Posted on 11/02/2009 5:58:36 AM PST by big black dog
Sign of the times. Newt Gingrich, himself long considered a leader of the GOPs conservative wing, is now condemning conservative leaders for driving moderate GOPer Dede Scozzafava out of the race for NY-23, warning that if national conservatives keep bigfooting local races the GOP will continue to wander the wilderness around the country:
This makes life more complicated from the standpoint of this: If we get into a cycle where every time one side loses, they run a third-party candidate, well make Pelosi speaker for life and guarantee Obamas re-election, said Mr. Gingrich, who had endorsed Ms. Scozzafava
I think we are going to get into a very difficult environment around the country if suddenly conservative leaders decide they are going to anoint people without regard to local primaries and local choices.
Gingrich had endorsed Scozzafava, so this was in some ways to be expected. But its interesting that someone once considered a spokesman for the fire-breathing right is now condemning conservative leaders for mounting ideological purges.
And right on cue, DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse sends over a statement using Scozzafavas decision to drop from the race to elevate Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, who endorsed conservative Doug Hoffman, as the face of the harsh, uncompromising opposition:
What this says emphatically is that the true leaders of the Republican Party like Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and Tim Pawlenty have said to all moderates and independents when it comes to being part of our party you need not apply. The only acceptable Republicans these days are those who subscribe to division, obstruction and a rigid far right wing ideology.
The NRCC and the House GOP leadership, meanwhile, put out a joint statement backing the conservative: We look forward to welcoming Doug Hoffman into the House Republican Conference as we work together for the good of our nation.
Your are SO over Newt.
She took 900,000 of GOP money, withdraws, and then throws support to her dem challenger.
Nice call Newt.
Newt has achieved irrelevancy. Congratulations.
Newt, Sarah Palin is the future. As the big black dude in Pulp Fiction said...”Step aside Butch”.......
This idiot is still defending Scozzafava and admonishing conservatives after she jumped to the Democraps?
Sorry Newt, but good riddance.
The folks in DC are so tin eared about what is going on on the ground in the country its scare, both parties are guilty of this ignorance. They are in for an unbelievable shock wave coming that they just are unable to see.
Newt can stop digging that hole any time now...
I simply don’t GET Newt’s position on this. ;-0
Mikey can't lead from behind. He needs to get off the mark and drop RINOs fast, and embrace the fact that the populace is (and has always been) right of center, identifying with conservatism more than moderate-ism or liberalism.
Conservatism needs to remain in the tent of the Republican Party, but the tent should not have much space reserved for RINOs - and campaign donation ($upport) needs to be diminished to those not toeing the line for minimal government, minimal taxes, strong national security, constitutional fundamentalism, and protection of personal liberties.
NO THIRD PARTY!
Newt! We voted for Republicans in '06 and '08! WE'RE THERE!
Civil wars are messy. But necessary
Well - you liberals ran McCain; now you run DeDe. Can you not SEE?
Newt weighs in between rest stops on his education tour with obama’s Chicago education secretary Arne Duncan, and next hitting the stops with that reknowned moderate Howard Dean to stump for medical reform.
So what say you Newt 2012 supporters? I am begining to wondering if he isn’t bucking to replace Joe Biden on the ‘DIMS’ 2012 ticket.
LOL!
While Gingrich is busy driving conservatives OUT of the Party.
This is part of the whole meme now, Republicans are too conservative and can’t “tolerate” moderates. Good ‘ol Newt, always working to sabotage the Republicans.
I dont think there will be a new “Contract with America- IF these ass. press quotes are accurate and in context (big IF) then Gingrich has been “newtered”
Newtus Agustus is the desiginated punching bag for the GOP leadership. He’s providing cover for the one’s who think the way he does and who were the actual ones responsible for DeDE...the GOP leadership.
Don’t laugh- maybe next he’ll be doing stand-up with Al Franken.
Base to Newt: Shut the hell up!
Newt........I do not need you to tell me whatis right.
Why she was even in the GOP is a mystery. As Mark Steyn said, She is DIABLO, Democrat in all but label.
One of the over looked good things out of all this is since she endorsed the Dem, that should be the end of her political career. Like the Mob, Political Party's have no toleration for disloyalty. Hopefully if Hoffman wins he now runs in 2010 as both the Conservative and GOP party endorsed canidate without a primary challenger,
Newt, I’ve always liked you, though there were times you disappointed me, and greatly. In this event Newt, SHOVE IT.
I don’t want to follow a “leader”. I want someone to represent my interests.
And Newt badly overestimates the strength and staying power of the stitched-together Democrat ruling party Frankenstein.
look this woman was no “moderate” she was a lefty pure and simple. i now that there are some regions where only a true moderate GOPer could win such as CT, MA, VT and NH. but this was a GOP district forever and granted Obama won it with 52% it still would have stayed GOP in this election if Hoffman or another real conservative had gotten the nomination. Newt and Dede need to sit down and shut up
And Newt badly overestimates the strength and staying power of the stitched-together Democrat ruling party Frankenstein.
Ha! Your comment, “reknowned moderate Howard Dean,” got me chuckling. Thanks for mentioning Franken to take the smile off my face. :>P
Pride.
Stop digging. Throw the shovel out of the hole and climb out. Better yet, just go away and take all of your pseudo intellectual books with you.
Actually what it says Brad, is that Republicans are tired of Democrats running as Republicans so that we have a choice between Democrat and Democrat-Lite. The fast trip to hell-in-a-handbasket (which we're on the road to now nationally), or the slightly slower one.
How 'bout a real choice between competing philosophies- or isn't that allowed in your universe?
I think the best thing we can do is ignore Newt, don’t talk about him, don’t listen to him, etc. you might be surprised how fast he would fade away.
To Newt:
Once you were the master.
We are the masters now.
Newt, you are done. DONE! Don’t even bother running for POTUS in 2012.
Newt has achieved the political equivalent of playing the spoons on the indian casino circuit.
Even Cindy Sheehan has better gigs.
I’m not sure.....it is really strange.
Seeing hows youz guys anoited your choice without a primary or proper vetting I'd say that you created the "very difficult environment".
Oh Newt! Newt! What has happened to you???
Newt just got ‘spectered’ and still doesn’t get it.

I think he has an addiction to the media, A.K.A “Media Whore” or should I say ‘Media Ho” :)

"It won't be until you stop insisting on Conservative Principles and start listening to me again that you will begin to rebuild the Republican Party that I and the GOP leadership have destroyed."
I am so sick of hearing this lie repeating over and over, not just about Scozzafava but all liberals who put an R after their names! This woman wasn't "moderate" about anything! She is, and others like her are, LEFTISTS!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.