An Editorial: For President, Newt Gingrich (New Hampshire Union Leader)

New Hampshire Union Leader ^ | Nov 27, 2011 | JOSEPH W. McQUAID

[monkapotamus]

This newspaper endorses Newt Gingrich in the New Hampshire Presidential Primary.

America is at a crucial crossroads. It is not going to be enough to merely replace Barack Obama next year. We are in critical need of the innovative, forward-looking strategy and positive leadership that Gingrich has shown he is capable of providing.

He did so with the Contract with America. He did it in bringing in the first Republican House in 40 years and by forging balanced budgets and even a surplus despite the political challenge of dealing with a Democratic President. A lot of candidates say they're going to improve Washington. Newt Gingrich has actually done that, and in this race he offers the best shot of doing it again.

We sympathize with the many people we have heard from, both here and across the country, who remain unsure of their choice this close to the primary. It is understandable. Our nation is in peril, yet much of the attention has been focused on fluff, silliness and each candidate's minor miscues.

Truth be known, many in the liberal media are belittling the Republican candidates because they don't want any of them to be taken as a serious challenger to their man, Obama.

Readers of the Union Leader and Sunday News know that we don't back candidates based on popularity polls or big-shot backers. We look for conservatives of courage and conviction who are independent-minded, grounded in their core beliefs about this nation and its people, and best equipped for the job.

We don't have to agree with them on every issue. We would rather back someone with whom we may sometimes disagree than one who tells us what he thinks we want to hear.

Newt Gingrich is by no means the perfect candidate. But Republican primary voters too often make the mistake of preferring an unattainable ideal to the best candidate who is actually running. In this incredibly important election, that candidate is Newt Gingrich. He has the experience, the leadership qualities and the vision to lead this country in these trying times. He is worthy of your support on January 10.

[MNJohnnie]

That the ticket GOP, ignore the substance, look at the style.

Newt is the GOP's Bill Clinton.

[nathanbedford]

But Republican primary voters too often make the mistake of preferring an unattainable ideal to the best candidate who is actually running

[Theodore R.]

No, Newt said in 1995 or 1996 that he “MELTS” in the presence of the American people’s Bill Clinton.

[ez]

We don't have to agree with them on every issue. We would rather back someone with whom we may sometimes disagree than one who tells us what he thinks we want to hear.

Thank you, and good riddance Mitt.

[Recovering_Democrat]

We don't have to agree with them on every issue. We would rather back someone with whom we may sometimes disagree than one who tells us what he thinks we want to hear.

A big get for Newt, isn't it? New Hampshire FREEPers, what do you think?

[ez]

Forget the others: It's Santorum's turn, articulate, passionate, less baggage

Santorum was my first choice and I will still enthusiastically support him, even over Newt, if he can get some traction.

[Happy Rain]

Don't mean nothing to us here in South Carolina if a bunch of dang Yankees with crayons like Newt.

We will decide his fate on Jan 21st.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Uh oh. Media really proping this guy up now. WARNING!!!!

[livius]

He has more substance than any one else on the ticket. He has specific, concrete ideas about how to solve problems. You may not agree with them, but at least he has something that can be discussed and is a starting point for actually working on the problems.

I’m tired of candidates who spout buzz-words, never say anything of substance because they’re either too ignorant or too timid to have ideas in the first place or to defend them if they do, or believe that their personalities are somehow God’s gift to the nation and the only thing people should really care about. They will basically give us another 4 years of Obama.

Romney had all of his e-mails erased before leaving office so that he could not be tied personally to any of the policies enacted while he was in office. I think it’s time for someone who has ideas and takes responsibility for them because he has thought them out, has the background and information to understand the questions, and will defend and enact them.

[LiveFree99]

Meh. There may be a few ancient Yankees up north still alive who care about the candidate that the Union Leader endorses. It doesn’t sway me one way or the other, and I’m still trying to pick someone from this lousy field.

[COBOL2Java]

Here’s hoping the good people of South Carolina will have a steel trap waiting for Mitt Romney’s campaign...

[bmwcyle]

The left show fear of the GOP runner. The Bill Clinton endorsement is showing no fear of Newt. Newt does not have my vote.

[COBOL2Java]

I’m guessing the Union Leader is a conservative newspaper?

[Happy Rain]

Mitt who?

;)

[Flintlock]

With all the white-bashing of affirmative action AND pushing illegal immigration/amnesty?
REALLY?

[BarnacleCenturion]

"He has specific, concrete ideas about how to solve problems. You may not agree with them.."

So he should get our support because he has ideas?

But what if they are not good ideas?

Gingrich: My Ad on Global Warming with Pelosi was a “Debate,” I will “Not Apologize”

Kerry and Gingrich Hugging Trees — and (Almost) Each Other

Palin Accuses Gingrich of Caving to the Media

Gingrich: ‘Strategic Blunder’ for Palin to Mock Obama as ‘Community Organizer’

Memo to Gingrich: Get Lost. Now

Gingrich Backs Obamacare’s Individual Mandate Requiring Health Insurance

Gingrich Backs Obamacare’s Individual Mandate Requiring Health Insurance (Newt praises Romneycare)

Gingrich Backs Obamacare’s Individual Mandate

Gingrich donors dropping like flies

Gingrich Calls GOP Medicare Plan ‘Right-Wing Social Engineering’ (supports individual mandate)

Bill Bennett to Gingrich: You’re Shooting at [Paul Ryan] From Behind! (Testy Radio Interview)

Gingrich Explains Scozzafava Endorsement, Slams Right-Wing Critics

Newt Gingrich Acknowledges ‘Contradictions’ On His Libya Views, ‘I Was Trying To Follow Obama’

Newt Gingrich, Al Sharpton Education Tour

Newt Gingrich Al Sharpton Education Tour (VIDEO)

Newt Gingrich Really Married His High School Math Teacher?

Bachmann Blasts Gingrich on Abortion

[Road Glide]

“Thank you, and good riddance Mitt.”

Definitely a slap in the face towards Romney by the Union-Leader.

Romney may still eke out a win, but I sense that Gingrich may close and nearly beat him (if Newt doesn’t win outright).

A close finish by Newt in New Hampshire will cripple his campaign, and Romney may limp along as an also-ran, just as he did back in ‘08. If I recall, he spent about $25 million of his own money, and ended up with about 23-25% of the primary vote totals.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Newt is the GOP's Bill Clinton

With all due respect, MNJ, that is an idiotic statement.

[Starstruck]

Didn’t South Carolina pick McCain in the 2008 Primary?