Newt Gingrich and the 'X-Factor'

The Street ^ | 12-5-2011 | Peter Morici

[TitansAFC]

Effective leaders -- successful CEOs, presidents and legislators -- get tough things done and can effect epic defining change, because they have that "X-factor." An intangible quality and peculiar charisma -- something apart from a trenchant understanding of the issues and technical competence -- that motivates people to follow, accept discomforting choices, and overlook shortcomings in their background or character.

John Kennedy and Barack Obama possessed it, and each was elected with few legislative accomplishments and virtually no executive experience. Similarly, it permitted Bill Clinton to overcome Jennifer Flowers.

Mitt Romney has an admirable track record as a governor and business entrepreneur, and he understands the inner workings of government. Yet voters simply doubt he has what it takes.

The economy is Job One, and every poll shows Americans are strongly dissatisfied with President Obama's performance. However, to wrestle the presidency from an incumbent and such an effective campaigner, the Republican nominee must demonstrate he has a strategy that will work and will implement it.

Romney's platform is a "to do list" that Obama either won't do. Both men acknowledge the need to address the trade deficit with China and its undervalued currency, rev up domestic energy production, effectively reregulate the banks and encourage more lending, and pull down health care costs.

On China and the financial sector, Obama is too constrained by big Wall Street firms, that are making money in China, and don't want their casino culture and big bonuses curbed. Along with the Silicon Valley, those significantly help finance many Democratic candidates.

On energy and health care, Obama does not want to upset the professional left who believe shifting oil and gas production from the Gulf to developing countries reduces environmental risks and recent reforms will bring down health care costs, even though the facts indicate otherwise.

Romney's impressive economic platform outlines clearly what needs to be done and what he intends to do it, but voters simply doubt he believes and will do what he says.

Romney has changed his mind so many times on so many issues that he has to read his own talking points to remember where he stands. His penchant to please powerful constituencies by shifting his positions raises serious doubts that he will take the risks and bear the bruises necessary to confront entrenched interests and effect real change.

Romney's whole campaign is premised on caution and making everyone happy, or at least as many folks happy as an intellectual contortionist can accomplish.

Enter Newt Gingrich -- hardly attractive, too professorial and oh so irritating. Yet, people see a man who focuses on facts, reasons them through, and takes a stand and sticks to it, even when costly to his popularity.

Gingrich fears no one -- even those who buy black ink by the barrel. He stood up to moderators who sought to turn the GOP debates into mud fights among candidates and generally embarrass them. He challenged the media and got away with it -- something few public figures ever accomplish......

[TitansAFC]

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Conservatism, experience, results, eloquence, statesmanship, knowledge.
SERIOUS solutions to SERIOUS problems!
The Conservative who practices Capitalism and gets hated for it!

---Newt Gingrich 2012

[big'ol_freeper]

Hooah

[uncbob]

John Kennedy and Barack Obama possessed it, and each was elected with few legislative accomplishments and virtually no executive experience. Similarly, it permitted Bill Clinton to overcome Jennifer Flowers.

JFK stole the election and Perot gave Clinton the presidency

[Principled]

I like how he is willing - and able - to fight. He takes no prisoners and that’s one thing I want. I want him to call Nancy down. I want him to call Reid down. I want him to fight dammit.

IMO he’s the only one so far that has that quality.

[Psalm 144]

“Perot gave Clinton the presidency”

Yeah. Had to be Perot. Bush 41 did nothing that could have damaged himself. Had to be outside factors.

[guitarplayer1953]

"The Conservative who practices Capitalism and gets hated for it!"

The person who has made more money off his connections and has lied about them. Newt is an east coast repubicrate.

[Iggles Phan]

Gingrich wrote the forward to the communist Toffler book, Creating a New Civilization: The Politics of the Third Wave, back in 1995 when he was speaker.

In it, he grieved at the lack of appreciation for “Toffler’s insight” in The Third Wave and blamed politicians who had not applied his model for the “frustration, negativism, cynicism and despair” of the political landscape.

We do not need another Globalist Liberal masquerading as a ‘conservative’.

We do not need another Presidential election where the Globalists own both horses in the race.

We need a real Constitutionalist to battle the Globalists.

Ron Paul 2012.

[katiedidit1]

Newt is rather like a “parent” stating “after you do and understand your homework you may go outside and play” Obama is like a parent that says “don’t worry about doing your homework because I (the govt) will take care of you.”

Newt and Trump are going to start a program on putting young teenagers to work. That will blow the “entitlement” generations mind. Remember the work ethic?

[Hildy]

For the 1014th time...Perot did not give Clinton the Presidency..he took away his mandate.

[katiedidit1]

LOL @ Perot and his chart and baton he would wave around. Wasn’t he accused of hiding in the bushes and spying on The Bush Family? whatever happened to that evil little dwarf

[Blacksheep]

I don't think most conservatives believe Romney isn't up to the job.
He just is not going to do a conservative job he is a progressive just like McCain. We are going to need a 24/7 chain saw to cut down the forest of progressive laws and regulations passed over the last century. If we elect a republican he has to pull the cord and cut from the moment he is sworn in until he finishes his second term.

Newt may have the nasty that is necessary to do what is right but not popular. Might? I can't imagine anyone else willing to do as Obama has done for left. Obama is a Kamikaze flying his commie plane right into heart of America.

[Blacksheep]

I don't think most conservatives believe Romney isn't up to the job.
He just is not going to do a conservative job he is a progressive just like McCain. We are going to need a 24/7 chain saw to cut down the forest of progressive laws and regulations passed over the last century. If we elect a republican he has to pull the cord and cut from the moment he is sworn in until he finishes his second term.

Newt may have the nasty that is necessary to do what is right but not popular. Might? I can't imagine anyone else willing to do as Obama has done for left. Obama is a Kamikaze flying his commie plane right into heart of America.

[Hugin]

Good point. Polling at the time showed Perot voters would have split amost even.

However, if you want an example of a third party changing results, Ralph Nader gave George Bush the presidency. Without him Gore clearly would have won FL, and therefore the election.

[Psalm 144]

I am so disappointed when sarcasm is missed.

[caww]

Newt is an east coast repubicrate.

Jim R. calls Newt a "Reaganite", I believe him.

[caww]

Obama is a Kamikaze flying his commie plane right into heart of America.

Wow! That's powerful! certainly an accurate one liner!

Can I use it for my tag?... I never have used one but as this primary runs it's course this fact needs to be at the front.

[caww]

Iggles...

First Ron Paul is the fly in the ointment and will always be seen as this... he said he refused to say if or not he’d go 3rd party because he likes to see the people squirm. Anyone who supports such a distasteful man toward the citizens of this country is just like him....no regard for the American people, rather enjoys “running” in the game for the notoriety his followers grant him. He should be ashammed.

Second...the Global push will continue like it or not...the world leaders are pushing it forward as we speak and there’s nothing that will stop it. Our President better have a good handle on what that is and how he can position our country to benefit as it goes, along with enough clout and knowlege to spot that which would harm us.

Our world is very different from three years ago...it’s more than a mess and needs a strong and powerful leader willing to stand for our country. Ron Paul would be blown over in his first administration meeting.

[uncbob]

Yeah. Had to be Perot. Bush 41 did nothing that could have damaged himself. Had to be outside factors.

And if Perot didn't run and if the MSM didn't keep harping on a recession that was over that June you think Clinton would have won ?

[guitarplayer1953]

We shall see