Posted on 11/13/2011 2:48:36 AM PST by jenk
What are we to believe about Newt Gingrich's recent admission that his commercial with Nancy Pelosi in 2008 was the, "dumbest single thing," he has done in years.
Conservatives agree that it was dumb, in fact, infuriating. Gingrich has for years suggested that he is a staunch, combative conservative.
This week, the Daily Caller reported on a segment on Fox News where Newt was a guest and said,
“First of all, that is probably the dumbest single thing I’ve done in years,” Gingrich said. “It is inexplicable that somebody used to say, ‘You know, there aren’t enough hay wagons to stand on to get people to understand that.’ You just need to relax and go, that was dumb.”Panelist Charles Krauthammer asked Gingrich if he was being held hostage when the ad was filmed. Gingrich responded that he just made a mistake.
“No, that was dumb,” Gingrich said. “I was trying to do something I failed to do. I do think it’s important for conservative to be in the middle of the debate over the environment.”
With that explanation, for many conservatives, Newt saved himself. But what did he actually say? He did not apologize for stepping off the platform, he did not tell us he had a change of heart. Krauthammer asked if he was held hostage, presumably to point out that Gingrich was giving the impression he did not agree with the commercial. When Newt speaks, you have to very carefully listen to his words.
He did not say that he thought the commercial was a waste of time, nor did he say that he disagrees with the message from the couch, "we do agree that our country must take action to address climate change." Instead he responded, "I was trying to do something I failed to do."
What did he mean by that?
Newt, "ran for Congress in 1974 against Jack Flynt, an eleven-term incumbent. Gingrich went door-to-door with a new brand of progressive conservatism, emphasizing environmental issues and the need to end corruption in government. Gingrich charged that the Democrats had been in power so long that it had led them to become arrogant and unresponsive to the needs of their constituents. Although Gingrich lost the 1974 race against Flynt and another one in 1976, he gained strength with each campaign and began to be recognized as a formidable opponent. In 1978 Flynt chose to retire rather than run again against the energetic Gingrich, who was at last successful in getting elected to Congress."
Perhaps the progressive conservatism that began his career has always been part of his agenda. He has written a book, "Contract With The Earth" which, according to him is a, "pro-market, pro-entrepreneur, innovative environmentalism." That description of his own book could be why he said, "somebody used to say, ‘You know, there aren’t enough hay wagons to stand on to get people to understand that.’ You just need to relax and go, that was dumb."
What Newt told Fox News is that he does still believe government has a role in addressing climate change, and that he took somebody's advice to call the commercial dumb.
He did not tell us that his progressive conservatism has ended.
It was the dumbest single thing because it was a potent symbol that people remembered. Newton regrets the symbol, not the body of his actions or his progressive philosophy. A vote for figleaf Newton is a vote for more globalism and the continued reign of elites.
I would love to see a Cain/Gingrich ticket take shape. i would not love to see a Gingrich/Anyone ticket.
Duncan Hunter just on FOX saying he liked Michele Bachmann’s answers last night.
I agree NOOT is nowhere near Coolidge. He’s sort of a combo of TR, Hoover and Nixon, with a little Svengali thrown in.
He would make a good Press Secretary or Chief of Staff.
If he is the nominee, I’ll vote against Obama.
Politicians generally are not where it’s wise to place your trust....but we do choose who we think has the ability to carry out their plans, and those who have plans and agendas in line with our understanding of what is best for our country . There is no perfection in any.
Newt’s successes far and above outweigh any misteps....how he views this country now is what’s important for we live in perilous times as no other. HE is the only one who has the ability and determination to get this nation back on track.
Unfortunately he’s lying scum who will screw us so fast it will make our heads spin.
“No, that was dumb,” Gingrich said. “I was trying to do something I failed to do. I do think it’s important for conservative to be in the middle of the debate over the environment.”
Newt thinks that being in the middle of the debate involves helping the libs destroy the country.
back it up.
LLS
yeah, that, “middle of the debate” comment is uncomfortable.
Tearing down any of the GOP candidates, instead of singing the praises of *YOUR* chosen candidate, is a recipe for disaster
Not tearing down progressive GOP candidates is how the country got where it is. The elites of both parties are headed to the same destination. Playing the good party, bad party game will only help the libs.
Hunter is good at holding two opposing thoughts which is something many conservatives seem to have trouble doing.
Zeroing out foreign aid is a good red meat stance but Hunter also knows that it isn’t quite that simple either.
Good post; good thread. Thanks to all posters. Newt is the smartest conman in any room he enters. He is my 4th/5th choice at this time...having moved up from near last. That being said...I would vote for him any day over Obama. He did some very good things in the arena, but that was light-years ago politically speaking. Do I think he can beat Obama? I don’t see it. The Lincoln-Douglas debates he would like WILL NEVER HAPPEN. The propagandists would have none of it and HE KNOWS THAT. Sure he would intellectually and patriotically/1/2sarcasm pound the teleprompterless, stammering, stuttering socialist into a pile of collectivist crap. The useful idiots wouldn’t care. The vast (philosophically) “undecideds” would be spun to see him as a bully picking on Barry, a smarmy white guy, a closet racist, an architect of the “contract on America”, a flip-flopper, a cheater in a marital relationship, etc., etc., etc.
Newt has an interests in the environment and nothing to do with liberals destroying the country...we all care about the environment we just don’t jump on the environmentalists bandwagon...one of the ways to stop the nonesense is to show that it is just that... which is why Newt wants the discussions...I agree....in doing so the ridiculous mindset of the environmentalists agenda can be snuffed out.
Liberal republicans do more damage than liberal democrats because liberal democrats are opposed.
That bears repeating.
“Any thoughts on Romney’s basic problems(s)?”
COMMUNISM.
LLS
newt was successful in allowing clinton to have him removed from public office and kicked out of his speakership... that is one fine accomplishment... book deal and all!
LLS
This updates people on what Newt states... opposing cap and trade..and comments on Global Warming...not just sound bites pulled by those here who are in another candidates court.
Newt DISPROVES Global Warming Facts before Energy Committee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEOXI88lSw8
snuffed out? no, you don’t know his position. He believes government should do something about climate change. He believes in lecturing those of us who insist it is a trap, and bogus science. You need to be educated on his positions. Thanks for the heads up.
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