Posted on 01/24/2012 4:40:57 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Just one week ago, I used this column to concede that the GOP establishment had prevailed in its primary process, and that Mitt Romney was likely headed to the nomination.
What a difference a week makes, huh?
Fueled by his performance in the two pre-primary debates last week, as well as lingering distaste for Romney, Newt Gingrich enjoyed a breakout electoral win in South Carolina. His double-digit blowout has translated to serious momentum. Gallup’s tracking poll, which had given Romney a 10-point national lead over Gingrich early last week, clocked in Monday with a statistically insignificant 1-point Romney edge. And more importantly for the short term, that momentum appears strong in Florida, which votes next week.
Public Policy Polling, which nailed South Carolina’s results, showed Gingrich with a 38 percent to 33 percent lead in Florida after its Monday night polling. By Monday, InsiderAdvantage had Gingrich up 34 percent to 26 percent, while Rasmussen gave Gingrich a 41 percent to 32 percent lead. A victory in Florida would deliver the money and momentum Gingrich would need to extend this primary season to the bitter end.
Democrats can’t believe their luck! Romney is getting bloodied on economic populist grounds, with his record at Bain Capital suddenly a major campaign liability. It’s no accident that Gingrich rose in the polls the more he attacked Romney’s business record, while Rick Santorum faded as he defended it. When the dust settled in South Carolina, the only income group Romney had won was his friends — those making more than $200,000 per year.
Who knew that the Occupy movement would have such an impact in the Republican primary?
If Romney survives, he will be a far weaker general-election candidate than just a week or two ago. Meanwhile, Gingrich is about to get walloped by the combined forces of Santorum and Romney, reminding voters of his lobbying and ethics problems. Even if he survives the onslaught, he won’t come out unscathed. And it’s not as if he starts this contest with a reservoir of good will from the general public. They already hate him.
Three recent polls confirm just how unsavory Gingrich is in the eyes of America. CBS News/New York Times found that 17 percent viewed him favorably, 49 percent unfavorably. Fox News had it at 27 percent favorable, 56 percent unfavorable, with CNN coming in at 28 percent favorable, 58 percent unfavorable. In all three polls, both Romney and President Obama came in with significantly better numbers.
That’s why establishment Republican forces are sweating the latest numbers. Romney surrogate and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was not circumspect: “Newt Gingrich has embarrassed the party over time. Whether he’ll do it again in the future I don’t know, but Gov. Romney never has.” Meanwhile, Mississippi political consultant Henry Barbour (ain’t nepotism grand?) said, “I like having a Republican Speaker of the House. [Gingrich] puts all our down-ticket candidates at risk.”
But nothing warmed Democratic hearts more than former John McCain adviser Steve Schmidt on Saturday.
“[N]ot only are we not moving toward a coalescing of support by the Republican establishment for Newt Gingrich, we’re probably moving toward the declaration of war on Newt Gingrich by the Republican establishment,” he said. “And if Newt Gingrich is able to win the Florida primary, you will see a panic and a meltdown of the Republican establishment that is beyond my ability to articulate in the English language.”
Could Democrats really be this lucky?
Dang! I thought Kos and his Kommie Kids had closed up shop and gone home to live in mommy’s basement.
I believe Markos Mouslitas is what our British cousins call a “wanker.”
Hey, guyth, lithen to me!
They were happy for Reagan too...
Oh, they will be overjoyed when Newt starts hitting the airwaves with info about the foulest Obama scandals. Stuff that has been hidden away from most Americans these three years.
Ouch, babe. Hurts to have to start an article with an admission that you have no idea what you are talking about.
OMG, no wonder they are panicking. THEY ARE ALL COMPLICIT in hiding Obama's foreign national status from the American people.
I will prove I am smarter than the Daily Kos and predict this race. The race will tighten due to attacks on Newt by his own party...Coulter et al. Newt squeaks it out 34-32 Santorum 18%, Paul l2%
Could Democrats really be this lucky?
Sorry, GOP-E AND Democrats. The people still rule this country...for now. If the people choose Newt, you are powerless to stop them.
One thing about whoever wins: in 2013, the US will no longer be able to sustain spending on this scale. Any attempt to reduce spending will produce riots.
Here's the question: which candidate do you think most likely to hold the line while the cities burn?
They are afraid. Thats why they are SO HAPPY that newt is doing well. And Pelosi says she has secret info etc etc... If they knew beating Newt was such a slam dunk, they would be silent about him until he had the nomination.
We would be treated to MSM stories about how they were afraid of him. They would call him a Maverick, etc,,,
They would -never- try to derail his march to the nomination if they were so confident they could beat him!
Hearing this from Steve Schmidt warms my heart as well. I can't wait. On the edge of my seat.
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