Posted on 11/16/2011 7:33:03 PM PST by presidio9
For months, Newt Gingrich has had a front-row seat from which to observe what happens when a Republican presidential candidate emerges from the pack to be touted as the next great insurgent hope and the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney.
“This is actually the point where other people have faltered,” Gingrich said in an interview Wednesday.
The former House speaker is rising in the polls. But whether he will become an actual threat to Romney, or just another fleeting phenom, will depend largely on two things: Gingrich’s ability to keep in check the impulses that have been his undoing in the past, and how well he deals with the criticism and scrutiny that go with being a real contender.
“Newt has to remain uncommonly disciplined — totally focused, no hissy fits — and continue to be the adult that he has been during the election season so far,” said Ken Duberstein, a former chief of staff in the Reagan White House and a friend of Gingrich’s for more than three decades.
Many of those who know Gingrich are doubtful he will be able to do that. “The worst in Newt comes out when he is doing well,” said a Republican former House colleague, who spoke on the condition of anonymity so he could be frank.
Gingrich allowed that self-control has not exactly been his strong suit in the past.
“That’s true,” said the man who once accused President Obama of having a “Kenyan, anti-colonial” worldview. “Hopefully, I’m going to be more disciplined.”
But he insisted: “I’m much more relaxed and more mature than I was 12 years ago. I have had 12 years to rest and to think and to run small businesses.”
One thing he will not do, Gingrich said, is go on the attack against Romney.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Right. Newt did some great things and then some really, really dumb things. He suffers from hubris and greed, but pretends not to.
Heck, one pro-Newt poster told me the other day that anything he said or did before 2009 is "irrelevant" and it it's all OK now because he's changed his positions, which is perfectly all right since all politicians do it. Seriously.
So much for the sacred process of vetting our candidates.
9 posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 2:56:09 PM by Jim Robinson (Rebellion is brewing!! Impeach the corrupt Marxist bastard!!)
I was referring to Perry, of course, and thought he was your candidate. If he’s not, I apologize.
As we've discussed, the field is rather limited. My first option is a new candidate chosen by convention. Realistically ... ... ... ... ... ... ... I guess Cain.
If that were the case I would go out and campaign for Mitt. In spite of everything.
There are reasons Gingrich is polling higher, why Cain has dropped and why Perry is done. A convention won't change those facts. Nor will it magically mean Sarah Palin wins a convention.
No. Because I could easily pick out 10 well known candidates I would prefer to the field we have. And if one of those candidates were in the race they would walk away with it.
I don't need a perfect conservative (though it would be nice to come close for once). A competent, honest, right-of-center type like Mitch Daniels would do fine. Like the character Mitt plays on TV.
Disagree entirely. Gingrich is the most conservative candidate in the field with national level experience and the ability to walk into the oval office TODAY!
As for his “history,” he’s asked for forgiveness, publicly, and the American people are forgiving. And that is showing in the polls. And why? Because at this particular time in our history when every American knows this country is in serious trouble the citizenry is craving leadership. And Newt is a leader. In addition, we want to hear what the plan is to get us out of this mess so we can determine whether we believe in it and we need a leader who can explain it in a way we can all understand. Is Cain doing that? No. Is Cain acting like a leader right now? No. Is he acting like a rookie doing the best he can to keep his head above water? Yes. Is he a great communicator like Newt? No. Does Cain have a sense of history? If he does he’s certainly not using it to his advantage like Gingrich is. Does Cain understand judicial supremacy, when it began and why it began? No. Has Cain challenged any debate moderators who’s goal is to incite infighting between our candidates? No. And there’s a good reason for it. He doesn’t have the experience, savvy or aggressiveness to pull it off. Gingrich does. Does Cain have any sense of foreign policy? No. Does Cain have a political network in place should he win the presidency? No.
So what does Herman Cain bring to the table? He brings a charismatic personality, a conservative POV, a couple of degrees and some success in the business world. Does that qualify him to run for president? Yes. Does that make him the best choice in this field? No.
You bring up Newt’s age. How old is Cain? Do you even know? All the people leaving Cain are going to Gingrich. Do you know why? All the people who’ve left Perry are going to Gingrich. Do you know why?
I hear Dennis Miller just pulled his support from Cain. I read that, I cannot confirm it. If true, not good. Not because Dennis Miller is anyone special but because he has national visibility. Has Cain received any congressional backing to date? Has Gingrich? Has Cain received any high level Tea Party backing to date? Has Gingrich?
You say Newt had his chance and blew it big time. Really? When? Certainly not currently. His rise is being timed and will peak at the right time. I don’t recall Newt running for president before so what are you talking about???
Summing up, Cain is one-dimensional compared to Gingrich. Cain may be “qualified” to be president but he is NOT qualified to fundamentally change the direction of this country. Gingrich is. He’s proving it. He’s verbalizing it and we understand what he’s saying. And we agree with what he’s saying. And that’s why Newt’s numbers are rising and Cain’s aren’t.
You have much to learn...
Let me refer you to #44
IL1949 posts - “”Cain may be “qualified” to be president but he is NOT qualified to fundamentally change the direction of this country. Gingrich is. He’s proving it. He’s verbalizing it and we understand what he’s saying.””
Can you explain how what Newt says today jives with what he said in 2010, when he was backing Dede Scozzafava over Hoffman, the Tea Party candidate?
I can. Newt is a POLITICIAN. Newt says what he needs to say to get elected.
Will he be able to sell his latest conversion? So far it sure seems to be working. Especially with the all the help from the StateRunMedia, his Establishment Republican friends and that “forgiving” electorate with selective amnesia.
There is no doubt that Newt is very quick witted, exceptionally well spoken, (good Lord, I would hope so - after all that is what he has done to pay the bills his entire adult life!), and it is my sincere hope that he will agree to put his considerable knowledge and intellect to good use working in the next Conservative administration, but President? No.
No more professional politicians please. They made this mess, and I am not buying that NOW they are just the guys to fix it.
And the election of Herman Cain would indeed fundamentally change the nature of politics in this country, just by accomplishing it. The change would be where it matters the most, sending the message to everyone that the eyes of the American people were finally open.
May God guide our course.
Tatt
Of course we have to vet the guy, but, what are we going to be left with?
Romney, that’s who. He’s a RINO, but he’s such a finger in the wind guy that he hasn’t done anything controversial enough to make a news headline.
I’d still take Newt over Romney, no question.
This is true.
However, most of Newt’s good things were legislative successes in Congress, where his dumb things were just books or media appearances.
So, when it comes to governing, he’s more conservative than most.
Oh, come on. The only people who handed Clinton a second term were Dole (by proxy) and the RNC.
Was he supposed to beg Clinton NOT to go along with welfare reform and the balanced budget?
When Newt is attacked first, that is when he rips the attacker a new orifice from which to stuff their duly rendered political waste material for personal storage.
Romney knows better than to even try such a thing. He not only greatly respects Newt, he is smart enough to know that he would immediately lose the first battle.
All eyes are on this brilliant and changed man, Newt Gingrich. And America is ready to vote for substance over past rhetoric or image.
Speaking of Newt's past. The Many Egregious Flip-flops of Newt Gingrich .
Yes, Newton is all talk and no action. But anybody can fool Republican primary voters. But they like to “take turns”; so Newt might get nominated in 2016.
He apologized for the bout on the couch with Pelosi and admits that his main interest is to represent Conservative principles above all else. I can believe that his sincerity is real. He has been proving it daily. And I can forgive him for his past.
Obviously, you cannot. And for someone who has such a smear log against Newt, how is it that you have only been a forum member for mere month or so? You must be a retread.
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