VS
Posted on 11/08/2008 3:09:11 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
In serious conversations among Republicans since their election debacle Tuesday, what name is mentioned most often as the Moses, or Reagan, who could lead them out of the wilderness before 40 years?
To the consternation of many Republicans, it is none other than Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House.
Gingrich is far from a unanimous or even a consensus choice to run for president in 2012, but there is a strong feeling in Republican ranks that he is the only leader of their party who has shown the skill and energy to attempt a comeback quickly.
Even one of his strongest supporters for president in 2012 admits it is a "very risky choice." But Republicans are in a desperate mood after the fiasco of John McCain's seemingly safe candidacy.
Republicans appear chastened by the failure of seeking moderate, independent and even Democratic votes. They are ready to try going back to the "old-time religion."
One Republican critic of Gingrich concedes that he has an "unlimited" energy flow and a constant stream of ideas, an important commodity in a party that appears to have run short of ideas during the Bush years. But there is widespread concern about what is described in the party as deep "character flaws" of Gingrich's that would be difficult to overcome in a presidential campaign.
Nobody in Republican ranks, however, matches Gingrich's dynamism.
The consternation among Republicans is concentrated on McCain's failure to capitalize on Democratic flaws.
It would be a rocky road for Gingrich to the nomination, much less the presidency, but there are no other serious candidates inside the party at the moment.
What's clear is that Republicans are unanimous in trying to avoid a repeat of what happened this year, and there is a surprising consensus that McCain was going in the wrong direction and was the wrong candidate.
What one GOP critic calls Gingrich's "unlimited energy supply" must be overcome by anyone opposing him. Several old Republican hands feel that Gingrich in 2012 is no more outrageous than Ronald Reagan was in 1980.
What is certain is that Gingrich has the desire and the will. He has a deep-seated ambition. He had not even settled into the House speaker's chair in 1995 when he confessed to me his presidential desires for 1996. That was not to be, but he never abandoned the personal dream and is ready to pursue it now.
no way. Newt goes wobbly at times & is not electable.
Palin. end of story.
RINO’s, beltway pundits and insiders can pound sand.
I would like to see Newt head up the RNC. That guy would kick butt and take names, shape policy direction, coordinate messaging, recruit the right young and up-and-coming candidates, counter-punch Democrats and set the course for a new, more progressive Republican party that is more inclusive while maintaining its conservative principles.
Progressive, in that I do not mean that it is not based on conservative principles of lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government. But progressive in finding the right wedge issues and position them in a way that allows us to broaden out party tent. Without hispanics, women and youth, the Republicans are not going anywhere.
The entire North East, Rocky Mountain states, The West and the southern border states of NC, Virginia, Indiana as well as Florida and Georgia are all changing stripes... Man, I could go on.... but too much to write for all the things that need to get done before 2012... Gingrich can pull it all together I think.
I support Palin and Jendal.
re Newt, the global warming issue is a non starter.
Those commercials also had Fundy Pat Robertson and Al Sharpton sitting together.
Newt is not an enviromental wackO. He supports drilling
offshore, etc.
He would be great as RNC Chair. If he were the nominee in 2012, that would be fine too.
Conservatives need to get real. If someone on one issue is
90& rather than 100% they are thrown overboard and we loose.
The all or nothing crowd need to grow up.
Look at the liberal Dems who supported Palin. They didn’t agree with the majority of her views but were tired of seeing women getting trashed.
Yes, very good observation. Newt has a very important role to play but not as a presidential candidate. Party chairman would be a good spot for him.
I agree. See my post #42. Though, I am not convinced that Jendal is all that electable. I like his principles. I know this sounds bad but I am not sure that he has the ‘appearance appeal’. Afterall, America just nominated an “American Idol President”. I had people tell me that they voted for Obama and liked him because he was ‘good looking and seemed like a cool guy’.
Ridiculous reason for sure but we are talking about a large part of the electorate that makes decisions with few facts, little knowledge as if they were electing an “American Idol’ text your candidate vote in..
I could be wrong. Just an observation.
I agree with you. He is also good at strategic planning.
Newt would be a great tutor for Palin and Jindal. He should start mentoring them and grooming them for POTUS and VP. He could then have his pick of positions, from Chief of Staff to any cabinet position or head of the RNC.
*America just nominated an “American Idol President”.*
You hit it. I talked to way too many people who voted for
the One. The majority had no idea about history, current affairs, just that, wow, this is cool.
Or, he is a democrat but they couldn’t tell what the parties stand for.
We tried your way. We got Obama. Back to a pure conservative, thanks.
I want newt’s head in palin’s body
Newt wimped out and supported the bailout.
if the house republicans actually listened to him instead of pushing for some bogus mortgage insurance scheme, we wouldn’t have had a bailout.
Jindal looks almost like Obama. unlike Obama, he has a 5 zillion IQ.
Doubt there’ll be an election in 4 years. Obama and the Rats may conjure up a fake state of emergency requiring he rule indefinitely.
I would actually like to see someone like Newt assist Palin in the grooming of Pres. She needs someone to come out and stand up for her in the coming months. Someone like Newt would be great for her.
I have to think Newt thinks highly of her given the social issues.
Ew, I suddenly got a yucky image.
GOP Chairman, yes. POTUS candidate, no.
Well that was one of his biggest ego-meltdowns of all time. He did a great job mobilizing for the "Contract With America" and achieving a majority in the House in 1994. So does he spend the next decade capitalizing on the opportunity and implementing the conservative agenda? No, he gets greedy and immediately thinks he should be POTUS. Had he kept his eye on the ball he was positioned (thanks to his own hard work and leadership) to do great things. Instead his career melted down.....
Given the skeletons in Newt's closet, I'm sure he'd agree.
shut up, that’s not what i meant.... :P
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