We’re seeing a number of commenters and a diarist or two insisting they won’t violate their principles and cast a vote for serial womanizer Newt Gingrich.
I wasn’t real happy with the idea of Newt being President when he announced, for a whole variety of reasons, though his personal relationship issues were pretty far down on the list. But we’re where we are today, and the reality of the situation is that we don’t have a solid conservative left in the pack. At some point last year, I was really hopeful that Mitch Daniels would run. He’s got the best record of any sitting governor (Perry included, IMO) in terms of conservative accomplishment. He was panned as a “trucer” on these pages and declared, on the basis of this “affront” to SoCons, to be personna non grata in the contest. He chose to not to run for reasons more likely related to his wife, and he’s out. I defaulted to Perry and would have been tickled to see him inaugurated. He’s gone.
So, we’re down to Newt, Romney and Santorum. I don’t count Paul because he’s not a Republican and is in the contest only because the Republican Leadership in the House didn’t have the balls to toss him out of the Caucus years ago. So, what do we do? It looks right now that it’s coming down to Newt and Romney, Santorum will finish a distant third or perhaps fourth in South Carolina and I doubt he’ll have momentum, money or ground troops to contest Florida. Personally, I say good riddance, we don’t need another big-government former Senator. Newt seems to have the big Mo right now, and while that certainly could change, he’s got a decent shot at what was unthinkable, he could be our nominee. There will not be a brokered convention.
So, my question for SoCon’s is simple. What are you going to do if Newt is the nominee?? And to add some flavor to the broth, note this from Associated Press today:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Many church-affiliated institutions will have to cover free birth control for employees, the Obama administration announced Friday in an election-year move that outraged religious groups, fueling a national debate about the reach of government.
In a concession, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said nonprofit institutions such as church-affiliated hospitals, colleges and social service agencies will have one additional year to comply with the requirement, issued in regulations under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.
Got that? Free birth control. Take my word for it, abortion coverage is only eleven months away.
Now then, if Newt is the nominee, are his personal relationship problems more important than what we all know the Obama Administration will do for their friends at Planned Parenthood. What will you do? Vote in protest for Obama? Stand on your principles and stay home or vote for a third party or write in? Or vote for Newt?
Moe Lane
PG DeFreese
Victoria Coates
Daniel Horowitz
Dan Spencer
I'm in a quandry regarding Newt
AceInTX (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 11:19AM EST (link)I want to support him because HE FIGHTS.
I’m sick of pandering losers who won’t stand up to the media who hate them and challenge their narrative, loaded questions and double standards in reporting on issues between Republicans and Democrats.
I’m fired up because Newt has a way of putting things that are compelling and has a way of cutting through the politically correct garbage that surrounds so much of politics these days.
I remember the 90s and I remember the contract with America. I remember his strategy of fighting and winning using conservative ideas which have 60% support among the people. (Repealing Obamacare, Supporting traditional Marriage anyone?)
But then, I have my problems with him.
Newt has a big mouth, he’s a braggart and bore at times….his biggest fault is that he likes the sound of his voice too much…the man doesn’t know when to shut the hell up.
If I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve seen him win the argument…but keep running his big mouth only to talk himself into a hole, I’d be a rich man today.
I won’t defend his behavior when it comes to his marriages. I have a problem and worry with him as a candidate as well on this issue.
His behavior in his marriages points to a deep character flaw that I won’t excuse or ignore. If he can’t take takes his vows any more seriously than he has….if his wives can’t trust him….how can we?
In fact, his recent history of pandering to the global warming crowd and loving it up with Pelosi on that couch is an indicator of that.
I’m a Christian, and as such, I believe in redemption. If he has repented and found redemption, than I can and will give him the benefit of the doubt on it…
but to vote for him in this primary…with all the other problems he brings…his ability to take a winning issue and turn it to poison with his big mouth…his ability to hand the Democrats the club they will use to beat us all to death is just to much for me…
so….if it’s a choice in the Primaries….I’m down to Santorum….I’m not happy to vote for him because of his support for Specter…and some of the things he did as a Senator…but I can understand why he did them…he was in the Senate leadership when the focus was on getting a Republican President his policy goals….I don’t like it…but I can understand it…
But I don’t buy the Meme that he’s Obama lite….and he’s certainly less so that Willard “The Rat” Romney….so….It’s Rick for me from here on until Mitt or Newt lock it up,..not only because of Newts married life but also because of his big mouth and his tin ear on ethics
What would you do if Santorum was the nominee?
Freedoms Truth (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 12:06PM EST (link)This is an overbearing, stating-the-obvious diary, as if so-cons are in some special ed class needing a lecture.
People say a lot of harsh things about candidates in primaries before they get the nod. All you’ve done is attack the good Senator Santorum and now you are playing this card, well in advance of Gingrich winning the nomination? Gingrich is my man right now, but Jeeez, take the plank out of your eye first.
Freedoms Truth,
Travis Monitor – http://travismonitor.blogspot.com
Austin, TX
I'd prepare for 4 more years of Obama.
NightTwister (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 12:09PM EST (link)Oh, I’d vote for Santorum in the general, but I doubt he’d win 10 states.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
ditto Truth, I have no doubt that the vast majority of so-cons would support Newt or Romney against Obama
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 12:16PM EST (link)I worry more about Newt alienating women and independents.
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Won't happen. Santorum's done.
mbecker908 (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 2:21PM EST (link)He’ll get blown out in SC and has no money or organization in FL. He’ll be a speck there if he stays in the race and he’ll be a bad memory by Super Tuesday.
But, to answer your question, I’ll vote for the overbearing, pretentious, big-government sob and then I’ll start drinking again. He’s the worst candidate Republicans have fielded in 20 years.
Why I will support ANYONE over Obama...
liberty17 (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 12:09PM EST (link)Think about this: if congress were to pass a personhood amendment, would Obama sign it? NO!! We do have a CHANCE with anyone on the Republican side, even Romney. So, I feel that not voting for the nominee could be a vote against life. I hope and pray that we will at
least get someone other than Romney, but I will vote for him if he were to be the nominee.
The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself. – Benjamin Franklin
“And this I know, I am not done fighting for the cause of conservatism. In fact I have only begun to fight.” – Gov. Rick Perry
What would Newt fight for?
Paula (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 12:20PM EST (link)Answer: Whatever pet project is in his oversized brain on any particular day. On abortion, one day he believes life begins at conception, another day he doesn’t. One day he’s for stem cell research, the next day he’s against it. On climate change, one day he’s for carbon credits, the next he’s against it. On and one. The truth is…we don’t really know what Newt believes about anything because like Mitt, he has proven himself to be the kind of person who will say whatever it takes to get elected. See my diary in the sidebar for more details if you’re interested.
Paula
My blog: Bold Colors
Follow me on Twitter: pbolyard
Get a life.
mbecker908 (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 2:29PM EST (link)It doesn’t matter whether POTUS believes that life begins at conception. He can’t directly affect the abortion debate except to reinstate the EOs on Mexico City, etc and by nominating conservative SCOTUS justices.
A constitutional amendment barring abortion is an absolute pipe dream and would do more damage to the pro-life movement than it would ever do any good. Huckabee ran on that four years ago and didn’t even have the courtesy to define which version of the HLA he liked – there are seven and only one would have a direct impact on abortion. And, the President has exactly no impact on constitutional amendments, he doesn’t propose them as legislation and doesn’t have to sign them.
With respect to “doing whatever it takes to get elected”, it’s about time, I’m sick of losing.
Now then, are you going to vote for Newt (or Mitt) when one of them wins the nomination, because Santorum is well past life support, he’s gone.
Do You Know What Perry's Problem Was...He Didn't Wear A Vest
carolynr Saturday, January 21st at 12:25PM EST (link)Welcome to the subtle manipulation of Mr. Santorum. I love his Operation Good Neighbor…his charity…what it did. Just think…he’s such a good guy…isn’t he. Why it’s Mr. Rogers….and it’s a wonderful day in the Neighborhood…oh wait…that’s part of his charity name…well, I guess it was for his donors.
Planning to vote for Newt in the primary,
Melody Warbington (rwm52) (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 12:37PM EST (link)so I plan on voting for him in the general. I’ll vote for the GOP in the general. And I’m as socially conservative as you can get.
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)
A few thoughts about this subject:
trickamsterdam Saturday, January 21st at 4:15PM EST (link)1. Constatine, the first Christian Roman Emperor, probably did as much for Christianity as almost anyone…but his family life…not so great. I mean…really bad. This thinking a person will do badly or well based on their personal life is naive and creates many problems.
Conservatives, especially, should oppose the idea, because this idea that the office is a spiritual one, leads to an incredible romanticization of the Presidency. It’s why people think Bush is somehow morally responsible for Katrina, or that Obama should have been able to plug the hole in the Gulf w/ a magic wand.
This idea ultimately leads to bigger government, and concentrated in the Executive.
BTW, if anyone ever tells you the West started the crusades, ask them…why Constantinople is now called Istanbul?
2. There’s no doubt Romney has an admirable personal life, but it’s such an obviously happy marriage, is it a sacrifice? Staying in an unhappy marriage is hard, not a happy one. Newt seems to be in a happy marriage now, and doesn’t appear to have much trouble staying in it. The fact that Romney seems to have met the love of his life at 18 instead of 45 is what I’d call luck.
3. Santorum doesn’t just believe in life starting at conception, he believes in the unborn being treated as equal citizens under the equal protection clause, and believes in appointing SC Justices who believe that.
There’s some guy who always trolls my posts every time I bring that up, but sorry, that policy is death in the General Election, and is as radical as any of Paul’s things.
It would mean murder one for a woman who had an abortion even outside the US, and negligent homicide for a misscarriage under some circumstances. It renders Santorum unelctable…so if someone thinks he doesn’t have the baggage of Newt or Romney…he does (not to mention he was 3rd in the Senate during the Bush years…a period of time which most people don’t remember fondly).
The bigger point than when life begins is
mbecker908 (Diary) Saturday, January 21st at 9:15PM EST (link)the FACT that a President can only do two things with reference to abortion. Reinstate the EOs, Mexico City, etc, which will only nibble at the edges of the problem. The second thing POTUS can do is nominate conservative SCOTUS justices. Note: NOT “pro-life” justices, “conservative” justices. Roe is bad law and it needs to overturned for that reason and that reason only.
Overturning Roe will not stop abortion, but it will give states the opportunity to outlaw it or to significantly restrict it. I happen to think there is a strategic way to legally outlaw abortion, but I’m not getting into that here.
The bottom line is that the President can have a direct effect on the size of government. He can have next to no impact on social issues. The discussion of abortion is above, with respect to gay rights/gay marriage, that horse is out of the barn, the states are moving on it and it’s not going to be stoppable any time soon. If we don’t get a handle on the size and cost of government and government regulation, we’re going to be Greece and nobody can bail us out.