Understanding the Unexpected (and Unfunded) Rise of Newt Gingrich

Reaganite Republican ^ | November 14, 2011 | Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

Yeah, he's got more baggage than 

Lady Gaga on a 3-month European tour... 

many conservatives are starting to say 'so what?'

Newt Gingrich articulates conservative positions like no other Republican candidate...  everybody knows this (genuine) constitutional scholar would rip Obama a new one in any debate. 

With 'Newt 2012' funds scarce-to-nonexistent, his recent and unlikely comeback in the polls was driven almost exclusively by magnificent TV debate performances as the deep-pockets boys hit choppy waters.

And Gingrich doesn't take a one speck of crap from underhanded old-guard media still attempting to prop-up the teetering Obama regime, either. This, along with his strongly-professed Christian/Catholic faith- play well with the conservative GOP base (of which I am a proud part).

Today -after dismissing him as a top-tier candidate initially- a lot of Republicans are coming to the dawning realization that given the current choices, Newt most closely approximates what they've been looking for. This healing process between voter and votee has been aided somewhat by Gingrich's frank admission of errors re. the Scozzafava debacle and in posing with Nancy Pelosi for a climate-change ad- "the dumbest single thing I've done in years". 

Pollsters now find him surging, and right into second in South Carolina. Suddenly, we have a new three-horse race- one poll out Friday even put Gingrich in second place nationally, right smack-dab behind Romney.

Personally, it's been defense and foreign policy issues that leave me wanting for a GOP 2012 candidate to this point: only Bachmann, Palin, and (yes) Trump ever said the kind of things I need to hear re. Iran, Israel, Russia, etc- yet obviously none of them contenders at this point. But Gingrich sounds great (foreign policy) in the video below, and if his administration could find some room for -say, John Bolton somewhere in there- that would be the kind of thing that could perk my interest quick.

Perhaps noble Cain supporters expected peace-though-strength Republicans to be won over to the man -who I like and respect- in CBS's ill-managed attempt at a foreign policy debate last Wednesday. I'd been looking forward to this one of course, yet in the case of Herman Cain he seemed lost and out-of-his-element, an oft-repeated default response being he would 'consult with his experts', etc.  

Since I can't fathom the thought of initiating a federal VAT sales tax (as 9-9-9 proposes), I don't think Herman Cain is going to work out for me- not unless it comes down to him, Romney, and/or Perry of course. 

But for now there are other people in the 2012 race, including of course Newt Gingrich. Make no mistake, he's got plenty of challenges waiting for him along any path to the GOP nomination, and I'm not just talking about the affairs/apparent moral lapses, (we're all sinners). 

The Gingrich campaign is basically broke for one -although cash is starting to come in lately- as it faces well-financed Romney and Perry smear machines that have yet to train their guns. Think there's nothing left to dig up on Newt? Consider that he's been out of political office for over a decade -while Perry and Romey have been under far closer scrutiny in recent years-  and it's something to think about.

But I've long said that I want a fighter to really bring it to Obama in 2012... one thing for sure, you get that with Gingrich- a smart one, too. And his forthcoming confession of RINO sins is at minimum a refreshing change from the obfuscation  spin, and fake UltraBrite smile you get from Mittens when you ask him about his unsettling past involvement with statism and statists.

If I had to vote tomorrow -and Bachmann still had no prayer, as it now appears- I think I would have to pull for Newt... and I'm not the only one.

[YouTube]

Video/more at Reaganite Republican

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Newt.org   WSJ   RCP   NYT-538    Maggie's Notebook   MaristPoll    Federal Election Commission

[EternalVigilance]

I think Newt could well be just the right guy to help bring the GOP party back to what it is supposed to be.

Respectfully, that's insanity.

But, it's your party. Carry on if you must.

[ken5050]

IMO, Newt has ONE BIG problem..Callista...he has a good chance of getting the nomination, but she will turn off a lot of women voters in the general election..

[Reaganite Republican]

As a fellow (lifelong) Browns fan, I can say nobody knows harsh reality like a Dawg Pounder lol

[JimInMO]

ABSOLUTELY AGREE! If Newt has had an honest “come-to-Jesus” change in his mind/heart/life, what an incredible opportunity for Good to be: 1) known and understood, and 2) discussed in the public forum, and 3) acted on.

[brownsfan]

“If you want fundmental change in the US political system you got 2 choices. Cain or Paul. “

Fundamental change? Obama gave us fundamental change. I don’t trust either of those men, although Cain is much more likely to do a good job than Paul. Ron Paul would be a dynamic force for the country economically, while he trashed our foreign policy. Cain would be earn while he learned foreign policy. And while there is a great thirst for outsiders, a president must know how to get things done, in a political fashion. Reagan’s experience as Governor, and in the SAG was key. It gave Reagan the tools he needed to twist arms in an acceptable fashion.

[wita]

We agree. Well said, it really is time for ABO, (anyone but Obama), however, given a choice, root for newt.

[brownsfan]

“As a fellow (lifelong) Browns fan, I can say nobody knows harsh reality like a Dawg Pounder lol”

Ugh. I’ve all but given up. Mike Holmgren is yet another in a long line of washed up sports figures coming to Cleveland for that last big payday before retirement.

The team is as bad, and unwatchable now, as they were in 1999. I was golfing yesterday during the game. At this point, my screen name is a misnomer.

[knarf]

As a born again Christian (age 33, 1981), I am acutely aware of the changes The Lord does in a man after conversion.

Politics seems to be the one place that little forgiveness is given for a/the past.

Again .. I'm glad we still have a year.

[xzins]

Callista is just fine. Watched her on the “God in America” videos and had no problem whatsoever.

[TBBT]

MNJohnnie... It must be tiring to have to troll all of the Newt related post so that you can drop you canned copy/paste attacks. So let me help you out with that. You forgot one of your favorites so I'll provide here it for you so that you don't have to exert yourself...

How about you try making a case FOR your candidate instead of childishly attacking Cain on a personal level.

There that should take care of anybody that should say anything critical of Cain in this thread from now and into the future...

Don't thank me... I was glad to be of help...

[CynicalBear]

My party? What party is that? You seem to be all knowing so how about naming “my party”. Well, I’ve noticed that the only thing you have done is bash current candidates but have not shown a better candidate. If you can’t put forth a candidate that you prefer what good is some fringe “party”.

[ken5050]

I hope you’re right...I’ve only seen her on TV a few times..she strikes me as a cold fish..I assume that she’s been kept off the campaign so far because of the Tiffany reports..as he contnues to rise in the polls, and he will..she’ll have to get out there more..

[ontap]

That is just factually not true!!!

[EternalVigilance]

"He who is void of virtuous attachments in private life is, or very soon will be, void of all regard for his country. There is seldom an instance of a man guilty of betraying his country, who had not before lost the feeling of moral obligations in his private connections."

~- Samuel Adams

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“How many of us realize Newt has had a religeous conversion (to the Catholic Church), in 2009 I think”

And with Newt, you have to wonder if it was done for political expediency...

[MNJohnnie]

You were the one who thought it was such clever politics to run around posting childish personal attacks at Cain on every thread. Don’t start pouting now that people are punching back at your candidate of choice.

[CynicalBear]

Tell me something. If a person turns to Christ and shows in his life that he has can we expect a change in that person from what he was before?

[JimInMO]

Good for you!

At age 20 (in college) I was torn between my Episcopalian upbringing and not non-belief, but actual disbelief. For 22 years I was a hard-core atheist. Nothing but disdain and contempt for “the weak” people of faith.

Fortunately, God loved me just as I was, and loved me too much to leave me that way. 22 years later the radio ministry of Charles Stanley (over the airwaves) and an HONEST man of God showed me my incredible foolishness (and worse).

Syrupy, saccharine group hugs (in the name of Christian faith and action) were simple turn-offs to me. It took the HONESTY of the whole message (not only that we can be forgiven, but the flip side too—we need salvation because we are sinners) being delivered. Sadly, many seem afraid to deliver that 2nd half for fear of “scaring people off”.

But it is the Truth, and it is, therefore, necessary.

And how grateful I am and have been ever since (1/25/1988).

[ontap]

I don't deign to question a person's relationship with his maker! Fact is a religious conversion is a two sided sword. It rarely has much of an impact politically.

[CynicalBear]

>> And with Newt, you have to wonder if it was done for political expediency...<<

Wow! Do you have a special ability to see the heart or are you just winging it?