Newt Gingrich - RINO or Genuine Pro-Life Reagan Conservative?

vanity | December 9, 2011 | Jim Robinson

[Jim Robinson]

I posted the below in response to a FReeper who asked me what we should do in regards to progressives Newt and Romney. And he asked me what would George Washington do? So I got to thinking about why I've been gravitating towards Newt. In fact it kept me up for half the night.

Here is my reply:

Well, I’ll tell you, after Palin declined to run I really didn’t have a dog in this race. I liked Bachmann and Cain a lot, even Perry, but not as much as I liked Palin. Bachmann and Cain are both conservative enough, but neither have really been tested in higher office, nor do they have much experience in world affairs.

I also had high hopes for Perry because it looks like he’s done a great job in Texas, but his positions on the border issues turned off a lot of people. And his “heartless” statement didn’t win him much opportunity to turn that around.

I guess Santorum is conservative enough and possibly Huntsman, but neither engender much enthusiasm or excitement. Seems they’re just going through the motions. Don’t know if they have the real world experience to be CINC anyway.

Bachmann seems to be trying really hard but don’t know if she’s really qualified for the top spot either. Even so, had Bachmann really lit a fuse on the trail, I probably would have stood by and supported her, but she flopped and is unlikely to recover.

I thought early on that if Perry got into the race (without Palin) that he’d suck all the air out of it and would dominate. But he flopped. And then Cain took off like a rocket and he flopped.

Now Cain didn’t have elective experience, but he looked like a great conservative so we were all hoping and pulling for him. Well, that didn’t turn out well.

Mind you, that abortionist, lib progressive bastard Mitt Romney is just sitting there smiling through all this and he, Rove and the GOP elite think they’ve got it in the bag. Just gotta hang in there, not say anything rash, not rock the boat, no mistakes, just play defense as one by one the upstart tea party conservative candidates burn themselves out.

In my mind, we must defeat Romney AND Obama. I don’t think George Washington is going to be smiling down on us if we had this great tea party opportunity to knock off the progressives and we let Rove, Romney and the corrupt good old boys club bushwhack us. We’re supposed to be the bushwhackers.

So like a whole lot of conservative Republicans and tea party folks, we’re bouncing candidate to candidate looking for the one to knock off Romney so we can take the tea party battle directly to Obama. Romney is no tea party person. He and Rove, et al, sneer at us. No way in hell are they going to do anything we’re interested in doing even if they do get elected. It’ll be government as usual. Big. They hate us worse than they hate the democrats because we’re a direct threat to their power base.

So in comes Gingrich. Didn’t much care for him at first, mainly because of his well known baggage, and his perceived RINO plumage, but he began making a lot of sense and scoring a lot of points in the debates. Turns out his depth of knowledge and experience in government affairs both domestic and foreign and his experience with Ronald Reagan, the Reagan Revolution and the Republican Revolution of the 90’s are quite extensive and quite impressive if you look.

He’s been through the mill and that’s what a lot of our younger less experienced, less traveled candidates are missing. In the debates he comes off as a wiser, more experienced, more knowledgeable, level-headed senior statesman. And it appeared to me that the other candidates acknowledged and respected that.

So I start thinking back about his history as a congressman and speaker, and lo and behold, it appears to me he’s not such a RINO after all. He was a genuine Reagan protege. And he learned well from the master communicator. He eventually set a goal for himself to build a Republican majority and to take the speakership, and he determinately accomplished that goal.

And he had some great conservative accomplishments as congressman and speaker. He passed the contract with America. He cut taxes. Cut the deficit. Reformed welfare. Blocked HillaryCare. Became a thorn in President Clinton’s side, blocked much of his liberal agenda and ultimately allowed impeachment to proceed. Then of course, he resigned due to his own infidelity scandal. But, unlike Clinton, he didn’t deny it, didn’t lie about it, and he did the right thing by resigning.

Bottom line though, through his years with the Reagan Revolution and the Republican majority much conservative good was accomplished. The Wall came down, the Soviet Union collapsed and our great Reagan economy flourished for two decades.

Now, if a progressive RINO had been in charge of the congress during this period, who knows what would have happened. I’m sure the history would have been a lot different. Remember, before Gingrich and his Republican Majority, we conservatives had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years!! And our country was on life support after Jimmy Carter nearly killed it. And the democrats were saying at the time that there was nothing we could do about it. We were going to be stuck with the cold war. Stuck with the Soviet Union, stuck with Iran. Stuck with high oil prices, gas lines and rationing. Stuck with recession, high interest rates, high inflation and high unemployment from that point forward. They could not be fixed. Jimmy Carter and the democrats had given up on America and surrendered the USA to our fate as a failed nation.

In walk Ronald Reagan and Newt Gingrich and reestablish that great shining city on the hill! Thank God! It’s not the end of the world after all. Iran returns the hostages immediately. Reagan takes the Soviet Union head on! Reagan takes the democrats head on and doesn’t take no for an answer. Takes his ideas to the people. It was a struggle but eventually the economy began turning. Reagan’s central theme domestically was that the government was too big, too intrusive, taxes too high, too much spending, too many regulations, too many restrictions on business and industry and they all must be cut. And he took that battle over the heads of the democrat congress to the tax payers and they loved it. Sound familiar?

And in 1994, Newt Gingrich leads the charge against the democrats who had been in power for 40 years and the Republicans take the majority and Gingrich becomes Speaker. He dreams up the contract with America which was designed as an extension of the Reagan Revolution and and included items attempting to balance the budget, reform welfare, tort reform, term limits, line item veto, etc. Some of it was successfully implemented, some not. But under Gingrich they did cut the deficit and balance the budget four years running. Sound desirable? Sound progressive?

How many times in our history have you seen a liberal progressive, cut taxes, cut regulations, cut spending, cut welfare, balance the budget, block big government programs like HillaryCare, impeach a sitting president, etc?

Never! In other words, all this to say Newt is NO RINO!! He’s a pro-life, pro-small government, pro-national security, Reagan conservative!! In short, we’re desperate, and he’s exactly what we’re looking for, and he’s running head and shoulders over the rest of the field, so what the hell are we squabbling about?

Yes, Romney and Rove hate him, the Republican establishment elite ruling class hates him, the liberals hate him, the democrats hate him and they hate him for the same reasons the taxpayers will support him, the lovers of liberty will support him, the defenders of life will support him, the defenders of national security will support him, the lovers of the Reagan Revolution will support him, and we the tea party should support him!! He’s a tax cutting, budget balancing, strong defense, small government, pro-life Reagan CONSERVATIVE!!

After reviewing Newt vs Romney, George Washington would say, go, NEWT!!

I’ll take a chance with Newt. Over Romney? You betcha!!

What say you?

[cripplecreek]

I thought about you today when someone posted a story about Chicago republicans supporting Gingrich. I remember those same Chicago republicans telling people to write in Abe Lincoln rather than vote for you.

[ryderann]

“I’m sure Calista would be a great set of eyes in the crows-nest too.. able to spot ice and diamonds from miles away.”

I’ve been thinking about that. Is buying Tiffany diamonds Gingrich’s way of preparing for what’s coming...like Beck touts buying gold? Our dollars will soon be worthless unless there’s a real political shift pdq.

[org.whodat]

Just cannot vote for amnesty, not now not ever.

[kosciusko51]

I'm not sure what I think of Newt, and since I live in PA with its late primary, I don't think my vote will affect who will be the candidate. In 2008, the GOP was already wrapped up by the time the primaries got here. I doubt if it will be any different this time.

That being said, if Newt is the candidate, I will vote for him over Obama. If Romney is the candidate, America is screwed.

[tioga]

The whole field of GOP contenders are flailing around. Perry was a huge disappointment. Many I liked didn’t run. Then there were the majority who just lit no fires anywhere near enough to get the nomination. Cain was dragged behind the liberal MSM limos and destroyed. In the end, it’s “anybody but Obama” for me. Newt fits the bill. (shudder) Jim is right. Once upon a time he led a conservative revolution in DC....he could do it again.

[vette6387]

I’m with you Jim! The problem some Conservatives have is that they have little or no pragmatism. They are looking for a purist solution that’s not coming, at least in this upcoming election. On balance, Newt has most of the attributes that make for a good leader. I don’t care for his personal life, but then we’re not electing a Pope, just a president. Like you I can’t stomach Romney. He’s the GOP Leadership’s “It’s My Turn Candidate!” He has demonstrated to my satisfaction that he’s willing to say whatever he thinks will get him elected. He’s a Chameleon! NO THANKS! Obama must go. Like you, I could support most any of the other GOP hopefuls, but not Romney.

[b4its2late]

Anyone but Romney. He's about as useless as a third, well, you know the saying....

We don't need to move backwards with Romney and his ilk.

[Jim Robinson]

Disclaimer:

This is not an official endorsement. Not ready to do that yet. Will wait until after Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida. It is my fervent desire to defeat both Romney and Obama. They both must be crushed. We the tea party must wipe the anti-liberty socialist forces off the USA map!! We need to coalesce behind and support the conservative candidate with the experience, wisdom, knowledge and proven ability to do just that. Gingrich is a knowledgeable student of history and he’s an aggressive, tried and battle tested, bulldog of a political fighter. A Reaganite pro-life conservative who has been in the arena, fought and won big battles against the 40 year entrenched godless liberal/socialist democrat foe. And, yes, stepped on a lot of toes and made many enemies while doing so. When he says he understands the enemy and knows how to defeat them, he isn’t just blowing smoke, IMHO. He’s done it. He’s now ready and willing to step back into the lions den.

[Politicalmom]

I love you, Jim, but I’m not buying Newt.

[Palladin]

I just plain don’t like Newt Gingrich...never have, never will. After McCain, I vowed I would never again vote for a RINO. Nor would I vote for a man who has character issues like infidelity and adultery. Sorry abut that.

The only two candidates I can support as true Christian conservatives are Santorum and Bachmann.

They don’t just talk the talk—they walk the walk. And have been doing so all their lives.

[PALIN SMITH]

Jim, it's amazing how many of us demand perfection in our presidential candidates, but we tolerate so much of our own imperfection.

Newt is an anomaly in American history.

He's a man who might be more comfortable at Independence Hall in 1776.

I well remember the fierce criticisms of Ronald Reagan.

I think Newt will be a pleasant surprise if he can win.

If Obama gets reelected we are done!

[mnehring]

Women won’t vote for Newt when they learn about his betrayal of his wives and taking up with mistresses.

We live in American Idol/Jersey Shore/Desperate Housewives land. You will have a lot of voters pull the lever just for the soap opera drama. Never underestimate the power of the pop-culture masses.

[Jim Robinson]

Well, unlike Mitt, Newt is definitely who I want him to be.

[Bigun]

The disdain for Newt being displayed by inside the beltway establishment republicans and the media is making him much more attractive to me by the hour.

[stormhill]

We’re supposed to be the bushwhackers.

Jayhawker meself. :)

Don't love Newt but will support him if it stops Obama. There's limits to compromise and I may not go as far as Romney; yet, still believe the present regime represents an existential threat to the republic.

[Maceman]

I completely agree with your analysis, Jim. Newt may not be the perfect conservative, but he is conservative enough to at least begin changing our direction back towards the Consitutional Republic we are all guaranteed under law.

We can argue about the details later, down the road, but there is no doubt in my mind that Gingrich has the ability and gut inclinations to reverse the course that Obama, the Democrats and the RINOs have set lo these too many years.

A lot Freepers are making snide, emotional comments about Newt, but they fail to offer any productive alternative, beyond writing in Sarah Palin or staying home.

There will be no country left to save if Obama wins re-election. We all know this. So all you anti-Newt people need to quit sniveling, suck it up and support the candidate who will take the fight to Obama, not be cowed by the press and the Democrat smear machine, and who clearly shares with us the vision of America’s founders on a very core level.

We won’t slay the welfare state dragon in one election cycle, or one presidential administration. But more than anyone who is running, Newt is the one who can and will start getting that job done. He won’t take us to the promised land, but I believe he is the man to get us started on the journey.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Newt can not be Rino because he is the definition of being Republican

I think you have just swerved into the problem.

[Sudetenland]

Cain self-immolated. You cannot blame the press for doing what the press has always done. For me, however, it was never the peccadillos--fact or fiction--it was always his lack of any working knowledge of our government and his complete unpreparedness for questions on foreign policy

It was clear from the first questions, that he was totally unprepared on FP. He admitted as much at the end of his December interview with Niel Cavutto where he said he was learning what he needed to know--most people here at FR easily could have done a better job of answering the questions than Cain.

My suspicion is that Cain entered the race as a sort of lark to promote his book with no expectation of it going anywhere and woke up one morning smack dab in the middle of the contest with growing poll numbers. I don't think he took it seriously until then.

[writer33]

:-)

[bert]

Being a Republican is good, especially if you are a candidate in the Republican primary.