Tampa Tempest :Newt Gingrich Plots Convention Chaos

National Review ^ | March 16, 2012 | Robert Costa

[Steelfish]

MARCH 16, 2012 Tampa Tempest Newt Gingrich Plots Convention Chaos. By Robert Costa

As he waited for the returns on Tuesday, Newt Gingrich didn’t pay much attention to the soft flicker of Fox News. Instead, as he sat with his family and a few aides in a suite at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham, Ala., he was quietly glued to his BlackBerry, thumbing his way through e-mails. He was mostly cheerful, according to those in the room. He reminisced about campaigns past with his daughters. He reviewed his schedule; he bantered with his wife, Callista; he settled on a purple tie. As he sipped a Diet Coke, he casually prepared for his evening speech.

The takeaway from the relative calm was clear: This was just another night in another city. He’d make his extemporaneous remarks, his aides would pack their bags, and within a few hours, they’d board a plane and head to the next battleground.

“He never discussed dropping out, not even a whisper,” says one Gingrich staffer. “It was business as usual.” His youngest daughter, Jackie Cushman, concurs. “It was never tense,” she says. “People forget that he’s been running since 1974. He doesn’t get anxious.” Downstairs, the scene was more apprehensive. There was a dwindling crowd of Newt enthusiasts. After the networks declared Rick Santorum the winner of both Alabama and Mississippi, Beltway scribes began to write the campaign’s obituary. (snip)

Days later, that consensus remains. Gingrich is committed to staying in the race until the convention, according to his advisers. He believes that there will be chaos within the party come August, and that — with a bit of luck, a clever floor strategy, and a powerful speech — he could build a winning coalition.

[Marguerite]

Why didn’t Santorum drop out of race in January , when he was lagging behind Paul in South Carolina and Florida? Eh?

[reasonisfaith]

“Chaos? More like restoring sanity to the GOP. I can already feel buyer’s remorse starting to set in, maybe Newt can save these Santorum, Romney voters from themselves.”

Exactly.

[RitaOK]

Reportedly Newt said that he BELIEVES there will be chaos within the party come August”.

That is damn different from the title implying that he is actually “plotting” chaos, but LOL— we are FOR chaos within the party.

Santorum supporters have fallen in, by default, with the very faction of the party who have performed all these tricks against conservatives in the party.

I am astounded that they don’t see that. None of them can name a time that Santorum stepped away from ingratiating himself with the GOP-E on anything EVER. Time after time he did the lavatory work for them.

THAT is not a record with which to lead conservatives. He offers NOTHING to conservatives but routine conservative campaigning that dies on the vine once he gets where he wants to go, NEVER to be heard of again.

A record full of sheesh moments. A. Full. Record!

[Proud2BeRight]

I'm so sick of the GOP, I would love to see it torn apart. Watching the slimy establishment RINOs backstab one conservative after another makes me sick. Time for a new conservative party. The Rats and RINOs can battle it out over the lib voters.

The negative attack ads by that Obamcare-writing Massachusetts liberal and his PACs are disgusting.

[W. W. SMITH]

I hit the like button hard, unfortunately it’s one on the corner of my desk.

[Steelfish]

Well said, finally! Newt has been found to have baggage enough to sink a fleet of ships! With stratospheric unfavorability ratings and a Grand Canyon-size gender gap, there’s not a snowball in hell’s chance he could defeat Obama.

[Steelfish]

Puhleeze! The gallup poll is not reflecting the actual state results on the ground where exit polling data shows that as much as 57% of Newt’s voters would pull the lever for Santorum if Gingrich were not in the race.

[GeronL]

Baggage Car train Newt could run the MittvsMitt ads that the Democrats put online if he wants to hit back hard. Mittens is a sure loser in November.

[lonestar]

Santirun isn’t all that clean...sued by a PA school dist!

[Texas Fossil]

Yes, I was in high school in 1964. We studied the Goldwater run. I admired him then. That grew to outright love of the man.

First voted for President when Richard Nixon won.

Have always been Republican even when TX was solid Dem (conservative).

Have been to 2 State conventions (NM & TX). Never the national convention. But this year I would like to be there.

I expect to attend the TX GOP convention in Ft. Worth in early June. We shall see where it goes from there.

[Texas Fossil]

Clean?

Obozo smells like a sewer plant in the heat in South America.

What I want is for Obozo to be evicted.

Whatever it takes.

[Steelfish]

Here’s the disagreement. With Gingrich staying in the race, Romney captures states and he adds momentum and delegates. Thus Gingrich reduces the delegates to Santorum and enhances Romney’s tally so that the prospect of rolling into the convention with slightly less than Romney’s tally is at best fanciful. For all practical purposes, Gingrich’s “southern strategy” went up in flames, and as Carl Cameron reported on FoxNews on Super Tuesday, the Romney camp is all too “happy” that Gingrich continues to be in the race.

[RitaOK]

Why do you all suggest this Newt-coming-to-Rick business? Newt laid very gentle on Rick in ALL debates up until Rick was dying after SC and joined in with the ads of Romney against Newt going into Florida.

I can promise you Newt sent an olive branch to Rickster weeks ago.

Rick Santorum will have to be mortally wounded politically, before his light switch engages. Newt is salvaging his own damn delegates by staying in and holding a number of thOSE delegates FROM Romney FOR Santorum!

Frat boy has no clue. Rick will mouth himself into the campfire before he ever reaches JUNE. This is not Newt’s first rodeo.

Rick is a self absorbed pol who has no political instincts, except to campaign to the Right and legislate from the Left with the GOP-E.

Rick also has no job.

Newt, on the other hand, has a pleasant life and needs none of this but for his passion to endlessly try to save the Republican Party from itself which he has done with historic success having the record to prove it.

(Back when RECORDS meant something.)

[Steelfish]

And you don’t think Gingrich is all over the place, erratic, and unstable? And hence being labeled as a “Hindenberg waiting to explode.” Santorum is now ahead of Obama in four crucial states, he’s attracting blue-collar voters, Reagan Democrats and has the potential for turning in some Rust-Belt states in the red state column. Gingrich has bitten the dust, his “southern strategy” is reduced to ashes, so what’s his point? The electorate simply isn’t buying his pie-the-sky $2.50gal/gas in two years and permanent lunar-based colonies in eight years. There comes a time to pack it in. Bachman, Cain, Perry all got the message.

[RitaOK]

And you’re nervous aren’t you? You see it. Rick is done.

Too freshman to dig in with Newt, missed all the signals, can’t carry the water alone after all, is getting exposed as the neophyte he is, and the end is in sight scheduled for the Romney romp in June.

It’s over but for the theatre.

Newt will remain a legend. Rick?

Not so much.

[caww]

Obama could not have asked for more! A chaotic GOP Convention, backstabbing, blood on the floor, a media frenzy and feed-fest, and with no more than 60-70 days to election a lack of a campaign strategy, schedules, pick of a VP etc. Wow! Obama's dream come true.

Who the heck gives one iotta what Obama thinks about anything whatsoever......it's no secret the grassroots, and faithful people of our country are fighting for conservatism and the elites of the Rep. party are fighting to control the same ol' Rino crap. Further 2 months is plenty of time If you're NEWT....he's already to go with a strategy....there won't be any lack of that...you can bet on that! The problem is it would be an issue for SAntorum.....he's had his hands full simply keeping up with what his plans "might" be let alone how he's going to get them implemented...........he has nothing on the track....Newt' already has it all in motion....

Newt SAID...from the get go....this would go to convention....He said....this would not be a traditional primary election....So yes.....Newt's on top of the show.

[caww]

the Romney camp is all too “happy” that Gingrich continues to be in the race.

Well what did you expect Romney would say...."I'm hurt"?

There's so much phony propaganda being spewed .....you have to discern when something stated is to divert, confuse and confound or they really mean it. But any time Romney says anything you cannot trust it .....it's wind in the air...an always has been.

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

A chaotic GOP Convention, backstabbing, blood on the floor, a media frenzy and feed-fest, and with no more than 60-70 days to election a lack of a campaign strategy, schedules, pick of a VP etc. Wow! Obama’s dream come true.

* * * * *

You know, I’ve been thinking about this scenario . . . and I’m starting to think it’s not a bad thing, no matter *who* takes it (though Romney is looooooooowwww on my list, he is at least marginally better than Barry). Think about a contested convention: The MSM will be focused on this for days on end. They will not be able to resist it, to discuss GOP talking points, etc. — with at least the possible result that even the most lackadaisical GOP voter will be energized by all that is going on. We need a massive turnout in November. Maybe nonstop discussion of our convention by the MSM will help achieve that for us.

[KJC1]

The electorate simply isn’t buying his pie-the-sky $2.50gal/gas in two years

I'm not being snarky here, but it seems like someone must be buying it with Obama announcing the release of reserves.

[Mountain Mary]

Gingrich is now on stage displaying all of the qualities of an erratic and crippled boar thrashing around the land..”

LOL, Steel.

[Nik Naym]

“Obama could not have asked for more! A chaotic GOP Convention, backstabbing, blood on the floor, a media frenzy and feed-fest, and with no more than 60-70 days to election a lack of a campaign strategy, schedules, pick of a VP etc. Wow! Obama’s dream come true. “

Or we can look at it another way:

Obama isn’t sure who he is running against yet, so he can’t concentrate his attacks on one person. This doesn’t help Obama in the least.

[Red Steel]

Carl Cameron reported on FoxNews on Super Tuesday, the Romney camp is all too “happy” that Gingrich continues to be in the race.

You Fishy believe like Cameron. Except the polling data says otherwise. Newt staying in the race keeps the majority of his voters jumping to Romney and Santo losing faster.

Here it is.

-snip-

" So Newt was right. Him dropping out to "help" Santorum would backfire by boosting Romney's chances of clinching a majority of delegates before the convention..."

Read the rest here on this new thread. :-)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2860192/posts

[entropy12]

That would be a very smart move if Newt+Santorum declared they are a team and would run a joint ticket. Actually That may the best and only path to defeating Romney. But I am afraid both have ego’s preventing such a move.

[MissouriConservative]

“More like sour grapes by the official spoiler in the race. True to his description as a “Hindenberg ready to explode,” Gingrich is now on stage displaying all of the qualities of an erratic and crippled boar thrashing around the land that will make for an Obama God-send. If he quitted after Santorum’s spectacular Trifecta, Santorum would likely have carried WA, MI, and OH and the Romney candidacy would have been reduced to ashes. Gingrich with baggage heavy enough to sink a cruise ship, now needs to do the honorable thing and do what Bachman, Cain, and Perry did before him, to withdraw from the race. Enough of this ego. It’s going to come back to bite him in the back.”

Your panties are cutting off your blood supply to your brain. Your chicken little speeches are cute but worthless. Keep crying in the wilderness and maybe just maybe someone will give a good rats ass.

[Steelfish]

That’s the best you could do to argue your case for Gingrich undermining Santorum and giving us Romney? Rush, Levin, Erickson, and a number of true blue conservatives now think Santorum is giving Obama a run for his money. In case you didn’t notice, Rasmussen now finds Santorum beating Obama in four crucial states. But then again ostriches will remain ostriches. Hopefully, some of the other pro-Gingrich staying-in-the-race fans can make a better case than the drivel you spout and some to their credit, really have.

[County Agent Hank Kimball]

"You're a sponge for Democrat Media propaganda. You just soak it up."

-----

No kidding. Next he'll be spewing that discredited "Newt served his dying wife divorce papers in the hospital" lie.

I've said much as I support Newt, that he should drop out and endorese Rick. The constant slandering of Newt by many of Santorum's supporters, though, really gives me pause.

Hank

[Nextrush]

NO ROMNEY IS WORTH A FIGHT AND I’M FOR IT.

[County Agent Hank Kimball]

"I remember the tantrum the ‘former’ Speaker threw because Clinton had him set at the back of AF-1. That isn’t Democratic propaganda. That is a fact."

It is, in fact, a discredited pile of horse manure spread by the Clintonites. But don't let that stop you from spreading it here as well. Then you can tell us how he served his dying wife with divorce papers in the hospital.

Geeze.

Hank

[MissouriConservative]

Your attempt at this is rather pathetic.

“That’s the best you could do to argue your case for Gingrich undermining Santorum and giving us Romney?”

So your chicken little act is the best you can do for arguing your case? Santorum needs to drop out and give it to Newt (see how I did that? That’s what you’re doing...whaaaa...let the other drop out so my guy can win).

“In case you didn’t notice, Rasmussen now finds Santorum beating Obama in four crucial states.”

Again, relying on polls eight months out from an election in which Obama hasn’t even begun to destroy Santorum is rather stupid. Give Obama’s machine a bit of time focusing on Santorum and ole Ricky will crumble like a month old cookie.

“Hopefully, some of the other pro-Gingrich staying-in-the-race fans can make a better case than the drivel you spout and some to their credit, really have.”

And seriously, your opinion of me or what I “spout” is of no concern to me in the least. Your whining and temper tantrum throwing by posting articles about how Newt should drop out are rather sophomoric and reminicent of a child tossing himself on the floor to get mommy’s attention.

[MissouriConservative]

All I know is that Steelfish has made up my mind for me. I was, by my previous tagline, going to vote for none of the above in 2012.

But since Steelfish has decided to toss himself on the floor and cry like a spoiled child, I’m chaning my tagline and going to vote for Newt.

[Nextrush]

I just did some homework on the upcoming Illinois Primary and found Santorum has virtually no delegate candidates (around 15) running for the 54 slots that will be elected separately from the candidate voting.

Newt has a better slate and Paul even better than that with Romney of course having the full slate of 54.

Santorum people will have to vote for other delegate candidates in the election to prevent Romney from sweeping it.

[Steelfish]

So when are you going to address the points made in the article posted? or are we to deduce that this is your modus operandi of going after the messenger when the message is irrefutable. Thankfully other Missourians have seen the light of day.

[lwoodham]

Anyone having a tissy fit wanting Newt to drop out is wanting Romney to win. There is no other explanation.

[Safrguns]

If reports about Romney’s father not being a US citizen are true, then creating chaos at the RNC should be very easy.

[TomGuy]

You can keep your head in the sand, if you want, but Gingrich was noted for temper tantrums.

USA Today, March 18, 1996:

In the House, Democrats happily echoed the New York Daily News' description of Gingrich as a "crybaby" who personally provoked the federal shutdown. They paraded before cameras a cartoon of Gingrich in diapers.

[The image referenced above]



==

In today's venacular, that image went viral in 1996.

==

The UK Independent on Friday, November 17, 1995, headlined this: Gingrich admits budget tantrum:


The crowning insult appears to have been when the Congressional delegation was asked to leave by the back door of the President's plane at Andrews Air Force Base. Pique, Mr Gingrich confessed, had helped harden his line on the budget.

[j.argese]

Should the echo come before the voice?

[Ulysse]

On the other hand that “chaos” or , better, uncertainty, on the Republican primaries could disturb Obama and the dhimmyrats and their MSM lackeys...
Till there is no one ahead , not a single target , they don’t know where ,against who ,to launch their dirty tricks and massive attacks.

The different true conservative candidates, meanwhile , can attack Obama and his camp from different parts on different issues . Real smart conservatives should avoid attacking each others with personnal attacks in order to prepare alliances and at last the final victory

[Leep]

The GOPe basically wants a NPR style election with soft tones and nice complient sheeple “voting” for their chosen Kind Willard.
The GOP should change its name to the GORP (Gelted Old Rino Party)
Back a fighter you...[expletives deleted]
With all due respect to Mr Levin I can not bring myself to vote for Willack Oromney.
Like I said before, America can crash and burn before that will happen.

[Leep]

Kind=King as in King Willard

[Personal Responsibility]

That’s best for us. Not sure it’s best for Newt. The question is, which does Newt value more?

[County Agent Hank Kimball]

"Democrats happily echoed the New York Daily News' description...."

"The UK Independent on Friday, November 17, 1995, headlined this....

-----

"TomGuy, knowing that Democrats, the New York Daily News and a leftwing UK paper would NEVER lie about a conservative republican, happily subjected Free Republic to stories they concocted about Newt Gingrich......."

STILL waiting for you to hit us with the Divorce Papers to the Dying Wife story....how did you miss that one?

People like you are the MSM's favorite type of prey.

Hank

[Vaquero]

Newt Gingrich Plots Convention Chaos

“I say we take off and NEWT the entire site from orbit”.

[StAnDeliver]

Another bogus Costa article taking a Friday news dump on the GOP...built around one mostly innocuous thinking-out-loud quote from K Streeter (well, his lobbying firm is actually on F Street) Walker, who isn’t even on the campaign trail with Newt...

[Steelfish]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gingrich-20120317,0,112766.story

[Lexinom]

Not necessarily. What is Obama’s target right now? Against whom does he take aim? Mitt? Rick? Newt? He doesn’t have a target for precisely this reason. This is a good thing, not a bad thing, and my prayers are with Newt.

[dforest]

I really don’t see this happening. Gingrich knows he can’t win. His moneyman Addelson was behind Newt but he knows Newt isn’t going to win. He has kept funding Newt because Romney is his second choice. Once Santorum can no longer win, Addelson and Santorum’s money guys will stop the funding. I doubt they are going to blow money on people that can’t win and won’t be chosen in a brokered convention.

Newt and Rick can stay in and sit on their butts using their own money until the convention, but once people know they are through, Romney will sail to the nomination.

I would figure the GOP has already made plans in case Romney is short a few delegates.

All the bickering is now a waste of time. The toothpaste has left the tube.

[WOSG]

I dunno about that.
The lamestream media seems to have enough airtime and ink to smear all three of the top GOP candidates at the same time.

And I think we know the players pretty well by now, its just a demolition derby at this point.

[Gene Eric]

>> but Gingrich was noted for temper tantrums.

You were a Clinton fan back in those days?

[CottonBall]

The longer we have more than one candidate running, the more chaos it is for the Democrats.

Imagine...they actually have to use their smear machine against not just one guy, but 3. That takes a lot more time, money and resources, than just going after ONE.

Very true. They are even running again Palin and Rush, so yes - keep them panicing and unfocued.