Fantasy Candidate (Newt Gingrich)

Washington Times ^ | June 16, 2006 | R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr.

[Miss Marple]

I understand. However, you are not the sum total of the electorate. It is simply a fact that 90% of the time they go for the more likeable candidate, unless there is some colossal thing (Watergate, Viet Nam) to otherwise influence their decision.

That is why the press has been trying to portray this war as "just like Viet Nam." And that is why I don't think Hillary Clinton will win the democrat nomination.

[Gaffer]

I remember the old 'Big Chicken' and the "Burger Chef" on Roswell Street, when 41 was called the 4-lane (only one around).

[B Knotts]

You underestimate the role of social conservatives in the GOP primary process.

If the primaries were as you describe, McCain, not Bush, would have been nominated in 2000.

But, he wasn't, was he?

[B Knotts]

There is certainly something to likeability.

If you spot a likeable candidate, let me know. :-)

But seriously, likeability is important, but there are other factors that are also prerequisites to winning the nomination. Giuliani, Rice and McCain are lacking in those other factors.

Allen may prove successful, but he has no national name ID. On the other hand, neither did Clinton, two years prior to being elected. It's very early yet.

I'm pushing Newt right now mainly to get him out there, talking about core conservatism and fiscal restraint, so that at least, maybe some other candidates will pick up on such themes.

[Tribune7]

Gingrich is full of himself and out of touch. He's not going to be the candidate.

[Tribune7]

Tyrell is right: Gingrich is a boy, just as Clinton was a boy.

Sums it up.

[detch]

I'd like to know more about Newt divorcing his first wife -- WHILE SHE WAS TERMINALLY ILL WITH CANCER.

I do remember, when asked about it, he refused to discuss it in any way.

Does anybody have information about that divorce?

[Rex Anderson]

Posted Here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1649907/posts

[iowamark]

His first wife, Jackie, obviously did not have terminal cancer, as she is still alive today. Note how these stories become exaggerated.

What is more shocking to me is the fact that they began dating while she was his high school teacher and that they stayed married for 18 years.

[Reagan Man]

>>>> .... I'm glad someone else thinks a Conservative like "R." is borderline Non compos mentis with this article.

It would appear as though some FReepers agree with "R", and are also not of sound mind. LOL

[Torie]

Bush got the social conservatives, plus a lot of establishment Pubbies. He was tha annointed one. But McCain came close, and if he had been more disciplined, and less feckless, and had more depth, I think he would have prevailed. Even with all the noise in South Carolina, and same nasty false rumors going around. McCain got a healthy percentage of the vote in the SC primary, losing to Bush only 53% to 42%. Who could have imagined that?

In any event, there is no annoited candidate in the hopper this time, and I suspect the establishment will gravitate to either McCain or Guiliani over time. That is the critical difference.

[SDGOP]

You forget that the reason mccain put up such a 'strong' challenge was because democrats and indies were crossing over to stick it to bush. There was no contested primary for dems in 2000 so they were free to cross over and that is what put mccain over the top. Among republicans bush beat mccain 2 to 1.

In 2008 democrats will have a contested primary so they wont be able to cross over and vote for mccain.

[getitright]

Guliani, McCain, electable? I doubt it.

But the point is nearly moot. Neither are even remotely "nominatable." This I don't doubt.