A major difference is that Newt has been so radically right, so historical a figure, a conservative who was the Reagan of the legislative branch, a true, famous, dyed in the wool right winger, that he can move around in the political world and rub shoulders with liberals and not take on the smell.
Lesser mortals, soft, moderate, more ambiguous political types, we don’t trust them so much, especially if we are a conservative who is still trying to figure out who they are, and is still not certain what their politics are, and where their true, internal self, is at.
Based on Gingrich being known as one of the greatest fighters in conservative history.
I can’t imagine someone who lived through the history making 1994 conservative revolution, forgetting that incredible national onslaught against it’s leader, Newt Gingrich, until Palin, we had never seen anything like it.
I still have boxes of publications and newspapers from the time, the rage from the left was terrifying, people died, were destroyed, the federal government was killing people and burning them out in the Midwest, and in what had previously been “flyover country”, the heartland.
The left was sending a message to middle America, that they were not outside the reach of Government and the new policies. Middle America was to be taught that their God, and guns, and tax complaints, and conservative rebellion would not be tolerated, the 1990s became a dark period of open war by the hard left as led by the Clintons, and the conservatives led by Newt Gingrich.
The media was as radical as sharks smelling blood, and Newt as the opposition leader, was it’s biggest target.
Greetings ansells:
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. From my standpoint, neither candidate is “perfect,” both have their share of gaffs and bad judgement moments. Politically, I happen to like both Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum on the issues.
No one has accomplished more towards conservative reforms than Newt. And Rick has a very good conservative voting record too. By the official campaign positions, both candidates are equal and earn my vote on the conservative issues.
As you can see from the 15 conservative issues hyperlink, Newt could have easily focused upon Myth’s multiple choice positions on the campaign issues and remained focused upon the differences. But Newt couldn’t.
Unfortunately in 1993, Newt supported and even co-sponsored individual mandate health insurance legislation. On this individual mandate issue, Newt’s position resembles Myth’s: Mutiple-choice.
So Newt engaged in a disingenous, left-wing-style smear upon Bain Capital’s business model; as a strike back at Myth Romney’s smears.
Newt talked himself out of pole position that day. The BIG difference between Ronald Reagan and Newt Gingrich. Even under pressure Reagan always correctly identifies government as the problem, not the solution.
Still liking Newt, but now I support Santorum for President. Neither was my first choice. Both are worthy of my vote.
Cheers,
OLA