Posted on 04/03/2009 6:40:17 PM PDT by John Leland 1789
Gingrich Warns of Conservative 3rd Party in 2012
Friday, April 3, 2009 8:53 AM
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich warns that conservatives could leave the GOP and form a third party in 2012 if Republicans dont do more to rein in government spending.
If the Republicans cant break out of being the right wing party of big government, then I think you would see a third party movement in 2012, Gingrich said during an address to students at the College of the Ozarks in Missouri.
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/gingrich_third_party/2009/04/03/199346.html?s=al&promo_code=7D64-1
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
Regards . . . Penny
I can name many Republicans that would not be trying to socialize medicine, create cap and trade, replace CEOs at private companies and concede to world leaders that the U.S. is nothing more than one of twenty countries in this world crisis together.
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:
Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.
Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment
Obama: If they make a mistake, I dont want them punished with a baby.
The way for a third party to both succeed, and *not* act as a spoiler to the Republican party is very plain:
1) DO NOT run a presidential candidate. They almost cant win. They consume all your resources. They provide a target for unfair criticism.
2) Put all emphasis on defeating weak Democrat congressmen in soft seats, where the Republican candidate is either weak or a RINO. This also forces the Democrats to commit more resources by increasing the number of their at risk seats.
3) Create a Contract With America 2. And how this is done is crucial.
To start with, the third party must develop a simple, straightforward platform of objectives, in a bullet format. Say, 30 things that everyone in the party wants.
Then, poll the public about that list, and select *their* top 10 favorite items, out of the 30, that both you and they support.
This list of 10 things is your platform. This is done to Keep Things Simple and Clear for the Public. And importantly, they may not entirely agree with your message, but the public truly admires clarity and honesty. This gets you a LOT of votes.
No double speak. No voting against something before you vote for it. No being mealy mouthed.
And ALL candidates for the third party agree in writing for this platform of 10 items, or they DO NOT RUN as candidates from your party.
The realistic objective here is to win a small number of seats each election, until the third party becomes a swing vote. This gives it far more power than its size, and gets its agenda items passed with the sponsorship of the big parties.
A third party needs to get city council seats, county commission districts, sheriff offices, state rep and senate districts, and “soft” U.S. Congressional seats.
Salient point.
In addition, there is an itch in the GOP to scrap the pro-life plank, when what they should be doing is removing the rape and incest exception.
The GOP was lost to conservatives for much longer time than 2008.
Yes, and he went right into the toilet after that one.
Sure did. Hey! I can't find my Newt and Nancy on the couch pic. Oh, well...
Leave? The GOP/RNC constantly does its level best to let me know that they don't want me.
To update RR's famous remark: "I haven't left the Republican party, it has left me."
Good for you and thank you for your commitment and work.
That may be the case; but Repubs are not under a ‘small tent’ here. That said. . .and I truly believe; a ‘third Party’ can only mean the ‘end of ANYthing Republican - making a difference.
You can certainly take umbrage; you can disagree; and forge you 'own' here. Dropping those who have served 'well' our Republican interests because you 'part on the path' is a waste.
Surely not everyone agrees with Rush; but he is always worth listening to. Most people do not agree l00% with their friends, teachers. . .their 'Church'; but we do not simply move away; well,ok. . .people 'shop Church's' but not friends, for the most part(!). . .
I have heard Newt say things that I recoiled upon hearing. But I still listen to him and am still learning a great deal from him as well and like Rush; remain in awe at his politcal and moral scope.
I’m willing to join a bonafide conservative party but do not want Gingrich in it. He bobs and weaves, politically, way too much. I would not call him a bonafide conservative.
What does the GOP need to do to keep conservatives?
I have a few starter ideas:
(1) Close the party primaries to outsiders.
(2) Change the order of the state primaries. Move the Southern states to the front of the list. Screw Iowa’s first-in-line attitude.
(3) Come up with some freakin serious opposition to the communists in DC. Propose true cuts, not reductions in spending. Propose closing a bunch of Washington bureaucracies.
I'm with you. I've begun looking a little more into things I used to not really pay attention to!
Like Ron Paul (I don't support our War On Drugs, neither does he), the Constitution Party, the Libertarian Party.
I'm participating in local Tea Party's and helping out with one, tho I'm not so sure how that's going cause we (organizers one 1 party and I) don't see eye to eye on exactly what a conservative LOOKS like (there is more to being a conservative than being an arrogant, white snob... I don't care if you go to church 7 days a week, IMHO).
I was a FredHead during the campaign and I supported McCain as the lesser of two evils. I'm done with all that. I went to a went to a Glenn Beck viewing party, I've logged onto Project 9/12. This morning I find myself questioning if participating in the Tea Parties is even worth the effort!
If someone asked me today if I am a Dem or a Rep I probably say, I'm just a FReeper.
Everytime I hear "Big Tent", I think of the circus. Oh, wait, that's "Big Top".
Whatever...
If I am reading your post correctly, I think that you are correct in saying that (at this point in time) third parties only siphon votes away from the Pubbies, thereby handing the election to the Dims.
I've come to the unhappy conclusion that (at this juncture in history) a Conservative (whatever that means) can't be elected nationally. Just ask President Quayle.
Newt is an old washed up has been and he will come up with a thousand new ideals next week. None of which will fly.
I've come to the unhappy conclusion that (at this juncture in history) a Conservative (whatever that means) can't be elected nationally. Just ask President Quayle.
'President Quayle'. . .lol - save it wasn't(!); and yes, think a third Party is as useful as a third wheel. . .when only 'two' are needed.
Well, I will not ‘disabuse you’ of your opinion here/lol. . .you clearly, feel VERY strongly about NOT appreciating Newt - no matter what page he may be on. . .You are surely not alone in your assessment; although I strongly disagree!
You have a very valid point. But it sure is hard to find people to run for office that have a working knowledge of our Constitution.
That’s the MOST disturbing part to me. :(
You’re welcome. I can’t WAIT to vote on April 7th! I’m nearly giddy with happiness over what I’m thinking will happen in my state. Wa-Hoo!
And it doesn’t hurt that most people got their mortgage payment adjustment paperwork from their banks this week showing increases in property taxes, school taxes, etc. within our County. :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.