Posted on 01/14/2012 12:19:44 PM PST by TitansAFC
DUNCAN, S.C. -- As soon as Newt Gingrich wrapped up his remarks on Saturday night at a forum hosted by the Republican Parties of Greenville and Spartanburg counties, it was Rick Santorum's turn to take the stage.
But Gingrich ensured that the spotlight remained on him.
As the former Pennsylvania senator began his remarks to hundreds of GOP activists gathered inside a high school cafeteria, Gingrich drew most of the media on hand to a nearby hallway where he held a press conference apparently timed to steal Santorum's thunder.
Gingrich took a pass when asked how, over the next week, he would contrast his record with Santorum's.
But even before taking a question, the former House speaker -- who just last month promised to run a relentlessly positive campaign -- launched an all-out barrage against Mitt Romney, laying into the former Massachusetts governors record on abortion, the Second Amendment, taxes and job creation.
The message Gingrich was trying to convey was clear: that the real battle in South Carolina was between himself and Romney, with the other candidates playing bit roles.
If we end up splitting the conservative vote, were going to end up nominating somebody with whom 95 percent of the people in this room are going to be very uncomfortable, Gingrich had told the crowd, clearly referencing Romney, whom he has labeled a Massachusetts moderate.
Gingrich has some recent numbers to back up his belief that he is the Romney alternative best-positioned to turn back the national front-runners momentum in South Carolina. According to the latest RCP Average of Palmetto State polls, Gingrich trails Romney by less than 5 percent, while Santorum and the libertarian-leaning Ron Paul are 12 percentage points behind. Rick Perry and Jon Huntsman continue to spin their wheels in the mid-single digits.........
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
yeah Santorum won the pot luck supper straw poll in Iowa and nobody cares anymore... SC is the first REAL primary and Santorum isn’t going to do squat in the south.. he and Perry need to bow out and let the Gingrich vs Romney battle begin
That sweater vest thing...it does seem a bit affected. Is he trying to hide his weight gain? Trying to seem like a regular guy? Not sure. But I do know that no regular guys I know would be caught wearing a sweater vest.
And yes...I’m a Gingrich gal.
“Rick Santorum is a nice guy with Christian morals. As such, that should not be the only qualification nor sole determinant to be President under the present circumstance.”
It’s only ever brought up as a qualifier. I don’t see anyone going out and saying that because he’s a nice guy and a Christian that this is an asset.
It is an asset. The fact that he has a family, and that he stuck with them is an asset. It demonstrates biblical leadership, remember that quote about bishops - where a man who does not control his own house is unfit to lead the church.
Newt doesn’t have that. That’s the problem. If Newt isn’t fit to lead a prayer in your parish, then how is he fit to lead America?
“This is a political race to see who will be the best candidate to take on and bring down the Marxist-Leninist Muslim running for a second term in the White House.”
Which is why we need to support the candidate who espouses what we believe, not capitulate by picking the guy the media tells us “can win”. No, we need to pick the one closest to what we believe.
“So-called Christians who are opposed to Newt Gingrich becasue he is a serial adulterer “
Yeah, he is a serial adulterer. And I’m proud that you are calling me a ‘so-called Christian.’ It’s a badge of honor.
“this is not a contest about who has or has not sinned in the past.”
It goes back to biblical leadership. People want a candidate who meets this list of qualifications and Newt falls short. Wayy short.
“Neither group above has any concern for the Bible carrying, gun owning common man and woman in this nation, whose main concern is the continuance of their God given rights.”
Last I checked we did care. Or maybe we don’t care anymore. I’m not sure. Calling people so-called Christians for holding Newt to his record is sort of an Alinsky tactic isn’t it?
“Newt Gingrich has been expounding on that issue for a very long time. Ive noticed that Rick Santorum is a follow-along on this issue, but he lacks the fire-in-the-belly of a serious contender like Gingrich.”
Yeah, that ‘fire in the belly’ to ‘change the system’, is why Newt resides in McLean, VA, and has been in there most of his adult life.
Yeah, real ‘outsider’ we have going here. We had an outsider, Cain. Remember him? Now we just have a pick between the super insider - Newt, and a lesser insider in Santorum.
If you really believe that Newt is not a beltway insider after 30 years there, you’re in for a bad surprise.
One hot summer’s day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. “Just the thing to quench my thirst,” quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: “I am sure they are sour.”
you keep putting up this Iowa stuff.. nobody cares.. it was said months ago even when Gingrich was leading there it meant nothing.. it’s a straw poll
Wow! Just, wow. Just watched the video. Newt is an incredible speaker, and recalls the greatness of our founding and its principles like no other person I’ve heard since Reagan.
It’s said now, after Newt lost, that it doesn’t matter anymore, that it’s a podunk liberal bastion, etc. Last I checked, Iowa was a significant area for conservative support. Neither NH, nor Iowa are significant liberal bastions - you’d have to go to places like Massachusetts, etc.
Now, I agree, that South Carolina is more important for conservatives. But the fact that Santorum won in Iowa, is significant, irrespective as to what you say otherwise.
We shall see what happens in South Carolina, but if Newt loses, he’s done here. And blaming conservatives for backing Santorum isn’t going to prompt them to support Newt today.
What you are showing is consequential of Santorum’s ground game. No question he hit the bricks very hard in Iowa and earned his win by being positioned to benefit at the time of the Romney / Paul carpetbombimg crusade against Newt. All of Newt’s lost votes went to Santorum, not for anything earthshaking Rick did, but resulting from noxious attacks against the then-leader Gingrich.
Rick Santorum is a very decent guy and has a bright future. One of his drawbacks is that he is a senator but he has not been a leader of anything. Yes he had a senior spot in the senate caucus, but hes not like Newt, who served as Speaker. This is big because the Speaker is second in line of presidential succession after VP. There is that term ‘gravitas’ that the liberals loved to use against W in 2000 vs. Gore. Bush lacks gravitas, blah, blah, etc. The liberals, Soviet-style removed any trace of that word in ‘08 when a certain messiah figure entered the scene.
Leaders have a way of drawing peoples attention when they speak, and they inspire people to push themselves forward. They articulate a real cause and tend to draw interest with the force of their personalities, sense of resolve, and credibility drawn from quantifiable accomplishments.
When comparing Santorum against Gingrich, even with Newts negatives thrown in, Newt looks far more like a real president among a lot more people than Rick. Newt’s conservative history of accomplishment really has ‘gravitas’. If you take away all the millions spent on destroying Newt or gave him the resources in Iowa to properly respond, Rick Santorum never would have climbed as he did. He was the beneficiary of all that attack money. It doesn’t mean Rick’s bad, but people are responding to the truth that we are fighting for the future of our country, and we need the strongest fighter if we really are to have a chance.
Romney would love to face Rick. He is afraid, very afraid of Newt. Following the money clearly shows that. Some year I may be shoulder to shoulder with you, supporting Rick Santorum for higher office. This is not that year.
“Newt doesnt have that. Thats the problem. If Newt isnt fit to lead a prayer in your parish, then how is he fit to lead America?”
When you step in it, Ben, you step in it bigtime. Big mistake.
Newt Gingrich had an epiphany. He had to, or he would have self-destructed.
As a small child he witnessed his father beating and abusing Newt’s mother. She divorced him, remarried, and Newt was adopted by his step dad. Later he was sexually molested by a high school teacher. Yeah, the first wife he married. She asked for the divorce, not he.
This man was carrying a troubled emotional burden while serving in Congress but he sought counseling, joined AA and eventually turned his life around after a religious conversion.
What I’ve found shocking is the enormous number of so-called Christians here at Free Republic who are nothing of the sort.
Christians are not better than other people, Ben. They forgive others, ask forgiveness for themselves, and try to lead a better life by not sinning further.
I’m not disgusted with Newt Gingrich, who I believe has honestly changed his life. I’m disgusted with the bigots who claim they are Christian but do not put it into daily practice - people like YOU!
“If you really believe that Newt is not a beltway insider after 30 years there, youre in for a bad surprise.”
Only a belt-way insider knows where all the bodies are buried.
He knows where the skeletons are hidden.
He knows about the hidden tract ways and byways by which influence peddling moves.
Gingrich is a bulldog compared to Santorum the Golden Retriever puppy.
I do not trust Santorum, he seems to be a Get-along at any cost kind of politician.
The tide seems to be turning, slow but sure.
“Newt Gingrich had an epiphany. He had to, or he would have self-destructed.”
20 years later.
“Later he was sexually molested by a high school teacher.”
Uh, he was 18 at the time when he married her. Are you suggesting that this so-called ‘alpha male’, CHOSE to marry a woman that he didn’t love as an adult wasn’t ready to take on the obligations of a family?
“She asked for the divorce, not he.”
Right, when she was being treated for Ovarian cancer and found out that Newt was cheating on her in violation of his oath to love, honor and obey. Does Newt not get this?
He married her, he chose to marry her, nobody forced him to do it, he did it and bears the consequences. He can’t turn back the clock, even if he made a mistake.
That’s what men do. They stick with their family, they don’t walk out on them, or trade them for a newer model when the old one gets worn out.
“This man was carrying a troubled emotional burden”
Right. Puhleeze. I know people who have suffered tremendously. You wouldn’t know it because they don’t make excuses.
“What Ive found shocking is the enormous number of so-called Christians here at Free Republic who are nothing of the sort.”
Wow, there’s that moniker again. ‘So-called Christian.’. Thanks! Again, it’s a badge of honor.
“Christians are not better than other people, Ben.”
When making a decision as to the most qualified person, we look at the qualities that they do exhibit. Yes, Christians are not good persons, but we try to put good Christians into positions of leadership, so that they can serve and help those who aren’t as strong.
“They forgive others, ask forgiveness for themselves, and try to lead a better life by not sinning further.”
Forgiveness requires repentence. That would mean leaving his mistress to return to his wife. If Newt did that, I would have no problem supporting him, because it would demonstrate that he understands that what he did was wrong.
“Im disgusted with the bigots who claim they are Christian but do not put it into daily practice - people like YOU!”
Oh. So I don’t put it into practice.
What do you know about me? Please, go on, tell us. Have I been married? How long was I married? How many children do I have? What church do I go to? How long have I attended there?
“Only a belt-way insider knows where all the bodies are buried.”
So now the argument becomes - it’s good that he’s an insider. Weren’t you just saying that he was an outsider? If I wanted an insider, I’d vote in Obama.
“Gingrich is a bulldog compared to Santorum the Golden Retriever puppy.”
Well, this ‘so-called Christian’, would rather support faithful Christians.
Well said!!!
Santorum = Carter
“What you are showing is consequential of Santorums ground game. No question he hit the bricks very hard in Iowa and earned his win”
Okay.
“All of Newts lost votes went to Santorum, not for anything earthshaking Rick did, but resulting from noxious attacks against the then-leader Gingrich”
Sour grapes. Your argument makes no sense. This arguement does. Santorum hustled for those votes, earned those votes, and won in Iowa because he hustled and earned those votes.
Newt - sat around and gave up.
NH - Santorum drove out there, hustled. Went from 1 percent to close to 10. Didn’t get all the way there, but again, beat out Newt.
Newt - sat around and gave up. “Prepare for South Carolina!” After a 4th and 5th place finish.
Now - Newt has taken a state that he once lead by 20, that was supposed to be a slam dunk, and is losing by 5.
“Santorum supporters need to get out and back Newt so that Newt can finally beat Romney”?
No. If Newt wants us, he’s going to have to EARN the votes, like Santorum did in Iowa.
“Rick Santorum is a very decent guy and has a bright future. One of his drawbacks is that he is a senator but he has not been a leader of anything.”
And Newt is a Congressman. Point Santorum.
“hes not like Newt, who served as Speaker.”
Again, point Santorum. Senator > Congressman.
“This is big because the Speaker is second in line of presidential succession after VP.”
VP > speaker? Really? That makes no sense. And neither does the argument that congressman > senator.
Factual evidence - only one man has ever been elected president after serving only as a congressman. I bet you can’t name him.
“Leaders have a way of drawing peoples attention when they speak, and they inspire people to push themselves forward.”
Ok. And leaders also articulate a vision. Voting for someone because he articulates irrespective of what his is articulating sounds like Obama to me. No substance.
“They articulate a real cause and tend to draw interest with the force of their personalities, sense of resolve, and credibility drawn from quantifiable accomplishments.”
What cause does Newt support?
“When comparing Santorum against Gingrich, even with Newts negatives thrown in, Newt looks far more like a real president among a lot more people than Rick.”
An entirely subjective assessment. Rick’s conservativism is the best of those left standing.
“Newts conservative history of accomplishment”
Newt, prior to 2007, supported Cap and trade, supported the individual mandate, the list goes on.
I don’t want his ‘history of accomplishment’ anywhere close to the White House.
“If you take away all the millions spent on destroying Newt”
Uh, why are you whining? This isn’t exactly tiddlywinks, untwist.
“Rick Santorum never would have climbed as he did.”
Like you said, Rick EARNED it through old fashioned shoe leather. Just like he EARNED my support.
“we need the strongest fighter if we really are to have a chance.”
Sounds like Santorum to me.
“Romney would love to face Rick.”
Uh, no. Santorum crushes Romney in the head to head polls. 20+ point lead. Why are we screwing around with Newt when we can blow Romney out of the water?
WRONG!!!!!!!!!! Santorum is a social conservative but not a strong fiscal conservative. Newt is strong on fiscal issues and our country is in dire straits economically. Newt is the strongest FISCAL conservative running ..PERIOD.
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*** ^^^
.... DING DING DING, We have a winner.
There are two kinds of conservatives. Santo gets a 10 on the social conservative scale, but he gets a 3 on the fiscal conservative scale.
Do your homework, I’m making it easy for you:
http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/01/06/what-a-big-government-conservative-looks-like/
Another song about the rain.
That's it, in a word.
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