Consensus breaking out: Not Newt

Washington Post ^ | December 4, 2011 | Jennifer Rubin

[Cincinatus' Wife]

On Friday, I suggested that Republicans “could pull a name out of a hat and find a more consistent and personally stable conservative” than Newt Gingrich. Many smart conservatives seem to agree. (VictorDavisHanson points out that with Gingrich as the nominee the GOP would forfeit the “crony capitalism” issue; No one has been a bigger crony than he.)

The latest and perhaps brightest warning flare to the right is sent up by GeorgeWill. There are too many delicious lines in his column from which to choose a favorite. (e.g.,“There is almost artistic vulgarity in Gingrich’s unrepented role as a hired larynx for interests profiting from such government follies as ethanol and cheap mortgages”; “Gingrich, who would have made a marvelous Marxist, believes everything is related to everything else and only he understands how.”) George patiently explains to those who think the conservative movement began with the Internet and is defined by those who can burnish the most withering rhetoric: “Conservatism inoculates against the hubristic volatility that Gingrich exemplifies.” Yes, Gingrich is what conservatism aims to save us from.

Now, George would choose TexasGov Rick Perry or Jon Huntsman. RameshPonnuru would take MittRomney. There is also RickSantorum to consider. Reasonable conservatives differ on the alternative, but other than sheer contrarianism and temporary amnesia it is hard (for those who want to maintain the ideological health of the conservative movement and win the WhiteHouse) to justify embracing Gingrich. That he is more “gregarious, upbeat” than he used to be is no reason to choose him as president or to declare he has turned over new leaf.

For those conservatives who are not systematically averting their eyes, Gingrich every day gives Republicans further reason to conclude there is no “New Newt,” only the same disorganized egomaniac who drove his House caucus to revolt.

[COgamer]

Some of these arguments used to defend Newt now... Is this what’s to expect from the conservative movement going forward? Is there a way back to credibly pushing our values and ideals if we embrace this man?

I’ve seen incremental damage done to the conservative movement as positions have shifted just to support particular candidates, just a little bit at a time as people have found excuses to support RINOs and scumbags, but nothing that could measure up to an endorsement of what Gingrich represents. I was lurking here when there were arguments about what a great conservative Arnie was, then Rudy was... Is there a line some Freepers aren’t willing to cross?

Newt has far too much baggage to win against Obama, many voters are lukewarm on him or against him, and the only thing I see his nomination accomplishing is firing up democrats to come out while discouraging conservatives to stay home.

[Matchett-PI]

I just got on line and was just getting ready to locate those quotes when you did the work for me! Thanks. :)

[RockinRight]

Dude, that last post, was the equivalent of Albert Einstein lecturing a Trucker’s convention. I doubt any of it will register.

I almost spit my coffee when I read that!

[grey_whiskers]

You know, the polls a scant few days later don't seem to be bearing this out...

Cheers!

[x]

Really, George Will calling Newt egotistical is the like the Pope calling Billy Graham too religious.

Will and Gingrich both have a way of saying things that are basically sensible and true in such a way that they turn people off.

They're both trying to sound super-intelligent. That's no surprise, since both are Ph.D's. But it looks like they share some insecurity that causes them to overreach.

Newt kind of stumbles into things that he really hasn't worked out yet. He wants to be an expert in everything, even when he's manifestly not an expert, even when a more modest approach would suffice.

George Will loves the sound of his own voice and takes way too much pride in his own cleverness. He doesn't get that sometimes less is more, that not trying to sound too clever is the way to get the job done.

[ez]

You see the real world. FReegards...

[Lakeshark]

Shame on you for this post. Shame on you for shilling for Romney.

If they take down Newt next, it won't take but a a few days to take down Perry. Heck, you don't even need the MSM to take down Perry, he did it all by himself.

[Hoodat]

Enough of this Mitt-fear already. Romney has zero chance of winning the nomination. Zero. He can't win in the South. He can't win California. He can't win New York, Pennsylvania, or Ohio. What is there left?

If Romney wasn't in this race, Newt's support right now would be under 4%. The only reason he is polling as high as he is is because of Romney.

It's time for us to get over our fear of Romney and start supporting a conservative candidate instead. In a two-way race, even Ron Paul or John Huntsman would beat Mitt for the nomination.

[Hoodat]

Some of these arguments used to defend Newt now... Is this what’s to expect from the conservative movement going forward? Is there a way back to credibly pushing our values and ideals if we embrace this man? I’ve seen incremental damage done to the conservative movement as positions have shifted just to support particular candidates, just a little bit at a time as people have found excuses to support RINOs and scumbags, but nothing that could measure up to an endorsement of what Gingrich represents. I was lurking here when there were arguments about what a great conservative Arnie was, then Rudy was... Is there a line some Freepers aren’t willing to cross?

Enough with the Mitt fear. Haven't we learned anything since 2008? McCain was the candidate to save us from Mitt back then. And now McNewt is that candidate. When are we going to show some backbone and support a conservative candidate instead?

[Lakeshark]

No fear, just anger.

Jennifer Rubin in this article, George Will, heck even Coulter is shilling for the guy and he has a lot of money.

McCain got in by dividing, he won with about 35% of the GOP voter consent.