Posted on 12/15/2011 12:29:08 PM PST by SeekAndFind
If former House Speaker Newt Gingrich manages to win the Republican presidential nomination, he could jeopardize his party’s chances of ousting President Obama next November, according to several new national polls released this week.
Surveys from the NBC News and the Wall Street Journal, AP/GfK and Reuters/Ipsos all show former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney running better than Gingrich in general election matchups against Obama.
“Electability will come into play for many Republican votes,” said one neutral GOP consultant who preferred to speak anonymously. “It’s going to become problematic. I think you’re starting to signs of it.”
The NBC/WSJ and AP/GfK polls show Gingrich trailing Obama by 11 percent and 9 percent in the general election, respectively, while Romney trails the president by just 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll shows a smaller but still notable difference, with Romney trailing by 8 percent and Gingrich by 13 percent.
But wait, there’s more.
Polling from the Washington Post and ABC News shows Gingrich’s personal favorable numbers are not good among potential general election voters. More problematic is that Gingrich’s approval numbers have actually gotten worse, even as he has risen rapidly in the GOP primary.
In the WaPo/ABC poll, Gingrich has a 35 percent overall favorable rating and a 48 percent unfavorable rating. (The Post’s crack polling team notes that his unfavorable rating has risen by 6 percent in the last two weeks.)
The problem appears to be Gingrich’s appeal — or lack thereof — among independents. But he’s also got problems among Republicans.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Perry is the guy for the general election. His granting of a choice on tax plans shows respect for the voter. His jobs record is what they are all hoping for—or would be if the news were getting out to them. It’s heartless to choose someone who is not as good on jobs.
His instate-tuition is the best possible solution to a situation that was started by others, in a state that is 40 percent Hispanic. He has none of Newt’s personal . . . I don’t want to call it baggage because it’s not a bunch of inert suitcases; those are real people he left behind.
He’s going to shine in the debates with Oh-blowso if he ever gets there. Just insist that he be allowed to sit down instead of standing the whole time.
For general elections Newt has 1 very narrow loss on his first try followed by 6 wins. Romney has one win and several losses for which he spent huge sums of his own money. Some political talent there.
Okay, I admit it; I’m to blame. I looked with interest at Perry when he entered the race. About when I thought I could overlook his faults, he tanked. I then decided to support my first choice, Cain. I even donated to him. Then, the knives came out and down went Cain. Against my better judgment, I thought, “Hey, let’s look at Newt. We know what we get, and that is a smart, capable usually conservative guy that can get things done.” Now, dropping like a stone. Based on that track record, I have come to the conclusion that my support, even slight leanings, is the kiss of death.
Therefore: Go, Romney! I Like Mitt!
So it should be easy for you to give us a link to one of the better threads using that amazing better-than-Google FR search system.
Just kidding. I'm sure you're right but finding it on FR is really not practical.
If you want to read the threads containing the 1980 polling data, you can always google, "1980 presidential polls Free Republic". That will bring up a long list of hits for FR threads concerning the topic.
You can also use the keyword search function on FR to search for "1980 race", "Reagan poll numbers", or something along those lines.
But you don't even have to go that far. Someone upthread already posted the information.
Thanks for the input. What a resource we have here at FR.
Stop it, you’re killing me..........!
Consider the source.
Washington COMPost Blog?........ROFLMAO!
If the WashPost really thought that a Gingrich nomination would cause an Obama win, they would be promoting him as the savior of the Republican Party 24/7. The fact that they are attacking him indicates they’re worried that he would lead the Republicans to a huge landslide.
You MUST pick the lesser of two RINOs or we all die!
Now that said, I think Newt has struggles in a general election, but so does Romney. The difference is that we all know Newt's problems. Romney hasn't been vetted to the degree that Newt has. Romney's decisions at Bain Capital will be out for all to see and scrutinize.
Right now, Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina matter.
I think everyone also wrote him off for the primaries as in chances are slim to none. Yet here he is.
At least he will be able to effectively communicate his proposals. The country is center right, not lefty left. An articulate person who can explain conservative principles can win every time.
Give the people a real choice - not Obama lite.
You forgot arrogant, snarly, and . . . . condescending. Last night’s dis of Bachmann is not sitting well with women. Smell the coffee and see the reality. Newt is no Ronald Reagan. There’s more to electing a president than policy. Likeability is more important than you want it to be.
Not in a million years would I want that incompetent loon in the White House.
Your talking about the present WH resident I take it.
I’ll take Michele over what we have, at the present time, any day.
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