Newt’s Logic: Why Gingrich Isn’t Getting Out of GOP Race

ABC ^ | 3-14-12 | J. Karl

[VinL]

....Newt Gingrich is not getting out of the race any time soon.

Here’s why: Gingrich firmly believes that staying in the race is the best way to prevent Mitt Romney from clinching the nomination before the convention in August. And he actually may have a point....

Gingrich knows that it is virtually impossible for him, or Santorum for that matter, to beat Romney on delegates, but he makes the case — and it is not far-fetched — that unless Romney starts winning delegates at a faster pace he won’t clinch nomination by end the end of the primaries....

“My expectation is it is going to be an open convention,” Gingrich said. They'd [the Gop-e] like to have a coronation but that’s not how this is done.”

...If Gingrich drops out, he argues, two things will happen:

1) His vote gets divided between Santorum and Romney. A larger percentage would go to Santorum, but at least some goes to Romney, allowing him to accumulate more delegates; and,

2) Romney is then able to aim all of his considerable firepower at Santorum, destroying him with negative ads the way he twice destroyed Gingrich (in Iowa and Florida).

“This thing is going to go on. You guys need to relax and cover the most interesting nominating process in your lifetime,” Gingrich told me. “Be not anxiety-ridden, this is going to be good for America. This is a good conversation to have.”

And here is another reason Gingrich isn’t any closer to dropping out after Tuesday’s primaries in Alabama and Mississippi; he just beat front-runner Mitt Romney in both states.

[VinL]

I hope you’re right. I heard Rick withstood a lot of negativity in the South.

I’m just thinking that Romney can’t lose Illinois— so one might see the $15M as was spent in Fla— I don’t know. Be interesting to watch.

[Steelfish]

No getting upset, just having some fun with you folks on the other side of the fence and occasionally yanking your chain. I think both you and Red Steel are very engaging.

[Dadofmany]

hey! maybe just maybe Santorum is helping Romney! Maybe some of us want Santorum to get out.

[SatinDoll]

Flopping Aces has an article about Romney and Paul negotiating an ‘arrangement’.

I read part of it. Doesn’t sound good for conservatives.

[VinL]

Did you get to hear his story of the 175,000th $2.50 donor which he called on the phone?

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http://www.actionnewsjax.com/content/actionlocal/story/Local-man-thanked-by-Gingrich-for-2-50-donation/tap3WzO1W0mybXLGzqQLtA.cspx?rss=1

[true believer forever]

I have seen a lot of romney’s negative santorum ads, and they are very mild - voting with hilary for felon votes, a couple bigspending items, nothing personal, nothing sleazy. Even the ads weren’t filled with the ominous music, darkened profiles that are the norm. He hasn’t even begun on Santorum. I think he’s testing the depth of Santorum support, still isn’t totally convinced he can’t beat him, but the day will come rick won’t know what hit him...

[newzjunkey]

Newt's the only thing worthwhile in this nomination process.

He's absolutely right. The only path to stop Romney now is for the non-Romneys to take any delegate they can away. If he gets out Romney benefits. If Rick gets out Romney benefits. If Paul gets out Romney benefits.

He also has an effect on the national dialog the others don't. Maybe they'll learn something.

[Gene Eric]

>> He also has an effect on the national dialog the others don’t. Maybe they’ll learn something.

What, the mind-dumbing, breathy platitudes of Newt’s opponents isn’t working for ya’?

[Georgia Girl 2]

I hope Newt stays in just to see Kraut and Tokyo get a wedgie every night on Foxney News.

[Pride in the USA]

I am still in Newt’s corner all the way to the convention. Did you notice today that just as Newt predicted, he is in Obama’s head? He targeted Newt and his $2.50 a gallon gasoline plan during a speech on a college campus in Maryland. Obama is worried about Newt . . . still. Go, Newt!!!

[redhead]

Also, the longer the wider field remains, the more opportunity all the states have to choose their candidates. Before, the establishment selects the nominee so early in the process that the later states never get the chance to make their opinions heard. Stick it out, Newt! I’m praying for you!!