The Compromise of a Conservative

msnbc ^ | 9/28/07 | Jonathan Darman

[do the dhue]

And so in recent weeks, as Gingrich has once more made rumblings about running for president, experienced Newt watchers wondered what, exactly, the former speaker was selling this time. The answer: American Solutions for Winning the Future, a Gingrich-led advocacy group that launches this week, promising new solutions to old problems like immigration, education and health care. Gingrich has promised to spend the coming weeks seriously considering the viability of a presidential campaign.

[do the dhue]

Do you think Newt can galvanize the Conservative base?

[Rummyfan]

Newt has some good ideas but..... he has too much baggage for a presidential run. I know, I know, who could possibly have more baggage than Hillary? But she gets a free pass from the MSM - Newt won’t.

[EGPWS]

Do you think Newt can galvanize the Conservative base?

No.

[ex-snook]

Echo that no. Wonder why anyone would think Neuting would galvanize anything but interns.

[steel_resolve]

Seconded. Stay home Newt, the field is crowded with enough people who can’t win.

[Sgt_Schultze]

No.

Newt will be harangued about divorcing his bedridden wife, hillary will NOT be asked about her husband the rapist.

Newt allows the SAP to divert attention from hillary's many shortcomings.

[do the dhue]

Well, Newt paid his price voluntarily and God knows everyone but a Conservative gets a second chance. Bill Clinton does not deserve a second chance because he did not pay for his deeds. I think Newt could have learned from this. He is a very strong Conservative and he is one to come up with ideas.

I understand his past, but I would rather give Newt a second chance then Rudy or the Clintoons.

[tobyhill]

The GOP is in a real pickle this election because there are “Moderates” who want to compromise everything, even if it gives everything to the Democrats, and then Conservatives who won’t negotiate anything, even if it means getting nothing. I said over 3 years ago there is one issue that will cost the GOP, energy and gas cost. People weren’t so much mad with the cost as they were the GOP wouldn’t throw the oil, gas and energy companies under the bus. Every election there is a need for the people’s hunger to use one issue as a sacrificial lamb issue and the people pick the issue. If the Conservatives and Moderates in the GOP don’t get together and figure out what issue the people want as the sacrificial lamb issue then throw it under the bus the GOP will lose more. I still think the people will accept the energy and gas issue as the sacrificial lamb issue if the GOP uses it.

[do the dhue]

I hear you.

[EGPWS]

Seconded. Stay home Newt, the field is crowded with enough people who can’t win.

Newt needn't stay at home, he just needs to augment a true conservative behind the scenes.

He is sharp, understands the Constitution, and isn't focused upon evil intent.

He just needs to stay out of sight and do his work in promoting his conservatism via another true conservative who hasn't been rode hard and put away wet as of yet as Newt has been.

[indylindy]

I hate to say it, but you may be right. Newt would probably make a very good and competent POTUS.

He has baggage, but, he is a conservative and he is very smart.....well....except when it comes to women.

Hey...he is a saint compared to Rooty.

[JZelle]

Has he closed the Dept. of Education yet?

[ex-snook]

"If the Conservatives and Moderates in the GOP don’t get together and figure out what issue the people want "

Then can check the last election and the current polls for that.

[ozzymandus]

First, this is an MSNBC article, so it’s fact-free.

Second, Newt marginalized himself years ago with his own behavior. He’s old news. He can go on cable news shows and blather, but his career as an elected politician is over.

[tobyhill]

I remember and it wasn’t Iraq, it was energy cost number one.

[stephenjohnbanker]

“Newt has some good ideas but..... he has too much baggage for a presidential run. I know, I know, who could possibly have more baggage than Hillary? But she gets a free pass from the MSM - Newt won’t.”

Good point.

[penowa]

No.

[fweingart]

Do you think Newt can galvanize the Conservative base?

To do so would require a true conservative. Newt fails the test.

[carjic]

I don’t believe anyone running can win. All are flawed in some way. I hope we are not done looking.

[roamer_1]

Newt needn't stay at home, he just needs to augment a true conservative behind the scenes.

Agreed. He would be useful from a position of assembling a message and orchestrating support across the conservative spectrum. He is damaged goods as a president, but as an operator he could be invaluable.

[roamer_1]

what issue the people want as the sacrificial lamb issue then throw it under the bus the GOP will lose more.

I disagree. What must be sacrificed is the Moderates.

The Globalist Rockefeller wing must step down and cede power to the conservatives. That is the only thing that will work. The big business Reubs have a zero in respectability and trustworthiness, especially since the immigration debacle.

The Conservatives (incl. blue dog dems) are the only group in government that retains credibility.

Either they will cede control to the Conservatives or they will lose to the Liberals. That is the choice. Turn over the reigns to the Conservative wing and watch the money roll in.

[itsahoot]

Ding! Ding! A winner first to interject the baggage remark. As if Rudy or Hillary have none at all.

[wintertime]

He is sharp, understands the Constitution, and isn’t focused upon evil intent.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Regardiong education:

I have read his book. He position regarding education in the U.S. is not constitutional.

[3niner]

Newt allowed himself to be blackmailed out of power in the ‘90s. Why should anyone believe that he would be tougher now?

[do the dhue]

Turn over the reigns to the Conservative wing and watch the money roll in.

I like your statements. I have said that if we were to get rid of the RINO(S) running the RNC, and put a strong Conservative as head, the base will begin to Galvanize. Maybe that would be a good position for Newt - head of the RNC.

[3niner]

I don’t believe anyone running can win.

I can assure you that one of them will, let's just make sure it isn't one of the Democrats.

All are flawed in some way.

Yes, all political candidates are flawed. Rational people try to identify the least flawed candidate who has a chance to win, and do what they can to assure that person's victory.

[EGPWS]

He [his] sp? position regarding education in the U.S. is not constitutional.

He's a Democrat politician, why would the Constitution be a political concern for him?

[EGPWS]

A winner first to interject the baggage remark. As if Rudy or Hillary have none at all.

The difference is 1/2 of Hitlery's baggage used to be POTUS, the office that the beast is attempting to reside in.

[MEGoody]

All are flawed in some way.

Of course. There is no such thing as a perfect candidate. Even if you were to find a candidate that you deemed perfect, others would find him imperfect.

The best any voter can do is choose the candidate that best fits what that particular voter believes.

The Dems don't have a 'perfect' candidate either. You can see that from the infighting that's been going on.

[do the dhue]

http://www.issues2000.org/Education.htm

Check Newts Voting record on position on education. I think you will see he is Conservative.

[carjic]

I meant the republicans do not have someone who can win running now. People on this site were promoting Fred like he was the second coming and he has disappointed me very much. He does not have what it takes. I liked Romney to start with but after hearing what he had to say on the Iraq war it sounded like he would pull out as fast as the libs would. McCain i would never trust, and I like Rudy but he is a social lib. Second tier Hunter is great but not ready for prime time. Huckabee is good but will open up the border. (I live 2 blocks from the border). Not a pretty scene.

[carjic]

The libs have terrible candidates but they have the press on their side. Political junkies like myself pay attention but Joe Six-pack only gets the news from the drive-by. To have them on your side is worth 20 points in an election. Without the Drive-by the libs would lose every election by 30 percent.

[MEGoody]

Without the Drive-by the libs would lose every election by 30 percent.

Agreed.

[do the dhue]

I don’t think he will be able to raise the money anyhow. He says he will need 30 million in three weeks. That has never been done before and I doubt if Newt will be the first. If he does raise the money, I will probably get behind him. Because if he raises them kinda stones in three weeks, he could be a winner.

[billmor]

know what ?...everybody says Hillary has so much baggage the MSM will give her a free pass...meanwhile we give Newt a swift kick...Nobody has more baggage than Hillary so MAYBE it is time to give Newt a chance to run...screw the MSM. He alone can galvanize the Conservative base and bring in the Southern vote and maybe the Midwestern and Western Rep vote...He may be a good candidate and Reps won’t give him a chance..want to know who the Rep losers are-all with baggage/negatives-—Thompson, Rudy and McCain, all the so called front-runners..they galvanize some, but not enough.

[3niner]

I can't say that I'm really happy with any of the Republican choices either, but the Democrats are also having problems, big problems. They will, most likely nominate Hillary, but many Democrats despise her. This will cause a lot of them to sit out the election.

I believe that the best available Republican (probably Fred, since it is foolish to count anyone who can't get nominated) can, and probably will, win.

[Scotswife]

“Do you think Newt can galvanize the Conservative base?”

No.
Absolutely not.

[EGPWS]

Check Newts Voting record on position on education. I think you will see he is Conservative.

I have always appreciated Newt's conservatism and have never disputed it.

His electability this cycle I have questioned is all.

[do the dhue]

His electability this cycle I have questioned is all.

I can see that in the primary, but I really feel that our worst candidate could and would womp Hillaryious. I may be wrong, but that is my gut.

[do the dhue]

I believe that the best available Republican (probably Fred, since it is foolish to count anyone who can't get nominated) can, and probably will, win.

I can understand your thinking.

[do the dhue]

I think I can concur with your statement.

Lets look at the baggage of the three front runners:

Mitt flips and flops
McCain washed on amnesty
Rooty is a RINO

A lot Republican voters are willing to overlook these three front runners short comings (and Rudy has a lot of personal baggage), why are they so willing to hold Newts baggage over his head when he probably truly represents the Conservative values better then any of the front runners?

[EGPWS]

...but I really feel that our worst candidate could and would womp Hillaryious. I may be wrong, but that is my gut.

If that is your "gut" feeling, you need a massive dose of Mylanta!

[carjic]

I will vote for whoever wins the nomination however I don’t think Fred can do it. He is “Old and Slow”, (me too) and does not seem to be able to put a whole sentence together that is not scripted. I loved his YouTube answer to Moore but he has not impressed me since. Even McCain has impressed me more and i can’t stand to look at the backstabber.

[Theodore R.]

Yes, those who think HRC will lose are engaging in wishful thinking. All the American people understand how to do in politics is vote “D” when the “R’s” fail and vice versa. People who don’t particularly care for HRC will vote for her electors just to defeat the Republicans.

[EGPWS]

People who don’t particularly care for HRC will vote for her electors just to defeat the Republicans.

And wish for a free ride that in their simple minds is actually free of cost.

[EGPWS]

I will vote for whoever wins the nomination however I don’t think Fred can do it. He is “Old and Slow”, (me too) and does not seem to be able to put a whole sentence together that is not scripted.

Your definitely not Walter Mondale for if you were, your understanding of age as a concern in politics would be packed away deep in the folds of your mind after being whipped by President Reagan in debates. ; )

[Theodore R.]

People don’t follow politics, don’t know many of the candidates, just mostly recognize “celebrities” like Oprah, HRC, Giuliani, Brittany, OJ, Seinfeld, etc. All they can understand is to vote out the “ins” when they are dissatisfied. Nothing else matters, and therefore HRC is a certain winner. All we do is wait, and things are bad just waiting. Even GWB seems reconciled to HRC succeeding him. He is “coaching” her so that she will keep some troops in Iraq after he vacates the White House. The American people haven’t a clue!

[EGPWS]

People don’t follow politics, don’t know many of the candidates, just mostly recognize “celebrities” like Oprah, HRC, Giuliani, Brittany, OJ, Seinfeld, etc.

An umbrella statement worthy of disdain for your questioning of individuals nationwide with their focus.

Don't let the MSM convince you to underestimate the capabilities of thought by all individuals.

Life is good! : D

[carjic]

I did not mean he was too old for the job. I meant he was too tired and slow on his feet. He also is no Ronald Reagan. Nor is any of this bunch. I don’t mean to pick on him personally I mean he just is not quick thinking and energetic enough to beat that machine he will be against.

[EGPWS]

I don’t mean to pick on him personally I mean he just is not quick thinking and energetic enough to beat that machine he will be against.

Slow, methodical and focused thinking and conveying it in speech is a bad thing compared to "off the cuff" rhetoric is a bad thing IYO?

Well, he doesn't SCREECH when speaking anyway.