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Subscribe to RSSMark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss whether Newt Gingrich can continue his current lead in Republican polls. With Gingrich’s inconsistent positions and personal history, can he survive on top until the New Hampshire primary?
Thanks Amy B. Portland, ME for the question!
Keep an eye out for future editions of Inside the Boiler Room and don't forget to post your questions for Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro. You can also tweet us, @NBCFirstRead, @mmurraypolitics or @DomenicoNBC, or post on our Facebook page.
Video edited and transcribed by NBC's Matt Loffman.
TRANSCRIPT:
MARK MURRAY: Welcome to the latest edition of Inside the Boiler Room. I'm Mark Murray joined by colleague Domenico Montanaro. Domenico, we have a question from one of our commenters Amy B., Portland, Maine who asks 'Does Newt Gingrich really have a chance to beat Mitt Romney in the Republican primary?'
DOMENICO MONTANARO: Wow. Newt Gingrich is really at the top of the polls. It's really something to see considering where he was seven months ago. Can he beat Mitt Romney? Well, anybody who can coalesce that anti-Romney vote has a chance at beating Mitt Romney, but call me skeptical. And I'll give you three reasons why, and hopefully I can remember all three. 1) his inconsistencies, okay? I mean, there's a full range of flip flops that we've seen from Newt Gingrich which we've highlighted already. 2) His lack of discipline. He even said it himself that he has to be more disciplined. And 3) his personal problems. Look, we know about his three marriages. We know how polarizing he's been. We know about Tiffany's. Hello, like this is all stuff that's going to come back out for the scrutiny. And I only remembered those three things, because I had notes.
MARK MURRAY: I'm glad you remembered.
DOMENICO MONTANARO: The other thing. Debates. Everyone was talking about how Newt Gingrich has rode these debates to the top of the polls, and he has because he's had limited money. His campaign team quit on him completely, right? So he had nothing else to go off of except these debates, but let's not write off Mitt Romney's ability to debate here. We saw at one of the most recent debates, he actually took Newt Gingrich to task on the individual mandate. Quite a moment.
MARK MURRAY: Well right. I feel like that Newt Gingrich's lack of organization is really going to be able to hurt him and really this entire Bloomberg story that he took $1.6, at least $1.6 million from Freddie Mac is devastating to him because it makes him seem like he's part of Washington. That's not what Tea Party conservative Republicans want. So that's really tough for him, but Domenico, this has been such a fascinating cycle where one person has gone up, another person has gone down. But what's really interesting as we've had these cycles is that they didn't just come out of the blue. These Tea Party conservative voters are changing their opinion. So as one person, they might not like Rick Perry anymore. All of sudden Herman Cain is the new flavor of the month. Herman Cain now has some baggage. It becomes Newt Gingrich. I'm just fascinated to see where they end up come January when we have Iowa and New Hampshire. That's the big question.
DOMENICO MONTANARO: Yeah and the likelihood we're moving toward it could be Mitt Romney, you know, sealing it quickly if he can win Iowa or South Carolina. But that's still a huge question if he can peel off some of those more conservative voters.
MARK MURRAY: Or there could be just another flavor of the month. We don't know. Thanks, Amy.
Leave a Comment:
Yaaaaaaaayyy!!!!!!!!!! That's me!
Mark and Dominico - more 'brilliant' analysis.
But the problem is all you super smart political reporters wrote him off just a few months ago. According to you all he was a dead man walking.
And yet, today we have a different story.
So should we believe what all you super smart people are saying now, or what you all said back then?
Also - why is fannie and Freddie the death knell for Gingrich, when Frank lisps his way along?
Golly - Obama fully supports Freddie and Fannie, and to date will not even come out against the huge bonuses and loads of more cash they continue to need.
Come to think of it, making Fannie and Freddie a big issue just might come back to haunt the democrats far more.
Amy B. Portland, ME
Yaaaaaaaayyy!!!!!!!!!! That's me!
Amy, You go girl.
Congratulations!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDajqW561KM
Keep up the good work.
I'm totally putting this on my Facebook page.
Congratulations, Amy.
Spankster, the Carnival Barkers (formerly known as The MSM) have been given No choice but to chase the Clowns(GOP Candidates) across America!
Barnum & Bailey havta to be Proud!
You Betcha!
"Can Gingrich beat Romney?"
Only if he uses a stick.
And he might.
He's a mean one, Mr. Gingrinch.
Mark Murray: Gingrich "appears" to be a Washington insider?? I appreciate your bending over backwards to stay impartial, but when you're former speaker of the house, creator of a Republican Washington based think tank, co-founder of a firm making a small fortune in Washington contracts, and a perennial politican, I do believe we can drop the "appears".
Can Gingrich beat Romney?
We're not talking about a fair fight, ya realize. And Gingrich with his flawed background is a dirty trickster's wet dream. So I'd have to say no. I do have to admit that the resistance of 3/4 of the Republican Party to a Romney nomination is stronger and more long-lasting than I would have thought last summer. But at some point, some of those resisters have to give in, don't they?
Good for you Amy.
Let me answer your question: Could Gingrich beat Romney? Yes he could, but only if he had a baseball bat and Romney wasn't looking.
Gingrich will be in shreds within two weeks. He is the ultimate Washington INSIDER and he can't run away from that. Both Republicans and Democrats will see to that. Gingrich is the ultimate in Pay-to-Play.
Amy - you seriously have a facebook page?
What are you 13 years old?
Oh my.
I should be interesting to see the coming news media cover this storm. Of course Ginrich working for Fannie and Freedie is a terrible, horrible thing. But only because Freddie and Fannie are terrible and horrible themselves.
A point the media will have to make. Over and over again, as it is the basis of the story.
Why I bet some intrepid reporter [hint: Murry and Dominico] could go interview Barney Frank. I would just love to hear his position on this.
Does he hate Gingrich? Or course. But can he trash Freddie and Fannie? Absolutely not.
Same for all of the gang - Pelosi, Hoyer, and yes Obama. They have no problems with the agencies.
Should be fun, right?
I don't believe that any of the reporters wrote him off as you claim...a lot of the rest of us did, but I doubt if you go back through the archives you'll ever see a pronouncement from Mark or Domenico that Gingrich 2012 was DOA.
That said, you have to admit, it did not start well for Newt. The demand for President Obama to order action in Libya followed by the criticism when action was taken would have killed a campaign by a Democrat. Then came the mass-resignation of his staffers.
Don't forget that as this was happening that we had yet to see who else was going to jump into the race. Perry hadn't declared and the big question was whether or not Christie would run...and had Christie run then HE would have gathered the lion's share of the "anti-Willard" vote.
No Spanky that would be you. Try not to be an A$$. Wait let me rephrase that... Try not to be your usual self.
Stop raining on Amy's parade. Okay? What an A$$Hat.
Congratulations, Amy B!!! Great question.
Right now in Iowa Ron Paul is at the top of the GOP polls followed closely by Gingrich and further back, Romney. The "anyone but Mitt Romney" idea isn't just discussion, it's real. Personally, I don't think Gingrich can last very long because he's as big a flip flopper and even more disingenuous than Romney. Newt is his own worst enemy plus he has nearly 30 years of baggage dragging behind him.
So devie - I take it you have a Facebook page?
Super.
Man, I wish I was 13.
By t way - is getting your question answered here ar FR really a 'Parade?'
If it is, and if that is going to be the highlight of Amy's day that's kinda sad.
So devie - you calling me names and all. I wonder does that make you13?
Does it mean you won't be my Face book friend?
What will I do?
Two reasons, actually.
1. Gingrich is the one running for President who claims that he tried to warn Freddie, but Freddie didn't listen. That's false. He's trying to make himself out a hero who was right all along -- sort of like Mitt Romney and GM -- and it's a lie.
2. Frank is the one who has admitted he made a mistake about Freddie and Fannie, and has apologized. By the time that Newt was attempting to do his magic on Congress, Frank had already seen the light and was trying to head off the trainwreck. Newt was just waiting for the right moment to jump off, carrying his bags of money with him.
@ Amy -- good for you. This is supposed to be a time of celebration. Don't let the resident turkey get you down.
Didn't know there was a maximum age for Facebook, Spankster.
Nice job Amy! Congrats!
Skanky wouldn't know anything about Facebook since one of the prerequisite is having to actually have FRIENDS!
Actually the faster growing demographic of Facebook users are over 50!
What a lonesome loser Skanky is...
PS: Barney Frank has been on FIRE this week pushing back on the Freddie/Fannie BS!
About time...
"- more 'brilliant' analysis"
Mark and Dominico- You guys haven't put 'Junior' on your editorial board yet? Haven't handed him the reins on the editioral content of First Read??
What gives, guys?
Amy- way to go! First drink at DDI in on the house, I believe.
(and the answer to your question is- Newt Gingrich coudln't whip sh_t with an egg-beater, let alone a champeen flipper flopper.)
Congratulations Amy, just popping in long enough to say that: well and this:
Don't be bothered by Spanky and his blather. Just a measure of how left out he feels, and his inability to come up with a question worth answering. I never read him, but can tell by the reaction that he was his usual self. I'm sure, that if he has any class, he will apologize. But, if not, the world will still wag.
Or, ignoring him works too.
I am always impressed that bob, no matter how he feels about our politics, always graciously congratulates the author of the selected question.
Congrats Amy! Glad to see most are pretty skeptical about his rise! ; )
Spanky:
You can take this to the bank. The vast majority of us also wish you were 13. You'd still be locked in your parent's closet.
LOL!
David- I wish he was 13, too, so his contributions would be well-thought out, and meaningful.
Oh well, wish in one hand.....
What's interesting is that Newt was paid large amounts of money over 9 years, some 30,000 a month for his "historical knowledge" and expertise as a consultant. Nothing inappropriate there. What is mind boggling, is that he must convice us that for all that time they didn't take any of his advise, and that's why they got into the trouble they got into. If they didn't agree with his advise, why keep paying him all those years? Hmmm
Good one Amy.
"Frank apologized...Frank had already seen the light and was trying to head off the trainwreck"
Really? Where can I find the articles on this? I want to read it for myself. Seriously. And since when does apologizing excuse one from gross negligence at the very least?
Jody - so much for "ignore' eh?
Spanky, No I don't havbe a face book page but many of my friends and family do, including my 75 year only mother. Not everyone is interested in politics... I'm glad you could offend half the nation with your remarks about face book. I guess being a billionaire must be tough on Mark Zuckerberg. Is he a loser too? Just askin'.
Ask Newt. He ought to know. Or, wait ... Newt doesn't need to apologize, does he? Because he did nothing wrong.
My eye.
I've heard Frank say it, myself. Just the other day, in fact. And I had heard it before.
If you stopped watching Faux News, you might hear it, too.
@ M.Fisher --
Give this a look, why don't you?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/17/newt-gingrich-freddie-mac-barney-frank_n_1099393.html
Mark, You just qualified yourself as an idiot by saying he took 1.6 million. Did he earn it or did you just call yourself a partisan?
Dominaco -- "and hopefully I can remember all three" -- Goodun. This joke is going to be around for awhile.
Gingrich? While going through the trash Teapublicans found this reject. Only a pathological liar can change positions every minute with such utter conviction.
(MM) I feel like that Newt Gingrich's lack of organization is really going to be able to hurt him and really this entire Bloomberg story that he took $1.6, at least $1.6 million from Freddie Mac is devastating to him because it makes him seem like he's part of Washington.
* * *
Mark,
Yes and no. Lack of an organization ALWAYS HURTS. Having those nameless thousands to man the phone, print and distribute the literature, and bake brownies is very much needed for the retail politics of Iowa. As far as the $1.6M from Freddie -- not a whoop. It is legal. Newt was speaker. Clinton, Powell, Kissenger, and others capitalize on their past positions. This is not secret sauce, it is legal moonshine, made by state troopers, to educate cops. Now granted, no one likes Washington insiders (especially this year), but Newt, even with past marriage issues, diamonds at Tiffany's, and consulting for Freddie, is best in show. He is smart, debates well, knows where Uzbekistan is on the map, and can actually stand on the same stage with Obama. Plus, the Conservatives love him -- and Mitt has no love on the right.
And that's why we play the game.
And hey how about Tebow. That was something.
No Newt can't Romney(in my opinion) but the TeaParty is just Crazy enough to Throw a wrench into Corparate Republicans Plans!
Hey Spankster, how much longer before San Diego starts to Sink from all the Drug Tunnels?
Spanky,
Boy, are you a sourpuss.
Amy B.,
Congrats!
Patriots fans thank Tebow! Great story.
Enjoy , Tim Tebow. Bill Belichick is scheming, and has figured out how to beat your option offense, when the Pats visit next month.
Here is his plan: Tebow cant make a 4th quarter comback when he is down by 21.
Tebow magic. My Lions are the only one to beat him so far.
All he does is win, but what I don't get is why defenses don't absolutely play him to run instead of throw? Two Linebackers shadowing him every play of that last drive may have resulted in a different outcome.
But for now it's a Great Story, I hope it continues.
Tim grew up just a few miles from me. Watched him play high school football, then of course, at Florida (GO GATORS!). This kid is great. Give him this season and a full training camp - I think he will surprise all the NFL commentators. Just wish our ownership had been smart enough to get him. (Jags suck this year)
Yo Bali - care to 'splain how me saying that the primary [the game] will determine the race, not silly talking heads, or tossing a shout out to Tebow makes me a 'sourpuss?'
Projection perhaps?
Rick - just part of the joy of living so close to the Toilet that is Mexico.
As you can imagine we here are super stoked that the ATF actually armed the bastards.
Drugs are bad Rick.
AKs in the hands of the cartel are worse.
@WCA
I have been really impressed with your Lions this year. Looking forward to turkey day to watch them again (don't get to see them to often in my market)
@ Bob
Your Pats going to win out, or will you all finally have a losing season (yes, that is envy in my voice, I am in the AFC, too)
@ any Colt fans
My vote for MVP is Peyton Manning. He is your whole team. Without him you are worse than us! (Jags)
Hey, let's not get too excited yet. Being a Detroit Lion's Fan is tough enough already. The rest of the schedule is pretty tough including two against the Packers. I sure hope Stafford is more accurate than last week.
So Lions fans - who pays for the staduim?
What happens come December when the city runs out of cash?
Will they be able to keep the lights on?
That's a good question. Will the State Legislature keep it's promise's to Mayor Bing? No the GOP has already said sorry but we can't. Maybe the Ford Family you know the Owners of Lions, maybe they can pay the bills seeing as how they reap the benefits of Ford Field.
As a conservative I don't know if Gingrich and beat Romney in the Primary, Romney has the money and the organization in place. I do believe either Gingrich or Romney can defeat President Obama if the economy stays the way it is or sinks more.
As I have said in past posts it is really hard to beat an incumbent President because of the money advantage and having the media coverage. Also President Obama is trying to raise one billion dollars (a very obscene figure).
There have only been two incumbents beaten in my life time (Carter & Bush 1), proving that it is an uphill fight to beat an incumbent. However, it was the economy that beat both sitting Presidents, (foreign policy also helped to defeat Carter). No one had really heard of Clinton when he came on the scene and the main democrats shied away from running against a sitting President. (Clinton was a very good orator and debater, had a very good campaign team, and was "hungry".) Further the democrats beat Bush to death when he went back on his promise of "No new Taxes". (which the democrats had promised they would not use against him. Same thing they did to Reagan).
If the Republicans get their act together and pound Obama on the economy, & high unemployment, and stress Obama's lack of leadership, they could possibility pull an upset. Remember Politics is a very funny game and anything can happen.
sfret: anything's possible...then again, you actually have to have a candidate and some ideas...not just run against Obama. I can't see Romney being that guy unless he's been hiding a charisma and leadership plans he's just kept well hidden all of these years--it sure as heck isn't going to be Newt Gingrich. Both men are very well known. I wonder if it's too late for anyone else to get in.
That's not a bad post, sfcret.
I agree that President Obama's only political concern right now is economic. In the end, the general election will come down to which candidate independents more trust to not screw up the economy further.
That's why the GOP leadership is so intent on nominating Romney. They see him as the most likely of the bunch to keep on message - not allow the campaign to become about the Republican candidate, like the other freakshows vying for this nomination likely would. And then hope and pray for continued economic strains through next November.
And the GOP leadership is willing to stoop pretty low to get its way.
sfcret. Good points, interesting comment.
There is a cog in the economy will be President Obama's downfall wheel and it is what is going on outside Washington DC in states like Wisconsin and Ohio. State GOP governors and majority state legislators did a giant over-reach and awakened a sleeping giant. In addition, the fact that President Obama sent Congress the American Jobs Act (AJA) which was fully paid for by increasing taxes on millionaires and billionaires, closing corporate welfare loopholes, etc. and the GOP has filibustered it and nearly every mini-version of it was a trap for republicans. Obama is out selling it to the public and the public supports it. The polls show clearly that the American public is on Obama's side regarding taxes, the AJA, etc. Polls also show that even 50% of republicans believe that the GOP in Congress is purposely sabotaging President Obama and the economy. I believe that the 2012 election will not meet the "conventional wisdom" test nor will these elections reflect historical precedence.
AP, you really don't need any ideas when you run against an incumbent, all you have to do is run on the incumbents record especially when the economy is so bad. I to would like to see someone else get into the race, but not so much an unknown. I kind of like to know what I am buying.
Huntsman, is the missing link that these Republicans are overlooking, I'm an Independent so I could care less, I really can't stand republicanism but I still say Huntsman would be their best shot.
sfcret, what do you think about the recent signs of an improving economy? For example, consumer spending is up and joblessness is decreasing (albeit too slowly). Apparently, some retail sales are doing well, especially cars and electronics. I think if these general trends continue, someone like Romney is going to have a harder time against Obama. Romney's achilles' heel is his support of a health care program that Obama actually patterned his reform bill after. How does he overcome that? He also is weaker than Obama on foreign policy. Finally, I could care less about his religion, but lots of evangelical Christians do. My mom, a staunch Republican, says she can't vote for him just because of the fact that he's Mormon. I don't think she can vote for Obama either, so she'd probably sit this one out. I don't think Gingrich has a chance of being the nominee--he's just the flavor of the week right now.
As far as Clinton's success goes, don't forget the Perot factor.
Spanky-
And that's why we play the game.
Eat your heart out Spanky; you lost
Really Bev?
How so?
Did they already hold the election?
Wait, are you talking about the 1% thingy?
Hey Bev. why would the OWS screw with the subway? You think they think the 1%-ers ride public transit?
No way, the '99%-ers' are way to smelly.
Congratulation Amy!!
President Obama 2012
Good Job AMY!!!!! Hooray!!!!!
I am a Republican and I am perplexed at the rise of Newt. To me, for many reasons, Newt in the '80s was the poster-boy for the sell-out of my party to the religious right and I can not shake that. He has done or said little since to make me consider him a viable presidential candidate.
There must be many moderate Republicans around my age that cut their political teeth in the '80s who feel the same way. I think voters of my demographic tend to shy from activism, overall we are a rather quiet group. The question has been asked, and still lingers - why has the Republican Party apparently swung so far right? Perhaps one reason is that we moderates have sat quietly by and let it happen.
Mark in SoCal
I hope you will consider voting for President Obama's re-election. Send the Republican Party a message: they have become too extreme to win your vote.
Mark in So Cal---I enjoy your posts. I think another factor might be that people like myself and some of the others who post here have left the Republican party because we believe there is no place for us in it. It leaves moderates like you even more marginalized. It is a shame that the extremists are crowding people like us out.
P.S. Congrats, Amy---great questions. I'll also post my congrats on FB!!
Marc, and Steeler Fan,
I understand your feelings too--I have voted Republican in the past.
The party has definitely moved too far right for me as well.
I have noted in other posts that this group of candidates has nothing to offer us--except possibly Mr. Huntsman. It is really too bad.
Mark in SoCal, well said, as are all your posts.
There are many moderates out there but until they stop voting for the republican simply because there's an "R" by the name, the GOP will continue shifting to the right. I used to be a republican until Ronald Reagan came along; voted for him but the more I listened and researched, they less I liked what the GOP was becoming. Hated the anti-government, anti-union (no, I've never been a member), anti-women rhetoric and the embrace of the religious right that began then. I especially did not like the unfunded spending that doubled the debt while Reagan claimed fiscal responsibility. While President Reagan is not what the current GOP paints him to be, he began their shift to where they are and how they think today.
It's because you Republicans have NO ONE!! Don't you get it, why else do you have Bachman after the Iowa straw vote, then Perry when he first starts out until he babbles his debates, then Cain until his probable sex abuse links from a while back and the fact he probably still hasn't firgured out where Libya is. Somone has to surface, and Newt being a professor can blow the typical Hannity & O'Reilly blah, blah to the typical narrow minded conservative, he's actually very articulate in presenting that conservative-T Party talk. What you need to figure out "Mr I am a moderate Republican" is how you get Huntsman who in my mind is the most qualified candidate, how do you get your GOP friends to come to the same conclusion. The guy can't even get into double digits and he's the best one for the job.
We will take back the Republican Party from the Tea Party with election of Mitt Romney - IT will be Mitt!
Everyone has already said it, but let me add my congratulations too, Amy! You go girl!
I almost spilled my coffe in my lap reading that Newt has supporters.
His biggest support comes from the folks at Tiffany's
Many fine questions posed the other day about OWS, political insider trading scandals, implications if the super committee fails and the possibility that a new Senate could change filibuster rules.
However, the boiler room questions always center around this flash in the pan front runner or the other. No offense Amy Portland, you had a right to ask and get your question answered. Good job.
The yo yo rollercoaster ride will continue. In a few weeks, Newt will be back in third behind Romney and Cain. In Iowa, I would actually love it if Ron Paul won. I would laugh. Would be nice to see someone who moved his base with their message rather than with his dollars.
IMO, too much importance is put into the Iowa Caucus/popularity contest every cycle. On the GOP side when was the last time someone winning Iowa actually won the Presidency? This go around GOP political ideas seem to be far from the mainstream and out of touch with the general population. As the GOP contenders try to button up support in Iowa from the far right and tea party will they alienate the rest of the country?
Yellowdog,
"As the GOP contenders try to button up support in Iowa from the far right and tea party will they alienate the rest of the country?"
Methinks they already have....
Yellowdog. While you are entitled to your opinion and I don't disagree with you about Iowa republicans but do not put the Iowa GOP Caucus in the same category as the Iowa Democratic Caucus. Iowa's GOP is a mere reflection of the shift to the very conservative, far right evangelical base nationwide which is also prevalent in other states as well. We Iowans take our politics seriously and I can tell you that we put candidates through the wringer at least on the democratic side.
The Ames Straw Poll is strictly a GOP fund raiser and the candidate who buys the most tickets and has the best food wins--always has been that way; democrats have no straw polls.
Hi Jody - Forgive me for generalizing, I understand Obama won Iowa in 2008. Quite a feat as he was the first african american to win in a "middle america" caucus.
I'm originally from Omaha and have always considered Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas ie. (Midwest) as GOP strongholds.
Due to the candidates that the GOP runs, I "generalize" that it is a lot easier for them to run to the far right in Iowa. No moderates need apply. I really think that our system relies too much on Iowa and New Hampshire another low population state to chose the eventual candidates. A candidate wins one or does well in the other and they get all the support, money and donations. I think it would be better if a true swing state with more moderate voters like Ohio or Florida started things off. No offense Jody just my opinion.
Yellowdog --
Thanks for the comment. Our other "Inside the Boiler Room" video this week we'll be posting later is on the Super Committee.
Most of our job right now for NBC News is covering the 2012 race and (right now) the GOP primary contest. So the questions on the candidates, 2012, etc. are much more in our wheelhouse. However, we'll do a better job to pick more diverse questions -- ones that we've reported on and written about.
If the Huntsmans could get past their family drama, and Jon Sr. is allowed to do some damage with his checkbook, you would think that would all benefit Newt.
Except this year, conventional wisdom has been run out of town.
Spanky.....guess you don't have any facebook friends, eh? Try being nice to people here for a change and who knows - you too can be on facebook someday!!!
Congrats Amy!! Can Newt beat Romney??!!! NOPE!!! But he's not trying to beat Romney as you can see by his answer when the moderator asked him "do you want to comment about him saying how is Mr. Romney going to handle foreign policy??" He said "No!" He wants to be either Vice President or in the cabinet of one of the Republican candidates that's all.
Wake up conservatives! Newt is the best you have to offer....he is a crook of the first order and "what'" you want him because he holds a couple of positions that are sancrosact to you....he would enslave all of us if it helped him make more money. Have you been following any news besides Fox? What planet are we living on!
I am not sure if you can run for the Presidency while in jail. If any more dirt comes out about Newt the crook and philanderer he may very well end up ij the slammer. Then he can use all [his Opinion] that he is the greatest advisor and secret attorney the country has ever known. Excuse me I have to go to the rest room and through up. Somehow he has to be related to Tom Delay.
he's not a crook at all, and has never broken any laws. Had a few insignificant House ethics dustups over book sales, classes he taught at college and other non-entities.
Don't worry, he's no Charlie Rangel tax cheat. And Rangel didn't even go to prison.
Yes, Gingrich can beat Romney and Obama, based on the fantastic record of a huge, historic election victory, balanced budgets and welfare reform, plus the fact he's smarter than Obama and would beat him in all the debates.
He'll have to be forgiven for a few Clintonian moments 15 years ago.
The Dems don't care while adultery is ongoing with a candidate...can Repubs forgiven sins from the 90s and before?
That's the only question. Beyond that, he's the best person to run the country, smartest, great record. Etcetera, etcetera.
Chesty, adultery is adultery, but most women can see the difference between Clinton's actions and Gingrich's (PLUS the hypocrisy of Gingrich's going after Clinton while he was committing adultery himself). Clinton didn't file for divorce papers while his wife was in the hospital being treated for cancer. Plus, Newt's not half as easy on the eyes as Clinton was when he was running for president. What I'm saying is, good luck with getting with women's vote, Newt!
I also completely disagree with you when you say that Gingrich is smarter than Obama. They are both professors. Gingrich is older and therefore has more life experience, but he has never been president.
Face it, y'all don't have an answer for Obama!
Obama/Biden 2012
We will find out after South Carolina won't we? Not being a Republican I could really care less, but we shall know more than.
IF Newt can pulloff Iowa and then surprise all with a SC win, it is game on! The Anti-Romney vote is large enough to beat him hands down. The biggest advantage is the way the Republicans have structure the Delegate votes. States like NY and CA should have only 1 delegate until they deliver their states to the Republican for President. Romney will carry most of the blue states against Newt, but cannot carry them in the general. So we end up with a moderate in the general due to the flawed primary vote allocation process. The Republican national committee which is anti-teaparty protects this scheme to allow the blue states to affect the candidate. The problem is the national committee which is dominated by moderates. Newt will win in the states we can carry over Romney period.
Newt is the stronger candidate in the states we must win-Indiana, Ohio, Iowa,
Fl., and Mo. Romney is stronger in states that we cannot win.
So the question is: Can the most mercenary of politicians beat the Democrat in GOP clothing? I got your anti-Romney and anti-Gingrich vote right here: It's called Dr. Ron Paul. Ever heard of him?
Ron who??
The problem with Gingrich is that he is a con man, a shyster, two faced and a money grubber. He is just another Donald Trump and Sarah Palin. Newt is in it for the money. Gingrich could never win a presidental election. There are just too many skeletons in his closet. He has immense political baggage to carry. He will not be able to con his way out of all those negative political liabilities during a Presidential campaign. Good bye Newt.
The choice is clear - Mitt Romney will win! Right thinking Republicans and the 1% want Mitt, we do not need another loose canon like we have now in the White House!
Where have you been? You are saying "Right thinking Republicans want Mitt" ??
Right wing Repubs want anyone but Mitt.
Mitt is almost like a Democrat. He came from being Govenor of a very Dem state, Massachusettes. He helped create "Romneycare."
BTW, there are lots of Democrats in Congress who are in the 1%. Meanwhile, they act as if they stand up for the "little people" and despise the 1% !!
Clean up the Dem Party first.
That's where all the HYPOCRITES reside.
When I say "right" thinking Republicans I mean the Majority of the Party and our 1% we are all in this to beat the Demo's so I don't care about "their house"
Let's face it, at this point , ANY Republican will do a better job than Oblabla.
It's Thanksgiving. I would say that I am grateful for our freedom in the U.S. except, our freedom is being challenged right here at home.
It is being challenged by lawmakers, especially the Democrats, who think their own political prospects are more important than the American people.
How dare the Democrats vote against a balanced budget amendment ! The Dems have not had a budget in over 900 days. Let's rid D.C. of Dems who are NOT doing their JOB.
Hey, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, that's our money you are stealing !! YOU two should be the first to go.
A Republican will win in 2012. Here's the reason...
Obama is NOT a leader. A leader rolls up his sleeves, gets to work with BOTH Parties and says" let's get a deal that BOTH Parties are happy with for the good of the country and the American people ".
Obama FAILED as LEADER of ALL the people.
Obama thinks he is the leader of the Democrat Liberal Caucus ONLY.
Sad but TRUE.
How is he not a leader? He gets Bin Ladin along with more operatives under his tenure than Bush ever did. It appears he at least not only knows where Libya is (Cain) but touched the right buttons by involving ourselves in just the right way. Were getting out of Iraq, the most expensive war with no reason for ever going in there, you do remember the "weapons of mass destruction that will be used on the US" the advanced nuclear program that did not exist. That's Republican leadership for you thank you Rumsfeld and Chaney, along with how many Americans sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice? If he's so liberal why do MSNBC people ride him so much because he's not progressive enough. Not to mention the near depression Hoover, I mean, Bush left him with.
Many Republicans I know seem depressed about their choices for the primary and about their chances of winning in 2012. They're not excited about this election. They don't like Mitt, who is the likely nominee, and the other candidates keep shooting themselves in the foot. Some of these conservatives secretly realize that it might be better to stay with the devil they know than the one they don't know.
I bought a book called "Throw Them All Out". My God, I have always known there had to be a reason someone would spend millions to get a job that paid $165000 per year with no guarantee past 2 or 6 years. But, this book names names...and Congress says what they are doing is legal. Martha Stewart went to jail for the same thing. It's disgusting.
It is going to take several voting cycles to get this scum under control. And, there will be wolves in sheep clothing that get voted in and have to be voted out the next cycle.
We need to concentrate much more on who the next Congressman or Senator from our area is going to be instead of focusing so much on the Repub candidates.
I personally think Romney has the best chance of cleaning up the mess, but am not sure he has the best chance of being the candidate or winning the Presidency. But, if Mickey Mouse is the only one running against Obama in 2012, Mickey gets my vote.
Now there's an idea--run Mickey Mouse. He certainly is more likable than any of the characters currently running in the Republican primary! (And possibly more qualified!)