Posted on 12/01/2011 11:08:23 AM PST by jenk
Who would believe that Newt Gingrich holds support amongst Conservatives? His written and orally described stances on issues Conservatives know to be fraudulent would put him in the same boat as Romney. We've all heard the problems with him as a Conservative, his couch talk with Pelosi on Global Warming for the Al Gore website, his affirmative push for mandates in health care, his failures as Speaker, his pro-Fairness Doctrine bill, his immigration stance, and so much more. He is apparently effectively deflecting Conservative criticism better than Romney. Why is that?
Though Gingrich has so many negatives, and actually, more negatives for Conservatives than Romney, (mostly because Romney sits back and doesn't take a stand until everyone else does, and as far as we know hasn't committed adultery,) I think the fundamental difference between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich is their attitude toward Democrats.
Mitt Romney, a Republican who became Governor of Massachusetts, describes his term of working with and having to gain support from Democrats, who made up 85% of his State Government, as a model for bringing people from opposite philosophies together. He has said in many cases, that he does not approve of incendiary language from Republicans against Democrats because it does not help the governing process.
Newt Gingrich, on the other hand, denounces Democratic ideas, whether in the media or government. That exercise of Newt's is like an itch has hasn't been scratched. We had it when Trump was considering being in the race, we had it when we thought Palin would be in the race, but despite the gains in the House, we do not get that from Boehner and the boys. We need that, something to rally around.
Basically, Mitt gives the impression he is afraid of ticking off the left, while Newt does not live with that fear.
The main thrust of the support from Conservatives is that they believe that if they keep holding his feet to the fire, Newt will perform as they wish, whereas Mitt already refuses to denounce Romneycare, a move that runs antithetical to conservative thought and political logic.
I have read a couple of Newt's books. 'Window Of Opportunity,' is a book that is described as a great example of understanding how Newt thinks. The other book I read is, 'Contract With The Earth,' a book that describes his desire to put a Conservative face on environmentalism.
In 'Window,' I began to understand why Gingrich has been described as professorial, (indeed he used to be a History Professor,) and forward thinking. He is very intelligent. However, he does describe how he would incentivize, invest and fund government programs.
In 'Contract,' his true colors of what he believes government's role is in addressing climate change are bright and bold. He consistently suggests that the government must fund, and invest in ways to stop climate change. In fact, I have pointed out that what was suggested as his mea culpa on the couch chat with Pelosi was not really a mea culpa. He merely said that he did not effectively communicate his ideas about how to deal with climate change.
So while Newt has so many bad positions and history on what Conservatives look for in a candidate, Newt has the big, saving grace that he gives the impression he will take it to Obama and the Democrats. Romney has experience in, and promotes working with them, to the point that he used them to write the healthcare legislation he signed in Massachusetts.
There is, however, a huge mistake I believe some Conservatives are making. Forgiving Newt and trying to work with him merely because he would have a great performance in debating Obama is ludicrous. There is no guarantee Obama will debate, at all. As I have said, if Obama refuses to debate, what do we have? We have a candidate that we will rally around when he is going after the left, but one that we will have to set straight constantly.
Two rotten pieces of fruit can certainly be different ... but they are still rotten pieces of fruit. An absolute, unequivocal, “NO” on both.
Differences?
They’re both liberal, big govt socialists that continue to flip-flop in their positions.
NO THANKS!!!!!!
Perry > Newt > Romney.
I’d rather have a purer conservative than any of them but I really don’t understand the infatuation with Newt. I understood the infatuation with Cain even as I knew he was apt to implode because candidates with no government experience almost always do. But I just shake my head over the ga-ga about Newt. He should have been left at the side of the road as he appeared to be last summer.
Neither one is even close to conservative. Neither one can be trusted around the corner with a sack of sh!t. I never met Mittens. I used to work with Newt, and he was a grade A a$$hole from the getgo back then. I doubt he's changed.
Mitt = night
Newt = day
There you go.
Mitt would bring us the enlightened, continued liberalism work along that he made famous in MA.
Newt, if supported, would kick DEMS down the stairs, go to the landing and keep kicking them.
Newt wasn’t driven out by Dems, he was driven out by GOP elites. Helped by John Boehner, because (heh heh heh) Newt wasn’t conservative enough. What a joke.
This should be good.
Mitt is a stuttering boob and pretend conservative who cozies up to liberals.
Gingrich is (or has been) a movement conservative who has openly battled liberals.
Given the choice between the two. I’d choose Gingrich. I seriously doubt he’s ever contributed to a democrat. He may have supported RINO’s to increase republican numbers but never democrats.
An unequivical NO? You should create a Tagline of “Obama ‘12”. Like it or not, one of those two IS gonna be the guy...which one do you choose?
I think you’re a liberal. Give it a rest. I’m going with Newt.
well then you are dumb, give it a rest, don’t read books.
Yeah, right.
Anonymity on a forum like FR allows people the freedom to express some of the most ill conceived thoughts. But in all probability almost every single one of us will do whatever it takes to vote Obama out, even if it means holding our nose once again. We can only at this point hope for a Running Mate that can get us all pumped up, like Cain did by choosing Palin.
I’ve met them both. Mitt is the bigger ass by far.. The picture of Mittens as a car dealer is so closer to the truth.
You tagline says it all, but Sarah aint running. I would have given blood, sweat, and tears for her but she aint running. Newt is running. He’s in the battle that Sarah decided to avoid for whatever reason. The reason doesn’t matter. She’s not in it. You have a choice. Either Newt or Mitt is going to be the GOP nominee. Pick 1.
Holy crap! He really MUST be awful! Sad to see the best hope of defeating the chosen one down to these two liberal republicans. :-(
my tagline is a tribute to Sarah Palin, I’m not picking one because you think I should. I have at least read books and tried to understand Gingrich. You infer I have no interest in anyone other than Palin. You are wrong and uninformed, I am trying to inform you. You are welcome.
“I have at least read books and tried to understand Gingrich.”
Tried being the operative word, you failed.
have you read his books? and for the record, there is nothing in my post that suggests I would not vote for him. so drop your attitude.
“Newt wasnt driven out by Dems, he was driven out by GOP elites. Helped by John Boehner, because (heh heh heh) Newt wasnt conservative enough”
Well actually Tammy Faye Boehner true to form even back in the 90’s couldn’t take the heat from the Dems when Newt rightly let the govt shut down. So the GOP elites threw him to the wolves to get the heat off. Some things never change.
If elected Newt Gingrich who at least is not afraid of new ideas will try to implement significant changes in the govt. His 21st Century Contract For America is a good plan.
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