[xzins]

As an independent conservative, I cannot support Romney since he’s a liberal.

I believe Gingrich is a conservative, although he was diverted into some liberal song and dance with Nancy Pelosi recently. I think he’s still pro-life and pro-gun, and his video on God in America is good work. I believe he still has the marks of a conservative.

However, his personal history is disastrous for any presidential aspirations. Everyone makes mistakes, and his have been public, and they have every appearance of callousness. In the vicious climate of a presidential campaign, he would be buried.

Also, we must winnow out early those conservatives who simply won’t cut it. They must never enter the race in the first place. Otherwise, we’ll have the same “divide and conquer” scheme take place that killed the conservatives and left us with John McCain.

[Lakeshark]

We don't know who will run, but if Romney, Huck, Pawlenty and Sarah do, it would suprise me if the first three don't divide the moderate vote. It may work better for conservatives this time.

If DeMint runs as well, that would be the perfect scenario for Romney to sneak in like McCain did.

[wagglebee]

However, his personal history is disastrous for any presidential aspirations. Everyone makes mistakes, and his have been public, and they have every appearance of callousness. In the vicious climate of a presidential campaign, he would be buried.

I realized during the budget showdown in 1995 that's Newt's greatest strenth was as a "behind-the-scenes" organizer/strategizer. As a public leader he is horrible, he comes across as too abrasive and nothing gets done.

I think Newt is the GOP's Carville and that he is perfect in that role.