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Newt Gingrich, on the rise, says, ‘Hopefully, I’m going to be more disciplined’
Washington Post ^ | Wednesday, November 16, 2011 | Karen Tumulty

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 ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: reevaluategingrich
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To: campaignPete R-CT

Remember how successful he was at “taking on” Clinton...


81 posted on 11/17/2011 9:11:23 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Rick Perry has more red flags than a May Day Parade)
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To: campaignPete R-CT

after FLA, it is NV ME MN CO
all 4 are caucus states that are gamed to favor MITT.
And geographically, 3 of the 4 are next to MA or UT.


82 posted on 11/17/2011 9:17:52 PM PST by campaignPete R-CT (I will go back to New Hampshire to campaign.)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

yea, there has to be an alternative scenario that somebody can dream up.

1. Mitt gets beat by Newt in NH and also loses FLA. Somehow if Mitt can get knocked out.
2. Then the race is opened up for grassroots conservative vs. Newt. It could be somebody new at that point, if there is chaos similar to ‘96 when Dole was floundering after NH.

The existance of Mitt puts the emphasis among many gopers .... to build an anti-Mitt coalition, rather than a conservative coalition.


83 posted on 11/17/2011 9:22:41 PM PST by campaignPete R-CT (I will go back to New Hampshire to campaign.)
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To: campaignPete R-CT

Well, I’m stickin’ with Cain.


84 posted on 11/17/2011 9:25:16 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Rick Perry has more red flags than a May Day Parade)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

not enough people are phoning for him in Iowa. It is so much easier today to call from out of state ... Cain needed to get that done ... a few hundred people could have swung it for him.


85 posted on 11/17/2011 9:29:00 PM PST by campaignPete R-CT (I will go back to New Hampshire to campaign.)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP

Yup backing an individual mandate and shilling for “climate change” with Pelosi=SMART. Uh huh.


86 posted on 11/17/2011 9:44:24 PM PST by Impy (Don't call me red.)
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To: Crichton; BillyBoy; fieldmarshaldj; Dengar01; sickoflibs

I wonder who is better the fantasy version of Perry or the fantasy version of Gingrich? Too bad neither is real cause they both have Mount Rushmore written all over them. ;p

Newk Pingry.


87 posted on 11/17/2011 9:54:15 PM PST by Impy (Don't call me red.)
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To: Impy; BillyBoy

are you fightin illinis going to work on Davenport for Herman?


88 posted on 11/17/2011 10:09:59 PM PST by campaignPete R-CT (I will go back to New Hampshire to campaign.)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

another thing. Without a Reagan in the race, this self-government thing is a real bummer.


89 posted on 11/17/2011 10:10:49 PM PST by campaignPete R-CT (I will go back to New Hampshire to campaign.)
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To: Impy
>> I wonder who is better the fantasy version of Perry or the fantasy version of Gingrich?" <<

Hmmm...

FANTASY PERRY:

REAL WORLD PERRY:

FANTASY NEWT:

REAL WORLD NEWT:

Nah, my favorite freeper delusion is still this...

FANTASY NICK SARKOZY:

REAL WORLD NICK SARKOZY:

90 posted on 11/17/2011 10:19:17 PM PST by BillyBoy (Rick Perry, the governor with a heart... for illegal aliens.)
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To: BillyBoy; Impy; fieldmarshaldj
Ohhh, and of course...

DEBATE MODE Newt :

vs.

DEBATE MODE Perry:


91 posted on 11/17/2011 10:33:06 PM PST by BillyBoy (Rick Perry, the governor with a heart... for illegal aliens.)
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To: IL1949

Well - aside from my belief that one of the best things about the “Tea Party” is the resolute determination of most of us, to not suffer leadership that feels the need to make pronouncements for “all” of us ; ) but - Judson Phillips?!

**Memo to Campaign Staff - Not all endorsements are beneficial to the candidate.

As for our motley crew - I think the only candidate that no one has even discussed considering is ol’ Mitt, lol.

FWIW - in the joyous tumult following the 2010 tsunami, one of ours stood and spoke. Reminding us that our newest and most dangerous adversary, would clearly come from within the Republican party, and now, after watching the StateRunMedia, and the EstablishmentRepubs working to direct the process these last few weeks, there has been a renewed determination to think outside the box.

We shall see.

May God guide our course.
Tatt


92 posted on 11/18/2011 5:10:28 AM PST by thesearethetimes... ("Courage, is fear that has said its prayers." DorothyBernard)
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To: BillyBoy
Newt gets his @$$ handed to him on a silver platter by Clinton when we put him in charge of the legislative branch

Really? Please explain.

Could it be that a lot of Newt's legendary "negatives" are based on the lies opponents tell about him?

93 posted on 11/21/2011 4:24:29 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: BillyBoy
And speaking as a lifelong Catholic, I don't buy Newt's "Catholic epiphany" for one second. Newt found religion simply because his third wife is a Catholic and it was to his political advantage to become Catholic, not because of any deep spiritual awakening.

Ironically, this very statement disqualifies you from Communion with the Catholic faith. Time for confession Billy.

94 posted on 11/21/2011 4:28:07 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: RockinRight
" If it boils down to Newt vs Romney, there’s no question. Go Newt!!!" posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 10:58:10 PM by Jim Robinson

I no longer engage the person who posted to you. However, I'd like to point out a few things: (a) The majority of people supporting Gingrich now preferred some other candidate but will support him if it means we don't get stuck with Romney. (b) This obviously includes Jim Robinson. (c) This post directly contradicts what this person is trying to say. (d) This person's post was a direct copy of an earlier post by me. Unfortunately, the time stamp on mine was later, meaning that Jim was clarifying that he disagrees with the poster. (e) Jim seems like a good guy, and we thank him for this website, but who really cares which candidate he prefers anyway. The point is that he agrees: If it comes down to Gingrich vs. Romney (and it will) he's voting for Gingrich. You poster has stated that he will be rooting for an Obama victory and writing in Palin.

95 posted on 11/21/2011 4:41:13 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: IL1949
I hear Dennis Miller just pulled his support from Cain. I read that, I cannot confirm it

Correct. He likes Gingrich now.

96 posted on 11/21/2011 4:42:43 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: fieldmarshaldj
Actually, JimRob is on record saying “If it comes down to Gingrich Vs. Romney, no question... Go NEWT!!!” That's basically the same point most of us are making here. Just thought you ought to know, before you continue misrepresenting Jim's opinions based on the ramblings of an idiot.
97 posted on 11/21/2011 4:46:17 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: presidio9; fieldmarshaldj; Impy; South40
>> Newt gets his @$$ handed to him on a silver platter by Clinton when we put him in charge of the legislative branch Really? Please explain. <<

What's to explain? Were you in a coma from 1995-1998 and missed every single time Clinton got the upper hand against the GOP Congress and gloated about it? Newt had an enormous, unprecedented opportunity to change the direction of America and make Clinton a 1-term president and he screwed it up. In Jan. 1995, all eyes were on Newt and his "leadership" as the new Speaker of the House, to see how he'd implement the Contract with America. Newt's first speech as speaker was given the kind of reverence normally reserved for presidential State of the Union addresses and Newt was facing a humbled, meek Clinton with his tail between his legs after his first two years in office had resulted in the first Republican-controlled House in 40 years. Newt was in the driver's seat.

By late 1996, Newt had totally blow it and Clinton was "the comeback kid" again. Newt was totally clueless when the media used him as a punching bag and personalized him as the face of the GOP. Newt lost the PR battle and it was forever blamed on "the Republicans" for the government shutdown even though Slick Willie caused it (bet he had a good laugh over that one). Even after Bubba was caught red-headed, lying about sleazy relationship with an intern half his age and covering it up, Republicans LOST five seats. Of course Newt's "leadership" was tied up because he was having his own extra-material affair at the time when the environment was terrible for Democrats.

It speaks volumes that the man responsible for "the Republican revolution" only lasted 3 years in power whereas a mediocre nobody like Dennis Hastert was plucked from obscurity and lasted almost a decade in the same job. Newt is a terrible leader. Period. If you've forgotten the 90s, I suggest reading Tell Newt to Shut Up! How Reality Gagged the Gingrich Revolution and refresh your memory.

>> Could it be that a lot of Newt's legendary "negatives" are based on the lies opponents tell about him? <<

No more than talks about Arnold Schwarzenegger's big government socialist values and sleazy immoral life were "lies" when the Arnoldbots denounced them and told us to get on the Arnold bandwagon in 2003. Some of us just play closer attention to these guys careers and know these guys are shoveling BS when we see it. I'm against Newt precisely BECAUSE I remember exactly what kind of "leader" he was for the GOP.

>> Ironically, this very statement disqualifies you from Communion with the Catholic faith. Time for confession Billy. <<

Really? Now you're an expert on Catholicism too? Perhaps you'd like to show me where I'm required to believe Newt is a changed man because he says so. Perhaps you are confusing me with Newt's pastor.

98 posted on 11/21/2011 5:18:35 PM PST by BillyBoy (Rick Perry, the governor with a heart... for illegal aliens.)
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To: BillyBoy
You either don't know your history, or are delibrately misrepresenting the facts to make your point. The former is obviously true as well, but I will go with the latter, because it underscores your real intention: To discredit the man by any means necessary. The obvious question here is "who is your pure unbeatable Conservative candidate?" You must have one, otherwise you wouldn't waste so much time trying to tear Gingrich down. So who is it?

Here are the facts about Gingrich's history as speaker: The Contract with America gave Republican House candidates a platform to run on by promising to bring specific bills to the floor within the first 100 days. Not only did it follow through on that promise, it ushered in the first Republican majority since 1953. Either were passed, including one that was vetoed by Clinton and overridden. Two were Constitutional amendments, and would have required a 2/3 majority.

Gingrich only lasted 3 years in power, because liberal were successful in their all-out war against him, and he was seen as a distraction, not because he did not accomplish exactly what he promised.

Really? Now you're an expert on Catholicism too? Perhaps you'd like to show me where I'm required to believe Newt is a changed man because he says so. Perhaps you are confusing me with Newt's pastor.

I am not an expert on Catholicism, but, as a sinner myself, the story of the prodigal son and John 8:7 are two of my favorites. Perhaps the Jesuits ruined me over the course of the 12 years they had me. This much I know: A Catholic who confesses his sins and performs an act of penance is granted full forgiveness by our Lord Jesus Christ. Fellow Catholics are compelled to respect this Sacrament. Now, it is fine for you to state as your personal opinion that Gingrich may not have been sincere in his confession, as that right is guaranteed to you by our 1st Amendment. It is not, however, permitted within the Roman Catholic faith for you to express that opinion "Speaking as a Catholic." If you are having a problem with that point, you need to speak to a priest about it.

99 posted on 11/21/2011 5:53:25 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: presidio9; BillyBoy; fieldmarshaldj
Could it be that a lot of Newt's legendary "negatives" are based on the lies opponents tell about him?

Huh? I was under the impression that the failure against Clinton, the cheating and divorces, the endorsement of Dede Scuzzofava, and the 'past' support for individual mandate and "climate change" were matters of historical fact.

100 posted on 11/22/2011 12:06:58 AM PST by Impy (Don't call me red.)
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