[true believer forever]

I would have to “respectfully” disagree with your assertion that Newt “never claimed to be anything more” (you may have only meant that narrowly, hard to tell);

I said "he's never claimed to be anything more than a sinner being saved by grace, when it comes to Godly endorsements..."

I was talking about Santorum's comments in debates about his quality character is what Americans need in the White House, and other comments about Newt's personal baggage...

his supporters “have a really good idea of who he is... warts and all” I can say from an outsider’s perspective it doesn’t look like it to me.

I can only speak for myself, I have a pretty good awareness of what's been written about newt's spiritual sins, political sins, and personality/character flaws... seriously, all of them. I have only really known about him - somewhat fully - since May, but I did a lot of homework. but most importantly, I don't whitewash them, or try to deny them, or even mitigate them... Newt once was a bastard, all around - I believe he is a new person in Christ now. I also think he is The ex-Bastard who can save this country, even if he does it in a very bastardly way.. and yes, I realize all the contradictions in that statement, but you know what I mean..

I also happen to think the painting of Santorum supporters as believing he is a “saint” is inaccurate, but clearly they take the same hard-line supportive positions for their candidate as most Gingrich folks do for Newt, so maybe it looks that way.

There's no comparison. I just don't think there is any way you explain away someone telling their followers, "I was called by God". that is just so over the top, and totally offensive to so many christians..

I thought Perry was the better presidential choice, if he could just convince people of it..

I agree, and I still hope for a gingrich/perry ticket. Rick Perry is young, he can have another go... and there are many conservatives whose respect and gratitude for him have grown exponentially because of his endorsement for Newt...

Actually, being able to gain and hold supporters is one of my bigger criteria.

i will give you that. Newt's electability hinges on changing people's minds, and finding new supporters. I am having a lot of luck doing both, but I am still very worried about this dynamic... and it will make it easier to support an alternative - should that unthinkable happen.

And you can believe me or not when I tell you that if Newt had won Florida, I’d be happy enough that the race was over...

I believe you...

[Theodore R.]

Rick Perry is young Rick was born in 1950; many born that year have already retired. Eisenhower was 62 on his first election and was already seen as grandfatherly.

[CharlesWayneCT]

I wonder what the problem is with “called by God”? Aren’t we all called by God to whatever profession we are in? Isn’t one duty of a Christian to pray constantly, to ask for God’s direction, and to follow that calling?

I guess it’s the concept of God “choosing”? I mean, we seem to like athletes who give God the glory, but look disfavorably on athletes who claim God favored their team. So if I say I do what I do because God called me to do so, is that better than if I say God choose me to do this? The one sounds like I had no way on my own, it was through God’s power I can do what I do. The second sounds like I was so special that God picked me.

I wouldn’t have a problem with Gingrich saying he thought God had called him to run for President. I hope he does — I’d hate to think Newt prayed, God told him no, and he ran anyway. Rick Perry made similar statements about God’s calling, and I don’t think that is negated by his loss, because we don’t know what God’s ultimate plan is. I think Cain might have also invoked similar words.

Now, maybe Santorum has been more blatant about it, and it comes across as arrogant. I frankly don’t here him enough to really know. I wasn’t a big Santorum fan, I figured he was always an also-ran, and I don’t catch the debates, or listen to a lot of speeches. I like Santorum because I do know he is strong on social conservatism, he has shown signs of being a good conservative, and he’s been able to get a LOT of conservatives to support him. If he now fades away, it will only bother me if nobody else rises up — I’m not hoping for him personally to win, I just want a guy to catch on so that we get an excited GOP electorate to crush Obama in the fall.

(I don’t really feel good about either Santorum or Gingrich on that point, but at this moment, I think Santorum has more upside potential than Gingrich; if I was looking for someone to attack Obama, I might choose Gingrich, but I don’t think Rush Limbaugh or Mark Levin could get elected President, and they are both really good at attacking Obama.)