Earlier this week, Charles Krauthammer observed, that "he (Romney) simply doesn’t have the capacity to explain with some color and sort of force conservative ideas."
Which is precisely why he has no business going up against an ideologue who does "have the capacity to explain with some color and sort of force" the ideas of redistribution.
Krauthammer has been slow to come to admitting the obvious fact that Romney doesn't "explain" conservative ideas because they are not part of his intellectual DNA, as they are with someone who has immersed himself/herself in the ideas of America's founding history.
Gingrich's quick analysis of opposing ideas, combined with an ability to put them in historical context, didn't just come about by osmosis. They came about through a lifelong study of history. In recent decades, Ronald Reagan is the only American president who was so familiar with our founding ideas that he could weave them into discussions on "issues" of the day; thereby giving clarity to threats to liberty.
By the same token, the Fall 2012 opponent has studied, been mentored in, and well understands the ideology and strategies for presenting his case for redistribution, government planning, and control--all the while masking them in benevolence and "taking care" of those to whom he appeals, even as his policies are enslaving future generations.
His Republican opponent needs to be able to rebut, rebuke, and reveal the cloaked tyranny encased in his appealing message to those who see him as a benevolent leader, not a threat to their posterity's Creator-endowed right to be free.
Gingrich is right.
The goal of the primaries is to determine a candidate who can bring such clarity to the ideas of conservatism that Obama's counterfeit ideas will be defeated. Romney, in the words of Krauthammer, "simply doesn't have the capacity" to do it. At least, he has not shown it to this point; and that "capacity" cannot be coached. It must be a natural outgrowth of understanding.
"It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. The freemen of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise and entangled the question in precedents. They saw all the consequences in the principle [usurpation of power], and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle. We revere this lesson too much. . . to forget it." - James Madison
I agree. I lived in South Carolina for 5 years, although I am a native Yankee. Let me tell you, much of the population of South Carolina is just as fierce as their forefathers who had the conviction to stand up for what they thought was right. I am not going to re-fight the Civil War nor defend the sin's of either side - but the people of South Carolina will not be told by the media how to vote.
Sadly, there are huge swaths of minorities in South Carolina who are just as much slaves on the plantation today as they were 160 years ago. The can be freed, but it is going to be difficult, hard, and arduous.