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The Bambino clears fences at debate!
Politico ^ | 12/11/2011 | Roger Simon

Posted on 12/11/2011 7:33:52 AM PST by nikos1121

The Bambino stands in the center of the stage, untouchable, uncatchable, unbeatable. He is Newt Gingrich, and he has become the Sultan of Swat.

It is Saturday night at yet another Republican debate and — wham! wham! wham! — Gingrich keeps blasting them out of the park.

Mitt Romney claims he should be president, because, unlike Newt, Romney is not a “career politician.”

“Let’s be candid,” Newt replies. “The only reason you didn’t become a career politician is that you lost to Ted Kennedy in 1994.”

Wham!

Newt, like the real Bambino, Babe Ruth, is a man of appetites. For food and for women, to name just two.

But when the moderators at the Yahoo/ABC debate in Des Moines ask all the candidates whether “marital infidelity” is important as an issue, the new Bambino does not quiver or quail. He does not flinch. He does not duck the pitch even though he has had three wives and admits to having been an adulterer.

“It is a real issue,” Newt says firmly. “People have to look at the person to whom they are going to loan the presidency.”

Loan the presidency! A wonderful phrase that lingers in the mind. And now the Bambino steps into the pitch.

“I have said upfront, openly, I have made mistakes at times and had to go to God for forgiving,” he says.

Whammo! It is out of here!

It is an answer that is perfectly acceptable to almost all Christian conservatives. Who can be against redemption? And do we not love the sinner more than the saint because who amongst us has not sinned? (Only the media, that is, who constantly cast the first stone.)

In earlier debates, Newt has appeared haughty and above it all. But with that answer he returns to earth. He has feet of clay like the rest of us and asks the Almighty to forgive him. And so the fidelity question does not destroy him, but makes him.

And, make no mistake, what he is doing this Saturday night is difficult. Mitt Romney, who had done so well at staying above the fray in previous debates, crashes and burns in this one.

Romney lets Rick Perry get his goat. Rick Perry, who has as much chance of getting the Republican nomination as Luke Perry! Or Perry Como!

When Rick Perry insists that Romney has changed his position on something or other, Mitt angrily sticks out his hand and says, “Rick, I’ll tell you what, ten thousand bucks? $10,000 bet?”

Way to go, Mitt. Remind America that $10,000 is chump change to you.

And when Michele Bachmann says that Mitt and Newt are just clones, Mitt decides to be cute. It is a mistake.

“I know Newt Gingrich,” Romney smirks. “And he is a friend of mine. But we are not clones.”

Yes, Mitt, you are tall and handsome standing there next to Newt. We can all see that. Newt looks like a sack of doorknobs compared to you.

But what does that get you, Mitt? How does that make you presidential?

Newt eyes Romney like the Bambino used to eye a high fastball. He will soon gets his chance to whack another one.

Gingrich, an historian, has called the Palestinians an “invented people.” Nobody asks him whether Americans “invented” themselves in 1776, however.

Instead, Romney says that Gingrich has gone too far and that he should let Israel negotiate for itself.

Newt stabs the lectern with his finger as he roars back. “These people are terrorists!” he says. “They teach terrorism in their schools! It’s fundamentally time for someone to have the guts to stand up and say: ‘Enough lying about the Middle East!’ ”

The audience, as audiences do, goes wild.

If it were four years ago, I would be writing that as soon as Newt wins an actual caucus or primary, the Republican establishment will rise up and stop him. But, today, there is no Republican establishment. It has been washed away by the Tea Party.

And the Tea Party likes a long-ball hitter.

Saturday was Newt’s night. A few more nights like this — and a few actual victories at the polls — and it could be his nomination.

Roger Simon is POLITICO’s chief political columnist.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Local News; Society
KEYWORDS: bambino; bombing; henrytheeighth; nero; newt; realitycheck; rogersimon
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To: Jukeman
And Santorum all but endorsed Gingrich!

Pretty much my thoughts also.

21 posted on 12/11/2011 9:09:32 AM PST by mountn man (Happiness is not a destination, its a way of life.)
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To: nikos1121
"I thought the moderators were quite good."

I was quite surprised at how well the debate was moderated. ABC deserves credit for this.

Sure they took an occasional cheap shot, but overall did a damn fine job.

I'm going to shower now...

22 posted on 12/11/2011 9:28:49 AM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: nikos1121

When 9/11 happen every conservative (and American) was ready to kill a Muzzie for Christ! Why??? Stories about Arab neighborhoods in US celebrating and clapping that the US got what she richly deserved. Most Americans know where Muslims stood on this issue and wary about them. GWB/establishment pulled all videos of burning WTC one week after it happened because it was too incendiary. Next GWB/establishment went on a ROP campaign to respin Islam. Why? Too much Saudi money in our government and establishment. Furthermore, corporate America had spent the last 20 years before 9/11 promoting a North America Union after NAFTA passed. The globalist agenda was being derailed by rising nationalism in US via war on terror. Since then Americans always knew Islam was the enemy, soldiers coming home from war knew it because they deal with these back stabbing bastards everyday. Obama may try to tap class warfare with the extreme left, Newt just tap the anti Islam feelings we as the American people justifiably have towards Arabs and Muslims. Newt is going to gain more then just Jewish votes he will also gain votes from Americans who accurately sized up the Muslims in this country as potential traitors and terrorists.


23 posted on 12/11/2011 9:40:54 AM PST by Fee
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To: nikos1121

Last night was a pleasure to see. The Bambino is going to be President Bambino.


24 posted on 12/11/2011 9:41:34 AM PST by Marcella (Newt will smash Obama in debates. Newt needs money.)
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To: Jukeman
He might have been endorsing himself for vice president if Newt gets the nod. Later in the debates he talked about how you could deliver Pennsylvania or at least win in Pennsylvania. I thought the implication was that he could deliver it as vice president.

I think Newt should consider the choice if Marco Rubio declines.


25 posted on 12/11/2011 9:49:57 AM PST by nathanbedford ("Attack, repeat, attack!" Bull Halsey)
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To: Marcella

Yes, the man has the knowledge, thick skin and guts to tell it like it is. I think it will be contagious. Already, George Will was blasting him this AM.

The conservative establishment is going to come out against him like rabid dogs in the next week.

I think Ron Paul resonated too last night. He’s free indepedent thinker. I think he will come in a strong second in Iowa all but sinking Romney.

We then head into NH where expectations for Romney are running high. He needs to win big...He won’t. He might in fact lose depending on the Fox debate next week and the Iowa results.

In summary, don’t look for Ann Coulter and company to eat crow. THey’re standing with their man. Romney is a good person, but last night he came across as someone who is not up to the task as much as The Bambino.


26 posted on 12/11/2011 9:53:54 AM PST by nikos1121
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To: nikos1121

27 posted on 12/11/2011 9:54:10 AM PST by McBuff
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To: McBuff

Haahahahaha!!!!!!!! LOve it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you McBuff


28 posted on 12/11/2011 9:55:52 AM PST by nikos1121
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To: McBuff

Haahahahaha!!!!!!!! LOve it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you McBuff


29 posted on 12/11/2011 9:56:20 AM PST by nikos1121
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To: mountn man

Agreed.


30 posted on 12/11/2011 10:01:24 AM PST by AEMILIUS PAULUS (It is a shame that when these people give a riot)
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To: nikos1121

Watching Fox today and most “conservative” establishment commentators are seriously bashing Newt - the George Will types - they’re writing articles trashing him. That won’t work, just gets him more votes.

Saw the Tea Party numbers for him and they are astronomical for him in every category.

President Bambino. Great picture of Newt Bambino above - thanks.


31 posted on 12/11/2011 10:03:01 AM PST by Marcella (Newt will smash Obama in debates. Newt needs money.)
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To: nikos1121

These pundits are making me sick with the Newt hyperbole.

He’s Babe Ruth. No, he’s Benjamin Franklin. No, he’s Winston Churchill.

The only person he hasn’t been compared to is Jesus Christ.

That’ll be coming next week.


32 posted on 12/11/2011 10:06:25 AM PST by Palladin (Santorum/Bachmann 2012.)
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To: RoosterRedux

Right—at the dinner table, and on the horse-weighing scales.


33 posted on 12/11/2011 10:09:49 AM PST by Palladin (Santorum/Bachmann 2012.)
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To: Palladin

“Right—at the dinner table, and on the horse-weighing scales.”

Maybe skinny Hussein is better for you?

We need to concentrate on conservative brains and beating Muslim Hussein, not weight of body tissue.


34 posted on 12/11/2011 10:15:15 AM PST by Marcella (Newt will smash Obama in debates. Newt needs money.)
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To: Marcella

Newt is more like Henry the Eighth than any other historical character. He discards wives as if they were old shoes. (Granted, he hasn’t beheaded any of them yet).

Newt has as many ethical problems as Henry. And, oh,yeah—Newt is a Catholic, as was Henry. A bad Catholic!


35 posted on 12/11/2011 10:17:53 AM PST by Palladin (Santorum/Bachmann 2012.)
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To: nikos1121

“Rick, I’ll tell you what, ten thousand bucks? $10,000 bet?”

Gambling is very much prohibited in Mormon doctrine. If Mitt can’t be true to his religious oaths then how is he going to perform an oath to a temporary office?


36 posted on 12/11/2011 10:56:10 AM PST by RC51
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To: Palladin
Heheh...particularly there.

He's also increasingly blunt like Churchill was.

One of the things I love about Churchill was how un-PC he was. I think that's one of the reasons he was so popular during the War...he called a spade a spade when so many people didn't have that kind of courage.

37 posted on 12/11/2011 11:02:45 AM PST by RoosterRedux
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To: Palladin
The only person he hasn’t been compared to is Jesus Christ.

That's one comparison I don't think you'll have to worry about.;-)

38 posted on 12/11/2011 11:05:08 AM PST by RoosterRedux
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To: nikos1121
[Ron Paul's] a free, independent thinker.

Well, he's free and independent...so I guess two out of three ain't bad.

39 posted on 12/11/2011 11:08:45 AM PST by RoosterRedux
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To: Jukeman

“And Santorum all but endorsed Gingrich!”

Rick may be running for VP and he would not be a bad choice.


40 posted on 12/11/2011 11:29:00 AM PST by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
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