Posted on 12/04/2011 1:55:03 AM PST by fightinJAG
It’s Iowa minus 32 days, and barring yet another resurrection (or event of similar improbability), it’s Mitt Romney vs. Newt Gingrich. In a match race, here’s the scorecard:
Romney has managed to weather the debates unscathed. However, the brittleness he showed when confronted with the kind of informed follow-up questions that Bret Baier tossed his way Tuesday on Fox’s “Special Report” — the kind of scrutiny one doesn’t get in multiplayer debates — suggests that Romney may become increasingly vulnerable as the field narrows.
Moreover, Romney has profited from the temporary rise and spontaneous combustion of Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry and Herman Cain. No exertion required on Romney’s part.
Enter Gingrich, the current vessel for anti-Romney forces — and likely the final one. Gingrich’s obvious weakness is a history of flip-flops, zigzags and mind changes even more extensive than Romney’s — on climate change, the health-care mandate, cap-and-trade, Libya, the Ryan Medicare plan, etc.
[snip]
You play the hand you’re dealt. This is a weak Republican field with two significantly flawed front-runners contesting an immensely important election. If Obama wins, he will take the country to a place from which it will not be able to return (which is precisely his own objective for a second term).
Every conservative has thus to ask himself two questions: Who is more likely to prevent that second term? And who, if elected, is less likely to unpleasantly surprise?
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I agree,but at least when I went to the 9-12 and 8-28 marches in Washington I kind of had some hope left that we Might have a Chance of turning it around,if the Marxist is reelected Im afraid the candle will go out
Do you really deny the campaign implosions that have occurred and expect to me taken seriously?
Newt climbed to the top, he did not float.
Romney has been sliding down - he has not floated to the top.
This year’s would-be-Reagans (a la “Fred Thompson”) have been given a chance, but they have not lived up to expectations. Reagan did leave big shoes to fill.
Newt did not sparkle and shine and did not come in a fancy irresistable box. But in the end he has stood out as the one who is capable of defeating Obama, selling conservative ideas, and leading the nation on day one.
The rhinestones have lost their luster.
The gemstone has proven to be valuable despite its imperfections.
Given his [Gingrich's] considerable service to the movement, many conservatives seem quite prepared to overlook his baggage, ideological and otherwise. This is understandable. But the independents and disaffected Democrats upon whom the general election will hinge will not be so forgiving.
That is what is bothering me so much. It seems we are being led around by the nose from one candidate to the next and the purpose is to wear conservatives down so Mitt will get in. The problem with that is that the base will be so turned off by that time that no matter which one wins few will bother to turn up to vote. That means we not only might lose the presidency, we could lose the house and senate as well. The powers that be are being really, really stupid this time and could cost us the country.
As happens from time to time, you intercepted an aimed dart - I was telling my target continuing the Perry bashing made no sense since he (and many other Perry bashers)can't stand the thought of Mitt or Newt. They have gone over the brink and have nobody left to support unless they believe their dreams and a super-conservative is on the horizon, riding hard, his horses flanks wet and breath hard as his hooves beat the tattoo of perfect conservative freedom - both horse and rider glowing with an aura of freedom and neither will falter.
While I will look and hope for better, I'll vote for Newt without compunction.
Ditto.
Kind of kmakes you think that the whole thing is a Charade doesnt it? I think they are all in the One world Government group.
I don’t know what it is, but it worries me sick. Last time we were left with McCain and the only thing that made that less then the most humiliating loss in history is that Sarah joined the ticket. Otherwise it would have been laughable. They got their candidate. This time there is nobody who can fire up the base. We have plastic man (an empty vessel) and The Cheater. You know that if Newt wins, the next morning the media attacks and all the evangelicals in the country who didn’t know about him will be horrified. I know a lot think it was long ago and he’ll be “forgiven”. He may be, but they still won’t want him and the woman he cheated with in the WH. He will completely lose the womens vote.
I like Dr. Chuck, as far as one can like an inside-the-Beltway pundit. However, I have to say that is a GREAT line!
Discussing a candidate’s flaws or drawbacks must be done during the primaries. There’s no need to coalesce around a particular candidate before one vote has even been cast.
Gingrich would be much tougher to beat than McCain. He is far more articulate and much more likely to go on the attack against Obama.
If you think people were sick of the Gingrich scandals back in the 90's wait until you hear the 2012 version. Like with McCain, the media will be totally on his side.....until after the nomination. Then, when we're stuck with him, all the dirt will begin to fly.
I am utterly amazed that you guys can't see it. We've been through it before, just 4 years ago.
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