Robert Novak: Will Newt Run? (Gingrich Waiting to See How Fred Thompson Does)

Human Events Magazine ^ | 6/30/07

[stm]

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.

[Clara Lou]

Newt is a no-go, regardless of the quality of POTUS he would be.

[flashbunny]

Newt’s hillary partnership and his global warming talk disqualifies him, among other things.

[SteveMcKing]

The school’s smartest nerd thinks he has a chance with a cheerleader- which only proves that he isn’t so bright after all.

[Clara Lou]

Oh, yeah. You’re the one who posted this morning that ridiculous, many-times posted article about Romney and his diarrheac dog.

[P-40]

his global warming talk

Ironically though....that could get him a lot of support.

[Tanniker Smith]

If Fred's in, there will be no need or demand for Newt.

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.

[SirJohnBarleycorn]

If Thompson runs a vigorous and effective campaign, Gingrich says privately, he probably will not get in the race himself. ... That implies that the others in the field look to Gingrich like losers in the general election.

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.

[The Pack Knight]

Fred ping.

[Racer1]

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.

[The Pack Knight]

Newt ping.

[GOPJ]

I'd like to see Newt and Thompson sitting at a table on FOX - talking over the issues.

No poll takers, "writers", handlers, or moderators allowed. 30 minute throwdown.

The GOP needs to be more careful this time... much more.

[The Pack Knight]

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."

Nothing like advocating collective responsibility for individual health to make one a "conservative".

[TheLawyerFormerlyKnownAsAl]

Novak’s down to writing gossip columns? Who hosted whose birtday party is what I needed to know, that’s a fact.

[loreldan]

I’ll take the 1994 Newt, but no thank you to the 2007 Newt.

[Mr. K]

Thompson/Gingrich- if only for the dramatic increase in the level of intelligence at the debates...

[Atlas Sneezed]

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.

---

That differs in tone from what was written elsewhere about Fred’s reaction to the FairTaxers:

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.

[Atlas Sneezed]

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.

---

Um, Fred isn’t presently in the Senate. He opposed the Shamnesty bill.

[jageorge72]

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.