Posted on 04/30/2005 5:42:58 AM PDT by Nasty McPhilthy
It appears to this writer that former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich is preparing to run for the Presidency in '08.
The big question: is his personal baggage too much to over-come for him to succeed? I'm talking about the alleged marital infidelity, the alleged hospital break-up with his first wife, his second divorce and third marriage after an extended affair while still married-quite a load to explain to a conservative public; quite a load to explain to people who rated moral issues as the biggest single deciding factor in the last election. There's also the matter of the $300,000 penalty assessed against him for alleged questionable activities involving GOPAC and his book deal. I recall that entire circus, and spent a fair amount of time listening to the testimony before the Ethics Committee on C-Span. I personally never was convinced that GOPAC was anything more than what Gingrich represented it to be, nor that any real wrong doing occurred.
Once again it was the appearance of wrong doing (a favorite tool of the Democrats-appearance is sufficient grounds to convict) more than anything else that caused his demise and early retirement from the House Speakership. Certainly there was some questionable decision making (the exact phrase was "intentional or reckless" disregard for house rules), but no crimes were committed, and the ethics committee's fines were disproportionate for the transgressions. The combination of a few shaky Republicans and the vindictive Democrats, still smarting from Gingrich's successful pursuit of Democrat Speaker Jim Wright, as well as their outrage at the Republicans having the nerve to wrest control of the House from them (didn’t we know that it was their divine right?) proved to be enough to get him reprimanded and fined. Note the term, “reprimanded,” not as is generally stated by Liberals, “censured,” which would have been an entirely different and far more serious matter.
As to his personal peccadilloes, I must admit I am uncomfortable with that sort of reckless behavior. It echoes too closely, the behavior of Bill “Bubba one” Clinton. I do believe that it shows a certain lack of self-control. I also believe that is demonstrates a rather cavalier attitude towards keeping ones word (marriage is a vow, a lifetime commitment). I realize that this kind of attitude may seem antiquated in this society of quickie marriage and quickie divorce, but I still believe in a man keeping his word. Is this issue sufficient to disqualify him from being President? I’m not certain, but I don’t think so. My revulsion of Bubba was an aggregate of his lascivious behavior and his Liberal agenda. That and the multiplicity of scandals surrounding his administration (White Water, File-gate, Pardon-gate, etc.) conflated to rise to the level of a grotesque mockery of the prestige and honor of the Whitehouse and the Presidency.
The question remains however. Can the Newtster surmount the heat he is sure to receive from his competition? The answer depends entirely upon his ability to bypass the MSM and get his message directly to the voters. Newt has a lot of people out here who think very highly of him. Be that as it may, he is certain to face a very tough primary campaign from Senators Frist, McCain, and Hagel. He is equally assured of being subjected to hate mongering at least equal to that we witnessed against President Bush during the last election from the Left. Creepy-crawlies like George Soros and Michael Moore (ugh! I can hardly stand to type his name), in concert with their hatchet groups like MoveON.org, Communist Cause, and People for the Highly Questionable Elitist Way will certainly mount a full court press. We can expect a rousing shout of outrage from DNC commissar Howard Dean and his hit-team (AARRGGHH!).
The reason I am asking these questions, is that I believe Newt Gingrich to be the single most qualified candidate for the office of the President in recent memory. He ought to be ideal for the Liberals who showered President Bush with unjust labels like "Dumbya" and "stupid." There could be no such assault on Mr. Gingrich's intellect. His knowledge of how the system works, or is supposed to work, is equal to that of anyone in government. His familiarity with our historical provenance as a professor of American History and Government gives him a perspective unique among the likely candidates. And since we already know that immoral behavior is “no big deal” for the Left, Gingrich’s morally questionable behavior should actually be a big plus for them. Of course Liberals won't embrace him because Newt believes in limited government, not the Socialist Paternalistic State of the early 20th century of which they dream.
Newt expresses a vision of the future possibilities for this nation that none have come close to matching. Having read his latest book, Winning the Future, I believe it to be a rarely seen example of farsighted and far-reaching policy goals designed to take this nation forward into this new century. Newt's thinking is clear, positive, and thoughtful. His ideas are practical, and achievable. Newt offers a vision of hope for the American people and this nation. As a student of government and of the presidency, he definitely has the "guns" to get the job done. He also has one other thing to offer us, a New Contract With America.
So I find myself back at my original question. Can Newt overcome his negative baggage? As a history professor, he has the oratory skills to convey his message in a clear and concise manner. His skill as a debater is great. He is a true conservative, and well liked by other conservatives who, like me can make allowances for his shortcomings. He would be a leader who, unlike any alternative the Democrats are likely to put up-say "Billary" for example-would not let this nation slip into the doldrums of a U.N. led "world government." His belief in the rightness of America, her place in history, and her future, would assure us that the evils espoused by the Left, such as the desirability of judges who believe themselves to be legislators, would not come to pass.
Only time will tell us the answer to this big question. Personally, I hope he can do it. It would be a shame to waste such a mind and talent.
Go Newt! Gingrich for President! Gingrich in 2008! Oh! Just Practicing.
I would never vote for Newt in a primary (he did, after all, cheat on his wife, just like Bill Clinton cheated on his wife - morally no difference). But I would vote for him instead of a Dimocrat in a Presidential election.
No pun intended, but he blew his chance
He is NOT Presidential material. No way. No how. He just dcoesn't have it. Think they had fun with Kerry? Well, it wouldn't be much better with Newt. Maybe he is a nice man and I'm sure he is but...he is just NOT Presidential mateial and if the pubbies run him they will not only lose but they will lose big time. Their choice.
Well, lets see. Hasn't held office in 8 years, left under a cloud of ethics charges, had high negative numbers when he left, had lost the support of his colleges, has never held executive position, doesn't have the common touch but lectures like a college professor, and is soft on social issues and immigration.
Yep, except for all that he'd make a wonderful presidental canidate.
But if Orrin Hatch and Jack Kemp could run for president, so can he. GO NEWT!
Newt also praises Hillary too much. Any Repub that does that automatically loses my support. Sorry.
He does have a lot of baggage, mainly cheating on his wife the same way Clinton did.
Newt and his 'third way' are not exactly U.S. Constitution friendly...
IMO
I love Newt too, he is a brilliant man, but the MSM will create baggage even if there wasn't any.
He was attacked for hypocrisy (he had always been very anti-Soviet).
"If Hitler invaded Hell last night, I should at least make a favourable reference to the Devil on the floor of this House" was his reply.
Turbulent times are ahead. The plan to put Hillary into the White House is already far advanced.
Gingrich/Giuliani.
By any means necessary.
However... I think we need a "both barrels blazin'" President to squish these spineless liberals into the trash can where they belong.
Newt's my choice, and to hell with the rest!
This shows the utter ego of politicians. What on earth makes Newt think he can win? Huh?
It was smart of Newt to keep quiet. The media was making Clinton's sexual harrassment case out to be an adultary trial. It was NOT adultery it was Sexual Harrassment. If Newt Spoke up the media would be sure to stone him.
Put DeLay on the ticket as VP. If nothing else, it would be fun to watch the RATS freak out...
That is just a start. If he wants a political career return to the House or run for the Senate.
Conservative do not want to hear Newt's resurrection song. I wish he'd STHU. I do not like to see conservatives manipulated.
Newt is engaging in rank political mauipulation by using the ol' "Abbot and Costello good cop, bad cop" routines.
Newt's financial backers are coaching him, they know that all-important conservatives can be energized via certain issues.
Soon Newt will be throwing out political positions ---the ones Newt's financial backers want placed on the table.
Co-opting GWB, and US policy-making, is the name of Newt's game.
Amazingly, Newt, and his backers, think Americans just fell off a turnip truck and can't see through this game.
I would not trust Gingrich as far as I could throw him.
Newt let us down before, but he won't get the chance to do it again.
He should STHU and go back to GOPAC, teaching, and his third wife (or maybe he's working on his fourth).
In my view Newt was wrong to stay silent, because the President was guilty of perjury and obstruction. Ken Starr was taking a savage beating in the media, day after day, while the Republicans did absolutely nothing to defend him. The result was that the American public rejected the idea of final conviction of the President.
Had Newt done what he should have done, Clinton might have been convicted and justice would have been done.
Newt called FDR the greatest president of the 20th Century. Why?
Don't apologize, you are right. He slammed the newly RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT Bush & acts like a love sick puppy over her royal heinous. It's disgusting. No Newt for me!
I agree...but not with newt!
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