls.
Freedoms Truth,
Travis Monitor – http://travismonitor.blogspot.com
Austin, TX
Romney's offshore accounts will sink him in primary or in the general
Common_Cents (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:26PM EST (link)This will be the single most devastating fact on romney.
Offshore accounts is why Romney doesn’t want to release his records. I’m sure they are all legal and reported, thus in his records.
The optics during these economic times will crush him.
Do you know why obama the community organizer got the OWS started?
It’s because obama got Romney IRS records. the offshore stuff will be the central theme on Romney and obama wanted to sit on it.
Obama=Golfer in Chief, Leading from,
behind, the Back Nine.Leaders don’t create movements. Movements create leaders. Get involved. Your future depends on it.
Govt “invests” YOUR tax money for POLITICAL return rather than economic return.
If bank accounts are all they have, I'm not buying it.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:32PM EST (link)Romney’s a rich guy. People kinda expect the filthy stinking rich to have that kinda stuff going on.
avigjo,
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 3:59PM EST (link)I can’t believe you actually believe that, but you said it, so I have to accept that you believe it.
Oh, WOW. Just…WOW.
Right idea ...
colonelflagg Thursday, January 19th at 11:22AM EST (link)…wrong endorsement. If this forces Santorum out of the race we’re guaranteed another moderate loser as the nominee. No thanks.
How, exactly, is Newt a moderate?
J. Leg (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:40AM EST (link)With a 15% optional flat tax plan?
With a comprehensive American energy plan?
With “Patient Power” replacing ObamaCare?
I dunno. Is it moderate to sit on a couch with the Wicked Witch of the West
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:33PM EST (link)and then drop said couch on your conservative base?
jake, politics makes strange couchfellows
tngal (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:04PM EST (link)its a widely held belief “0 Especially if its a pullout couch that makes into a bed.
this may be why Perry dropped. New Ras has him at 2 percent in SC and gingrich over romney
tngal (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:23AM EST (link)Rasmussen should have the full story out in a minute but check the numbers from the examiner.
http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/new-poll-has-gingrich-leading-romney-sc/322741
The camps are sometimes able to get the numbers a little earlier than the rest of us peons.
Campaigns tend to rely on their own polling
unclefred (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:25PM EST (link)So it is a safe bet that they knew this. The impact of the release of the public poll may have influenced the timing, but probably not the actual decision.
So we're all supposed to be excited about Newt Gingrich?
jaykali (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:24AM EST (link)I mean has anyone been watching his campaign the last 2 weeks? I think even tho Rick Santorum has the ‘compassionate conservative’ label from some folks including Erick who thinks he’s a big govt conservative but I mean at least he’s run a coherent campaign. I feel like watching Newt that he always has 1 foot on a banana peel and you’re just waiting for him to say something off the cuff that is going to throw him back into the ditch.
I just can't stand sweater vests.
ceili_dancer (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:53AM EST (link)It’s like a Tosh.0 episode with all of the sweater vests.
And now we're finding out ab his 'open marriage' idea - that's just great
jaykali (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:03PM EST (link)And he is our more conservative candidate huh? He does mention the word ‘Reagan’ alot…
If you can't stand sweater vests, go take a look
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 4:01PM EST (link)at Santorum’s high school grad pic…although I freely admit that one’s grad pic should have nothing to do with one’s vote.
We all looked a bit creepy in those…
Are You Tired of the Spending In Washington DC
carolynr Thursday, January 19th at 12:13PM EST (link)then…dud…dud…you don’t vote for Santorum. Was Bush not enough with the spending? I’m Conservative…I bought the dog and pony show of GWB…I saw the results…I had an epiphany…This was not the way to go.
I saw BHO…AND KNEW THIS WAS A MEGA MISTAKE…but we had Romney Senior running against BHO…McCain.
We lost the best bet we had for the people. Not the insiders, not the lobbyists…but US…It was Governor Perry
So…the oops moment will be explained on the national blogs…Perry won’t say it…I will…he stood there for two hours in pain for our values…and what did we do…consider people that wouldn’t give us, the American People, the time of day.
Doubt me…just call Congress and tell them about their spending, of the XL Pipeline. They DON’T CARE. Or look at all these people that cancel out your vote because they want more money for doing NOTHING.
Correct, carolynr! He didn't want to get into the race......
avagreen Thursday, January 19th at 12:19PM EST (link)but he did it for us……to stand up and give the people a “choice”. He just didn’t know that many just don’t give a flip ……… too many.
They’re just as happy as flies on a cow patty to let it continue as long as they have their mind-numbing activities [TV, sports, harlot Hollywood stars, porn (soft and otherwise), their internet addiction.......].
HE DID IT FOR US!!!!!
Perry won’t say it…I will…he stood there for two hours in pain for our values…and what did we do…consider people that wouldn’t give us, the American People, the time of day.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
avagreen,
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 4:02PM EST (link)Are you young…have a girl-crush on Perry?
He did it for himself, dear. He’s a pol. They are all. He couldn’t resist the dangling of fame, celebrity, and power in front of his eyes.
Beware his bad instincts.
usetobelib, No, I don't have a girl crush on Perry. I just happen to live in the same state.
avagreen Thursday, January 19th at 5:09PM EST (link)How old am I?
LOL! Probably old enough to be your mother.
Your bad instincts smell reallly badly.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
usedtobeLIB: Methinks you remain that way, a LIB!
pttx333 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 5:16PM EST (link)You have no reason in this world to insult Miss avagreen or to bash Governor Perry. He is GONE! Buzz off …
Correct, carolynr! He didn't want to get into the race......
avagreen Thursday, January 19th at 12:20PM EST (link)but he did it for us……to stand up and give the people a “choice”. He just didn’t know that many just don’t give a flip ……… too many.
They’re just as happy as flies on a cow patty to let it continue as long as they have their mind-numbing activities [TV, sports, harlot Hollywood stars, porn (soft and otherwise), their internet addiction.......].
(This stupid site keeps telling me I’ve already said this. )
HE DID IT FOR US!!!!!
Perry won’t say it…I will…he stood there for two hours in pain for our values…and what did we do…consider people that wouldn’t give us, the American People, the time of day.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
I wonder if Rick Perry wants his endorsement back...
jaykali (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:29PM EST (link)Considering the news that broke like 5 minutes better. Look Newt’s great at debates. And we all learned in 2004 that President Kerry won the election after winning all of his debates with Governor Bush.
Here's a knife, jaykali.....
avagreen Thursday, January 19th at 12:45PM EST (link)why not just stick in it and give it a little twist?
It would make your job even easier.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
It's too bad bc he looked great on paper
jaykali (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:22PM EST (link)But he couldn’t ever pull it together. He pandered pretty hard to social conservatives and that part I don’t mind that much just bc its politics but the thing that made me lose some amount of respect for him was the vulture capitalism stuff. That put me over the edge bc HE was the big free market guy. I mean Texas is definitely libertarian leaning, of all the candidates that aren’t Ron Paul he should be the one consistently defending the free market but he threw that away for cheap political points that didn’t even matter in the end.
Listen, it's pretty bad when people hear you are
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 4:07PM EST (link)a Republican and they say, “First Palin, now Perry. When are you going to find someone with an IQ?”
Just saying….that’s the perception. Let the Palins and the Perrys of the world learn that while mastering the language is never an assurance that one will be a good President, demonstrating sufficient mastery of the language is necessary to *become* President.
Perception is reality, usedtobelib
Eyeofnewt Thursday, January 19th at 4:19PM EST (link)Whether it is true or not – there is a real “optics” problem with Perry for sure. And to a lesser extent Palin has the same problem. The Houston Chronicle has an excellent article here
http://blog.chron.com/rickperry/2012/01/eight-strategic-errors-that-doomed-rick-perrys-campaign/
I particularly agree with the author’s point that “Texas-ism” was a big part of the problem. The following is a section from that article:
“Running for president is not like running in Texas
The Texas electorate is not a cross-section of anything except the Lone Star State. Issues that resonate in Texas — and particularly the rhetoric and boastful nationalism — do not translate in other regions. (We mean Iowa and New Hampshire in particular.) The Texans who have transcended “Texas-ism” have gotten elected: the Bushes. (They were born in New England, of course.) The Texified Texans — John Connally, Phil Gramm and Lloyd Bentsen — never got their campaigns off the ground.”
Ya I suppose I agree
jaykali (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 7:43PM EST (link)I don’t know if that totally sunk him, the issue for me were his gaffes and poor debate performances made him look out of his depth, I am pretty sure that killed him. I lost respect for him when he went all-in on the vulture capitalism stuff. I have been amazed what I’ve heard from Gingrich and Perry and a lot of conservative radio callers repeating the 99%-er type language which I think is absolutely crazy. If we can’t agree on the virtues of the free market what in the world are we doing here?
Then don't get on Perry because of his earlier debate performances. N/T
ceili_dancer (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:05PM EST (link)That is all
More than media debates it take to make a president
celador2 Friday, January 20th at 10:13AM EST (link)It takes more than a performance in a presidential debate to be a credible president. Are we electing an entertainer–again– or someone who works when cameras are not rolling?
Why did Perry drop out as the void is greater than ever for a fully experienced executive as president like Perry.
.
And, second WHY would he prop up Newt Gingrich as Mariane’s details came forward?
Had Perry not endorsed at this time I would trust him more than I do.
It looks like they cut a deal for Newt to decide what are states’ authority and what is federal? Hmmm And, Newt weill give the states back authority usurped over the years.
Man, they the states have it in constitution. Newt is not Napoleon!
Couldn't make sense of your post, calador2...
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 10:18AM EST (link)BTW, who would you expect Perry to endorse?
Rombot?
Paul ?
Santitorium?
it had to be one of the three. Why not go with the one who apparently views States Rights the same as you?
Deal? What deal?
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
I'll give this about a week
ragnarthepirate (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:29AM EST (link)In about a week Newt will say something ridiculous. You will withdraw your support and there will be no options left. You’ll awkwardly say we should focus on house and senate races instead. Then you’ll think back to after Iowa when you were flirting with none of the above. You’ll wish you and many other conservatives had taken that path.
Isn't this fun
texashistorian (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:33AM EST (link)RedState gets to become RomneyState. After all, we are now learning what all the Romney people have known for years now- he is inevitable.
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
- Paul Johnson
No, not RomneyState
Bill S (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:40AM EST (link)GOPState. Which is where we’ve been all along.
Conservative in the primary, GOP in the general.
Very simple, actually.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
But Bill
texashistorian (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:44AM EST (link)we aren’t there yet, are we? Last I checked there are still 4 people in the primary, but the bulk of the posts in this thread thus far are all about how Romney will be the guy. When we get the general, we are GOP state, agreed. Until we have a nominee, though . . .
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
- Paul Johnson
This is true.
Bill S (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:53AM EST (link)And it does not change my comment any. We’re not RomneyState, nor will we ever be. If Romney winds up winning, we will support him, just as we’d support Newt or Santorum.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
I don't believe that.
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:24PM EST (link)Sorry, but I don’t believe that. This site is taking scorched Earth to new levels. It’s adopting an absolutist stance that leaves no room for disagreement.
Why wouldn't you believe it, SteveM?
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:36PM EST (link)There are plenty of us here who doesn’t necessarily like Romney, don’t have much of confidence in the man regarding his position on various issues, don’t see him as being the kind of person who is bold enough to stand up to the Obama and the left, etc. But if it comes down to Romney vs. Obama, of course we’re going to be in Romney’s camp.
Why would we do otherwise???
It's about energy.
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:51PM EST (link)I’m a Mitt guy, and was since 2008. But I also gave money to Cain and will max out to whichever one of the last 4 is our candidate (except Paul).
However, I’ve made it A POINT not to harsh on the other candidates this cycle. Why?
Several reasons:
1. It’s counterproductive. It only helps Sata-, I mean, Obama.
2. Any of our guys is a better choice than the current guy.
Whoever said above that this site will turn in to DownTicketState has it spot on. But let’s assume that every diary is suddenly pro-Romney post convention (assuming he’s the nominee).
Are all of you going to suddenly cast all of your energy towards doorbelling/phone banking for Mitt? I doubt it. I sense a lot of “taking my ball and going home” around here.
I can't speak for other people, but
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:06PM EST (link)I’d say that, overall, there’s likely to be a significant lag in enthusiasm if Romney gets the nomination. He isn’t exactly someone who provides inspiration and confidence, SteveM. So yeah, we’ll be focusing on down tickets.
But there isn’t one amongst us who wants another four years of Obama!
So when it comes down to it, if we have to suck it up and put our personal feelings aside towards any of our imperfect candidates in this race who might win the nomination, I believe that there will be more of us willing to put what is in the nation’s best interest first ahead of “taking my ball and going home”, as you expressed it.
I grew up in Missouri.
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:30PM EST (link)So I’ll be in full Show Me mode.
In the meantime, this site is doing far more harm than good. Throw talk radio in there as well.
Excuse me...this site is doing more harm than good?
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:36PM EST (link)What, because it provides people who just happen to be independent thinkers and who don’t automatically conform to the expectations of “electability” and “inevitability” to obtain information that could be used to support Conservatism as a whole???
You’re going down the wrong track on this one, SteveM. to condemn this site for what it provides.
Trashing everyone you don't like
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:00PM EST (link)…isn’t productive. That’s exactly what this site has become, I’m sorry.
The rest of your argument is a strawman. Nobody’s telling you to do anything. Nobody’s telling you to conform. And even if they were, is it productive to tear down our own side?
No, it’s not. If you like Newt, then make a positive case for him to be the nominee. Is Mitt’s SuperPAC out of control (because somebody is headed there)? Maybe it is. But neither you nor I control that.
Take a page from Jerry Peterson and take the high road. We’re conservatives and Republicans. We’re better than that.
Exactly.
gladtidings Thursday, January 19th at 3:10PM EST (link)It’s obvious that there is something between EE and Romney that seems like it came from the same ill-will that Newt and Marianne now hold for each other.
EE has gone far beyond a discussion of issues and has attacked Romney’s character. EE hasn’t touched Newt’s character although Newt is the one with the serious character flaws.
Anyone who allows themselves to get so personally offended by the man who is the presumptive nominee should find a new hobby.
If Human Events is funding this charade, then the question is what is their motivation? Are they trying to block Romney for personal reasons or do they seriously expect us to believe that Newt is more trustworthy than Romney on policy issues?
Retread. Rebanned.
And the same comment I left for SteveM goes for you too, gladtidings
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:15PM EST (link)You can attempt to use negative advertising campaign tactics all you like, to undermine Conservatives as a whole, or organizations who have a reputation for supporting Conservativism. But that isn’t going to inspire people to choose Romney or to rally around Romney.
And here's another rebuttal.
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:29PM EST (link)*You* can go around leveling accusations until you honk off everyone else. And strengthen Obama. In the end who wins? Nobody.
Neither do we win by uselessly discrediting
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:33PM EST (link)the few mechanisms of communication that we have managed to establish, SteveM.
You’re more than welcome to go back and look at my history here, if you want to. I’m as staunchly anti-Obama as it gets. I just see negative advertising campaign tactics as being outdated and inadequate, particularly in a case such as the one that exists here at RS where the thread line is direct from person to person. I’ve seen it be taken personally in a heartbeat, which drives people away rather than inspires people to support a candidate.
Isn't that just a wee bit hypocritical, SteveM?
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:11PM EST (link)Were you taking the high road when you stated that this site and talk radio are doing more harm than good?
This site has seen more than it’s share of campaign operatives over the course of this election, and at this point, I’m inclined to believe that is exactly what you are…a campaign operative for the Romney campaign.
Here’s a hint…this is a Conservative site, not a moderate site. If Romney wants to win genuine support from Conservatives, then his operatives would be wiser to approach it by presenting in what ways and to what extent Romney would be trustworthy, dependable and reliable to stand his ground against the left, particularly in regards to implementation of fiscally Conservative policy decisions.
But taking jabs at Conservatives in general, at this site, or at talk radio doesn’t alter the truth about Romney’s record and his tendency to just go with the flow of political expediency when it suits his purpose. We’ve got just cause to question Romney on this point, SteveM.
Fail. Not a campaign operative.
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:20PM EST (link)I want Obama to lose. Period, end of story. I’ve given dollars to two candidates thus far, Mitt and Cain. I plan on maxing out to the eventual nominee.
I knew sooner or later that somebody would go the “operative” route. You’re making my point for me. We’re all on the same team. If I was a campaign operative, I’d be trashing the others. Well, I’m not.
If Newt’s the guy, he gets my money.
If Mitt’s the guy, he gets my money.
But by dividing everybody into these little camps, all you’re doing is making Obama’s job easier for him. Is Mitt perfect? No, and nobody said he is. Nobody’s perfect.
You want to convince people to support Newt as the one and only genuine USDA Grade A conservative in the race? Fine. Just do it without alienating everybody else. Do it in a positive way that doesn’t feed Obama’s attack machine. Do it in a way that accentuates Newt’s qualifications for higher office.
That’s all I’m saying. Now back to your accusations.
And you'll adhere by the same standards
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:27PM EST (link)that you are promoting for others to adhere to? Or will there be evidence of a double standard, SteveM?
I wasn’t joking when I said we’ve seen plenty of ops at RS during the season. It’s been about as irritating as it gets, because they make it next to impossible to have a honest, rational discussion that includes looking at both the strengths and weaknesses of our candidates, evaluating the situation as a whole that our nation is facing right, and then trying to determine who is best suited to provide the kind of leadership that our nation is in need at the present time.
If I’ve judged you too quickly, I’ll apologize for that in a heartbeat. But if you do see this nation as facing dire circumstances, then surely you can objective in recognizing that the organizations and individuals you attacked earlier do have and I hope will continue to have a positive role to play in this battle. It serves no purpose to cut what lines of communication we do have, SteveM. Neither does it serve any purpose to discredit them with solid evidence of any wrongdoing.
The innuendos and insinuations do NOT help our cause, okay?
kowalski, "without solid evidence" [nt]
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:28PM EST (link).
Where have I insulted anyone?
SteveM (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 5:08PM EST (link)I haven’t said anything negative against Newt.
I haven’t said anything negative against you.
*All* I’m saying is, don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I agree with – I want an open an honest discussion that focuses on the positive. It’s my view, however, that RedState as a whole isn’t delivering that right now. That’s just my observation.
There’s no cutting off of communication going on.
SteveM, you did insult me, but
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 5:18PM EST (link)I’ll get over it and I don’t hold grudges. In all honesty, the reason I was insulted by it is I’m because I’m one of the people who is very staunchly of the mind that if we are to win this battle we are facing, then it HAS to be within the context of Conservatism as a whole, and that we have people/organizations on our side who do have their own part to play in that battle (such as Erick and such as RS), and that without them, our chances of winning the war in the long run would be a moot point. So, when they are attacked, to me, that is an attach on Conservatism as a whole and I take it as an insult.
But beyond that, whether you realize it or not, in my own rather nontraditional and unconventional way, I’m actually trying to help you out here by sharing a few bits of information that I’ve learned from observing from what has taken place so far during this electoral race.
Romney does not inspire Conservatives in general, SteveM, yet the enthusiasm factor could end up being very important in the general. If it is approached a certain way, it is possible that Conservatives might succeed in overcoming some of the objections they have where Romney is concerned, which helps all of us and promotes a win for Conservatism in the long run.
Using a negative approach just doesn’t get it done in this case. That’s all I can tell you. You either recognize and understand why or you don’t. I’m not sure what else I can say on that point.
And you are funding this site with every comment.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:04PM EST (link)Keep on clicking!
Well well Morality
arthurmanger17 (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 7:45AM EST (link)A lot of talk about morality here, a lot of Newt can’t win because of his marital affairs. Does his marital affairs affect what happens to your vote. Did your vote ever get lost or miss counted because of his affairs. Who is behind the Romney candidacy? The tea party grass roots movement shook up the ruling class in this country. A Romney nomination is crucial in suppressing the turn out of these grass roots activist. Iowa, the first contest of the primary season and we see what the ruling class will do to boost Romney. 8 precincts we are now told, we will never know how the vote went because the results are lost. Many want me to worry about Newts bedroom antics. You think the people in those 8 precincts are worried about that or “what the hell happened to our votes!”
SteveM, Romney supporters are so rare here
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:43PM EST (link)that I doubt you can count five.
There seems to be quite a few more
texashistorian (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 4:10PM EST (link)all of a sudden.
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
- Paul Johnson
Awww, did we hurt your feelings?
Bill S (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 12:23PM EST (link)I know it’s tough to support a candidate that no one likes. Since this entire campaign has been about finding someone besides Mitt Romney, guys like you must feel kinda isolated.
Oh well. This ain’t beanbag. Call us when Mitt finds a policy he can stick with for more than 24 hours. In the meantime, we will support the nominee, just as we did in 2008 when we were forced to support John McCain. The similarities here are striking, so I expect exactly the same thing to happen, but hopefully with slightly different results.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
Gingrich is a horrendous general election candidate
nepanyrush Thursday, January 19th at 11:34AM EST (link)This is going to be a disaster for the GOP. Gingrich is how Clinton ended up getting a second term. Great debater — would love to see him go up against Obama — but Obama will have at most 3 debates and maybe 2. The general election would not be about Obama — it would be about the ethical mess that is Gingrich, all of his baggage, and about a first lady that broke up a marriage.
I cannot even get my own very conservative daughter and wife to vote for Gingrich, because of his being unfaithful to two wives. They are as paranoid as I am about Gingrich getting the nomination.
I see an absolute disaster for the Republican Party if Gingrich is the standard-bearer. I, for the first time in this election, am very scared now about the chances of a GOP win.
We are watching a train wreck for the Republican Party
clintonformccain Thursday, January 19th at 11:38AM EST (link)It’s the economy stupid!
When was the last time any day’s headlines were about Republican candidate’s solutions for the economy? I can’t believe that these clowns are so far off message.
It's a disaster no matter who is the nominee
texashistorian (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:42AM EST (link)Romney is an unMITTigated disaster for the GOP as well. Maybe not from an election standpoint (though I personally feel that Obama will eat him alive) but from a conservative policy standpoint. Santorum has no hope in a general election, and as you say Newt’s baggage may sink him at the end.
We just have to suck it up and look to the future, because we aren’t winning it in 2012 no matter what happens.
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
- Paul Johnson
We are our own worst enemies ...
Freedoms Truth (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:58AM EST (link)through our excessive negativism.
Freedoms Truth,
Travis Monitor – http://travismonitor.blogspot.com
Austin, TX
Jesus forgives a woman caught in adultery.
salj Thursday, January 19th at 12:01PM EST (link)John 8:11 Neither do I comdemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Yes, and then Jesus's Apostle banned re-marriers from serving in church leadership.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:05PM EST (link)Forgiveness does not equal endorsement, or we should have Hugh Heffner as our King.
Somehow I missed that. We're electing a church leader?
NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:07PM EST (link)I thought we were electing a President. And secondly, you’re off on the re-marriage thing and church leadership, but that’s a discussion for another forum.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
So you were against Ronald Reagan in 1980?
Finrod (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:17PM EST (link)Ronald Reagan was the first divorcee to become President, after all.
Let’s get down to brass tacks here. How much for the ape?
Please respond to my comment or not at all. Thank you.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:39PM EST (link)n//t
Church leadership doesn't have a bloody thing to do with government.
Finrod (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 4:06PM EST (link)How’s that for a response to your comment, Buckaroo Banzai?
And please answer as to whether Ronald Reagan’s divorce should have disqualified him to become President or not, since that’s the core of your argument against Newt Gingrich.
Let’s get down to brass tacks here. How much for the ape?
First, jake, cite it. Second, WTF?
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:45PM EST (link)Seriously, where did you pull this from, and what does it have to do with electing the president?
I don’t like that Gingrich has two failed marriages in his past, but .. I like that more than I like the number of failed elections Romney has. After all, we’re looking for someone who can defeat Obama, not someone who can keep it zipped up.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Acat, I am tired of scripture being cited to support a candidate.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:54PM EST (link)1 Timothy 3:2
Forgiveness is not an endorsement for leadership; that is all I am saying.
And no, I don't think it applies to the political realm.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:56PM EST (link)Neither does the verse I responded to.
Best get used to it, Jake. Lots of impure voters.
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:42PM EST (link)Or, if you want that in a little more politically friendly way, every voter has their own set of litmus tests…
My set doesn’t involve religion, except to confirm the candidate doesn’t seem to want to apply it as Nehemiah Scudder would.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
I don't mind religious litmus test, acat.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:46PM EST (link)I am strongly against misuse of Scripture, twisting the word to mean something it does not.
He took a passage on Jesus forging a woman and twisted into “Newt’s infidelity doesn’t matter”. Umm, no, that’s not what that scripture said.
He's not against the gospel of Jesus Christ.
salj Thursday, January 19th at 12:56PM EST (link)1Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Galations 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,let him be accursed.
No arguments there, salj (nt)
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:58PM EST (link)And I respect your position about who you will support and why.
Thank you for your kind words,Jake
salj Thursday, January 19th at 2:06PM EST (link)There are no people with more gods than the average American.
Voters don’t have enough faith in the true God.
Jesus said all things are possible to him that believeth.
Maybe we have a real race --
hls87 Thursday, January 19th at 11:35AM EST (link)If this is that alternative universe where Spock has a beard or a surreal landscape littered with melting pocket watches. But it isn’t. Here in the real world, Newt Gingrich has no more chance of stopping Romney than I have of being the MVP in the next Superbowl. Even if he could, there’s no percentage in beating Romney with Newt. They are equally conventional and progressive. Newt’s not a conservative, he’s just obnoxious, whch isn’t the same thing whatever the media may tell you.
For conservatives, the 2012 party is over. We don’t have to go home, but we can’t stay here. Erick’s trying to pour another round and coax another encore out of the band. The effort is pathetic. It’s time to start planning to do better next time. This time is history. Let’s learn and move on.
I am with you hls87
conservnca Thursday, January 19th at 12:33PM EST (link)This isn’t a race, it’s a sham! In a real race the people would get to choose.
I have so much contempt for you and the rest of our so-called conservative pundits. None of you had any right to fix this election the way you have. By forcing Perry out you have destroyed this country’s chance for a future. I have learned so much in this short time. You are the same as the people you claim to be fighting against. At least my eyes are now open and I will not listen to any radio or news outlets. It’s all propaganda, just from the phony right. I can’t believe the arrogance you have to manipulate this process because like obama and his sharks you are saying you know better then the American people. I thought so highly of you, Rush, Hannity, Beck and Levin. And Palin, don’t even get me started on her hypocrisy. You all have played your audiences, and we believed you. Money and power. After what real conservatives have witnessed through this I don’t see how anyone of you can ever call yourselves followers of Reagan. Reagan would have never been this deceitful.He would have never used those who trusted him for his own ambitions. Everyone one of you in the media are acting like there is no one you will have to answer to for your lust of power and influence.
If any one of these candidates left were authentic none of you so-called power brokers would have work so hard to sell us on them. You took our choice away. It kind of makes me laugh that we as people were so gullible to take the opinions of common ordinary talk show hosts as sage wisdom. I guess the jokes on us. The only bummer for all of you is you live here too.What you have put in place for our future in this country you will now have to live through also. By the way how does this miracle team of Perry and Gingrich work if Newt is not elected. Another Sham! Unless that race is fixed also.When Jesus walked among the people to show us what a real servant looks like, the one group He had a real problem with was the hypocrites.You know the ones who decided how the people should live, what rules and regulations they should live under, who thought they were above the common man in their piousness.The Texas meeting ring a bell? The real truth is in the end , you who have played God with our lives are the ones who have been duped.
I Love Perry
promise Thursday, January 19th at 11:38AM EST (link)I live 17 miles north of the TX border, as you cross the red river into TX the FIRST thing you see is a sign reading “DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS”, it is soooooooo true!!! Has been for yrs. you speed and you get a ticket!!! Period!
I’m glad he is coming “home” we valve him and love him! He will continue to fight DC> Just like he did when he sent the “bill” for 345,000 dollars to that so called human who runs the “Homeland Insecurity Dept”, for housing illegals! Like he fought the teachers union when they wanted the “rainy day” fund to pad their pockets!! Good thing he did say NO, that left the fund to get Texas thru the wildfires since DC refused to help!!!
WELCOME HOME GOVERNOR!!! We love you!!
Rick Perry
miconservative Thursday, January 19th at 11:39AM EST (link)Is a good and honorable man and a true American Patriot. I am so proud of him today. I hope Newt Gingrich is up to the strong support Governor Perry offered him today.
God bless you Governor Perry and I know you will continue to work hard to serve your state and our nation well.
I am in for Gingrich.
cheetah2 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:56AM EST (link)I trust Perry’s judgement. He says he is still in the fight for our country. I will stand by his side supporting the man he believes will best further that goal.
I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order, just like Mike Pence.
@cheetah222
Cheetah..I just want to say...I admire your loyalty
carolynr Thursday, January 19th at 12:14PM EST (link)nt
Agree with you cheetah. As a Perry supporter I am now in for Gingrich...
oldlady Thursday, January 19th at 2:43PM EST (link)because I watched and listened intently to Perry’s speech this morning and what he, in essence, was saying to me is that of the candidates left standing Gingrich is the one who has the capacity to enact most of the important conservative things he, Perry, has stood for in his own campaign that needs to be done in Washington
I go to thinking about it. And I came up with ”yes”, Gingrich has demonstrated in the past that he is, indeed, capable of launching yet another ”conservative revolution” in Washington DC. He showed us that when he did it before.
I see what Perry means. For instance… Perry is for a balanced budget. Gingrich is the guy who got a balanced budget through both the Congress and forced it past Clinton’s desk. Perry is against the Food Stamp/Welfare state. Gingrich, as Speaker, not only got Welfare Reform through the Congress, but after hammering Clinton by sending it to Clinton;s desk several times, forced him to sigtn it on the third try. Upon being elected Gingrich did, indeed, get most of the things he promised in the Contract With America done. THey were not empty promises.
Gingrich was never my first choice, My first choice was Rick Perry from the getgo. Gingrich was never even my second choice. But after listening to Governor Perry this morning and giving carefull thought to what he was saying I agree with him that Gingrich is the only guy left who has shown he is capable of piloting the conservative agenda through the out-of-control swamp that is now Washington DC.
I’m In it for Gingrich now and the donations I would have continued to send Perry will now go to Gingrich to help him defeat Romney AND Obama!
Watched Perry's speech a few minutes ago.
joayn (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:40AM EST (link)Great speech, probably one of his best.
Thanks, Governor, and God bless.
America is an idea; a noble idea that essentially boils down to the shocking belief that the masses are in fact not asses. John Nolte
This is good, but
PubliusII Thursday, January 19th at 11:46AM EST (link)the primary benefit is that maybe, just maybe, Romney’s glide to a coronation will be halted. I am annoyed that the chattering class informs us that the primaries are over, that Romney has already won, before a huge majority (99%?) of Republicans have had the chance to vote at all.
Newt’s win in SC can stop Romney’s coronation, and make this a real primary season.
Now Newt has baggage, big time. I am not saying he would be a successful candidate against Obama.
By keeping the primary season going, perhaps a better candidate will emerge. Open convention, anyone?
PubliusII
ZERO chance of 'perhaps a better candidate'
Freedoms Truth (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:01PM EST (link)ZERO chance.
that’s fantasy. WONT HAPPEN.
Today’s news makes this close to a 2-man race – Gingrich v Romney.
One of them will get the majority of delegates. THAT person will be the nominee.
Santorum will hang in there, but may drop out after SC if he doesn’t do well.
A TIME FOR CHOOSING: Santorum, Gingrich, Romney. Nobody else.
Freedoms Truth,
Travis Monitor – http://travismonitor.blogspot.com
Austin, TX
Probably true but not assured
unclefred (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:30PM EST (link)If the campaign is still seriously contested when April 1st rolls around, it is conceivable that we can reach the convention with no one over the top. Especially if Paul continues to sequester 15% of the delegates.
I am not saying that a brokered convention is likely, nor even desirable, but it’s still possible.
On the contrary, at this point I would be
runner12 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:50PM EST (link)thrilled with a brokered convention. Seriously.
Ever four year cycle there's talk of a brokered
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 1:50PM EST (link)convention.
Blah, blah, blah.
As I asked on another thread, usedtobelib
runner12 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 6:24PM EST (link)Who do YOU support for President? If it’s Romney, come out and say so. But please quit engaging in petty sarcasm. Try using a more intelligent form of sharing your thoughts.
Please, let your second sentence not come to pass.
Christine (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:31PM EST (link)I hear he already qualifies for a speech at the GOP convention which I’m sure will be wonderfully embarassing.
The primary process is FLAWED. Two states should not decide our candidate.
“I would be a poor Commander in Chief”
– Barack Obama, July 3 2008
Perry ends his campaign with a terrible mistake
NickDeringer (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:47AM EST (link)via Drudge: “Perry ‘If You Cheat On Your Wife, You’ll Cheat On Your Business Partner’… ” I said early on that this was a weak field and was excoriated for it. Well here we are. We have Mitt Romney and 2 Fox News Contributors. Newt Gingrich is done. He will be the butt of late night comics for the next 10 years. Perhaps Newt would like to re-word his comment “Sarah Palin will play a major role in my administration.” The only question now is how many women did Newt actually “share” himself with? Will there be a steady drip of old mistresses a la Herman Cain? Is Erick ready to tell voters to throw their hard earned money at a candidate who has no prayer of beating One-bama? That leaves us with Romany and Santorum.
This is yet another hold your nose and vote election.
NickDeringer
Cool story bro (nt)
Neil Stevens (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:48AM EST (link).
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Thanks, Neil n/t
NickDeringer (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:01PM EST (link)n/t
NickDeringer
drudge is a whore, wave $ at him & watch
jimbomcw Thursday, January 19th at 12:18PM EST (link)him flip the other direction faster than the speed of light
Hi! Check out my HuffPo profile! Because I hate you guys!
Dittoes........he also has a past with Clear Channel......
avagreen Thursday, January 19th at 12:22PM EST (link)who’d a thought?
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Okay, now tell me how you really feel.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:28PM EST (link)Don’t hold back.
How much did Clinton pay him to run the Lewinsky story?
NickDeringer (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:03PM EST (link)How much the GWB pay him to run the Abu Garibe story?
NickDeringer
Doesn't matter.
conservativemountaineer Thursday, January 19th at 11:48AM EST (link)Gingrich will not beat Romney and, if he did, would be crucified in November. Say what you want about Gingrich being ‘redeemed’ etc., but 30 sec ads by Obama will rule.
If Romney is the nominee, he will lose to Obama. Many conservatives will stay at home or not vote.
Santorum? Not worthy of comment (and I live in his former Congressional District; he was my Rep).
I’ll vote R, but I will not give any $$ or make any effort to help either one.
Just because the cloud has a silver lining doesn’t mean it’s not going to rain.
Oh lookee
Neil Stevens (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:49AM EST (link)Another “conservative” talking up Obama and too comfortable with Obama to work to defeat him.
Have to watch out for fifth columnists these days.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
- 5 -
Freedoms Truth (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:04PM EST (link)At this point, we need to consider the “He can’t beat Obama” whines as trollish distractions.
They are dead wrong.
If some troll thinks we cant take out Obama, remember he is at 43% approval.
Freedoms Truth,
Travis Monitor – http://travismonitor.blogspot.com
Austin, TX
Refresh my memory, Neil. How was Bubba polling at this point in 1996?
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:19PM EST (link)(nothing further)
——
Caveat Suffragator
I don't have archives like that available to me (nt)
Neil Stevens (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:03PM EST (link)..
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
I don't know which argument acat is trying to make,
CrabCakes (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:08PM EST (link)but you can see the history of Gallup’s polling on every president since Truman here:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/124922/Presidential-Job-Approval-Center.aspx
Clinton’s, Obama’s, and Reagan’s numbers have tracked remarkably close together, for what it’s worth.
Yeah that's one pollster
Neil Stevens (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:12PM EST (link)That’s not really “how Bubba was polling” on that date.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
There weren't many games in town except Gallup in the 1990's,
CrabCakes (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:18PM EST (link)and those that were tended to be less respected than Gallup.
I’m not trying to make a point one way or another, though. I’m just curious as to what acat’s point is.
Less reliable polls can still tell us if Gallup was in the ballpark.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:23PM EST (link)If there are enough of them.
Here's a similar tool using the WSJ's polls.
CrabCakes (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:27PM EST (link)I don’t see any major discrepancies other than bigger bounces due to less frequent polling.
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-presapp0605-31.html
Less respected by whom?
Neil Stevens (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:26PM EST (link)I already exposed them last time as being a bit shaky at convenient moments.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
I'm not trying to argue for the respectability of Gallup or any other organization.
CrabCakes (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:32PM EST (link)You said that you didn’t have numbers at your fingertips. I just thought I’d be helpful and provide a link to an easy to use tool that I consult when lazy media outlets talk about Obama tanking or surging. It helps to answer the question “Relative to what?”
If you think the numbers are bunk or don’t matter, that’s fine. I was just hoping to get acat to say what he was getting at, because I honestly don’t know what he meant by “(nothing further).” Is he saying that Obama is a lock, based on history? Does he have different polling data that says that Clinton was polling much better than Obama now and thus that Obama is doomed? Does he think Romney is similar to Dole?
Maybe I’m just dense, though, and every knows what he meant.
To borrow from DeVine Gamecock, "No incumbent has won...
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:54PM EST (link)with this bad an economy”.
Clinton had the dot-com boom revving in 1996, Carter had stagflation in 1980.
If Obama is polling around the same level as Carter, and the economy is sucking similarly, it *should* be an easy race.
My concern, though, is that – as Dole couldn’t close the sale against Clinton, Romney may not be able to close the sale against Obama. If the economy upticks at all, or if they can effectively lie about it in the short term……
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
No incumbent ever won with job approval ratings below 42% either.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:55PM EST (link)And Obama does love to flirt with that number.
To find to an economy this bad in an election year, you have to go back to 1940,
CrabCakes (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:03PM EST (link)when Wendell Wilkie mopped the floor with FDR, right?
Yep - and FDR skipped the debates that year, too.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:52PM EST (link)So much for Gingrich’s advantage.
To be fair, debates didn't take place between party nominees until 1960,
CrabCakes (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:14PM EST (link)so it wasn’t extraordinary that FDR declined Wilkie’s invitation.
The perception is that the economy is
earlgrey (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:05PM EST (link)recovering. New claims for unemployment have been dropping in recent weeks.
That's perception, not reality, earlgrey
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:11PM EST (link)They altered the statistical formula back in the spring of last year so that it no longer includes people who have ceased looking for work. We need to watch the real unemployment numbers, not the ones that the MSM puts out.
I hope Neil will help us out on this one going forward.
The perception is that the economy is
earlgrey (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:05PM EST (link)recovering. New claims for unemployment have been dropping in recent weeks.
Look at it this way
Neil Stevens (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:21PM EST (link)People who had jobs under Bush but lost jobs under Obama: do you really think they’re going to vote to re-elect Barry?
And with the Keystone block decision, it’s clear Obama will continue to do his best to keep unemployment high.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
5! (nt)
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:53PM EST (link)How many have stopped looking, earlgrey?
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:58PM EST (link)It’s going to take a while for us to get back to real 8% unemployment, let alone 5%… (there’s a lot of fudge in the numbers, especially around those who have gone from unemployment to welfare)
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
U6 counts those who have stopped looking, acat,
CrabCakes (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:54PM EST (link)and it has declined even more sharply that U3 (the official unemployment measure).
http://portalseven.com/employment/unemployment_rate_u6.jsp
The general economic trend as of late has been positive pretty much no matter how you crunch the numbers. Of course, past performance is not an indication of future success, etc., but the GOP needs a better plan than expecting the economy to stagnate or tank.
Exactly, CrabCakes. If the economy comes back, we better have better than Bob Dole...
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 5:37PM EST (link)We need a leader,not just an anti-
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Not that it matters
Neil Stevens (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:05PM EST (link)I didn’t say any thing about where Barry was polling, and my case has nothing to do with how Barry is polling.
It’s about Carville’s three rules from Bubba 92:
1. Change vs more of the same
2. The economy, stupid.
3. Don’t forget health care
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Carville has that right, Neil.
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:56PM EST (link)History certainly appears to be repeating….
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
I'm not Neil, but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night :)
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:07PM EST (link)Here’s Gallup
Bubba was polling about 50%.
gladtidings Thursday, January 19th at 1:14PM EST (link)Dole had exactly one gallup poll that showed him leading Bubba.
Romney has already have several polls that show him leading Obama. Gingrich hasn’t had any.
Retread. Rebanned.
When was that?
bluerose75 Thursday, January 19th at 5:49PM EST (link)Romney is not electable on the general, Sorry get lulled into the early polls showing him tied with Obama or ahead, Obama woud destroy Romney in a debate. Romney has no personality and he will not convince me he is conservative. His record in Mass is of a liberal to moderate. He does not care about conservatives and takes us for granted. He will not denounce Romneycare and it is the precursor of Obamacare. He cannot debate Obama on that issue and he can talk about the economy and jobs but he cannot sway people. Once he would be the candidate it would be another McCain. He would get his clocked cleaned. Sorry Romney is a good business man yes but nothing and I mean nothing in his past shows an ounce of conservatism. Newt is not perfect and he has issues but at least I can look at his RECORD and see some conservatism. Romney is conversative when he needs to be.
Drudge is going to destroy Newt...
Addison (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:49AM EST (link)…by driving every anti-Gingrich news item hard and omitting all mention of Romney’s issues. Drudge is, of course, still the assignment desk for a lot of political journalists. I think it’s awfully naive to think that Newt can pull it out in SC — even with his momentum and the 4-5 point boost from Perry — if the last 48 hours are filled with Drudge-driven sex-tinged scandals surrounding Gingrich.
Romney is playing the SC game as it’s been played in the past — incredibly dirty, no stops, salaious, but all by proxy (Marianne and Drudge). I don’t think he’ll be overtaken by Gingrich or Santorum.
it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses
(That said...
Addison (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:52AM EST (link)…Perry did wonders for Newt’s slim chances with his speech and endorsement. The events Romney and Drudge are pushing happened a long while ago and the room for a redemption story is there. Perry opened the door for that framing).
it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses
Yes. Perry's mention of his Christian belief in redemption in his speech was right on the mark.
oldlady Thursday, January 19th at 2:59PM EST (link)Perhaps Christians will follow our Lord’s message instead of Drudge’s message.
Thank you for reminding us all about our alleged beliefs in Christ’s teachings about redemption, Governor Perry.
Do you not realize that Newt's betrayal of his
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 4:13PM EST (link)wives matches his betrayal of those with whom he worked on the Hill? Matches his betrayal of previously held positions?
Newt is the GOP’s magician: while we are looking at all his betrayals, his other hand dishes up raw meat (like his food stamp comment.)
We forget his betrayals and grab the raw meat.
Drudge Just Reports the Headlines...
carolynr Thursday, January 19th at 12:17PM EST (link)ABC is the culprit on this…and my bet on who was behind it is Romney.
Disagree, carolynr. Drudge seems to have dribbled this one out ...
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:22PM EST (link)with the intent to set the grapevine on fire.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
No Kitty...This Is Even Worse than we thought
carolynr Thursday, January 19th at 1:20PM EST (link)Right now on the View…Brian Ross…is all to happy to share his snipits of the interview. The bombshell…Newt wanted an open marriage. I will tell you this..and this dovetails into my post…these women are actually salivating off of the gossip of Gingrich. We have mega problems…and they would rather engage in this. Shallow people.
Know the really sad part, carolynr? They can vote.
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:00PM EST (link)The idea that being a breathing citizen is all that’s required to make wise ballot decisions is .. foolish.
I have a problem with stupid people – especially the willfully stupid – being allowed to vote. See previous posts by myself regarding integrating a civics/current events test (name one of your current senators or you don’t get to pick the new one) into the ballot and/or requiring proof of having filed an IRS 1040 (or 1040EZ) to get a ballot.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
I hope it is Romney...
clintonformccain Thursday, January 19th at 12:22PM EST (link)I would like to think that the Repubican nominee knows how to play brass knuckle politics hard enough to beat the living snot out of Barry Obama in November. I don’t want an amateur hour clown campaign from the Republicans in November. I don’t know about the rest of ya’ll, but I would like to actually see Obama out on his keister on election night.
My only criteria:
a) Is the candidate qualified to be President of the United States?
b) Can the candidate beat Obama?
Romney could not even say that Obama
jgge Thursday, January 19th at 1:54PM EST (link)is a socialist when asked about this few weeks ago and during these Republican primaries and you are telling me that cowardly flip flopper is going to be tough on Obama during the general elections? In the general elections Romney is going to make the most pathetic flip flops in the history of American politics that it would be extremely painful to watch and hear. The POS is going to flip flop on many conservative positions he took in the primaries thinking that by doing so he would be appeasing the moderates in the general elections. He is going to fail so badly not only because of the flip flops but mostly because of the Bain Capital issue. There is no way under the sun and during this environment we live in that a majority of voters are going to elect for President an investment banker whose company that he founded destroyed many jobs, no way under the sun it is going to happen.
Drudge is in the Romney camp...
Addison (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:27PM EST (link)…along with his BFF Ann Coulter. I don’t know why, exactly, they’re in the Romney camp, but both have been since 2008 at least. Drudge is pushing the ABC interview as something on par with the Lewinsky scandal, trying to torpedo Newt. Stoking the social media fires, releasing info bit by by to maximize the impact on the news cycle, even releasing the siren last night! But yeah, Romney is probably behind the whole thing — Drudge is just helping.
it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses
Wow!!
NickDeringer (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:06PM EST (link)There are more conspiracy theorists here than at a Ron Paul rally.
NickDeringer
It's not a conspiracy theory.
Addison (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:15PM EST (link)People assist those they support. People attack those threatening those they support. That’s what surrogates do. It’s not like there’s some mystery here, or some great web of lies and illusion. Drudge and Romney’s camp are very close, this story hurts Newt at a time when Newt has pulled into the lead, and look at Drudge’s page right now. Look at how he rolled it out last night. It’s pretty clear what the intent is. No Alex Jonesing necessary.
it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses
I'm sure you have tons of hard evidence for this of course
NickDeringer (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:09PM EST (link)Just wondering.
NickDeringer
No conspiracy theories. It is the absolute
jgge Thursday, January 19th at 1:55PM EST (link)truth.
Next you'll be telling me Elvis is still alive
NickDeringer (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:10PM EST (link)And you’ll be telling me that 9-11 was an inside job.
NickDeringer
No I will be telling you that you
jgge Thursday, January 19th at 3:20PM EST (link)are a condescending idiot.
Please.
gladtidings Thursday, January 19th at 1:22PM EST (link)You may as well accuse Santorum of being behind this since he stands to gain the most from Newt’s implosion.
The truth is that ABC is in business to make money. They’ve been holding the Marianne Gingrich interview in their back pocket just in case Newt ever built up enough steam to be considered a viable candidate.
Now that Newt seems to be creeping into Romney’s lead, ABC has the potential to get a lot of viewers by broadcasting these allegations against Newt. A similar story about Ron Paul or Herman Cain wouldn’t get as many viewers because neither of these men has any shot at becoming president.
The result of this interview will be devastating to Mr. Gingrich. He’s got to go into full damage-control mode on the evening of the election.
Retread. Rebanned.
What would she say that it would be
jgge Thursday, January 19th at 1:56PM EST (link)so damaging?
Sorry not really
bluerose75 Thursday, January 19th at 5:59PM EST (link)This story will only effect those that already dislike Newt like yourself. He will not be devestating to Newt…..who are you kidding? It has been out for over 14 years and you have alot of nerve by acting like all sheep will just believe a bitter ex?? Are you serious….Brian Ross who is nothing more than a liberal hack comes out with NEWT’S EX and she is angry and says he wanted this and that!! Of course everyone will just cry and shed a tear for her!! NOT! He does not need to go into damage control he needs to address it accordingly and proceed with his message on jobs, taxes, the economy and foreign affairs. It is people like you that hope he will be derailed because you are caught in the story!
Do you think people have a right to
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 1:53PM EST (link)know about Newt’s character, about his ideas on marriage? About his flip flopping between private/public behavior?
Isn’t this what is called “vetting”?
Yeah
bluerose75 Thursday, January 19th at 6:01PM EST (link)That vetting has been out for over 14 years!! Get with it! Flip Flopping…Romney should be on cover of International House of Pancakes Menu with all the flip flopping this liberal has done…Romneycare??? this will be linked to Obamacare forever and he can sidestep all he wants….he is a Mass liberal pure and simple.
Disagree
bluerose75 Thursday, January 19th at 5:54PM EST (link)Drudge is what he is…sits in some back room with his dirty hat playing journalistic god. Retreading is one thing…but Drudge has nothing new on Newt. He is maybe hoping to turn the evanglicals against him but I do not think that will work. Nothing Drudge can do will make most conservatives have passion for Romney. Conservatives were not passionate for McCain and we saw what happened. Drudge is what he is…..
Late primary folks who backed Perry
texashistorian (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:50AM EST (link)or anyone else who dropped out early- if it comes down to Romney and Paul in your primary choices (like it might in Texas) who would you back?
Just curious- my loathing for both is roughly equal, though for different reasons. It would be a crappy decision to have to make. I would have to think at the end I will pop the chad for the Mittster but oh how it will hurt.
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
- Paul Johnson
At that point, texashistorian, I'm writing in Becker's dead white cat.
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:22PM EST (link)Not kidding.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
I'd be tempted to do the same, acat, if the situation wasn't so dire
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:36PM EST (link)But if it came down to these two, I’d fight tooth and nail for Romney and for every single Conservative we can get elected to Congress to keep Romney from sliding over too far to the left in his policy decisions!!!
In the general, sure. In the primary? Buddy Roemer's a better choice.
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:11PM EST (link)Becker’s dead white cat is better than Buddy, though.
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
I'm with you ''acat''.....
oldlady Thursday, January 19th at 3:07PM EST (link)I’d do a writin too.
In VA have only two choices
mbrat42 Thursday, January 19th at 12:34PM EST (link)So I don’t know what I will do. Personally, I’m so bummed about Perry, I don’t particularly want anyone who’s left. Too bad people couldn’t listen to what he said instead of how he said it.
I believe Romney will be crucified in the general. I just don’t get how pundits seemed to think he was so good in debates. When attacked he acted, well weird. All Obama has to do is get under his skin and a debate is lost. I also believe Romney’s Bain career will be a problem. Not the deals that went well, but the ones that went bankrupt. And not just because the companies went bankrupt but because of the debt they were left with and the profits Bain took. Romney was asked about these at the last debate. He talked around the subject without answering the question. He is going to have to answer these questions in the general. And now, we hear about the Cayman Islands account which is another thing that can be used. It doesn’t matter what we think, those of us who are paying attention. It matters to the voters who do not pay attention. Less than 6 million people watched the last debate, 132 million voted in the last presidential election. Do you really think 100 million are going to check facts or just go on soundbites, Colbert, and Stewart? I think the latter is true. Obama shows Romney as a Vulture Capitalist, Romney shows ads about Staples and Sports Athority who wins?
Newt does have baggage, but if we are stuck with him and Romney, I believe I will at least hope for Newt. If there is a good chance we will lose with either candidate, at least Newt can give Obama the fight that Romney doesn’t look to me of being capable of.
Vote the rest of the ballot, leave that one blank.
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:41PM EST (link)Assuming write-ins would just spoil the ballots, that’s the best approach. An under-vote shouldn’t – legally – spoil the whole ballot…
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
That's an idea acat
mbrat42 Thursday, January 19th at 12:59PM EST (link)But I don’t know that I want to sign the stupid loyalty oath in order to be allowed to vote in the primary. Geez my state is stupid.
The "loyalty oath" is meaningless blather, just like corporate non-compete clauses.
acat (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:02PM EST (link)If it really bothers you, sign as Mickey Mouse. (or Rick Perry)
Mew
——
Caveat Suffragator
Or Benedict Arnold
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:15PM EST (link)(If I were a cat, I would have a Cheshire grin right now).
As the site's
DerKrieger (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 11:57AM EST (link)…backer and diarist for federalism I am very excited that Perry will engage on 10th Amendment issues. Fantastic!
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience.” — John Locke, 1690
I'll Try Again With My Sentiments
carolynr Thursday, January 19th at 11:59AM EST (link)Perry…I don’t want this to be about me…but never have I given as much of a donation to a candidate than I have to Governor Perry. Never have I made campaign calls to private individuals than I did Perry. Never have I blogged on behalf of a candidate than I had Perry and never will I stop pointing to the fact that we blew the only chance…the only chance we had to right the Good Ship America with the nomination of Governor Perry. Do you know why? Because of all the lies, all the deceit of Washington DC. Because I have been the victim of their greed, because I have been a victim of their power and I, like many of you have lost freedoms and liberties that will never be regained. This man, Rick Perry has done what all the candidates I promised to do but never complete. He is a true Conservative, a doer nor a talker and a man of Christian values. Never did I hear this man complain of his back hurting, the pain he endured while he stood up for the principles of the Tea Party Movement and the Founders and what did Nikki Haley do? Endorsed a man who holds the opposite views of those that propelled her into victory. Could he have won? Yes if America were principled but it is no longer. With the Old Guard Republicans, The Bushies, the MSM, the lobbyists against him…he was destined for this fate, irregardless of the Oops Moment and what was that due to…probably still suffering from the pain of spine fusion. No, Governor Perry is not a whiner, he never was and he never will be.
From a pragmatic viewpoint, without this premeditated attack on Gingrich considered, I believe that Newt is our alternative. I fear, for some of the above reasons stated, Newt will succumb to the same fate a Governor Perry. Defamation of character, i.e., Perry is a doofus…Gingrich has a sexual problem like Clinton…only the Press will leave out Clinton and “allow” us to connect that ourselves. How charitable!
Romney is Obama. Get use to it. If he wins the Presidency, Obama and Romney were playing musical chairs…we wind up with the same thing. His chances of winning the presidency, in my view, are nil because of his positions he took that will not woo the Blue Dog Democrats. He is a poor debater, he has as much, if not more baggage than Gingrich. Please see Drudge today on WILLARD’S offshore accounts along with those of Bain. Further…if you want to piss of the Evangelicals…look at the $$$ Bain gave the LDS organization.
Paul – As I have been saying, will be the third Party candidate…right under our noses running in a Republican primary.
He will be Romney’s nemesis. This is Obama’s gateway back into the WH.
Santorum – This is a big spender, a union guy with little or no experience for the Oval Office whose claim to fame is in his Social Conservatism…and that does not fly well with the majority of the public in this political atmosphere. He will be a repeat of George W. Bush…and he, whether you like it or not…SPENT TOO MUCH OF OUR MONEY…as did the Greedy Republicans…that need to be voted out. Santorum was one of them.
In closing…Thank you Governor Perry. You are the Hero that America failed to recognize. You were are last chance but the powers of Washington are too big for your solutions and the majority of Americans are too lazy or ill informed to recognize your service, your patriotism and above all, your honesty.
Braaavoo, carolynr!
avagreen Thursday, January 19th at 12:07PM EST (link)Well said!
It is sad when our country and “pundits” fail to recognize the Hero we had in front of their blind eyes. What a sad, sad commentary on our nation.
My heart grieves for what this “stupidity” says about our country.
Money, sex, rock n’ roll are the interests of too many.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
No.
Addison (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:14PM EST (link)Romney and Obama are not identical and it would not be musical chairs. That’s just the same old pablum, doled out to the disappointed every cycle to justify moping and emotionally “opting out” of the election.
Look at every rule, process, and regulation over the past 3 years that has sprung from a cabinet-level position — those would all be changed and reworked. RedState has covered these cabinet-level decisions thoroughly — in defense, in diplomacy, in environmental regulation, in health policy, in community grant policy, etc. — so it’s not like it’s an obscure issue. There would no longer be a veto threat overhanging resolutions coming from the GOP-held House (and, possibly, a GOP held Senate, although the rules there prevent any party from doing anything much). I would keep going, but if the previous two seismic shifts in power don’t do if for you, the million other subtle differences aren’t either.
it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses
Addison...Romney Is An Inside the Beltway Guy
carolynr Thursday, January 19th at 12:28PM EST (link)make no mistake about it. What does he have in common with Obama. Straight from the hip…HE LIES. He lied in the debate, he lied as governor, he won’t release his tax returns because people will see that there is such a thing as vulture capitalism. He cannot identify with the average joe…because he has never been one. He has lived a life of privilege as has Obama and his spending record is terrible…look at the Big Dig…not to mention ethical violations. He stinks in job creation…can you see the comparison with Obama?
The man will do and say anything at any given time to get what he wants….another Obama trait. So…what is so different about Romney and Obama…we know something about his past…some of it.
The character traits are the same with the exception that Obama is anti-American and Romney is pro-wallet, apparently at other’s expense.
Never has this man had to do without. Never has he served in the military…he went to France and hid under the cover of his Church.
You are listening to a man that lies. I hope…Addison you are right…should he get in. His Tax Plan received a D from the Club for Growth…How’s that for Hope….$16 TRILLION and counting and Obama (Treasury) dipped into Federal Employee Pension Funds…ah…Chicago Land…or it government answer to Vulture Capitalism.
I think Gingrich has one advantage over Perry.
cheetah2 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:57PM EST (link)Much as I love and respect Governor Perry, he is weak in the area of defending himself. Think of all the times all of us Perry supporters did a better job of explaining his positions than he ever did. ( Rio Grande river comes to mind- he never once mentioned it as a reason for no fence and it is his strongest argument on that issue.) That has put him under a real disadvantage. Gingrich is nimble on his feet and will not have the problems Perry had in defending himself. Gingrich will also do far better dealing with this Marrianne thing than Cain ever did with his marital fidelity issues.
I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order, just like Mike Pence.
@cheetah222
That theory is going to be tested extensively now.
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:00PM EST (link)We will see what Newt is made of. Real soon.
here is hoping Gingrich can rise to the occasion.
cheetah2 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:45PM EST (link)We need a great president and I think Gingrich is capable of being the one.
I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order, just like Mike Pence.
@cheetah222
Yes, and in that regard, Gingrich would be much better than Bush (nt)
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:01PM EST (link)Gingrich would be much worse than Bush.
gladtidings Thursday, January 19th at 1:12PM EST (link)Bush excited conservative voters, he was likeable, and he got 45% of Hispanic voters to support him in 2004.
Gingrich doesn’t “defend himself” so much as get red in the face and look unpresidential. Gingrich is too aggressive while Perry was too passive.
All Gingrich is doing right now is needlessly prolonging the primary with his completely underfunded campaign.
He doesn’t have the money to campaign in states like Florida, California, and Texas. He needs to get out of the race and let someone with money and appeal take over.
Retread. Rebanned.
gladtidings, if that is your viewpoint,
lineholder (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:19PM EST (link)who are you suggesting has this “money and appeal”?
Rick Perry is a good man
Finrod (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:06PM EST (link)I’m glad to see that he’s going to be working on Tenth Amendment issues for Gingrich. I was a fan of the 10th before it became trendy.
Let’s get down to brass tacks here. How much for the ape?
Oh, what Coulda Been!
elayman Thursday, January 19th at 12:25PM EST (link)Huntsman got out at the moment just when he should have stayed in. Around April voters will be begging for another candidate. It would be such an easy road now if you want to be president !
Nah...
naysayer Thursday, January 19th at 1:08PM EST (link)Although I liked Huntsman quite a bit, he was out of money and polling in the low single digits nationwide. He was invisible in the media and disrespected from the right and left. 2012 was not his year.
Huntsman would be more respected as the other conservative options dwindle
elayman Thursday, January 19th at 1:29PM EST (link)Unfortunately there isn’t a precedent for un-suspending a campaign and going on to win. He would probably get written off as a flake for trying anyway.
I share your disappointment, elayman, but after
septembergurl (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:35PM EST (link)NH he did not get the fundraising or polling rise he needed. He was not willing to waste his family’s money, or more importantly, the money of people who believed in him, on what he judged was a losing venture. You have to respect him for that. This was the same calculation that Pawlenty and Perry made, when they failed to get the level of support they needed in their best states,
Aside from running again in 2016, there are several scenarios that could bring him back, including a deadlocked convention (if neither Gingrich nor romney succeeds in lockintg it up, given that Paul and to some extent Santorum (the Huckabee of 2012) can self-fund.
More likely is the possibility that, should Gingrich win the nomination, he would look to Huntsman as a way of bringing in the Romney support (the good hair Mormon vote) without being stuck with Romney. It would depend on where Gingrich wanted to go on foreign policy, which has not been a big feature of his campaign. Huntsman and he were singing from the same hymn book in their foreign policy debate. Huntsman has been vetted at the Presidential level and found squeaky clean and his camera-ready family would help ameliorate the tabloid aspects of Newt’s unfortunate personal life.
So Erick, can you write on this?
blarman Thursday, January 19th at 12:34PM EST (link)Please go through each of the following and explain how you can conscionably vote for Newt Gingrich. Is it simply because you are desperately in the “anyone-but-Romney” camp, or something else?
How do you defend the lobbying Newt has been doing since dropping out of Congress? He was paid to lobby for energy, ethanol, Fannie Mae/Freddy Mac and others and influenced legislation, but because he wasn’t a “registered” lobbyist, he claims his work wasn’t lobbying.
How do you defend Newt standing with Nancy Pelosi to promote the hoax known as man-made global climate change?
How do you defend the lies he uses to promote his balanced budgets with Clinton, despite the fact that he raided the Social Security Trust Fund and left us with more debt to make these claims?
How can you defend a man who openly scorned Paul Ryan’s budget plans as “right-wing social engineering”?
How can you defend someone who favors indefinite interment of American citizens?
How can you defend someone who used excuses about the pressures of his job to justify marital infidelity not once, but twice?
It’s amazing to me that as “conservative” as you claim to be, you refuse to hammer on Newt for any of these things. You would rather allow your biases against Mitt Romney to determine your course of action.
Rush has it right. Romney isn’t the problem. Gingrich isn’t the problem. Santorum isn’t the problem. OBAMA is the problem.
It is some consolation that Perry will be pushing
runner12 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:43PM EST (link)a 10th amendment project, as I see it as the only hope to take back power away from the Feds and give it to the states. Maybe Perry can infuse some “Texas backbone” into some more governors.
What I am not too excited about is the choice between Gingrich and Romney. Both have HUGE negatives and Newt’s personal baggage may destroy him against Obama. Even if he survives the interview, what about his role at Fannie and Freddie? His ethics violations? Newt has yet to be fully vetted and I just hope there are not more skeletons in his closet.
I think Newt’s response to this interview will be key. He cannot simply ignore it or it will blow up in his face. His only chance is to be truly humble and contrite about his actions. Given his reputation for arrogance, I have my doubts as to whether he is capable of such a mea culpa. Time will tell…
Kowalski
runner12 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:47PM EST (link)The one advantage that Gingrich may have over Romney is that he plays better to the GOP base. Not by much, but enough to maybe help him beat Obama. Note I say maybe. It is still too early and Newt could implode.
But this race will be all about who can excite their base. Obama’s base is no where near where they were in 2008. If we can get the base excited rather motivated to defeat Obama, we may still have a shot.
Kowalski,
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 2:11PM EST (link)The GOP “base” isn’t big enough to win the general.
Numbers are numbers./
You missed the point.
runner12 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 6:18PM EST (link)Winning elections is all about how energized one’s base is. This is politics 101 and a large reason why Obama was elected. If you look at the “numbers”, Obama did not carry Independents by a large margin. But he had an energized base compared to a non-enegized GOP base due to McCain.
Obama knows this, which is why he shut-down the keystone pipeline. He needs the radical environmentalists to support him because they are part of his base.
No matter how many Independents Romney wins over, it will not make a difference if he cannot energize his own base. These are facts.
Kowalski #2
runner12 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 6:20PM EST (link)By the way, who do you support usedtobelib? Just curious.
I'm disappointed. Losing Perry at this point could blow it.
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:43PM EST (link)Erick was as usual… spot on. I am not the least bit surprised by that.
But I still hold to my theory that this is premature.
Now if Newt crashes, those supporters will have no place to go.
We will hold our noses and go to the polls..
But a lot won’t bother.
I will go to vote but if Romney is the nominee
jgge Thursday, January 19th at 3:17PM EST (link)I will leave the President vote empty and I would only vote for Republicans in Congress and down the ballot. As long as we keep the House we would stop most of Obama agenda and hopefully we keep the House and win the Senate.
We still have 50 states- don't we?
Marcus_Traianus (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:48PM EST (link)It’s beyond me why anyone would drop out now…other than the fact their money is drying up or perhaps they are more interested in political calculations. We are about to engage in the 3rd contest out of how many? Hmmm.
You’ll forgive me if this smells like pure political manipulation where the puppeteers are trying to pull strings and consolidate their bets…especially against Romney.
In the meantime, I am trying to figure out who this entire calculated, not very stealthy anybody-but-Romney drama serves?
“Both of our political parties, at least the honest portion of them, agree conscientiously in the same object—the public good; but they differ essentially in what they deem the means of promoting that good. One side believes it best done by one composition of the governing powers; the other, by a different one. One fears most the ignorance of the people; the other, the selfishness of rulers independent of them. Which is right, time and experience will prove.”.Thomas Jefferson
Smells like money
texashistorian (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:22PM EST (link)to me Marcus. The money men don’t want to throw it down a rathole, so they bail on candidates who are fizzling. Once the money is gone, so are the candidates. This is one area where you have to hand it to the Luap Nor campaign- they have tapped into funding that won’t disappear even when it becomes increasingly obvious he won’t win. His ideas and voice are that important to his backers that they will continue to fund a losing campaign. Oh to have that sort of commitment to some of our conservative candidates.
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
- Paul Johnson
50 States...
bob08034 Thursday, January 19th at 1:29PM EST (link)Sure, there are 50 states, but if you’re a Republican and you can’t get past 5% in South Carolina, then you probably can’t win any state in the South, which means you probably can’t win the general.
Governor Perry’s approval rating in Texas is about the same as Obama’s approval rating in Texas — both are around 40%.
thanks to the trial lawyers, RINOs, and Paulbots in Texas.........
avagreen Thursday, January 19th at 4:56PM EST (link)He’s being pursued by the same crowd that hate him now…….and for the same reasons. They don’t like his policies which are conservative.
The big newspapers are located in the liberal hotspots (Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, etc.) and are putting all the negative info about they can find.
The polls are slanted. The trial lawyers have stated their purpose is to bring Perry down because he dared to pass legislation to put a damper on frivulous lawsuits (tort reform)……mygosh! all it’s about is that if you begin a lawsuit and you lose, you pay the costs. What an idea……..don’t enter into a case you can’t win. One of the men behind this push……..the husband of Greta Van Susteren……..who supported…….Cain.
We conservatives are under assault here in Texas just as we are in the rest of the U.S.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Newt & Cain for the win.
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 12:51PM EST (link)Great.
Brokered convention?
Scares me just as bad.
What's Newt going to say to gays about
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 1:06PM EST (link)their marrying when he wanted his wife to go in for an “open marriage”?
Get real. You don’t need to be a fundamentalist to see the guy is a real schmuck.
Erik, I don’t get your naivete at all.
This guy will believe whatever is convenient for him at the time…and you attack Romney?
Your head has been planted firmly where the light don’t shine.
Speak for yourself.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:16PM EST (link)About heads and sunshine. Newt’s conservative credentials dwarf the rest of the pack. The conservative argument for Romney is electability and that he will represent the nation as a center-right conservative, faithfully reflecting the electorate just as he was lefty as a governor of a lefty state.
Read below Erik's previous comments
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 2:10PM EST (link)about Newt’s “conservative credentials.”
He who trusts Newt Gingrich deserves what he gets. Recall the stories about why the snake turned on the frog: “I’m a snake. It’s my nature.”
EE was wrong then. He's right now. Newt is the 2nd most successful
trickamsterdam Thursday, January 19th at 2:59PM EST (link)elected Republican in the last 30 years (on the Fed level), and it’s not even close.
Lifetime ACU rating of 90%.. The record was always conservative…it was the personal life and statements that sometimes weren’t. But now we see even pundits have to adjust…and, btw, essentially for the last ten or so years Newt has been a pundit. That’s why he had to have an opinion on everything under the sun.
Romney is a one term right of center governor, whose signature achievement is RomneyCare.
You can make an argument for Romney being more electable or his basic competence, but this idea Newt wasn’t the most conservative and didn’t have the best resume of anyone w/ the possible exception of Perry was always sheer lunacy.
I support Governor Perry . . .
redmymind (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:15PM EST (link)and trust in the wisdom of his judgment. However, he will always be my NUMBER ONE!!!
GO PERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perry was right...
ragingindependent (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:24PM EST (link)Newt is closer to Perry than Romney on policy issues. Romney is closer to Perry on his personal lifestyle than Newt.
If you believe that all Presidents should be required to have great personal relationships, then you have subjected our process to what Virginia Postrel call the Anna Quindlen doctrine. Relationships rule over all.
We have elected great family men over and over. They have raised taxes, exploded deficits, expanded government, reduced individual liberty. Bush 43 and President Obama both seem to be devoted husbands and fathers. Great! How did those two work out for you!
Relational greatness does not correlate with political and leadership greatness.
Perry chose the man that will enact the policies that are the most closely aligned with his own. Presidents affect law and policy. That is the job. Perry got it right.
To the Republicans: It’s not 1980.
To the Democrats: It’s not 1968.
200% Agree.
hobiecat Thursday, January 19th at 3:08PM EST (link)But everyone is going to be holier than thou now because ABC decided to drag Newts ex wife out at the 11th hour to explain something thats been out there for a while now. The timing is just too perfect.
“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain”. The Wizard of OZ
How many SC voters will vote Perry despite..?
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:26PM EST (link)I assume the ballots are going to carry his name anyway…
Will there be a protest vote?
This could be interesting.
We won't be able to tell if it's a protest vote or not.
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:32PM EST (link)Unless it’s over 5-10%. Even most primary voters are not political junkies.
Some already have
bob08034 Thursday, January 19th at 1:35PM EST (link)because they voted absentee.
Some others will because they won’t hear the news.
But hardly any were going to vote for him in the first place, so it won’t make much difference.
Taking into consideration that the Newt bomb has yet to hit..
snowshooze (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:46PM EST (link)I don’t know that many might want to jump ship.
Newt may be able to defend himself…or not.
If anyone could talk themselves out of a mess… it would be Newt.
I don’t know. I can’t run the numbers.
So, I guess I shall wait and see.
I feel torn between grief and anxiety...
anotherindyfilmguy (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 1:51PM EST (link)Every candidate I’ve gotten behind has dropped so far has dropped. I’m not for Gingrich or Romney for a variety of reasons and have severe doubts about Santorum getting the nomination unless he ties again/wins by any margin this weekend…
Also have severe doubts that any of the remaining Republican(ish) candidates will not be torn to bits/shredded etc by the media once the general election starts… but that might be mitigated by two things: the smearing of Sarah Palin was finally a wakeup call for many, many people and those tactics may backfire in a big way if done against Santorum. But not not so much with Gingrich or Romney.
The only other thing that might be helpful is that they’re running against a sitting president who has managed to make Jimmy Carter look like viable alternative. No guarantees the press won’t sufficiently cover for him to the gullible but there it is.
sigh…
Santorum? Well, at least he’s not Romney…
http://www.zazzle.com/enemy_of_the_statist_tshirt-235977043035297478
Face it, people, the media have had the details
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 1:56PM EST (link)about Newt for a long time.
If such an interview didn’t come out now, if he got the nomination, all the stuff would come out during the General. I mean, isn’t this what the anti-Mitts were chattering about with Bain?
So, the person above has it right.
Whoever faces Obama will have to be willing to use brass knuckles. If he didn’t, you’d be disappointed in him.
Eric, Michelle Malkin has put up your previous
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 2:02PM EST (link)scathing of Newt:
” Newt endorsing Scozzafava aligns him with Markos Moulitsas who declared Dede the most liberal candidate in the race.
That aligns Newt with ACORN, which has twice endorsed Dede.
That aligns Newt with Planned Parenthood and NARAL, active supporters of Dede.
That aligns Newt with the SEIU, the AFL-CIO, and a host of other left wing interest groups including the gay marriage lobby.
Today Newt Gingrich stands athwart history and pees on the legacy of 1994, where it is no longer about principles, ideas, ideals, and integrity, but the raw acquisition of power for the sake of power. He aligns with a candidate to the left of the Democrat.
The GOP will not take back power until it repents of its sins that caused it to lose power. And chief among those sins was the abandonment of principle for the sake of power. But when a political party stands for nothing, it fails to stand.
At least we can thank Newt today for declaring himself out of the 2012 race. Or, should he stay in, conservatives at least no longer have to feel under any obligation to stick with him, since he makes clear in NY-23 as he did in MD-01 that he feels under no obligation to stick with conservatives.”
Erik, tell me, is it possible at all that you have a deep bias against Mormons?
I have a deep bias
miconservative Thursday, January 19th at 2:14PM EST (link)against that sanctimonious wind bag Michelle Malkin. If only we could all be as perfect as her. Who is she supporting??
She quoted
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 4:18PM EST (link)Erik. Period. His words. Period.
I think the poster up above has it right–to side with Newt means that he has something personal against Romney.
Bad endorsements
miconservative Thursday, January 19th at 2:18PM EST (link)Newt endorsed Dede….check
Rick Santorum endorsed Arlen Specter…check
Mitt Romney endorsed liberal Mitt Romney for Gov…check
I guess the only candidate we are left with is Ron Paul. Is that where we should go Michelle??
I'd like to add, Erik, that
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 2:06PM EST (link)my best guess is that some of your feelings of any support you have now for Newt is the result of your feeling you hope you will have more influence with him than you would with either of the remaining candidates.
Marianne Gingrich
miconservative Thursday, January 19th at 2:12PM EST (link)How long before we find out she is on the Romney payroll or more likely the Romney Super Pac payroll??
An Interesting Twist in the Newt - Marianne Saga
Wubbies World (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:17PM EST (link)This is from Legal Insurrection who did some checking apparently.
http://legalinsurrection.com/2012/01/when-marianne-cleaned-out-the-house/
From an AP story in 1999, Marianne was the one who broke off the marriage and cleaned out the house amongst other things.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vrpEAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jrYMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1383,6021695&dq=marianne+gingrich+furniture&hl=en
Interesting…..
Join The Red State Strike Force
><> If It’s Worth Doing, It’s Worth Doing Right The First Time.
My mother also initiated my parent's divorce
jakeofalltrades (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:55PM EST (link)after my father’s adultery. Shocker – women have self respect these days.
Gee, wonder
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 4:19PM EST (link)why a woman whose hubby was carrying on an affair would do that?
Question
rudyardkipling Thursday, January 19th at 2:38PM EST (link)I have a difficult time understanding why Newt’s change of heart (on issues like a healthcare mandate, cap and trade, to say nothing of marriage and religion) is viewed by many as less opportunistic or self-serving than Romney’s.
Is it Romney’s doubling down on his Mass. healthcare plan?
Is it just a gut reaction?
FWIW, I will vote GOP regardless.
The conservative who resists change is as valuable as the radical who proposes it. – William James ‘Will’ Durant
Moreso. -Me
Because
bob08034 Thursday, January 19th at 4:20PM EST (link)The perception is that Romney didn’t so much change his views as claim to have changed them just to get elected.
Well, like yeah!
avagreen Thursday, January 19th at 5:01PM EST (link)I don’t trust Rumbo.
Newt as well, but not as badly as Rumbo.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
miz ava' ... You know what I've been thinking?
pttx333 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 5:30PM EST (link)The main difference between Newt and Romney is perhaps silly of me, but it is this: Mitt has apologized for his mistakes – when has Romney ever apologized for ANYTHING?
I’m in the denial stage of the grief process and have physically as well as emotionally sick today. Don’t know what I’m going to do. I have to get through these stages of grief.
We can be thankful for this: Our Governor is coming back to us, and he AIN’T leavin’ the national stage! There will be more from him, and all of it will be positive and conservative.
Yes, he will be coming back to Texas and we do need him!
avagreen Thursday, January 19th at 6:01PM EST (link)You are correct. Romney has NEVER apologized for anything. The reason? He doesn’t think he’s done ANYTHING WRONG!!!!! Evverrrr!
I can’t even stand to see that smarmy smile of patient condescension he has on his face when he’s listening to a fellow candidate.
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
But of course, ava' ... just like Dear Reader,
pttx333 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 6:25PM EST (link)it is that narcissistic thingy that gets in the way of ever believing you could be wrong. Why, it is blasphemy (in their minds) to even suggest such a thing … note how both react when they are questioned.
Oh, you mean the icky one who always seems to appear as if he has spinach stuck in his teeth? The one in high school everyone runs from because he is just too eewwww and icky?
If The tenth amendment is in the table, so is my support Newt
center77 (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 2:55PM EST (link)but prove it, say something about it. Still cannot see was winning with you, but we could advance a worthy cause.
My name is Timothy Bladel. I’m from Davenport, Iowa. I am a Undergraduate, Double Majoring in Journalism & Mass communication, with my other major being political science. I am conservative in nature, sometimes a tad bit libertarian; the Tenth Amendment is vital to changing this country for the better.
http://www.timothy-bladel.com/
I’m a proud supporter of Rick Perry. God Bless everyone.
“We the people” tell the government what to do, it doesn’t tell us. We the people are the driver, the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast.” Ronald Reagan’s farewll adress (January 11, 1989)
Gov Rick Perry
septembergurl (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:14PM EST (link)Not my candidate, but perhaps the one in the race who I thought added the most, both personally by his genial and forthright presence and by his policy issues, where he reflected the views of the most passionate segment of the base. .
Gov Perry at some point last year made the calculation that every candidate except Romney made:
1. Romney is weak.
2.. – - – -
3. I get more votes than Romney.
For most candidates the problem is step 2, whereby they get from 1 to 3. This was the case with Perry, as it was for most of the candidates, former, current and never-were. Most politicians are not good strategists, and for this reason they place their fates in the hands of professional strategists. We have seen the consequences in the failed candidacies this year of Pawlenty, Perry and Huntsman — excellent candidates, poor strategies.
Newt Gingrich is different. He is easily the greatest political strategist since Nixon. Our country lost a great military leader when Gingrich chose to go into academia rather than the military. His ability to form and then execute a winning strategy brought us the first Republican majority in the house in decades, and his audaciously conceived and brilliantly carried out second-act Presidential campaign has brought him close to upsetting the overwhelming next-in-line favorite.
I have no doubt at all that were he to win the nomination, Gingrich would develop and execute a brilliant strategy for beating Obama. I also have no doubt that whatever his forays into leftist policy and his fascination with Big Ideas, he understands what he would be elected to do and would map out a plan to accomplish it — the historical undoing of the New Deal and the rebirth of constitutional government.
Unfortunately, I also have no doubt that his weaknesses, which surface at moments of success (too well known to go into) would come into play almost immediately, and would tend to undercut and perhaps reverse his accomplishments. Negotiating, compromising, conciliating (Reagan was excellent at these) are not his strengths.
Like Erick, I’m prepared to overlook this aspect of Newt because of his enormous gifts as a strategist, polemicist, communicator and motivator. Finding the appropriate role for Perry (a very talented politician and very underrated thinker) is a very good sign. This year becomes very interesting all of a sudden.
Did you follow the drama in the 90's?
Hooah_Mac (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 4:03PM EST (link)If you did, I cannot see where you get the idea that Newt is a brilliant political strategist. His mishandling of Congress as Speaker of the House not only caused the big points of the Contract with America to never actually get enacted, he managed to boost Clinton to a 2nd term and get himself thrown out of the Speakership.
He is a terrible strategist. He is a great ideas guy, but that is a liability when everyone is listening to what you say and you have a tendency to throw out whatever ideas you happen to have. He was the perfect opponent for Bill Clinton to set himself up against. Newt looked(and still looks) arrogant, while Clinton looked reasonable. In 1996, since Dole was useless and a nonentity, Bill Clinton ran against Newt as much as Dole.
-Priorities-
1. Mission 2. Soldiers 3. Everything Else
Kowalski
Hooah_Mac (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 5:21PM EST (link)Great political strategist =/= Standing with Dede Scozzafava longer than she did.
-Priorities-
1. Mission 2. Soldiers 3. Everything Else
Yes, a great strategist. "The drama in the 90s "
septembergurl (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 6:33PM EST (link)was the result of his brilliant strategy to take the House, as a consequence of which he became speaker. As I said, I believe he can come up with a winning strategy against both Romney and Obama.
The mistakes you describe are not strategic.
His success would be undermined and perhaps reversed by his faults, arrogance etc, as I said.His arrogance and pettiness lead him to make manymany mistakes. Lack of follow through, etc. I guess I should have spelled it out.
Sorry Erick, I'd like to agree
Hooah_Mac (Diary) Thursday, January 19th at 3:58PM EST (link)I think that Perry dropping out will actually be a wash or a net negative for Newt, at least in SC. Most of those voters who were sticking with Perry are either not interested in the others, or are looking for executive experience, or are serious about social issues but not to the exclusion of fiscal issues. Its just my gut, not any scientific polling, but I would guess of the supporters leaving Perry now, 30% stay home 20% go to Newt, 20% go to Santorum, 30% go to Romney.
-Priorities-
1. Mission 2. Soldiers 3. Everything Else
Ask yourself how many really good
usedtobelib Thursday, January 19th at 4:23PM EST (link)conservatives out there would want to actually say “Yes” to being asked to be Newt’s VP.
How would you like to work for Newt? How would you like your political future tied to his unpredictable behavior in the Oval Office?
Demint? Nope
Rubio? Nope
Christie? Nope
Daniels? Oh, no.
So, who?
McDonnell? I don’t think so.
They’ll all be hoping their phone doesn’t ring.
Newt's Veep
barleycorn (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 9:24AM EST (link)The preponderance of human behavior begs to differ.
While you are likely correct about Demint, Rubio, Daniels, and Christie (for reasons unrelated to Newt), I see no impediment to Gingrich getting a first rate running mate. A shot to be vice-president doesn’t grow on trees and very few politicians have ever had the gumption to turn the chance down.
McDonnell would sprain his ankle jumping at the shot. He can’t run for re-election next year and I doubt he wants to take on Mark Warner for the US Senate in 2014.
However I think if Newt becomes the nominee the odds are very high that his running mate will have two X chromosomes.
Perry lost my respect
celador2 Friday, January 20th at 8:41AM EST (link)Gov Perry lost my respect for his acceptance and support of Newt Gingrich as president if the US. Mr Perry does fall into the same big ideas/big government bag that Newt can devolve or give back what the US does not have—authority to the states. They have it already and no payback faux commission populated by cronyies is needed at the convention.
And, I suppose he had your respect prior to that? What was the alternative?
avagreen Friday, January 20th at 8:45AM EST (link)Rombo? Paul? Sanitoruium?
Hmmmmm…….*.flicking chin with forefinger*
Nope! I’d pick Newt, too.
(who do you think you’re kiddin’? Perry is no where close to big government guy. You need to get the newspaper out of the bottom of your bird’s cage and actually read it.)
Rick Perry STILL! doesn’t have or need blood. He is filled with magma.
Rick Perry uses his bare hands to hunt.
Countdown Until Obama Leaves Office.
Wow, that took some time to go through
Wayne (Diary) Friday, January 20th at 8:42AM EST (link)And, there is a wide array of opinions on the subject (as would be expected with conservatives). I’m fortified in having read most of the comments to make the following statement.
I’m all in with Newt now! Anything I can do to help him get the nomination, I will do gladly!
Other’s here other than Romney supporters would be wise to do the same!
Signing off on the subject!!!
Wayne
“To take from one because it is thought that his own industry and that of his father’s has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association—the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it.” – Thomas Jefferson -
VA has made itself irrelevant in this primary season.
ihateliberals Friday, January 20th at 8:58AM EST (link)I hope they are happy with their decision because it doesn’t matter who wins VA now it basically doesn’t count. I wonder how Virginians really feel about being nobody?
I am glad that Perry decide to go against Romney. I don’t think he is especially for Gingrich but at this point i don’t care as long as tht Liberal Romney doesn’t make it. Romney is not a good alternative to Obama. He actually will be Obama lite. We can’t afford that right now. While Gingrich does have his faults we are down to who has the least damaging faults. The GOP had better be careful how much they brign up affairs etc before the nominee gets elected. The Democrats wil take any thing the party focuses on and try to expand that as an issue. Not to say they won’t try it anyway they don’t need to have us helping them.
this election is about more than just beating Obama and if people lose sight of that then it isn’t any real reason to defeat Obama. we don’t want to jump from the frying pan into the fire. We need to get off the stove entirely and Mitt Romney can’t do that. His Liberal upbringing wil stay with him and he will suddenly forget about Obamacare and we wil be stuck with his baby bringing down our healthcare system not to mention the skyrocketing cost added to the individuals. While insurance companies believe they are getting 30 million new policy holders they wil actually begin to lose what they have now. Obamacare intends to set up it’s own policies and not use insurance companies at all. Mitt Romney ws the architect that design the foundation of Obamacare. Why in God’s name do we want a big government Liberal Republican as president is beyond my comprehension.
The whole Republican Party has made itself irrelevant
hls87 Friday, January 20th at 9:06AM EST (link)in this primary season. In its infinite wisdome, the GOP has decided that the electorate should get to choose between two Harvard educated twits with the colossal presumption to believe that we need people like them to run things on our behalf. The nation desperately needs a change of direction. Republicans have decided that we won’t have one for at least four years. The nation is in crisis and the GOP is AWOL. For the second time in a row, Obama will run with only nominal opposition. Way to go Republicans.
Go Newt!
paco12348 Friday, January 20th at 9:16AM EST (link)I knew CNN would hit Newt with his xwife’s interview but didn’t realize it would be the first one out of shoot. With all the problems facing this country they ask about something in another decade that has nothing to do with the economy or jobs. In 2016 I would recommend no debates with left winger medias.
Santorum hit Newt with his big, grandiose ideas and that was relevant but Newt handled it well. With a person like Newt, sometimes the ideas come so fast and furious they need to be said immediately so thought processes can continue but it doesn’t always mean we must do it now. As long as Newt has a good strong Cabinet that aren’t “yes” men he will do well. We must not lose his ideas. We also need Paul’s ideas and Romney’s. Paul must not go to waste.
I was so happy to read that Perry is going to continue working on the 10th Amendment. We have so many smart, strong people in this country and I’ve always believe when good men are needed then God supplies them. It’s just up to us to recognize and use them.
Haven’t you ever wondered how so many bright men came together at the time this country was founded? God supplied and they were drawn together. Our country needs them now. None of them must go to waste.
Great work, redstate!
cacharlie Friday, January 20th at 10:33AM EST (link)Was stirring up this passion as good for you as it was for me?
I just ordered Perry’s book “Fed Up” along with Levin’s “Ameritopia” to further prepare myself for battle. What I am fighting for is US, as in this Governor Perry quote, “The American people have never sat idle when liberty’s trumpet sounds the call to battle-and today that battle is for the soul of America”
Mindful that the key word is “soul,” how can any Constitutional conservative rule out the power of redemption and have any stake in this game?
No Executive Experience Newt
snappy101 Friday, January 20th at 11:32AM EST (link)I am only concerned that Newt Gingrich has no executive experience. There is nothing in his resume to indicate he’d be capable of implementing his ideas since as a Congressman, politician, consultant, professor, analyst, author, and documentarian, all of his ideas stop at the implentation mark. He’s never had to deal with disaster even though he may have ideas about it. He’s never had to correct an idea that went wrong in implementation. That is why I supported Governor Perry, a conservative and more importantly, a do-er. I’d really need to see Gingrich have a running mate that’s a governor who can take his ideas and run with them/act as a liaison with the governors for getting the jobs done. He needs another BSer whocan also wrangle the State Department and clear out some of the rotten potatoes as well as talk. I trust NG to handle Capitol Hill.
Calling Christie!
cacharlie Friday, January 20th at 11:55AM EST (link)Great post, snappy! Can’t help wondering who better than Gov Christie to call out the beltway crowd?
If You Are Curious About Perry's Decision and
carolynr Friday, January 20th at 7:50PM EST (link)how it all came about…go see if you can read Joe Hyde’s The Perry Report. Many of you will be glad you did.
This was posted elsewhere on RS...
rsklaroff (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 5:59AM EST (link)…but it is too-appropriate for this site not to be included, as well.
Further reactions thereto may emerge @ the more recent locale:
http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/01/20/the-second-coming-of-newt-gingrich-eers/#comment-164404
*
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!
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
r.sklaroff@verizon.net
[the guy with the "RS-diary" dedicated to differentiating trustworthy conservative-pundits from inside-the-beltway-RINO's]
“…fighting for Truth, Justice, and the American Way!”
Thank you, Dr. Skarloff
circlegranch Saturday, January 21st at 7:22AM EST (link)‘Unforgettable is how FNC blacked-out positive coverage’, however, is edited in my mind to ‘unforgiveable’. FNC is well deserving of a hide-skinnning exercise comparable to what The Newt put on John King. From the knowledge that Roger Ailes served as campaign manager to G.W.H. Bush, to Murdock tweeting a positive, near endorsement for Santroum, there has existed no room in the hearts of a single FNC contributor, talking head or manager for the highly successful Governor of Texas, Rick Perry. Alas, as arduently as the media tried to characterize this man as something far beneath what is the true definition, his supporters have rallied and elevated him to further hero status. This profound desire to always defend and put the best construction on Gov. Perry is now being transferred into support for The Newt. Gov. Perry was wise not to endorse Mitt, for he knew his base would not be able to rally and might perhaps sit out the election. Instead, he ushered us to a man that is not the next best thing, but certainly a figure with the potential to cross the finish line. As I wrote to Sprk Newt yesterday, I am investing my time, money and support now to him but its to be valued and respected. Support for Newt is not disloyalty to Gov. Perry and I want that understood. Gingrich should be humbled by those of us that are coming onboard and our support comes with a price: we want to see the bold ideas and dramatic policy proposals that drew us to Gov. Perry in the first place put into action. We want our candidate spoken well of, we would very much like to see him on the stump when possible.
As I commented here yesterday, already some of Perry’s major contributions to the debate in this primary are being picked up. Of course, he’ll never get credit for bringing them to the table, but that was never his intention. Newt Gingrich is the best man going forward and with constant prodding by we conservatives, it is my prayer we can keep him on the tracks. I think we can, otherwise I would not be on his team.
Can’t provide a link to the following because I only caught the tail end of this while watching a cable news show rerun this morning at 2 a.m., but apparently, the progressive attempt to redistrict Texas to their advantage failed. ?? The judge hearing the case threw it out and instead, Texas actually gets 4 more Congressional seats? Input invited. Info absorbed at 2 am is often not reliable in my case. If this is so, and the ruling actually favors the Repubican Party, one might assume the judge handing down the decision was a Perry appointee, and thus, even indirectly, the Gov created some new jobs on the very day he returned to work in Austin.