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 ...
You are wishful thinking. You also are not up on presidential succession as the Speaker of the House is indeed second in succession after VP. Constitutionally, all legislation starts in the the House and the House elects the Speaker as leader of the House. If you believe that a senator holds higher authority or higher position than speaker of the House, you are very mistaken.
Several presidents also served in the House of Representatives including: JQ Adams, Madison, Lincoln, Gerald Ford. So what?
This is not about sour grapes. It is about who can defeat Romney and stand as our nominee. If you believe as you do that Romney and Santorum head-to-head results in 20+ point advantage for Santorum, please show me where. All you need to know is who does Romney spend his money attacking? Newt. Who has spent his last couple of days attacking Newt and not Romney - Santorum. Santorum has internal and external polls that show Newt ahead of him.
I really wish you well. I hope we can be on the same side of the argument soon.
How many speakers have been elected president?
“If you believe that a senator holds higher authority or higher position than speaker of the House, you are very mistaken”
A senator has the support of an entire state, not just his congressional district. Newt wasn’t elected Speaker of the House.
“If you believe as you do that Romney and Santorum head-to-head results in 20+ point advantage for Santorum, please show me where”
Thought you’d never ask.
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_011112.pdf
Look at the splits.
“I really wish you well. I hope we can be on the same side of the argument soon.”
Same here. I just don’t believe that Newt can get it done. I was shocked when I saw those head to head numbers.
We have to be strong, b9. I know you’re fighting strong and I am trying to be as well. We either all hang together or we all fall apart. I remain confident with Newt!
He's a relentless fighter like no other patriot right now.
My friend, those head-to-head numbers you cite assume that Santorum not only overtakes Newt, but consolidates his plus all the other candidates’ support into his candidacy. That’s what head-to-head means. You are far, far, far away from anything resembling that for Rick. In SC, not NC as you quoted, Rick Santorum is running behind Newt in most if not all the major polls as of now - that’s reality.
I don’t want to fight with you, but you are not on with your facts. The Speaker is voted on by all of the members of the House. As Speaker he leads the delegation of ALL of the congressman from ALL of the districts in ALL of 50 states (57 for Obama). If you don’t know this in comparison with a single senator with one vote from a single state, you start out with a mistaken argument. The Speaker sets the agenda for all federal legislation and has a lot of power in what happens. That is why Newt is so respected and feared - he got a lot of conservative legislation passed, including Welfare Reform and balanced budgets.
I would love for you and I to be on the same side in this fight. Good luck to you!
A sweater vest is okay if it serves some special purpose for golf or fishing or whatever. But would you wear one just to wear one? It’s way too Ned Flanders.
Right ON Satin Doll:) Newt lived in an apartment above a Shell gas station. He was nearsighted as a child but he was smart. His life was not an easy street. Gingrich is a self made man but he doesn’t exploit it.
Actually I love Ned Flanders LOL
I totally agree we need Newt he is the Man that can handle any of them GO NEWT , no question in my mind who is BEST.
I totally agree we need Newt he is the Man that can handle any of them GO NEWT , no question in my mind who is BEST.
High Diddly Doodely Neighborino! LOL
I wondered if anyone would call me on it. Of course the Big 12 isn’t 12 any more and the Big 10 isn’t 10 anymore, but you knew that too.
Then you are NO Christian, Ben.
I’m not sure where you get the confidence to make such a determination.
What do you know about me?
Am I married? How many children do I have? What church am I a member? How long have I been attending?
Since you presume to know everything about me, have at it. Good luck!
I think you know what it means to be a Christian. You are not the only person to have heard what I have to say.
Most importantly, you will probably hear from others on Free Republic who will humbly ask you to open your heart.
The same numbers show Newt losing, a race where Santorum dominates.
I am unconvinced that even if the race were to come down to a two man race, that Newt would win. The numbers just don’t show it.
Again, Speakers of the House are 0/0 when running for the presidency. None of them have even gotten up to bat, let alone won.
Senators, on the other hand have. The pool of voters electing congressmen are far smaller than the entire state. That’s the problem. Even the speaker, while they may have the support of their peers on their side of the bench, have received far fewer real live votes, than their Senators.
You already know my heart, so let’s hear it.
Am I married? How many children do I have? What church do I attend? How long have I attended there?
Let’s hear it Satin Doll.
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