Posted on 06/30/2007 1:08:23 PM PDT by hardback
Newt Gingrich is telling Republican insiders that his decision in September whether to run for president in 2008 depends on the progress of Fred Thompson's imminent candidacy.
If Thompson runs a vigorous and effective campaign, Gingrich says privately, he probably will not get in the race himself. If Thompson proves a dud, however, the former House speaker will seriously consider making a run. That implies that the others in the field look to Gingrich like losers in the general election.
A footnote: Gingrich has weighed in more heavily on the immigration issue than any of the major Republican presidential hopefuls. He has bombarded Republican Senate offices with material attacking the immigration bill backed by President Bush, even sending proposed talking points to senators about to meet with the president.
TAXES AND THOMPSON
Dropping into what will be the key state of South Carolina for his prospective presidential campaign, Fred Thompson was ambushed Wednesday by advocates of the "Fair Tax" plan to repeal the federal income tax and replace it with a national sales tax.
The former senator addressed a Republican state fund-raising luncheon in the state capital of Columbia. He appeared surprised to see more people wearing "Fair Tax" stickers than "Thompson for President" badges. He did not seem prepared to answer questions about the sweeping tax reform.
South Carolina on Feb. 2 will be the second Republican presidential primary after New Hampshire (on Jan. 22), and polls show that its GOP voters are inclined to fellow Southerner Thompson. He would need a win there after a possible win in New Hampshire by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
HILLARY MOVING RIGHT?
Sen. Hillary Clinton recently conferred with conservative health care analyst Regina Herzlinger, who advocates universal health insurance provided by the private sector and who has sharply criticized the 1994 "Hillarycare" as Mrs. Clinton's "bid for a centrally controlled system."
Herzlinger, a Harvard Business School professor, was one of several health care experts heard by Clinton during a two-hour "listening" conference call. "I was thrilled that she was sympathetic and interested in what I said," Herzlinger told me.
Although Clinton currently is sponsoring a massive expansion of SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program), several conservatives speculate that she as president might take the same path to the right on health care that President Clinton did on public welfare.
PATRICK'S BILLIONAIRE
Billionaire financier Stephen Schwarzman was listed as one of the hosts of a 40th birthday party for Democratic Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy of Rhode Island Thursday night at the New York Yacht Club in Manhattan. An individual ticket cost $1,000, with $5,000 required to be a VIP.
Schwarzman, co-founder and CEO of the Blackstone Group, made newspaper front pages when it was reported he would earn $7.5 billion from the public offering of his private-equity firm. Other big money Democrats listed on the invitation included David Boies, Norman Hsu, Felix Rohatyn, Bernard Schwartz, Todd Slotkin and Kenneth I. Starr. The principal host was the congressman's father, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
The location of the party could be found only by phoning a Washington telephone number to R.S.V.P.
PARTY SWITCHER
John N. Kennedy, Louisiana's conservative Democratic state treasurer, is expected to change parties and run against Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu as a Republican at the urging of White House aide Karl Rove, despite harassment from the Democratic-controlled state legislature.
Kennedy long has considered changing parties, but wanted to wait until the current state legislative session ended. His switch was discussed on Mother's Day in a private lunch attended by Kennedy, Rove and David Vitter, Louisiana's Republican senator. When Vitter leaked Kennedy's intentions, the legislature began machinations to obstruct operations of the state treasurer's office.
A strong fiscal conservative, Kennedy is fighting maneuvers intended to chew up a state budget surplus, as a Republican, Rep. Bobby Jindal, is expected to be elected governor of Louisiana this year
Unfortunately Newt is a non starter. His past reputation, deserved or not, would prevent him from ever being a contender. The libs would have a field day with him.
Newt is a no-go, regardless of the quality of POTUS he would be.
Newt’s hillary partnership and his global warming talk disqualifies him, among other things.
The school’s smartest nerd thinks he has a chance with a cheerleader- which only proves that he isn’t so bright after all.
Oh, yeah. You’re the one who posted this morning that ridiculous, many-times posted article about Romney and his diarrheac dog.
If Fred has second thoughts, Newt would be a great addition to the debate, if only for the debate. Whether or not he could win is another matter entirely.
Whatever one may think of Newt, his political analysis that Thompson has the greatest potential of any of the candidates is correct IMO.
If Fred can prove scandal-free, energetic, and a good speaker, he will rise above the other Republican candidates. I say this as someone who support Duncan Hunter on the issues.
Fred ping.
Newt ping.
No poll takers, "writers", handlers, or moderators allowed. 30 minute throwdown.
The GOP needs to be more careful this time... much more.
Novak’s down to writing gossip columns? Who hosted whose birtday party is what I needed to know, that’s a fact.
I’ll take the 1994 Newt, but no thank you to the 2007 Newt.
Thompson/Gingrich- if only for the dramatic increase in the level of intelligence at the debates...
The former senator addressed a Republican state fund-raising luncheon in the state capital of Columbia. He appeared surprised to see more people wearing “Fair Tax” stickers than “Thompson for President” badges. He did not seem prepared to answer questions about the sweeping tax reform.
Freeper report:
“Amazingly, 140 out of the 300 attendees were FairTax supporters! As a result of this strong showing, the former senator noted several times how he was impressed with the FairTax and also let it be known that the FairTax is an issue he is considering as he prepares for a possible bid for the presidency.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1858362/posts?page=2#2
I recall another published report that indicated the same interest in considering the FairTax, but didn’t locate it quickly.
Quite frankly Thompson doesn’t really look that good to me either. At this point anyone that has been or still is a Senator, seems to possess a disconnect with the American people. Especially after this immigration deal.
I heard Thompson speak twice now, and although his positions do seem more conservative than anyone else (aside from Newt), his speaking style isn’t so good. I heard a lot of “umm... uhh....umm... well... uhhhh”
If you throw out “baggage” and “image” and just go on substance..... Thompson is good (from what I heard), but Newt is unbeatable. When he speaks.... he has a way of getting your attention, and his knowledge, solutions & proposals are inspiring. I can’t say that about anyone else, including Thompson at this point. I really hope Newt gets in.
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