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Some Conservatives Like Newt For President
CNSNews.com ^ | 03/01/2007 | Nathan Burchfiel

Posted on 03/01/2007 9:38:22 AM PST by CNS

CNSNews.com) - In the first of at least two 2008 presidential straw polls scheduled for release this week, members of the conservative Citizens United have thrown their support behind non-candidate Newt Gingrich.

The unscientific poll of more than 2,500 of the group's members found that 31 percent would vote for the former House Speaker if the 2008 Republican presidential nomination were held today. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani ranked second with 25 percent of the vote.

As Cybercast News Service previously reported, Gingrich has been critical of politicians announcing their candidacy nearly two years before the general election. He has said he will announce his intentions in September, less than 6 months before the first presidential primaries.

"The conservative movement is thirsty for a leader with Ronald Reagan's vision, passion and unique ability to convey what is great about America," CU President David Bossie said in a release announcing the results. "We want someone who inspires us."

Bossie said the poll "suggests that if he were to enter the presidential race, Newt Gingrich could be the heir to President Reagan whom conservatives are looking for."

The straw poll results come while a similar poll is being conducted at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), the annual gathering of conservative activists taking place in Washington, D.C. Results from that poll will be released Saturday evening.

Gingrich and Giuliani dominated the field of 13 candidates, together gathering more than half of all support. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney came in third place with 10 percent of the votes. Arizona Sen. John McCain came in fourth with 8 percent.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; gingrich; newt; president
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To: The Pack Knight; JollyMonSing

Another Rudy campaign B-leaguer comes to FR with all the subtley of a belch in church.


61 posted on 03/01/2007 10:28:29 AM PST by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: RockinRight
Not sure about his electability though.

Ummm. Let's see. We thought this stupid traitor and The Grifter would never be elected either.

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62 posted on 03/01/2007 10:32:34 AM PST by Cobra64 (www.BulletBras.net)
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To: JollyMonSing
The debate's over. There's nobody else out there that can win on the Republican side. I'm tellin you Giuliani is the only hope for the Republicans to keep the White House

This is Free Republic...you forgot the "sarcasm" tag.

63 posted on 03/01/2007 10:37:12 AM PST by Prokopton
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To: babygene

Did I say I didn't like him?


64 posted on 03/01/2007 10:37:33 AM PST by Psycho_Bunny (I'm holding out hope that at least the DEMOCRATS might accidentally nominate a conservative.)
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To: Peach
I like Newt, but his unfavorable ratings among Republicans are quite high.

Yea, he's not like Rudy who really has the conservative base behind him. Hardly any Rudy negatives reflected at FR.

65 posted on 03/01/2007 10:39:41 AM PST by Prokopton
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To: Prokopton

Sarcasm tag? You know the rules. ;)


66 posted on 03/01/2007 10:40:31 AM PST by Hydroshock (Duncan Hunter For President, checkout gohunter08.com.)
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To: Tolik
He is also pro-life. Always was and I don't think he would change now.
67 posted on 03/01/2007 10:41:51 AM PST by Texagirl4W (Jesus came to forgive sin, not to accept sin.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde; Digger
Way to go filbert ... let the liberal media dictate your convictions, or lack thereof.

Way to go, JustaDumbBlonde . . . let your passions overrule your common sense.

See how easy it is to avoid having an intellectual discussion? You might have gone down the route of "no, Newt has already taken the MSM's best shot and is still standing" or any of several other coherent and rational arguments that I could think of which would argue against my position that Newt is, fundamentally, unelectable. I'm open to persuasion.

Digger's comment about Newt being able to handle Hillary in a debate is at least a defensable assertion. I think it would be highly amusing to see Hill try to keep up with Newt's new-idea-a-minute approach.

Come on, Newtsters. I'm open to persuasion. But please, ground the persuasion in political reality, not wishful thinking.

The MSM isn't going away, and it opposes much of what we hold dear. Anyone who doesn't think that they'll throw everything they have against Newt is kidding themselves. They'll do that because (in my opinion) they're afraid of him.

And, in my opinion, they will be successful in tearing him down. They're very good at that sort of thing. That's why so many good people avoid getting into politics in the first place (and, conversely, why so many bad people do get into politics.)

68 posted on 03/01/2007 10:45:32 AM PST by filbert (More filbert at http://www.medary.com)
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To: Hydroshock
I am a big Duncan Hunter supporter, that said Newt is my number 2 choice.

No argument here. Each dovetail with my four priorities for what is best for America. Currently, Newt and his policies are known entities. Duncan has yet to show up on the radar screen. Regardless, the two of them would make an outstanding ticket.

My question to myself is Duncan/Newt or Newt/Duncan. I realize this rationale is simplistic, but decisions need to be boiled down to the lowest common denominator.

IMO

69 posted on 03/01/2007 10:48:51 AM PST by Cobra64 (www.BulletBras.net)
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To: Hydroshock

I am working on it


70 posted on 03/01/2007 11:01:15 AM PST by hadaclueonce (shoot low, they are riding Shetlands.....)
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To: Cobra64

Shuddering at the sight of those pics...especially since, back in the day when I was young and foolish, I actually voted for Carter. Ewwwwww! Now, I'm old and foolish, but hopefully, I won't make a mistake like that again.


71 posted on 03/01/2007 11:04:24 AM PST by fatnotlazy
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To: justche
You are exactly where I am in all of this! I too could happily support Newt and work hard for his election, but he's not in the race yet.

To my way of thinking he's going about this in all the right ways. Stay uncommitted, spend his time talking about and pushing his ideas and see where the chips fall.

His performance last night at Cooper Union was outstanding! I am convinced that as people see him and hear his ideas and his reasoned approach to the country's problems many of them will forget what happened a decade ago and be more concerned about today and tomorrow.

There is simply no one out there who has the grasp of history and ability to use it to avoid the mistakes of the past that Newt does.

My memory of the Newt resignation was not the 'walked out' on his seat, but rather as it become more and more apparent that he was going to be the target of never-ending MSM coverage and attacks by the Left that he felt he had become more of a liability to the party than an asset and he stepped down.

It really doesn't matter who gets the nomination in 2008, the attacks and smears are going to be unrelenting. I'm not sure but what we're better off going with someone like Newt where much of the negative has already been spread and a lot of people will just see it as old news.

I am very buoyed by the prospect of a Newt candidacy, but I am more than willing to wait and see what the trail has to hold for him.

Meantime, Go Newt!
72 posted on 03/01/2007 11:06:18 AM PST by jwparkerjr
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To: filbert

I'm just so sorry that I didn't understand your brilliant political discussion bait. You make an asinine statement to the effect that you could support Newt if only the media liked him and I comment on same. You are now the political genius just looking for a good argument. Yeah, I see how that works.


73 posted on 03/01/2007 11:09:10 AM PST by JustaDumbBlonde (America: Home of the Free Because of the Brave)
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To: Tolik
Yes, I'd vote for Newt. He has a vision I mostly agree with, he has a detailed program and he is a proven leader who can actually accomplish things.

He's all of that and much more. He has a great historical understanding and perspective, a knowledge of economics and political science none of the other candidates have.

Having said that, he is completely unelectable under almost any scenario. But if he enters, I hope it is early enough to impact the debate and educate the candidates more. In that respect, his baggage should not be a factor, and the quality of the debates by the candidates will be ramped up substantially with Newt in the fray.

74 posted on 03/01/2007 11:11:02 AM PST by MACVSOG68
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To: Hydroshock
Keep in mind at this time in 1991 Slick Willie was at 2%.

And at this time in 1975, it's doubtful that anyone outside of Georgia even knew who Carter was.

75 posted on 03/01/2007 11:18:40 AM PST by wagglebee ("We are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom." -- President Bush, 1/20/05)
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To: CNS
I'd vote for Newt in the general, but he's not my preferred candidate by a long shot. Too much baggage.

Now this guy, on the other hand...







"How can I help?"

Get informed: Duncan Hunter on the Issues

Sign up: Freepmail me to join the Duncan Hunter Pinglist

Or Freepmail seanmerc to join the Veterans for Hunter Pinglist

Put your money where your values are: Contribute to Duncan Hunter's Presidential Campaign

Help spread the word: Purchase "Hunter for President" items. Proceeds go to the Hunter campaign.
76 posted on 03/01/2007 11:22:12 AM PST by Antoninus (I don't vote for liberals, regardless of party.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde
I'm just so sorry that I didn't understand your brilliant political discussion bait. You make an asinine statement to the effect that you could support Newt if only the media liked him and I comment on same. You are now the political genius just looking for a good argument. Yeah, I see how that works.

No.

I said I'd support Newt if thought the media wouldn't destroy him, not that I'd support him if the media "liked him."

The media isn't going to like ANY Republican. Ever. They'll just go after some with more gusto than others. I think even Newt knows that, judging from some of his quoted/paraphrased comments recently, such as:

the GOP is in the "early stages of an enormous transition" and suggested electability is an issue for Republicans

and:

“the most likely campaign… is going to be two New Yorkers, one of whom sounds like a New Yorker,”

That's not me saying those things, it's Newt. It sounds like you need to start by convincing him, and work your way down to me.

77 posted on 03/01/2007 11:22:15 AM PST by filbert (More filbert at http://www.medary.com)
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To: Prokopton
Yea, he's not like Rudy who really has the conservative base behind him. Hardly any Rudy negatives reflected at FR.

Haven't you heard? Anybody like Newt who espouses brilliant conservative ideas and has an excellent grasp of foreign policy is not electable. We need a mediocre and boring candidate like Mitt or Rudy in order to truly motivate the electorate to vote Republican. Someone like Newt is only VP material where he can languish in obscurity and his ideas can never see the light of day.

It's true. If you don't believe me, ask the people at the RNC who brought you Bob Dole. They'll tell you.

78 posted on 03/01/2007 12:10:33 PM PST by Texas Federalist (Gingrich '08)
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To: Corin Stormhands
I think Newt is too much of a lightning rod. And I think he knows that.

With today's MSM, every Republican is a lightning rod. And thanks to Bill Clinton, a candidate's private life is no longer an issue. There is no such thing as "unelectible" any more.

79 posted on 03/01/2007 12:13:02 PM PST by Texas Federalist (Gingrich '08)
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To: sasportas

I like Newt...but Duncan Hunter, I think, is the more conservative, thus is my top pick.

Isolationist trade policies aren't "conservative."


80 posted on 03/01/2007 12:30:40 PM PST by RebekahT ("Government is not the solution to the problem, our government is the problem." -- Ronald Reagan)
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