Posted on 12/04/2011 6:04:20 AM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Will’s column was excellent, and definitely an entertaining read. Best work he’s done in a long time. And it prompted me to give Huntsman another look.
I’d say the polls disagree with her assessment, not that I disagree that Newt is not the answer; clearly many seem to think he is much to my dismay. I’m certainly ready for a new Flavor of The Month, whether it be Santorum, Bachmann, Palin or some other.
Amazing. Stick to,trying to support your candidate than simply trying to roast others.
Thank you !
The fact that there will be Americans who wake up this morning, read this piece of swill and say, “yeah, Mitt is the most conservative of the bunch” is testament to the lefts abililty to make the MSM look like Pravda on steroids.
Guess the easy answer is the Washington Post wants Romney - just like they wanted McCain - - well, up until the nomination. Then they went 100% for the Obama...
And BTW, Gingrich is polling ahead of Obama in the latest polling.
This is just like the consensus on the science of global warming...
The same Huntsman that told us all we are dullards for not supporting the “science” of global warming? No thanks.
Got it. But I’m not electing a “good debater”. See where that got Liberals with Obama.
I want a Conservative who can win. People hate Newt. Even Conservatives. But more importantly, independents and swing voters.
I don’t want 4 more years of O. It’ll kill us.
Perry would be fine by me, but please don’t get caught up in the same trash as the Perry-bashers have. Until we have it whittled down some more, any smears on anyone but Mitt will further tarnish whoever ends up on top.
The polling doesn’t support your premise. At all. Gingrich is polling quite well. And winning.
At time last election, Giuliani was highest polled, Fred Thompson second.
There is a lesson there.
I understand your concern, we are on the same side. Just keep your mind open to Perry. I can ask no more.
He is a fast-talking used-car salesman type who is trying to sell a bill of goods.
He was conservative when he was in Congress. After he resigned his speaker-ship and basically walked out on his House seat, he became the quintessential Washington insider. He even set up business on K-Street, which is known for influence-peddling.
If the Republicans are looking for someone outside of Washignton beltway, Gingrich is NOT that person.
It will be interesting to see how his polling numbers are after the MSM and other candidates begin scrutinizing him and his history.
I’d prefer Perry to Newt, but nothing is helping Perry. Looks to me like no one is interested in him any more.
But I’m months away from a chance to vote, so we’ll see. But the idea that Santorum is about to take off (or Huntsman) is just damn silly.
WOW - I had no idea he had marital missteps;)
‘Will’ look into it.
Perhaps the new Mrs. Will is a Callista home-wrecker! LOL!
So last time round we had McInsane, (I heart)Huckabee, and the Mittster.
This time round we have Perry, Newt and (wait for it) the Mittser again.
Great.
I don’t know how old you are, so maybe you don’t recall the 90s when Newt had his 15 minutes of fame. Screwed us all with his Contract with America. It would a wonderful thing, but once Newt got into power as the speaker, his ego got the best of him. He got welfare reform, but you can see that didn’t last. He went down quickly, as anyone could see it was all show and little substance. Since then, I started to read Newt again and thought, okay, maybe this guy is serious this time. I should’ve known better. After he came out with his American values campaign, he supported Dede Scozzafava, made the ad with Pelosi, and several other things. I’d take Romney over Newt any day of the week. I’d prefer Bachmann, Santorum, or Perry, but Romney is MUCH better than Newt. If Newt gets it, he won’t necessarily beat Obama in a debate. Obama can throw Newt’s record at him, one much like his own of big government, lobbying, support of unions, etc., and Newt would have to explain himself. Defend himself, that is. A lot of conservatives who have tuned out the stuff about him now would be trapped. All they see is his powerful debate performances, but that is not how Newt will lead. He’ll go back to the cronyism, the things to shore up power, etc. THAT IS THE REAL NEWT! People need to really see that side of him. Forget the debates. Reagan didn’t do well against Carter, but still won in a landslide because of the ideas he offered. Any of our conservative candidates would still look good next to the known entity of Obama now. We need to move past these debates as being the determining factor. That is hubris, and we might pay a big price for thinking one needs to best The One in a debate. NONSENSE!
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