Newt Gingrich is GOP’s Frankenstein monster come to life
The panic of the GOP’s Washington establishment has become, well, entertaining. The conservative movement that they have designed and programmed so carefully is in the process of going rogue on them, and that rogue has a name: Newt Gingrich.
But they have brought this on themselves. He is their creation.
If you indoctrinate your members to believe that compromise equates to defeat — if that becomes a core principle in your movement’s identity — how can you demand they compromise by accepting Mitt Romney as their nominee? Is that not defeat on the most important decision the party can make?
If you tell them that being Republican requires obedience to every single tenet of Republican doctrine — George Will this week noted that the party is “more ideologically homogenous than ever in 156 years of competing for the presidency” — how can you sell them on a candidate who is so transparently insincere in embracing that doctrine? Isn’t that a betrayal? (Gingrich is equally insincere; he’s just better at hiding it.)
And if you have nurtured your base on the red meat of anger and resentment, building an elaborate media infrastructure to generate fresh outrage to feed upon, you have prepared the way for a demagogic leader with a genius for that style of politics. With his intellectual veneer and flair for the outrageous, Gingrich doesn’t merely throw the crowd red meat, he throws them Kobe beef, broiled to perfection.
Meanwhile, Romney offers soy burgers. Go ahead, eat it. It’s good for you.
And this is the tough part: For years, you have imbued your voter base with a deep distrust of the media, the establishment and the elites, to the point that distrust is now programmed into the movement’s DNA. The harsher the media attack, the more enthusiastically the party faithful now rallies behind its target.
That trait has proved useful, producing a party base that to a large degree is immune to outside influence. But in these circumstances, what mechanisms do you use to convince the base that Gingrich would be a disaster to the party and to the country? How do you reach them? You can’t use the mainstream media, and moderate voices preaching caution from Washington simply have no impact. In fact, they confirm the false image of Gingrich as a fellow outsider.
Newt understands that dynamic very well, having helped to create it. He has made an ostentatious point of refusing to attack his fellow Republicans, saying he will not participate in a media conspiracy to divide the party. It is a wise response, perfectly attuned to the mindset of the base, and you can expect to see him offer it repeatedly in tonight’s GOP debate from Iowa.
In fact, tonight’s debate (broadcast at 9 p.m. on ABC) is likely to be the most important of the party’s two dozen or so forums, because it comes at a critical time. Unless Gingrich self-destructs, and soon, the party establishment and intelligentsia will have to spend the next few months trying to discredit him while shoving Romney down the throat of a GOP base that gags at the thought. And maybe it’s what’s left of my naivete, but I have to think that patriotism is also playing a role in that desperation. The party elite know Gingrich; they understand that proposing to put Newt in position to be president of the United States would, in its own way, be as grossly irresponsible as putting someone like Sarah Palin in that role.
They just don’t know how to convince the rest of the party of that fact, because it requires unlearning so much of what they’ve been told to believe.
– Jay Bookman
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781 comments Add your comment
bman
December 10th, 2011
9:39 pm
Bachman, Santorum, Perry and Paul need to pack their bags and go home. They have nothing to offer
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
9:40 pm
grow. up. dude.
The GOP is the Party of Angry White Men In Need of Some TENDER LOVING CARE!
December 10th, 2011
9:41 pm
@Jay December 10th, 2011 9:38 pm
**********************************
I only get angry when I am being unfairly attacked for MY opinions.
Jay
December 10th, 2011
9:42 pm
The conservatives are finally taking on the moderates as sheep in wolves’ clothing. You can tell that time is short and desperation is setting in. Last chance to make a mark.
I think Romney’s $10,000 bet offer will echo badly; it highlights his wealth and distances him from the public.
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
9:43 pm
uh, nobody here has attacked you. not that i’ve seen.
josef
December 10th, 2011
9:43 pm
Ducking the question? How so? Didn’t I post earlier how amazed I am at the progress we, gay and straight, have made in my lifetime alone? Obama? He’s a follower here, not a leader…Sorry, he doesn’t get the credit here in my book. Johnny Reb does. Sorry, but the man showed his true colors with Prop 8 and the preacher Warren…as I said, he’s done a quasi competent job, but a hero he ain’t and let’s not go singing his praises just yet,,,it’s sorta like his Nobel Prize…
getalife
December 10th, 2011
9:43 pm
Also, Hillary said no money for countries with no gay rights.
Money talks.
Too bad Huntsman is not there to shake it up.
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
9:46 pm
Wow, Jay, we actually agree on something! Very bad choice on Romney’s part there..
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 10th, 2011
9:46 pm
Uh oh lets see the flippin and floppin on family values from Newt.
He better be careful, the Pope may be watching.
Perry lied, he said he read a book
Jay
December 10th, 2011
9:47 pm
I’m not nominating him for some Hall of Fame, Josef.
But the facts remain the facts.
Kamchak
December 10th, 2011
9:48 pm
Perry lied, he said he read a book
Books on tape count, don’t they?
Jay
December 10th, 2011
9:49 pm
Whoa. The fidelity question point blank.
Jay
December 10th, 2011
9:49 pm
Wonder what’s going through Newt’s head right now.
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
9:50 pm
Was the Michael J Fox character made up after George Stephanopolous [sic].
The GOP is the Party of Angry White Men In Need of Some TENDER LOVING CARE!
December 10th, 2011
9:50 pm
Rick Perry has a point.
If Newt were elected president he would find a way to cheat on the country.
josef
December 10th, 2011
9:50 pm
Jay
DOMA? Hey, even Bob Barr recanted that…but, it’s still on the books, ain’t it? Any Brownie points there, and I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, are Holder’s!.
But, well, I’m STILLa happyadgaywhite man!
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
9:51 pm
wonder why that camera was stuck on Newt?
Jay
December 10th, 2011
9:53 pm
They’re saving Newt for last on this one.
Jay
December 10th, 2011
9:54 pm
And good for Ron Paul for bringing the discussion back to actual issues.
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
9:54 pm
here we go
bman
December 10th, 2011
9:54 pm
i think i just saw Nick Nolte in the crowd…he looked drunk, still.
getalife
December 10th, 2011
9:55 pm
Go Ron Paul.
josef
December 10th, 2011
9:56 pm
Jay
Hall of Fame? That’s why I said, no hero. He’s mediocre and lukewarm…which IS a helluva lot better than that lot you’re tuned into now…openly hostile, they
Angry
I didn’t expect you’d get it, but nothing beats a failure but a try
The GOP is the Party of Angry White Men In Need of Some TENDER LOVING CARE!
December 10th, 2011
9:56 pm
Newt admitted to his mistakes. Will he make those same mistakes again?
I don’t trust Newt. What you see is what you get.
Jay
December 10th, 2011
9:57 pm
A good, honest response by Newt, making the best of a bad situation for him.
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
9:57 pm
i happen to agree with Newt on this. It’s not like we can just round up 12 million people. and i happen to have several true friends that are from Mexico. they’re good people, for the most part.
josef
December 10th, 2011
9:58 pm
Jay
@ 9:49
How great thou art?
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
10:00 pm
12 million–if that’s the number? i simply don’t trust what i’m being told when it comes to numbers..
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:01 pm
That’s a given for him, Josef. Mere background noise by now.
Kamchak
December 10th, 2011
10:01 pm
What part of illegalz do you not unnerstand?
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:02 pm
For the first time, Obama isn’t the major issue, although Perry’s trying to bring it back to him on immigration. He’s doing better than he had in the past, no question.
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:04 pm
Paul coming across as sane on the Palestinian issue. Newt is way wrong on this.
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
10:05 pm
somebody has to be ‘the police of the world’..
bman
December 10th, 2011
10:06 pm
“Paul coming across as sane on the Palestinian issue. Newt is way wrong on this.”
Would that mean that Obama is insane on the same issue? : )
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
10:07 pm
why does Obama go against the grain when it comes to Israel? i truely don’t understand.
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:08 pm
For the audience that he’s pitching to, Newt’s position on Israel is perfect. For the world audience, it’s disastrous.
Tom Middleton
December 10th, 2011
10:09 pm
The ‘67 borders were a starting point for negotiations, weren’t they? Isn’t Romney wrong?
getalife
December 10th, 2011
10:09 pm
willard scolds newt for the stupid comment.
Kamchak
December 10th, 2011
10:09 pm
I’ve known BB Natenyahu since….
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:10 pm
Obama is not going against the grain. His stance on Israel is the same stance taken by Bush and every president since the ‘67 war.
Tom Middleton
December 10th, 2011
10:12 pm
Thought so. Thanks…
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
10:12 pm
maybe i used the wrong words there, Jay. But he has called Israel out a few times(so to speak). And like I’ve said, I’m a big contributor to The Carter Center, and even President Carter has said some bad things about Israel.
getalife
December 10th, 2011
10:13 pm
Israel said the lies about Obama not helping Israel are lies.
Why don’t you believe Israel?
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:13 pm
Perry and Bachmann having a good night. Don’t know if it will matter….
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
10:14 pm
Perry has stepped up his game, hasn’t he?
Kamchak
December 10th, 2011
10:14 pm
Up next: Class Warfare!
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:15 pm
And sometimes Israel needs to get called out. If you see a friend taking a self-destructive course, do you stay silent?
getalife
December 10th, 2011
10:16 pm
perry fell for the thing Iran built to show the Iranians.
That was not our drone silly.
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:18 pm
I am very much afraid that for Israel, its capture of the Arab lands in ‘67 will turn out to be the offering of the apple to Eve, the temptation that it could not resist and that ends in its expulsion from the Garden.
I hope that’s wrong.
By the way, it’s an excellent debate tonight I think.
getalife
December 10th, 2011
10:18 pm
perry has no game.
Dumber than w.
Tom Middleton
December 10th, 2011
10:19 pm
There it is, Jay. We can be a devoted friend without rubber stamping every foolish move it wants to make. That hurts us in our relations with so many more we’re trying to help.
Kamchak
December 10th, 2011
10:19 pm
If you see a friend taking a self-destructive course, do you stay silent?
When you get behind closed doors….
Tom Middleton
December 10th, 2011
10:21 pm
Unless they refuse to listen and you have no choice.
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:22 pm
If possible, Kam, yes.
Tom Middleton
December 10th, 2011
10:23 pm
Don’t forget that Israel is being run by the same right-wing mentality that has run (and hurt) us in the past.
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
10:23 pm
don’t all Mormons have to go on missions?
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:25 pm
This “tell us your best poormouth story” question is ridiculous.
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
10:26 pm
calling someone dumb really isn’t nice, is it?
Kamchak
December 10th, 2011
10:29 pm
State’s Rights
getalife
December 10th, 2011
10:30 pm
Fireworks over.
Boring questions from corporate media..
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
10:32 pm
right.
bman
December 10th, 2011
10:33 pm
ok … … I don’t want to hear Newt use the word “fundamentally” again. It’s like Obama using “let me be clear”
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:34 pm
Both Newt and Mitt have taken their hits here, but nothing below the water line.
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
10:35 pm
there’s hardly any fast food places in Iowa, wonder if that has anything to do with it?
jack bull
December 10th, 2011
10:38 pm
thanks Jay! Have a wonderful night and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:40 pm
Potential news story tomorrow:
“Newt Romney”
Romney’s $10,000 bet offer.
Israel. They are all willing to encourage Israel’s worst instincts, to its detriment.
getalife
December 10th, 2011
10:40 pm
Same talking points.
The only thing new is newt’s gaffe on Palestinians.
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:42 pm
OK, George and DIane are a bit much here.
Santorum pitching for Newt’s VP slot.
bman
December 10th, 2011
10:44 pm
I don’t see how they republican debates are any worse that when Democrats : Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, Obama, Hillary, John Edwards, Joe Biden and Bill Richardson were running at about the same time before the last election.
Kucinich and Paul ….Boy there’s a pair
bman
December 10th, 2011
10:45 pm
wow .. .. i need to wear my glasses when I post !
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:46 pm
Oh my goodness.
Newt and his “If we DO survive, it will be because of things such as Rick Santorum’s stance on Iran.”
Jm
December 10th, 2011
10:47 pm
The GOp is the party 8:59
Issues…….
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:47 pm
Ron Paul may have done as well if not better than the rest of ‘em.
The GOP is the Party of Angry White Men In Need of Some TENDER LOVING CARE!
December 10th, 2011
10:48 pm
Michelle is trying to get Herman Cain’s voters. She can have them!
getalife
December 10th, 2011
10:48 pm
Ron Paul won.
Easily.
Jay
December 10th, 2011
10:50 pm
Probably so, Get.
If so, that’s danger to Romney. He can lose to Newt in Iowa and be OK. If he loses to Newt AND Ron Paul?
getalife
December 10th, 2011
10:50 pm
jm,
willard is losing.
Blog harder.
Jm
December 10th, 2011
10:51 pm
Bman 10:44
Hillary was the only legitimately capable and experienced candidate out of that group
Romney 2012……
Mark in mid-town
December 10th, 2011
10:52 pm
Jay Bookman writes: “Bachmann opposes payroll tax cut; claiming falsely that $110 billion taken out of Social Security Trust Fund to pay for it. The legislation is written to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
Jay, apparently both you and Bachmann are clueless. The Social Security Trust Fund is a fiction. The fiscal position of the government is exactly the same whether we one says the Trust Fund exists or one says it doesn’t exist. the Trust fund is nothing but a paper accounting entry that is backed up with nothing but paper IOUs. The federal government need not collect a single penny in FICA taxes for it to continue with the fiction of the Social Security Trust Fund. The federal government can just create a bogus accounting entry saying the Social Security Trust fund has money. Which by the way, is exactly what is being done when the Federal government can say that it’s cutting FICA taxation rate from 6.2% to 4.2% or to 3.2% and still have the so-called Social Security Trust Fund not affected one iota. Because after-all, that’s what the legislation says. Good grief!!!
Jm
December 10th, 2011
10:53 pm
Getalife
U seemed to think (earlier) that I’m a Romney liability
Which is it?
getalife
December 10th, 2011
10:53 pm
Jay,
“If he lose to Newt AND Ron Paul?”
Yes, he will finish third in Iowa .
getalife
December 10th, 2011
10:56 pm
We got one talking head talking about that bet for 10 grand.
jm,
Yes, you need to blog harder because you are losing to the newt.
Jm
December 10th, 2011
10:57 pm
Chris Dodd – corrupt Fannie Freddie dirtbag shill
Dennis Kucinich – crazy
Obama – well everyone now knows
Hillary – legit cred, but people were justifiably tired of dynasties
John Edwards – paid off mistress with campaign funds
Joe Biden – loose canon ala Gingrich
Bill Richardson – see Edwards issues
Romney 2012
Tom Middleton
December 10th, 2011
11:00 pm
Hey, Paul Jr. won the bike build-off against Sr. and Jesse James on Discovery. Thought you’d like to know…maybe.
The GOP is the Party of Angry White Men In Need of Some TENDER LOVING CARE!
December 10th, 2011
11:00 pm
If they turned out all the lights at the debate Mrs. Gingrich’s hair would light up the room.
Newt is still a hypocrite. It will take a whole lot of hail mary’s to reform Newt.
Newt does not have any competition. I hope he is the candidate to go up against Obama.
Bring it on Newtie!
getalife
December 10th, 2011
11:00 pm
jm,
Dig up the dirt on the newt and post it.
Those dems are not running.
Focus on the newt.
Erwin's cat
December 10th, 2011
11:01 pm
Ron Paul and Newt did well….Romney was gaining until the bet….bachmann and santorum may have made gains
Jm
December 10th, 2011
11:05 pm
Getalife
All gingrich’s dirty laundry is unfortunately out there
Paid by Freddie
Fined for ethics violations
Serial cheater on wife
Rudderless
Megalomaniacal feeding obstinacy
Flip flopper
Throws Paul Ryan and his own party under the bus
Hypocrite
Calista- bad first lady
It’s all out there already…..
The Thin Guy
December 10th, 2011
11:07 pm
At least Frankenstein’s Monster didn’t need a teleprompter. Yes Newt kissed on the first date. But at least he turned the lights off. Yes Newt has changed his mind and isn’t a rigid ideologue. Like people who write blogs. But both Mittens and Newt spend too much time trying to make the pc crowd happy. Such as their allegiance to the Global Luke Warming claptrap which has less credibility than Bigfoot.
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/09/dont-pretend-we-know-what-causes-climate-change
Could be Rick Perry is the sharpest knife in the drawer. Being able to count to three is over rated.
Erwin's cat
December 10th, 2011
11:08 pm
Not to go way off topic….but something really needs to be done about the security of GT students on and around campus
Jm
December 10th, 2011
11:11 pm
God forbid I have to choose between newt and obama
Romney 2012
barking frog
December 10th, 2011
11:13 pm
Newt took a hit even with Santorum propping him up. Bachmann
did well as hitman on Newt. Paul was consistent but he already had
all he’ll get in Iowa. Romney didn’t lose any but didn’t gain any. Perry
flatlined again. Bachmann will get Herman’s money if she’ll let him cop
a feel. Obama is safe.
moonbat betty
December 10th, 2011
11:21 pm
Man,
Thank Gawd we have Obama.
Jm
December 10th, 2011
11:25 pm
Frog
Funny
Gingrich has probably tried to seduce Bachman, telling her that her protestations are incorrectly framed and puts national security at risk
moonbat betty
December 10th, 2011
11:56 pm
Jay’s having fun with this.
Who is your choice liberals??
Get Real
December 10th, 2011
11:58 pm
Gawd you libs are too funny
getalife
December 11th, 2011
12:11 am
“Thank Gawd we have Obama.”
Indeed.
moonbat betty
December 11th, 2011
12:50 am
O’ MY GAWD, ITS FULL OF STARS!
Bud Wiser
December 11th, 2011
5:19 am
Well, after the cross-burning and media-mob lynching of Herman Cain, who better to go after next than Newt? After all, he is the current flavor of the week amongst the repubs, apparently the front runner for now, and all the media stooges have to do is bark and growl and look for a place to lift a leg.
The sound of ‘President Gingrich’ terrifies you, shouldn’t it?
It should. This race is becoming almost biblical in its context over recent history.
George Bush begat Hussein Obama who begat Newt Gingrich.
The pendulum is swinging so wildly that it may just jump off the framework.
Cherokee
December 11th, 2011
6:20 am
“Gingrich has probably tried to seduce Bachman, telling her that her protestations are incorrectly framed and puts national security at risk”
Now THAT was clever, JM…