Posted on 10/16/2009 9:01:43 AM PDT by Josh Painter
Conservatives have been a little concerned behind the scenes about 2012. There are many stars on the right wanting to run, but many of them were going to be overshadowed by Newt Gingrich.
He has, deservedly or not, taken the mantle of conservative thinker and run with it. Today though, Gingrich decided to give up the mantle of conservative thinker and pick up the mantle of political opportunist.
Those of us who already had a sick feeling as we thought about his personal baggage being trotted out by the left no longer have to worry.
Today Newt Gingrich endorses Dede Scozzafava in NY-23. This follows his 2008 endorsement of very liberal Wayne Gilchrest in MD-01, who went on to lose his Republican Primary and then endorsed the Democrat in the race.
Make no mistake about it: Gingrich no longer wants to nor can he be seen as a conservative. He is a political opportunist. But, as Bill Kristol notes this morning, “The GOP establishment complicates the Republican and conservative comeback strategy.” Newt Gingrich wants to be part of that complication.
Now, some might rightly say that perhaps Gingrich did not know. He sees the GOP leadership lining up behind Dede and he felt obligated. That could not be further from the truth.
In fact, for the past several weeks there has been an aggressive effort among conservatives to keep Newt on the sidelines. He, instead, decided to pee on the movement.
Newt endorsing Scozzafava aligns him with Markos Moulitsas who declared Dede the most liberal candidate in the race.
That aligns Newt with ACORN, which has twice endorsed Dede.
That aligns Newt with Planned Parenthood and NARAL, active supporters of Dede.
That aligns Newt with the SEIU, the AFL-CIO, and other left wing interest groups including the gay marriage lobby...
(Excerpt) Read more at redstate.com ...
He’s doing an education thing with Al Sharpton now. Yeah, that’s really conservative.
Simply another corrupt Republican politician...we’re better off without him.
..he has chosen—wisely
Newt has been sipping Potomac poison for some time now, and once it starts twisting the brain, there is no going back. It’s the drink deludes the brain into thinking government is god, the answer to everything, and it is the brew swirling around in the heads of the Republican establishment that Newt belongs to. Too bad to, 2010 and 2012 are going to be great years for conservatism, and Newt could have been a welcome contributer. We will need the Republican establishment, but pushed into the background, where the damage can be minimized.
John Bolton would be my first choice. Reason - he has the testicular fortitude to stand up for America, he’s a brilliant diplomat, and I believe he’s honest.
Hannity is well past his "Use by" date also. He gives entirely too much face time to RINOs.
This is old politics where “parties” were just for elections and afterwards between elections you could be buddy buddy and compromise ALL values.
Values mean nothing.
Principles mean nothing...
at least until re-election time.
Newt would enodrse Mao Tse Tung if he ahd an R after his name. And some people here would follow him. Can’t have those Democrats, after all.
I do not believe Scozzafava’s promise that she’ll vote for Boehner for Speaker either.
Like we cared.
1. there are a surprising number of conservatives who do not keep up with events, and they tend to think in terms of a Newt that hasn't existed in a decade (and may never have actually existed at all).
2. the GOP hierarchy has made sure that the Republican party - and thereby a big chunk of the conservative vote - is kept so bereft of inspiring figures that Newt continually seems almost viable.
3. the media know how to play the game, and Newt is a reliable member of the team.
Newt is still occasionally correct, but so is my cat; neither are qualified to be President.
Gingrich wouldn’t get as many Electoral Votes as Dole got.
The left and MSM would be thrilled for him to be the GOP nominee. It would guarantee Obama (or his replacement, if he really screws up) a win.
Keep an eye on Newt.
“When Savage isn’t talking about himself...”
That’s the problem with that guy. Everything seems to revolve around him. That constant whining about the Brits has grown old. And now he’s written a book about it. One cannot help but come away with the feeling that he just wants to capitalize monetarily on what is truly a minor irritant. An insult to be sure, but still minor.
If he had close relatives in Britain that he wants to see, well, that’s a different matter. Otherwise it’s just a lot of exhaled air.
they’ve got his FBI files and tapes of who knows what. He’s smart, makes his money and moves along. He’s like Gergen now.
Make no mistake about it: Gingrich no longer wants to nor can he be seen as a conservative.
***He drank too much Kool Aid when he was in DC. Next thing we’ll hear is that he teams up with Dick Morris in a political consulting gig.
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