Posted on 11/02/2009 5:58:36 AM PST by big black dog
Sign of the times. Newt Gingrich, himself long considered a leader of the GOP’s conservative wing, is now condemning conservative leaders for driving moderate GOPer Dede Scozzafava out of the race for NY-23, warning that if national conservatives keep bigfooting local races the GOP will continue to wander the wilderness around the country:
“This makes life more complicated from the standpoint of this: If we get into a cycle where every time one side loses, they run a third-party candidate, we’ll make Pelosi speaker for life and guarantee Obama’s re-election,” said Mr. Gingrich, who had endorsed Ms. Scozzafava…
“I think we are going to get into a very difficult environment around the country if suddenly conservative leaders decide they are going to anoint people without regard to local primaries and local choices.”
Gingrich had endorsed Scozzafava, so this was in some ways to be expected. But it’s interesting that someone once considered a spokesman for the fire-breathing right is now condemning conservative leaders for mounting ideological purges.
And right on cue, DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse sends over a statement using Scozzafava’s decision to drop from the race to elevate Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, who endorsed conservative Doug Hoffman, as the face of the harsh, uncompromising opposition:
What this says — emphatically — is that the true leaders of the Republican Party like Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and Tim Pawlenty have said to all moderates and independents — when it comes to being part of our party you need not apply. The only acceptable Republicans these days are those who subscribe to division, obstruction and a rigid far right wing ideology.
The NRCC and the House GOP leadership, meanwhile, put out a joint statement backing the conservative: “We look forward to welcoming Doug Hoffman into the House Republican Conference as we work together for the good of our nation.”
Your are SO over Newt.
She took 900,000 of GOP money, withdraws, and then throws support to her dem challenger.
Nice call Newt.
Newt has achieved irrelevancy. Congratulations.
Newt, Sarah Palin is the future. As the big black dude in Pulp Fiction said...”Step aside Butch”.......
This idiot is still defending Scozzafava and admonishing conservatives after she jumped to the Democraps?
Sorry Newt, but good riddance.
The folks in DC are so tin eared about what is going on on the ground in the country its scare, both parties are guilty of this ignorance. They are in for an unbelievable shock wave coming that they just are unable to see.
Newt can stop digging that hole any time now...
I simply don’t GET Newt’s position on this. ;-0
Mikey can't lead from behind. He needs to get off the mark and drop RINOs fast, and embrace the fact that the populace is (and has always been) right of center, identifying with conservatism more than moderate-ism or liberalism.
Conservatism needs to remain in the tent of the Republican Party, but the tent should not have much space reserved for RINOs - and campaign donation ($upport) needs to be diminished to those not toeing the line for minimal government, minimal taxes, strong national security, constitutional fundamentalism, and protection of personal liberties.
NO THIRD PARTY!
Newt! We voted for Republicans in '06 and '08! WE'RE THERE!
Civil wars are messy. But necessary
Well - you liberals ran McCain; now you run DeDe. Can you not SEE?
Newt weighs in between rest stops on his education tour with obama’s Chicago education secretary Arne Duncan, and next hitting the stops with that reknowned moderate Howard Dean to stump for medical reform.
So what say you Newt 2012 supporters? I am begining to wondering if he isn’t bucking to replace Joe Biden on the ‘DIMS’ 2012 ticket.
LOL!
While Gingrich is busy driving conservatives OUT of the Party.
This is part of the whole meme now, Republicans are too conservative and can’t “tolerate” moderates. Good ‘ol Newt, always working to sabotage the Republicans.
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.