As debates resume, Gingrich prepares for a shot at the top
The latest meme in the GOP presidential primary is: “Newt is back!” They are not making the point I made after the last debate: namely, that Newt Gingrich was poised to be next in line should the current leading-Republican-not-named-Mitt-Romney, Herman Cain, stumble. They are making the case that Gingrich is earning his shot as the challenger to Romney’s aura of inevitability:
Dorothy Rabinowitz of the Wall Street Journal:
Newt Gingrich’s rise in the polls — from near zero to the third slot in several polls — should come as no surprise to people who have been watching the Republican debates, now drawing television viewers as never before. The former speaker has stood out at these forums, the debater whose audiences seem to hang on his words and on a flow of thought rich in substance, a world apart from the usual that the political season brings.
Byron York of the Washington Examiner, reporting from Iowa recently on Gingrich’s “wonkish, unconventional” presidential bid:
[T]he former Speaker, whose mother spent the last years of her life in a long-term care facility, has devoted a lot of time over the years working on Alzheimer’s issues. But now he is in the middle of a presidential campaign. He’s in Iowa, with 60 days to go before the caucuses that could decide his future. He is hours away from a crucial speech to the Iowa Republican Party’s annual Reagan dinner. And he is spending nearly two hours of his day, behind closed doors, with three doctors, a couple of aides, and one reporter, talking about brain research. The topic of the approaching caucuses does not come up.
Wonkish, unconventional and substantive as Gingrich’s campaign may be, a stumble by Cain was certainly necessary, too — and it is being delivered. In his press conference yesterday, Cain made clear that he would take his stand on the claim that he has “never acted inappropriately with anyone, period.” He is staking his candidacy on the idea that his accusers cannot prove, with actual evidence, that he did otherwise; that it will simply be his word against theirs; and that voters will decide he is more credible.
There’s a potentially high reward in a Republican primary for Cain’s positioning of himself as the outsider who’s standing up to the ruthless politics of false accusations. But he can hardly afford for anything to go wrong, and it’s not clear that voters are buying it anyway: Rasmussen Reports this morning released a poll showing that “51% of voters nationwide say it is at least somewhat likely the allegations against Cain are both serious and true.” And his campaign has made a couple of embarrassing mistakes in trying to blame someone for old accusations’ coming to light.
It is hard to see how this ends well for Cain.
So, Gingrich’s number may be up. This is probably happening a little earlier than his campaign would have preferred — a mid-December rise in the polls might have translated more easily into primary and caucus votes, without affording as much time for scrutiny to return to his campaign and track record. For the Machiavellians among us, that may be one reason why Gingrich has been content to play nice with Cain in recent appearances: He doesn’t want Cain to slip just yet.
On the other hand, we’re about to enter another weeks-long period during which debates figure heavily in the race. Pretty much everyone concedes that debates are one of Gingrich’s strong suits. If a little buzz leading into these few weeks affords him more face time in those debates, that almost certainly couldn’t hurt him.
If you want confirmation that Gingrich is preparing the foundation for a campaign resurgence, check out his willingness last night to repudiate the climate-change advertisement he infamously filmed with Nancy Pelosi (the relevant part of the clip begins at the 6:39 mark):
Before that, his daughter sought to set the record straight on the details of her father’s first divorce. (H/t: Instapundit)
Scoff at Gingrich if you want — and I’ll admit to having dismissed his chances months ago. But he, at least, is taking seriously the possibility that his window of opportunity is about to open.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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153 comments Add your comment
HDB
November 9th, 2011
12:36 pm
The door may be opening for some…but for many, Gingrich is as welcome as Jehovah Witnesses knocking on your front door on Saturday morning!!
joe
November 9th, 2011
12:48 pm
I pray every day that Gingrich wins the nomination.
I’m waiting with Iphone in hand.
arnold
November 9th, 2011
1:10 pm
How long before he shoots himself? 3 weeks, 4 weeks,???
Mike
November 9th, 2011
1:16 pm
It will be good to see more of Newt. The more he is on tv, the more he talks. The more he talks, the more of a nutcase he reveals himself to be. There will always be people who believe what this man saids. All those repub candidates look like one long SNL episode.
Jefferson
November 9th, 2011
1:18 pm
Boo hoo.
JDW
November 9th, 2011
1:19 pm
It says loads about the current state of the Republican Party that Newt is even in the conversation…same old people, same old ideas that got us into this mess.
If the Republicans want to challenge they need something new otherwise its all downhill from here.
DW
November 9th, 2011
1:31 pm
WHAT A D-BAG. lmfao
BS Aplenty
November 9th, 2011
1:35 pm
Nothing scares a libtard worse than having the former Speaker of the House take on the sacred cows of the “bureaucratic socialist” left. Yes, Mr. Gingrich is a long shot but so was the current president. America loves the underdog especially one whose fiscally conservative ideas resonate so well.
The left will attack Gingrich’s personal life, although they loved Bill Clinton’s affairs, Obama’s membership at the hate-spewing Trinity United Church of Christ and even, to a lesser extent, George W. Bush’s rumored cocaine use. Gingrich is just old school and believes in marriage. He’s, unfortunately, also learned the hard way that many marriages don’t last.
Go Newt.
Susan
November 9th, 2011
1:36 pm
I believe more every day that Newt is the one person who is capable of getting America out of the mess we are currently in – intelligence, experience, good ideas are much more important at this critical juncture in America than soap opera distractions in candidates’ pasts.
Rock me like a Herman Cain
November 9th, 2011
1:40 pm
My favorite Newt story is his response to the Sharon Smith case in SC. Remember that one? A troubled young woman drove her car into a lake with her two children, she escaped, they drowned; all because her boyfriend didn’t like kids. But she claimed a black man stole her car and drowned the kids — but that was quickly proven to be false.
Newt blamed the liberal culture of America. However when she went to trial she claimed that it was her history of being abused by her father that caused her to commit the crime. The best part? Wait for it…her father was the Chairman of the local GOP.
Newt didn’t comment on that part or how America’s “liberal culture” was responsible for this tragedy.
This kind of hypocrisy is priceless.
Justin
November 9th, 2011
1:40 pm
Yeah those crazy libtard’s really will be there to remind Newt the family man (who divorced his wife on her death bed) how much of a family values kind of guy he is.
yawn
November 9th, 2011
1:41 pm
You guys are a hoot. I’d love to see Peewt try to win the middle.
yawn
November 9th, 2011
1:43 pm
Rock me….
x2!!
Max
November 9th, 2011
1:46 pm
Nothing would absolutely ensure a devastating Obama landslide more than a Gingrich/WhoDat ticket (except for maybe a Palin/Bachmann ticket). With that in mind I encourage all of the GOPers out there to support Newt.
yawn
November 9th, 2011
1:47 pm
BS fo sho…”Gingrich is just old school and believes in marriage.”
And owes his relevance in today’s politics to gullible fools like you.
Devil's Advocate
November 9th, 2011
1:54 pm
Of course, it’s the liberal media’s fault that Newt might overtake Cain.
BS Aplenty
November 9th, 2011
1:57 pm
The current president’s vision of this country as something akin to a European socialist nanny state provides the most effective rallying point for ANY Republican candidate. He’s on the wrong road and doesn’t know it. And the polls at Politico indicate that the vast majority of Independents are dissatisfied with Obama’s handling of the economy.
Can you say, “I don’t want to be like Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland,…France….”
BS Aplenty
November 9th, 2011
1:58 pm
yawn, in what respect am I “gullible?”
Jefferson
November 9th, 2011
2:00 pm
The US was bailed out 1st. when it comes to Greece,Italy, Spain….in 2008
Bart Abel
November 9th, 2011
2:03 pm
Are we talking about the same Newt Gingrich who called Paul Ryan’s Medicare privatization plan “right-wing social engineering” and then claimed he didn’t say it and then called Paul Ryan to apologize for saying it?
The same Gingrich who complained that Obama wasn’t sending forces into Libya, and then when Obama sent forces into Libya, complained that Obama was sending forces into Libya?
This is the same Gingrich who has divorced his previous wives twice to marry women who he had been committing adultery with, but now runs around calling himself a Catholic while continually referencing “our Creator” in his speeches?
As previously mentioned, Newt Gingrich appeared in an advertisement with Nancy Pelosi in which he said, “We do agree our country must take action to address climate change”, but now goes on Fox News to say “I actually don’t know whether global warming is occurring.”
I could go on and on with these kinds of example. The man is a shameless hack who will say anything and do anything for money and power, and it’s really unfortunate that anybody would take him seriously.
Chris
November 9th, 2011
2:04 pm
I am a big fan of Newt. They have the ful cain-Gingrich debate at http://Nationalsponsor.com along with videos and articles on Newt, amond other things.
BS Aplenty
November 9th, 2011
2:11 pm
Jefferson, here’s where you ‘tards gain your status as, well, ‘tards. The U.S. government has not been close to defaulting on its sovreign debt. Although if we keep growing the government like Obama prefers, then our total debt/GDP (currently around 100%, I believe) may well put us on that road. Hence the need for a fiscal conservative like Gingrich. Greece had a total debt/GDP ratio approaching 180% – they couldn’t roll it over at less than 12% interest rates – that’s simply unsustainable for them, hence their negotiated default.
Now, most of the banks, etc. that received TARP money have REPAID those amounts with interest and warrants to the U.S. Treasury. I strongly suspect that TARP will ultimately prove PROFITABLE to the U.S. Government. Compare that record with the money given to the government sponsored fiascos, FNMA and FHLMC. The U.S. Government will, imho, never see that approximately $175 billion (so far) again. With TARP, the taxpayer will be made whole. With FNMA and FHLMC, no way.
yawn
November 9th, 2011
2:13 pm
Chris
November 9th, 2011
2:04 pm
I am a big fan of Newt.
No need to give your IQ, we already know it.
DixieDemons
November 9th, 2011
2:18 pm
GOP family values
yawn
November 9th, 2011
2:18 pm
Bart Abel @ 2:03:
X2
Jefferson
November 9th, 2011
2:27 pm
BS for sure.
old timer
November 9th, 2011
2:30 pm
I will support anyone against Obama…
H. Smyth
November 9th, 2011
2:32 pm
Compare Obama”s record to Newt’s record in government. A history of being a community organizer which he was very good at, still is, just look at the riots he is organizing and the laws he decides to not enforce. Of course the critics of Newt try to play the divorce card. Too bad Newt didn’t follow the Bill Clinton model, don’t divorce, just have affairs and play hide the cigar with young interns. And the mainstream media has the gall to try to destroy Herman Cain after giving a complete pass to Clinton. One of the biggest oxymorons is “logical Democrat.”
RGB
November 9th, 2011
2:32 pm
Re: “GOP family values”
Most conservatives at least have family values and sometimes miss the mark.
Liberals have none and therefore cannot be held to account for something they do not have.
Tom(Independent)
November 9th, 2011
2:32 pm
Bart Abel – 50% of marriages end in divorce, that is 1 out of every 2 for you liberals who do not understand math! Get over it, divorce happens!! Yes Newt talks alot, he is a very smart man. No he does not have to read from a telepromter(misspelled) like your hero, the annointed one, Barrack Hussien Obama. Yes, I would like to see them in a debate, one on one. Former Speaker of the House vs the most famous Community Organizer.
sean Smith
November 9th, 2011
2:35 pm
The republican party will have ZERO credibility on moral issues if they nominate a serial adulterer.
Besides do you really want this obnoxious jerk representing our country???? Arrogance is not a becoming attribute in a president, we just saw that play.
BarrelScraper
November 9th, 2011
2:40 pm
The Republicans are not scraping the bottom of the barrel with Newt. They are through the bottom and into the subsoil. They’ll reach China on the other side before they’re done. Pitiful sight.
Bankshot
November 9th, 2011
2:48 pm
I think Newt is still angry w/ his parents for naming him after a lizzard.
What is in a name?
November 9th, 2011
2:57 pm
Ref Bankshot @ 2:46
His actual name is Newton Leroy Gingrich. Still leads me to want to call him “Lizardman”.
I remember when...
November 9th, 2011
2:58 pm
“And the mainstream media has the gall to try to destroy Herman Cain after giving a complete pass to Clinton. ”
What pass did Clinton get: Go directly to impeachment, do not pass go, do not collect $200.00. That’s not much of a pass. Clinton paid a heavy price for his dalliances. You guys need to join everyone in the 2000’s and give up the Clinton ghost. You complain that Obama blames Bush for everything, then go back even further to support your own arguments.
And let’s remember, Newt was out there attacking Clinton for his personal moral failures while he was running around on wife no. 2 with Calista. Hypocrisy in action. Do as I say, not as I do is not a strong moral or political philosophy.
Chris
November 9th, 2011
3:02 pm
All of your sanctimonious liberals who want to crucify Newt for things that happened 20 years ago but want to ignore Clinton’s adultery, Bush’s drinking and whatever else, and Obama’s admitted drug use are being complete and utter hypocrites. There was ONE perfect person that ever walked this earth and his name was Jesus Christ. Being a believer is not about being perfect, nor is it even about not living a life of sin. We are ALL sinners and so it is not our place to judge.
That said, do any of you liberals really believe it is conservative ideas about economics that got us into this mess? You really believe things have not gotten significantly WORSE since the liberals took over? I know that the 2000’s set a terrible standard when the republicans sold their souls to special interests, but from 2006 to 2011 things have gotten substantially worse.
What we need is to stop talking about all these distractions and focus on what candidate will actually take steps to right the ship. It won’t be Obama, I can promise you that. I also don’t think that person is Romney, Cain, Perry or the slew of other “conservatives”. I do actually believe Newt is smart enough and understands economics well enough to right the ship if he has a truly conservative congress. (Note: the 2000-2006 “republican” leadership was not what I would call conservative by any stretch).
Hillbilly D
November 9th, 2011
3:06 pm
As far back as I can remember, I’ve never seen a Presidential debate that was actually a debate. What they have are multi-candidate news conferences. The questioners and/or moderator are as much a part of the debate as the candidates. What I’d like to see is a referee and the candidates. Referee says, “Candidate A, you’ve got 5 minutes”. Then Candidate A says anything he wants or asks any other person, any question he wants to ask in his 5 minutes. Let ‘em have at it.
H. Smyth
November 9th, 2011
3:10 pm
I should not have said that Obama was still a community organizer, he is now a community DIS-organizer as witness the riots throughout the country. Looking at TV now you can”t tell whether you are looking at some city in the US or looking at Greece or some other European country. This will now be the pattern in this country if the Obama Democrats and their union bosses have their way.
BarrelScraper
November 9th, 2011
3:11 pm
Herman Cain should know how the handle those lobbyists in DC. Seeing as how he was president of the National Restaurant Association which might have lobbied DC once or twice over the years. The ultimate lobbyist as President. Can’t get any better.
Gm
November 9th, 2011
3:19 pm
The rep are always going around talking about family and morals, I guest they turned a blind eye to Newt who married his mistress, say what you want about Obama I will take his family values over Cain and Newt.
Newt and the rep party shows what a bunch of hypocrites in the rep party.
Thanks Obama, for not ever been caught up in Scandals and showing the true meaning of family values”””
jconservative
November 9th, 2011
3:21 pm
We need Cain to win this thing. Who else is committed to preventing China from gaining a nuclear capability? No one!
Sandra
November 9th, 2011
3:25 pm
To Bankshot: A lizard is fast and can make a decision instantly and do something with his decision.
Newt would make a great president. Herman Cain would be so good if the Democrats were not so
jealous of him. One of these 2 guys should be president and the other vice president.
Sandra
November 9th, 2011
3:26 pm
Women are their personal life. Not the United States.
Tea Party Hobbit
November 9th, 2011
3:31 pm
sean – an obnoxious jerk representing our country? Did you happen to catch what Obama said about the Israeli Prime Minister? It’s like he thinks that Israel is just some gnat or something…oh he’s just too busy trying to find the next way to cover up his incompetence to need to talk to the leader of one of the most powerful countries in the Middle East! At least Newt would be an intelligent obnoxious jerk!
Tea Party Hobbit
November 9th, 2011
3:33 pm
Sandra, they cannot be the full ticket, because they are both from Georgia. However, if the candidate is Cain, he should make Newt his chief of staff. If Newt is candidate, I am sure Herman would be good for a Cabinet spot, such as SecTreas.
Hillbilly D
November 9th, 2011
3:41 pm
Although it isn’t done and is probably a bad idea, there’s actually nothing to prevent the Presidential candidate and the Vice-Presidential candidate being from the same state.
http://www.snopes.com/history/american/vicepresident.asp
Newt’s really a Pennsylvanian, anyway.
yawn
November 9th, 2011
3:42 pm
“Herman Cain would be so good if the Democrats were not so
jealous of him.”
LMAO!! Those meanies!!
Gm
November 9th, 2011
3:42 pm
Obama you have made American safe for the last 3 years, you have killed every one who was a threat to our nation, you have sent bills to this do nothing congress to help put people back to work, but these retards on the right rather destroy the country then work with you.
President Obama you have not been caught in any scandals, you love your wife and family but yet the bigots tea party continue to discredit all the work you have done but the rest of the world and real Americans know why they hate you yet they love hypocrites like Cain and Newt that have no shame in embarrass their wives.
Rep party of scum ””’
yawn
November 9th, 2011
3:44 pm
“However, if the candidate is Cain, he should make Newt his chief of staff. If Newt is candidate, I am sure Herman would be good for a Cabinet spot, such as SecTreas.”
Heehee! I know…let’s play make believe!!!
yawn
November 9th, 2011
3:46 pm
Gm
November 9th, 2011
3:42 pm
X2
Tea Party Hobbit
November 9th, 2011
3:51 pm
Contract With America vs. Contract On America
now that would be interesting…
real john
November 9th, 2011
3:51 pm
I can guarantee Obama does not want to face off with Newt in a debate. Obama would get shelled.
While Newt’s affairs do concern me, I more interested in his accomplishments. Say what you want, but he and Clinton were able to compromise on many issues. Sure Newt and Clinton don’t see eye to eye on many issues, but they were able to give and take for the country. Right now that is what our country needs. Neither Rep. or Dem. are going to get everything they want. What we need is someone who understands compromise and isn’t always out bashing the other party for political points.
I’ve heard Newt speak about this many times. Unlike most of our current politicians, he speaks highly of Clinton and the things they were able to accomplish. I can’t stand when I hear Repubs bowing down to this Grover Nordquist guy. Its just stupid to put your foot down and not even consider making concessions on tax increases. While I don’t think we should raise taxes; its an option that may have to take. If the Dems will meet in the middle with spending cuts; then its worth it. That’s what Newt can do if he is dealing with Reid or a Democratically controlled Congress.
yawn
November 9th, 2011
3:52 pm
Sandra:”A lizard is fast and can make a decision instantly and do something with his decision.”
Stop it Sandra, you’re killing me!!
A lizard has a fast mouth and can make a decision instantly to say something outrageously stupid and untrue and can immediately say exactly the opposite and morons think he’s a genius.
There fixed it for you.
Real American
November 9th, 2011
3:54 pm
GM
You are right, Rep party of hypocrites.
The Snark
November 9th, 2011
3:55 pm
Gingrich’s words are “a flow of thought rich in substance”? The man contradicts himself every ten days.
If he’s so smart, then answer me this: Other than occasional political victories over the opposing party, can you name one single thing Gingrich has accomplished in three decades of political life to better the lives of Americans? Is there a bill or public policy out there somewhere with his name on it that made this country a better place?
Buehler?
Buehler?
Buehler?
real john too
November 9th, 2011
3:57 pm
real john
November 9th, 2011
3:51 pm
I can guarantee Obama does not want to face off with Newt in a debate. Obama would get shelled.
Shell with a barrage of ridiculous lies that won’t stand the light of fact checkers. A Le Roi candidacy would be a huge gift to Obama.
real john too
November 9th, 2011
4:02 pm
” If the Dems will meet in the middle with spending cuts; then its worth it.”
Those obstinant Dems!!
real john too
November 9th, 2011
4:05 pm
Dems for a LeRoi candidacy!!!!
Bart Abel
November 9th, 2011
4:07 pm
jconservative: “We need Cain to win this thing. Who else is committed to preventing China from gaining a nuclear capability? No one!”
———————————————————————–
This comment from jconservative was so funny (intentionally, I’m sure), that I had to re-post in case somebody missed it.
Thanks for the laugh, jc.
real john too
November 9th, 2011
4:07 pm
LeRoi as president would mean four more years of award winning Colbert and Daily shows.
real john too
November 9th, 2011
4:09 pm
BA & JC
X2
Bart Abel
November 9th, 2011
4:24 pm
real john: “Sure Newt and Clinton don’t see eye to eye on many issues, but they were able to give and take for the country.”
—————————————————————
As I recall, Gingrich shut down the government because Clinton wouldn’t agree to the Medicare cuts that Gingrich and House Republicans wanted. I believe it also had something to do with Gingrich not liking his seat, or something to that effect, on Air Force One when accompanying the president to former Israeli Prime Minister Rabin’s funeral.
Gingrich was actually my elected representative at the time that he was speaker, and I personally saw him at a town hall meeting talk as if Clinton was the anti-Christ while asserting that he absolutely deserved to be impeached…”rule of law” and all that…while Gingrich was almost simultaneously dealing with his own problems with the House ethics committee that ended up costing him a $300,000 fine. Speaker Gingrich had a low approval rating, lost a significant number of House seats in the ‘98 midterms, and finally resigned a result.
So, the notion that Gingrich worked well with now popular President Clinton is rewriting history. That said, with the current Republican House setting the bar so low for cooperation with a Democratic president, I can see why people would think that they could get away with such a crazy assertion.
Nope
November 9th, 2011
4:25 pm
This puffy, dried up old coot will NEVER be president of this nation. Guaranteed.
drew
November 9th, 2011
4:27 pm
Sorry, folks.
Ron Paul is winning the GOP nomination. And even if by some miracle he doesn’t, the latest WSJ poll gives him 18% in a three-way race against Obama and Romney.
In a nutshell. The next POTUS will be either Paul or Obama. Not Romney, not Perry, not Cain, and certainly not Newt.
TruthBe
November 9th, 2011
4:32 pm
If Clinton the sex affender can be President than anybody can. If Obama the communist boy wonder with NO experience can be President than anybody can. Case closed. Hey liberals where are your morals about Bill Clinton? How many times did he commit adultrey? How many women did he attack or harrass?
Tea Party Hobbit
November 9th, 2011
4:34 pm
drew, so you are saying you think he’d run as a third party candidate/independent? I’d prefer Ron Paul over Romney, but unless the Libertarians would pick him up he just wouldn’t make much of an impact. Hey I wish it was otherwise, I am sick of the two party system.
Junior Samples
November 9th, 2011
4:38 pm
If only Cain had said that he did it because he loves this country so much (like Newt did), then all would be forgiven.
At least they’re choosing the guy that admitted it. Kudos!
GT/MIT
November 9th, 2011
4:39 pm
For all of you good folks out there who believe morality will have any relevance in the upcoming Presidential election, I recommend you do some research of recent history. Enough said about that.
I for one would be very happy to see Newt take the nomination for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that he is far and away the smarter of the flock. His debating skills are unquestionably top notch, and he proposes real solutions to problems.
All of this is of course my opinion and I shall support whomever is nominated. The fact is that if we don’t rid our country of the present White House occupant, It just may be the end of our country as we know it.
Gman
November 9th, 2011
4:41 pm
Newt impresses most Georgia GOP’ers because many of them can’t complete a sentence without saying “DUH” or “UMM”! The Newtster talks alot and says absolutely nothing of any real substance.
Tea Party Hobbit
November 9th, 2011
4:43 pm
GT/MIT, as I mentioned earlier:
“Contact With America vs. Contract On America”
Wonder how many liberals won’t get that, despite Dear Ruler saying he wanted to “fundamentally transform” the nation? Sure sounds like a hit job to me! Our nation is indeed in jeopardy.
Ev
November 9th, 2011
4:45 pm
The new “flavor of the week” is? Vanilla, for Gingrich? Romney must be lemon, a bit too sour to have everyday. Cain was “black walnut”, and oh soooo yesterday. Oo-oo, wonder what is coming next.
Nobody likely, we will all just get fat with vanilla ice cream. Let’s hope he can at least make the pie bigger.
MarkV
November 9th, 2011
4:46 pm
The following pronouncement by Dorothy Rabinowitz must be one of the funniest I have heard today: “The former speaker has stood out at these forums, the debater whose audiences seem to hang on his words and on a flow of thought rich in substance, a world apart from the usual that the political season brings.”
The only competition I am aware of is the following: “I can guarantee Obama does not want to face off with Newt in a debate. Obama would get shelled.”
TruthBe
November 9th, 2011
4:47 pm
GM, President Obama’s ideology and ChicagoThug politics are wrong for America. As for his family life and anybody eles’s that isn’t my business or yours. I hope he and Michele are happy together with their girls as a family. I don’t trust him anymore period.
Bart Abel
November 9th, 2011
4:49 pm
It’s only the end of the country as we know it if you believe the lies that are spread on right-wing radio and Fox, as Newt the Gullible seems to do. For example, in the video that Kyle posted, Newt repeated the lie that Obama shut down oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Didn’t happen. In addition, after the very short moratorium on NEW wells was lifted, the Obama Administration has approved 25+ new drilling permits. Oil drilling in America is and has been at an all-time high.
On a separate note, we’ve all heard the expression “my handshake is my bond.” Here’s a link that would tell readers about the value, or lack thereof, of Gingrich’s handshake: http://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/10/opinion/mr-gingrich-s-broken-promise.html
TruthBe
November 9th, 2011
4:53 pm
Bart Abel, That could be said about Senator Harry Reid also. Reid has been a huge problem as the leader in the senate. He held up President Obama’s so-called jobs bill (a tax increase in sheeps clothing).
TruthBe
November 9th, 2011
4:59 pm
Harry Reid, quote” I don’t have to agree with anything from the supercommittee, all I have to do is nothing” that way the democrats get automatic tax increase and huge spending cuts in the military budget. Their is you good buddy democrat leader.
Bart Abel
November 9th, 2011
5:04 pm
TruthBe,
Didn’t Jay Bookman just call you out on all the falsehoods that you posted in his comments section? To be precise, he wrote: “TruthBe, is your name supposed to be some kind of a witty joke, like calling a seven-footer ‘Shorty’? Because you sure do post a lot of absolute nonsense, including that ‘16,000 IRS agents’ load of baloney.” http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2011/11/09/lets-examine-the-big-spending-obama-meme-a-little-closer/?cp=2#comment-777418
Not to worry though. You and your baloney have a home in Kyle’s thread.
Ann Coulter
November 9th, 2011
5:05 pm
If Newt buys me the type of gifts he has been buying Calissa at Tiffanys I will campaign for him.
Tom(Independent)
November 9th, 2011
5:08 pm
Barrack Hussien Obama – enough said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DawgDad
November 9th, 2011
5:08 pm
Strong runs by Cain and Newt are good for the conservative cause and for Georgia. Ideologically, I prefer Cain, though Newt is probably more “President-ready” but more likely to sell out to the left ala Bush. In terms of dealing with Washington, it doesn’t matter who the GOP nominee is, they won’t have many trustworthy friends there or in the mainstream media.
BS Aplenty
November 9th, 2011
5:21 pm
The last three U.S. budget surpluses took place during the time Gingrich was Speaker and Clinton was President. We’ve not had one since then, in fact, under the Obama Administration the U.S. budget deficits have skyrocketed to in excess of $1.2 TRILLION dollars per year – and counting. Under the Obama Administration, the level of U.S. debt outstanding has grown to record levels. So much additional new debt as a result of deficit spending that Standard and Poor’s downgraded the once pristine U.S. debt rating with Moody’s indicating they were considering a downgrade if the deficit problem continues.
P.S. The President wants more deficit spending.
joe
November 9th, 2011
5:22 pm
I’ll vote for cain. we need the next ten presidents to be black. It will save the country and thus der verlde.
Gman
November 9th, 2011
5:23 pm
Neither Newt nor Cain could keep their hands off the Secretary of State! LOL!
Gman
November 9th, 2011
5:24 pm
BS Aplenty, wars paid for on credit will cause hugh deficits everytime!
RGB
November 9th, 2011
5:39 pm
The liberals here looking for the sin-free candidate must be voting 3rd party in 2012 since Mr. Obama’s admitted cocaine and marijuana use have to disqualify him from your consideration because he is impure.
Newt would slaughter Obama in a debate. The liberals know this and resort to their old bag o’ tricks: “racism, racism, retarded, retarded”.
No one should ever wonder why Democrats are unable to improve the economy or anything else they touch because name calling is their solo contribution to humanity.
X9
RGB
November 9th, 2011
5:40 pm
P.S. – People who use “LOL” are either under 13 years old or are women.
gm
November 9th, 2011
5:41 pm
TruthBe
Yea he is a communist allright, thats why he has killed more terroist then your flag waving bush, who destroyed America, typical idiot, can not come up with anything on Obama on moral behavior so you say something stupid””’
Hypocrites Rep
November 9th, 2011
5:46 pm
Whats amazing is watching hypocrites like 3 time college drop out Sean Hannity defend Newt, Cain had this been one of the Dem that idiot who thinks he is a news man would have been taking shots 24 hours around the clock.
Hannity is such a piece of garbage hypocrite””’
SisterSarah
November 9th, 2011
5:48 pm
“Gingrich is just old school and believes in marriage”
@BS Aplenty.
Yeah…so much so he wanted to do it THREE TIMES!! And let’s not even get into the details of that. How fitting of a screen name you have.
drew
November 9th, 2011
5:48 pm
Hobbit,
I think it’s a very strong possibility that he’ll run as an independent if the GOP establishment prevents him from getting the nomination. Like I said, he gets 18% of the votes in a hypothetical three-way race with Romney and Obama, which is absolutely stunning.
You only need to poll at or above 15% to participate in the general election debates. And Ron would absolutely blow both Mitt and Barry off the stage.
RGB
November 9th, 2011
5:50 pm
I wonder what a liberal would have to do before a another liberal considered it immoral.
Drugs don’t count. Racism via black liberation theology doesn’t count. Same-sex marriage doesn’t count. Funding for abortions doesn’t count (foreign and domestic). Klan membership doesn’t count. Imposing financial burdens on successive generations from which they’ll never recover doesn’t count. Class warfare doesn’t count. Stealing doesn’t count. Lying doesn’t count. Adultery doesn’t count. Heck, even murder doesn’t count (I’d mention Teddy but I cannot spell Chappaquiddick.)
Using this as a standard, Obama is a perfectly moral man.
SisterSarah
November 9th, 2011
5:52 pm
…and all we needed to know about Newt’s “brilliant mind” and “debate skills” we learned a few weeks ago, when he was caught in a BALD FACED LIE and exposed for all the world to see when Mitt Romney called him on trying to hide behind Heritage Foundation rather than owning up to something he personally advocated for and supported. What a sham! Be fooled all you want, smart people know better. Revisit the footage anytime you desire.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 9th, 2011
6:09 pm
I see this ending well for Herman Cain, like, for instance, him becoming president of the United States.
But then again, I can recognize a liberal media racist hit job, unlike some of us, Kyle.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 9th, 2011
6:12 pm
RICHMOND — Virginia appeared to have taken a sharp right turn Tuesday, as Republicans held a tenuous grip on the Senate and gained at least six seats in the House of Delegates.
Buh bye obozo.
Don’t let the door of the White House hit you in the ass, just sayin…
BS Aplenty
November 9th, 2011
6:17 pm
Sis -
For most people it’s about things like finding a job with a continuing 9% unemployment rate. It’s about an unsustainable federal deficit and the mountain of debt it creates, debt that will cripple this country’s economy. It’s about a President whose vision for America will make us look like Greece in a few more years. Yet your world turns on a debating point and an obscure reference. Glad to know you have your priorities straight.
bug
November 9th, 2011
6:32 pm
I will vote for anyone who wants to reduce the federal government, bet it Herman, Newt or whoever.
TruthBe
November 9th, 2011
6:33 pm
TruthBe
November 9th, 2011
4:47 pm
GM, President Obama’s ideology and ChicagoThug politics are wrong for America. As for his family life and anybody eles’s that isn’t my business or yours. I hope he and Michele are happy together with their girls as a family. I don’t trust him anymore period.
Incase you didn’t read it. I’ll post it again for you. Also did I call you stupid or make a hateful remark to you? No
MarkV
November 9th, 2011
6:35 pm
The Republican nominee’s only chance next year– whoever it will be – is that the Republicans in Congress will be successful in sabotaging anything that the Democrats will do to help the economy, and that the electorate will not see through that.
TruthBe
November 9th, 2011
6:41 pm
Bart Abel., Eat my Baloney. Obamacare is a disaster period. We needed real healthcare reform not another huge spending government agency.
GT/MIT
November 9th, 2011
6:46 pm
As I read through these comments, I am continually reminded that this IS an AJC blog, which means that there will be a percentage of the comments that are completely insensate. Definition: the AJC is a liberal rag, read by liberals. Liberals will usually comment based upon ideology wherein the absence of fact is of little consequence.
saywhat?
November 9th, 2011
6:54 pm
Given the brain trust that is the slate of Republican presidential candidates, I have a modest proposal. Instead of tonight’s usual format Republican presidential primary debate about the economy, how about we give each candidate a fork, and lock them all in a room with a toaster and a bucket of water. We can all watch on camera as they debate whether it makes more economic sense to first stick the fork in the toaster, and then step into the bucket of water, or vice versa. At least we know they will all agree it is best to have the toaster plugged in. If one of them makes it out of the room alive, he or she wins the primary.
MarkV
November 9th, 2011
6:59 pm
As I read through these comments, I am continually reminded that will be a percentage of the comments from people who do not know the meaning of the words they use.
Examples:
“comments that are completely insensate.” Insensate comments?
“Definition: the AJC is a liberal rag, read by liberals. “ Definition of what?
Streetracer
November 9th, 2011
7:02 pm
Some of you have some historical misconceptions.
1). Clinton was not impeached for his affairs, but rather for the felony of perjury in a civil suit.
2). Gingrich (and Congress) did not shut down the government. They passed a budget that Clinton vetoed. It wasn’t a veto proff Congress.
@@
November 9th, 2011
7:06 pm
DAMN, he’s good!!!!
I hate the way the debates are structured. Newt’s proposals are constricted by time limits.
Looks like Karen Kraushaar is a chronic complainer.
Three years after Karen Kraushaar settled her sexual harassment complaint against Herman Cain and quit the trade association where they worked, she filed another complaint at her new job.
Gingrich/Cain, the legislator and the businessman.
joe
November 9th, 2011
7:20 pm
I’d rather see you take a fork and stick steel wool on the end of it, and then shove it where the sun don’t shine, moron.
Gordon
November 9th, 2011
7:22 pm
I wish Tim Palenty had never dropped out.
Gordon
November 9th, 2011
7:23 pm
Pawlenty ^^
MarkV
November 9th, 2011
7:29 pm
Another example of people using words they do not understand:
“Looks like Karen Kraushaar is a chronic complainer.”
Two complaints making a person “a chronic complainer?”
@@
November 9th, 2011
7:38 pm
MarkV:
Have you assumed the role of nitpicker tonight?
@@
November 9th, 2011
7:39 pm
Another question, MarkV…does it pay well?
schnirt
LD
November 9th, 2011
8:05 pm
Mitt or Newt?
Mitt changed from being a Democrat (real taboo to some die-hard GOP) “moderate” (ditto) to being a Republican “conservative” and has kept the same religion (to some, a “cult”).
Newt was already Republican when he became nationally known but…
Newt was committing adultry while condemning hillbilly for doing the same…
Newt converted to a different religion–one that not only believes things different from his upbringing (some would say indoctrination) but one that also has aided and abetted and covered up child molestation since, well–forever–at least since their Pope changed the rules and wouldn’t let their priests be hetrosexual.
Mitt is wealthy. Newt is (if his campaign debts be his, too), arguably, seems pretty close to being both morally and financially bankrupt. Since W already did that to the nation w/tax breaks for the mega rich and off-book wars, we need no more of that ilk.
Obama not my fave but may end up being the lesser of two evils. Suggested reading: Rolling Stones, “How the GOP Became the Party of the Rich.
Hillbilly D
November 9th, 2011
8:14 pm
Newt was committing adultry while condemning hillbilly for doing the same…
If that’s true, Newt owes me an apology. That’s one thing I’ve never been guilty of.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 9th, 2011
8:18 pm
It’s pretty sad that these Republicans let slide the mealy mouthed comment from the CNBC flaming pinko that Ronald “God Bless His Soul” Reagan raised taxes.
New math, morons?
John
November 9th, 2011
8:22 pm
Seriously who cares about who slept with you are you kidding me. This country is in serious finacial trouble unemployement is through the roof. I dont really care who wins at this point, I dont care what they have done in the past I care about who is more capable of starting us on a path to recovery Obama has had his chance and even though I did not vote for him when he took office I wished him all the luck because anything else would have been wishing for the mess that this country is in. I will be voting for a GOP canidate no matter who it is at this point.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 9th, 2011
8:23 pm
Kyle Wingfield- Hear the boos when the lib raised the harassment card?
Hear the cheers from the audience over Herman’s response?
When you gonna join We The People?
Letting the libs pick our candidate, shame on you.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 9th, 2011
8:30 pm
These libs from CNBC are getting bombed and strafed, if you can’t see how lame the people leading you around by the nose you got stuck in the TV set, you are blind.
Go Republicans!
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 9th, 2011
8:40 pm
Wow, the libs want to reinflate the housing bubble.
Haven’t learned from your mistakes, have you?
Hillbilly D
November 9th, 2011
8:45 pm
Haven’t learned from your mistakes, have you?
There was a big real estate bubble in the Atlanta area, about 1974 or so. As soon as things eased up, they went right back to wide open development. People didn’t learn anything then and I doubt if this time will be much different.
GT/MIT
November 9th, 2011
8:57 pm
MarkV I’m going to assume that your 6:59 comment was directed to me. I would be more than happy to respond if I hand any idea what you are trying to say. But, thanks for helping to demonstrate my point.
GT/MIT
November 9th, 2011
9:03 pm
Oh and by the way MarkV, the meaning of “insensate” is lacking sense or understanding>
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 9th, 2011
9:20 pm
Oh well, so much for Rick Perry.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 9th, 2011
9:24 pm
Poor Rick Santorum, trying to stay awake.
JDW
November 9th, 2011
9:31 pm
Insensate, interesting word. Seems quite applicable to the Republican Party these days. I believe proper usage runs along these lines…
Generally speaking the solutions offered by the Republican candidates for President are decidedly insensate.
Rock me like a Herman Cain
November 9th, 2011
9:33 pm
jconservative — I salute you!
RW-(the original)
November 9th, 2011
9:36 pm
I just happened to catch a few minutes of that audition some CNBC hacks are having to see who can emerge with a job at a real station. Why are the Republican candidates there?
ragnar danneskjold
November 9th, 2011
9:41 pm
Chairman Ann has a magnificent dissection of the democrats’s campaign of lies against Herman Cain. As she is not particularly a Cain supporter, perhaps even Kyle will now acknowledge that it will end well for Herman. Or maybe Kyle does not care to answer the lies?
On his topic however, I – admittedly a Cain partisan – like Newt, I like Mitt, I like Michelle, I like Rick S, I like Rick P, I like Ron, I even like Jon. If Hugo Chavez got the nomination, I would even like him enough to displace that fellow to Hugo’s left, the present occupier of the office. Especially now that Chairman Ann proves it is a democrat-conspiracy to besmirch Herman.
LD
November 9th, 2011
10:04 pm
no offense intended, Hillbilly D; I meant hillBilly Clinton.
I don’t give a tinkers d… about anyone’s personal sex life; however, that a high-ranking official of the US ( therwise seemingly intelligent) would put himself in a position to be subject to potential blackmail is relevant. Newt has that failing as well.
We can only hope that if the current fella is reelected that he may have learned something in the first four years.
I, for one, will not decide my vote until election day: hope springs eternal that someone will show more intelligence and, more importantly, just plain common sense than the current options appear to have.
LD
November 9th, 2011
10:07 pm
Unless YOU are “filthy” rich, you should read (available via Huff Post link) Rolling Stone’s
“HOW THE GOP BECAME THE PARTY OF THE RICH”
Instapundit » Blog Archive » I TALKED ABOUT THIS WITH MICHAEL BARONE, but all of a sudden new respect for Newt Gingrich seems to …
November 9th, 2011
10:14 pm
[...] TALKED ABOUT THIS WITH MICHAEL BARONE, but all of a sudden new respect for Newt Gingrich seems to be busting out all [...]
GT/MIT
November 9th, 2011
10:29 pm
JDW: You and I could chat about the subtleties of words in the English language and to whom they might be applicable and as a result either or both of us might learn something new. But I strongly suspect that what we would learn is that “ain’t nothin gonna change”, you will still be left leaning and I won’t. So, have a good night sir.
Hillbilly D
November 9th, 2011
10:36 pm
LD @ 10:04
No problem. Just a little levity.
@@
November 9th, 2011
10:38 pm
I guess we’ll be hearing about how Newt beat up Maria Bartiromo.
Hillbilly D
November 9th, 2011
10:39 pm
I, for one, will not decide my vote until election day: hope springs eternal that someone will show more intelligence and, more importantly, just plain common sense than the current options appear to have.
I have a similar reason for never taking part in early voting. I want to give them every possible opportunity to do or say something stupid, before I vote.
Hillbilly D
November 9th, 2011
10:41 pm
@@ 10:38
The dickens you say. (IW&SH)
LD
November 9th, 2011
11:25 pm
They’ve already said many somethings stupid.
LD
November 9th, 2011
11:25 pm
Nite all.
MarkV
November 9th, 2011
11:31 pm
GT/MIT @9:03 pm: “Oh and by the way MarkV, the meaning of “insensate” is lacking sense or understanding>”
It must be a remarkable comment that lacks a sense or understanding. Is a comment a human being or some other life form?
“there will be a percentage of the comments that are completely insensate.” (GT/MIT@6:46 pm)
Robert Hanson
November 9th, 2011
11:41 pm
At the point that Gingrich did that global warming ad, polls showed that 60% of Republicans believed in human caused Global Warming {sic}. Since then, thanks to Climategate, a series of increasingly cold winters, and extensive revelations about the fabricated nature of the AGW “science”, such as Himilayan glaciers not actually melting, etc. many people now either doubt or disblieve in the AGW religion. So Newt too realized that he’d been wrong, but can’t actually say “I was brainwashed by the liberal media”, so he has naturaly pulled back to the agnostic position. Far better than Romney, who was totally wrong to push Obama-care lite, and still refuses to admit he was wrong. Frankly, I admire Newt for saying “the facts I now have make my previous position no longer tenable”.
john werneken
November 10th, 2011
1:42 am
Phoey. Thinking on one’s feet is a talent, especially in bars and live TV; relatively trivial places really. I’d be inclined to sunset the entire public sector and to start over. Let’s see. Treasury, War, State, Attorney General. That’s enough.If people are in a generous mood, they could ask Congress to raise their taxes and to send checks to the less fortunate. If not, no checks. No entitlements. No promises, except security, stable money, stable law.
Since that is the direction Mr. Perry wants to lead, I’m all for him. What does it matter whether it is Education, HUD, EPA, or Energy that is abolished…it would be a great improvement to abolish them all. Or keep them but give them no money, no access to the courts, no regulatory authority. Works for me. Let the liberals hold bake sales.
john werneken
November 10th, 2011
1:44 am
oh dear. i was thinking i was posting on another site lol. sorry.
john werneken
November 10th, 2011
1:46 am
Mr. Gingrich is also a p;uasible President, I wish him well as well.
Highpointer
November 10th, 2011
1:59 am
Newt Gingrich actually lives in Virginia now.
Brian
November 10th, 2011
2:00 am
Cain/Gingrich…Gingrich/Cain…Not exactly what anyone would expect but it would be a powerful ticket.
Frosteetoes
November 10th, 2011
3:34 am
I’ve warmed up to Newt. I want to squeeze his pudgy cheeks if I ever met him. He makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
November 10th, 2011
5:54 am
Republicans quite naturally have the better ideas, now all they need is a candidate who the Obamamedia won’t destroy in support of their Idiot Dear Leader. Wouldn’t want to slow down that “fundamental transformation” of the U.S. into a paleo-fascist soon-to-be-failed European style country.
Rhadagastt
November 10th, 2011
7:45 am
Everyone mocks Newt, but it was his Congress that balanced the budget– not Clinton. He is an ideas guy, and calling him old and stale just shows that you’re not paying attention to what he says. I haven’t seen anybody on this blog provide one bit of substantive disagreement in response to any of his contentions; I suspect it’s because all you Newt haters lack the wit to do so. Those of you who mockingly hope he gets the nomination better be careful for that which you wish, as it is plainly obvious that in a head-to-head debate he will polish the floor with the Teleprompter-In-Chief if he gets the chance.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
November 10th, 2011
9:05 am
Love Newt, and of course he COULD trounce Idiot Obozo in any debate. The question is, WOULD he, or would he do the equivalent of sitting on the park bench with Pelosi?
Eye of Newt
November 10th, 2011
5:30 pm
Newt is the LAST GAS STATION before entering the DESERT!
I pray it does not happen:
“Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg, and howlet’s wing,–
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.”
Eye of Newt
November 10th, 2011
5:33 pm
Brian
November 10th, 2011 2:00 am YOU SAY – Cain/Gingrich…Gingrich/Cain…Not exactly what anyone would expect but it would be a powerful ticket.
I SAY – hahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaaha!
That is sooooo funnnnny!
Dumb and dumber!
Heaven help us!
GOP Crazies
November 10th, 2011
6:18 pm
Last night’s debate was the PLANET OF THE APES…oOOPS I meant eight! It was the clowns at the rodeo.
independent thinker
November 11th, 2011
3:36 am
That little clown car at the republican debates is getting mighty smeely with all that gas spewing out from Newt.
Newt rising, Cain stalling as bumpy GOP ride takes latest turn | Kyle Wingfield
November 11th, 2011
6:27 pm
[...] is running a campaign described by national pundits as “substantive,” “wonkish” and “unconventional.” That last adjective also applies to [...]
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Thee Magnificent!!! mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 13th, 2011
2:44 pm
A