[conservatism_IS_compassion]

I like Newt - but he has been so trashed by the MSM that he wouldn't stand a chance.

That sounds so reasonable - until you reflect that the man hasn't been born that read-only (as opposed to internet and call-in talk radio) journalism cannot smear and second guess as much as they have done to Newt.

I was dumbfounded by the way that the Republican Congress caved the minute big journalism turned on the sob story pressure after Clinton vetoed the budget and blamed the result on Congress. Funny, when Reagan vetoed a Democratic Congress's budget, it was a "Reagan shutdown." It takes a lot of chutzpah to withstand the flattery and derision of big journalism . . . but if you can't do that you will be pushed around and rolled over forever.

[GregoryFul]

Just presenting my considered opinion. We want to win the presidency, we've got to run someone who we believe, en masse, can win the votes. McCain, for instance, might be able to win the vote, though I would turn blue before voting for him :). My opinion is that McCain would win more open votes than Gingrich - I don't like that thought, but I think it is valid.

Bob Dole, for instance, was an awful choice as a candidate, though a good guy all around.