If he were to debate Newt even once, any form of debate, then he is toast. Zero has nowhere near the skills to face Newt and everyone knows it. The only out is to refuse debates, the MSM will give whatever cover is needed.
This is not a debate against someone like McCain, he can handle a bumbler of that sort. This would be a nightmare for him...he is a coward, no way he will face it.
Do you recall Mitt challenging Newt during an early debate about Newt's individual mandate being the blueprint for the MA health care mandate, which the Obama/Pelosi/Reid Cabal used for their health care bill?
Newt had to agree and then closed his mouth in defeat (not something he does easily).
I understand the arguments for backing out, Bobalu.
But IMO that is not an “out”. The heat from that would be incredible, especially if it was clear he was backing out because Newt was the opponent. Then the “coward” label would be indelible. There’d be no defense - no where to run, no possible excuse to make.
A lousy performance, - there are always excuses, always a way to CYA (see Perry), however weak. Not so with simply running away.
We can agree to disagree, eh?
Debates aren't going to decide an election, they never have except in the sixties with the NIxon/JFK but if that is our standard than Obama will LOOK better than Newt all day long.
Obama could debate Newt in the first month and then hammer him on ethics and personal failings for the next year.
Perry is the one Obama can't go up against. I also really don't want the "establishment gray haired guy with the young or black, or Hispanic or female conservative", ticket like McCain/Palin. I want high powered proven conservative men of action at 1 and 2. If they happen to be black or Hispanic fine. I also don't want the "gravitas" VP. I want 2 people who have records who do not need someone else to give them "gravitas".
I find it ironic that the Republicans are not only wanting to put in a short, fat homely insider with ethics issues out the wazzoo and 3 marriages but also a guy who hasn't had a legislative record in 15 years but has plenty of moderate to liberal attempts at keeping his brand alive.
I would rather just vote for the guy who is taller and has the best hair. At least you know he will get a small percentage just on that rather than lose the percentage to Obama.
That may sound crass but have you seen what passes these days for informed voters? A muslim with the same name of the guy we just went to war with and hung, with no record of achievement whose mom was knocked up by an African student. Who had ties to communists, radicals and anti American clergy beat the dog out of the short, chubby, white haired insider who tried to blur the lines on global warming, the WOT and many other issues. The only difference between Gingrich and McCain is that McCain had a great war record.