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The hottest argument in Republican circles these days isn’t about immigration, taxes or even health care policy. It’s about New Gingrich and whether nominating him as the party standard-bearer would be disastrous or providential.
The pundits and professional consultants have weighed in on the question in a largely negative manner but many of the Republican candidates seeking election to Congress next fall don’t appear to share the concerns the GOP establishment seems to have about the impact Gingrich would have on downballot races as their presidential nominee.
A dozen of the GOP’s top recruits to run for Congress, part of the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Guns” program for 35 promising candidates, said in interviews with NBCPolitics.com over the last week that they’re not worried about running with the former House speaker at the top at the ticket. Some are downright excited about the prospect.
"I’ve been telling people all along that Newt is the real thing, and he’s substantially different than when he was Speaker of the House," said Dave Garrison, the Republican challenging Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett in Texas.
“I think for my race, my views are more in line with Newt Gingrich, and if the base rallies behind a Newt Gingrich-like candidate, it will benefit me,” said another Republican running for Congress in the southwestern U.S., who asked for anonymity in order to speak candidly about the race. “I think Newt’s a more exciting candidate; he’s going to bring more attention to the conservative cause.”
Some Republicans worry that, at best, Gingrich wouldn’t be as competitive of a candidate against President Barack Obama, and would diminish Republican prospects downballot. At worst, the GOP establishment fears an implosion by Gingrich, whose career has been marked by lapses in discipline, that has catastrophic effects on the Republican brand in 2012.
Conventional wisdom in Washington, reinforced by recent polling, suggests that Gingrich would perform worse as a general election candidate than former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. But the crop of Republican candidates seeking election to Congress doesn’t seem to mind.
Data from the most recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll reinforces that viewpoint. Gingrich performs worse against Obama than Romney in key demographic groups like women aged 18-49 and independents. Romney also fares better versus Obama in the Northeast and West, according to the data. At the same time, the poll showed that conservative enthusiasm is behind Gingrich, signaling that he could carry GOP enthusiasm with his candidacy.
In the interviews, the Candidates’ opinions toward Gingrich boiled down to the belief that, while he might not be the perfect nominee, he’s more likely to aggressively contest the election and, by that strategy, spark Republican enthusiasm, particularly among conservatives. The candidates brushed off Gingrich’s baggage, both personal and professional.
Most candidates refused to pick explicitly between Gingrich and Romney when assessing which of the two might help their own prospects. Two of the GOP’s most astute political minds – Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole and former Virginia Rep. Tom Davis, each of whom spent time running the NRCC – said the Gingrich-or-Romney effect would vary most strongly across regions of the country.
“What we’ve seen in polling to date is that Gingrich is a weaker candidate at the top of the ticket, especially in the Northeast and Midwest,” Davis explained. “Romney is more acceptable to swing voters in that area.”
But even an admitted Romney admirer like Mike Clark, a Republican candidate in Connecticut, expressed comfort about having Gingrich at the top of the ticket. “He certainly stimulates a lot of discussion. One of my concerns is that a lot of voters are apathetic, and I think he erodes that,” he said. “I would not view a Gingrich campaign as a death knell for the Republican Party in the Northeast.”
The candidates see the presidential contest affecting their own races in several key ways. Chiefly, they say that a good candidate could help drive turnout, especially in swing districts where every vote matters at the margin. They also see the eventual presidential candidate as helping to set the pace and tone of their debates. That might mean that when Gingrich, who’s given to speak extemporaneously, says something controversial on the national stage, it will trickle down to other GOP candidates.
“If he’s the candidate and he takes a position on something with illegal immigration or the economy or whatever, I think it’s a totally appropriate question to ask a candidate,” said California Republican candidate Gary DeLong.
“There isn’t any question about it that my opponent, whoever he or she may be, will try to find whatever the most extreme position whatever presidential candidate might have, and push me right up against it,” said John Koster, a GOP candidate in Washington state. “And they can probably expect Republican candidates will take Democrats and shove them right up against President Obama.”
It’s fear of exactly that scenario that’s driven concerns about Gingrich among Republicans in Washington, some of whom view the prospects of a Gingrich implosion as a matter of when, not if. And at that point, a serious stumble could harm the GOP brand. Their unease about Gingrich is well-documented; a number of them expressed their concerns this week to Roll Call, the Capitol Hill newspaper.
“Romney definitely gives Republicans their best chance downballot,” said a veteran GOP strategist familiar with congressional contests who requested anonymity to provide candid analysis. “Whether the Republican nom wins or loses, the most important thing for congressional candidates is a close race.”
Cole, the Oklahoma congressman who headed House Republicans’ campaign efforts in 2006-08, was more forgiving. “The reality is that presidential campaigns are long and complex,” he said. “While that can really magnify your flaws, it also means that any single flaw is seldom debilitating.”
A few of the Republican candidates contacted by NBCPolitics.com citied the Massachusetts health reform Romney spearheaded as governor as a reason to give them pause about him.
“In my district, what I hear, the epitome of right track/wrong track is ObamaCare,” said Ed Martin, one of two Republican candidates in Missouri’s Second district. “Here’s the problem with Romney: RomneyCare dilutes that argument.”
Most of the candidates said they’re planning their campaigns independently of the eventual nominee. (“Campaigns can really rise and fall in a matter of minutes. I’m not going to irrevocably tie myself to any one candidate,” said Ricky Gill, a GOP candidate in California).
And still others believe that Republicans’ enthusiasm in beating Obama in 2012 is enough to carry the day, regardless of the eventual nominee. (“To the extent that the election is a referendum on the Obama administration, whoever the nominee is, they’re going to do just fine,” said Andy Barr, a repeat Republican candidate in Kentucky.
Even Gingrich supporters acknowledge the candidate’s flaws. Garrisson said the former Speaker’s talk about “amnesty” – referencing his statements in favor of allowing a citizenship process for illegal immigrants who establish roots in the U.S. – doesn’t help him. Garrisson also said Gingrich’s advocacy work on behalf of troubled mortgage giant Freddie Mac, which earned his firm a reported $1.6 million, “cumbersome.”
The former speaker’s personal baggage – three marriages, the current one being the byproduct of an affair – are well-documented, too. None of the candidates mentioned that as a concern, though. And Gingrich has sought to defuse the issue by publicly acknowledging that he’s made mistakes, and saying that he’s sought forgiveness for his actions.
And just as primary voters appear to be looking for someone who might rock the boat, so are Republican candidates.
“I think what we want at the top of the ticket is someone who’s smart and articulate and is willing to challenge the status quo,” said Mark Meadows, a House candidate in North Carolina.
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just4
hahahahahahahahaha
You are correct!!!
rp can't answer because Rush is on vacation and hasn't told him how to think on the subject.
hahahahahahahahahahaha
Hey rp........I answered your question you coward.
The only chance the GOP has in winning this coming election is whether all the Super Pac's can lie well enough and brainwash people like rp. Flood the airwaves with $$$ and lies. (Where in the world is Carmen Santiago & Carl Rove?) Instill fear in their minds. Make them think everyone else is a commie or terrorist!Yeh..that's the ticket!
I voted for Obama and even got the chance to be at that Democrat National Convention in Denver, it was amazing. Growing up with liberal parents, and liberal values (I guess you could say) Obama winning in 2008 was a dream come true for me, especially after 8 years of little Bush. However, I must say that these past years with Obama in office has made me become an Independent. I do not agree with how our President has handled many important issues, or his leadership style regardless if this has been his fault or not seems to have divided this country more then I have ever seen in my thirty two years, (15 years of which I never paid attention). I'm hoping that the Republicans give him a run for his money, we need a strong leader and someone willing to cross party lines. Saying that, I am not excited about what the republicans are offering either, Newt and Romney seem more able to do that then others. Ron Paul is growing on me, then he opens his mouth about Iran and I think that he lost me. Bachman is an extremist, Perry is a terrible debater and a moron, Cain's 9-9-9 plan would raise small business owner taxes by taking away needed deductions (but he is gone so who cares), Newt has a corrupt past and Romney seems to flip flops to whatever is popular. I don't know, as an Independent who I will vote for, it may be Obama again honestly. I feel very strongly about the environment, gay rights, pro choice and health care options. The Tea Party has forced these radical religious ideas into the republican party and its frustrating. They all have to say the same thing to win over the Tea Party members, but what about the Independents who are more liberal but are willing to vote Republican , MAYBE. Just saying this is a tough one, glad I have another year to weigh in. I've enjoyed reading everyone thoughts.
Good Post...I think you are leaning towards the right person though. He was quite restricted by many things,unfortunately with re-election in the balance all the time. That is almost behind him now and you will see the Obama you voted for fulfill your expectations...I hope !!! But I believe !!!
I want to thank my like-minded friends on this site for standing strong. Keep up the fight! For freedom & justice equally for all. Lets all do our part wherever we are to share the truth. RP is evidence it won't be easy but we can't give up hope or tire from those who don't agree or by the schemes of people who want to take away some citizens rights to vote,our freedom of speech & the press,an education for our children, livable wages & health care or a compassion for a passing generation that helped build this nation, and a responsibility to all the soldiers who have served this nation to protect us and keep us strong. I'm encouraged by those I've spent time with here ..... If it's OK, can I say God Bless us all. Thanks
and you too truth....and Merry Christmas !!!!
I really hope so Cowboy 17, maybe my expectations were too high. I'm not sure anyone would have done well in this mess, democrat or republican
Well with everything dumped on him,a lesser man would have folded his tent. He stays steady,he works REAL hard and the thing I admire about him the most is that he doesn't get down in the mud with the others. He is our very best hope considering the choices. I hope I helped you to take a second look,because that rp guy said he is canceling my vote and your vote will give me the upper hand on him..HaHa !!!
Oh lady, don't fall for it. You know you're not a com...e like cowboi. You were doing good. keep thinking for yourself. Tune out the blind who only see a candidate with a red (D) next to his name. Hang in there . they always sound good. Obama sounded good didn't he. It only took Reagan 3 yrs, and Bush turned the country around after the dot-com bubble and 9/11. This was nothing compared to that. He's not a leader, he's a taker.
Bush turned the country around after the dot-com bubble and 9/11.
Sure -- he turned the country around -- by handing us the worst economy since the depression. George W. Bush and his Republican Congress brought us two unfunded wars, two unfunded tax cuts, a massive, unfunded, new entitlement, the largest expansion of government since LBJ, the largest increase in energy prices in any 8 year period in our history, along with a net loss of jobs over 8 years all while turning the largest surplus of all times into the largest deficit of all times and leaving office with the worst economy since the depressions.
The reality is no president since Kennedy had the keys to the White House turned over to him from the former president with the nation in BETTER shape than did George W. Bush and no president since FDR had the keys to the White House turned over to him from the former president with the nation in WORSE than did President Obama. It will take this nation a generation or longer to dig ourselves out of the economic disaster caused by George W. Bush and his Republican controlled Congress.
Commieson, tax cuts are always unfunded, just like obumbles raiding Soc Sec for our current tax cut. Last time I looked, obummer care is an entitlement. Oh yeah, and the libyan war. And what do you know energy prices have doubled and some in only 3 yrs. Oh and already 3 million jobs lost ( remember unemployment not going over 8% ) and 5 trillion in spending already in just 3 years.
Don't you feel really stupid now.
RP --- do the math. The SS tax teal, the aid to Libya, the health car act -- not even !% of the two bush tax cuts and two Bush wars. Energy prices have NOT doubled -- not even close and we haven't lost 3 million jobs. And -- unlike your friend Bush, this president counts ALL the spending.
Some people are too stupid to even feel stupid.
With the media in on the last election, it's why Sarah Palin was added to the McCain ticket. They had no intention of winning. Why do you think Republicans gained so many seats in the last midterm? Sarah Palin and John McCain were part of a COUP. Obama was turned after he won the election to take down those who make up the "organized community" which he spoke about. Osama Obama Biden (Bi)nla(den). Figure it out. Law breaking unelected officials (Cowards) will threaten to kill and will endlessly torture anyone who leaks this story so that they aren't out of a job. It's a power play. Our nation will suffer while the military police state figures who their next puppet will be in 2012. The Feds are writing the headlines and orchestrating the stories for the media to report on. The entire nation is being spied on. Psy-ops is using message boards loaded with propaganda to create chatter. Share the truth before it's too late. Search PalinsDirtyLittleSecret for the biggest cover up in history.
With the media in on the last election, it's why Sarah Palin was added to the McCain ticket.
Yes -- it's a "massive conspiracy" with Fox and CNBC calling the shots. But don't tall anyone.
Wouldn't mind some republican with some brains but as long as they're singing the same old religious songs they won't get my vote.
Ever heard of separation of church and state?
The rest of the world has....
It's time for America to join the modern industrialized forward thinking nations of the world.
- Stop the Federal Reserve banksters and their banking cartel by using America as a Socialist State.
- Stop the narco-state gunning running to the drug cartels in Mexico, which Attorney Buck Private Eric Holder has approved.
- Stop the NDAA Indefinite Detention Legislation, which can allow the Army militia and the FBI to arrest anyone without a charge, warrant, trial and jury. So if anyone protests publicly against the government can be arrested at Obama's approval and disappear into a blackhole. This dangerous piece of legislation is a precursor to Martial Law, which will be declared when the dollar collapses.
- Stop the pending legislation for allowing open borders at certain points with no patrols so that illegals can come in the millions to vote Obama back into office.
- Stop the online piracy legislation which is a bill to stop "Free Speech." It would also censor any website that speaks out in protest against the government.
Vote for Ron Paul to bring back liberty and the Constitution to stop the globalists and their banking cartel from the takeover of U.S. Government as a Socialist State with Obama as their puppet.
The latest NBC/Wall St Journal poll shows that Obama defeats Gingrich by 12% in 2012 ! what a gift to the democrats from the republicans and tea party ! MERRY CHRISTMAS !
The Jones/yippie love poll shows mickey mouse beating Obumbles by 22%. So what . Oh, I will be so happy if the same moron clown who is ruining the country gets re-elected. Wow you're impressive.
newts a douche...and no independent in the US would even think to vote for him....he is against EVERYTHING an independent stands for...I live in Colorado and everywhere you go you see Obama 2012 bumper stickers on cars...its a done deal
Obama 2012
Tell me "mountain air-head" what is the independant platform? Let's see, hold finger up, vote in that direction. Please, do everyone a favor, don't vote.
If they only had a brain! America must clear out the House of the toxic fringe! Every TEA-GOP-Republican in office or running for office anywhere in America, locally, at the state level or nationally, must be targeted for retirement.
This incompetent TEA-GOP-Republican 112th Congress is piece-meal-ing legislation to make it hard to get anything done. It's an all-out effort to slow the president down and shut off any good work or actions of this, our first, black president. There is no good coming out of this 112th Congress!
10 years of Tax Cuts for the wealthy, since from the time Bush and the Republicans took over to today has resulted in the following:
Americans in Poverty in 2000 = 31.6 million (11.3%) Americans in Poverty in 2010 = 46.2 million (15.1%)
Americans Uninsured in 2000 = 36.6 million (13.1%) Americans Uninsured in 2010 = 49.9 million (16.3%)
Earnings of Poorest 20% in 2000 = $22,700 Earnings of Poorest 20% in 2010 = $20,000 (-11.9%)
Earnings of Median Middle Class in 2000 = $53, Earnings of Median Middle Class in 2010 = $49,400 (-7.0%)
Earnings of Highest 20% in 2000 = $183,900 Earnings of Highest 20% in 2010 = $180,800 (-1.7%)
According to the IRS 2009 Earnings report:
The top 1% Adjusted Gross Income = $344,000/year
The top 5% Adjusted Gross Income =$155,000/year The 50% Median Middle Class AGI = $32,000/year
So we can give a round of applause to the GOP for ensuring the wealthy have stayed wealthy!
As long as the confrontational TEA-GOP-Republicans control the Congress there will be no prograess. They have steadfastly held onto the premise that lower taxes will produce more jobs. That never has happened. There are too many career politician's in Washington. These confrontational collusionist have corrupted the legislative process in DC, and it's going to take a concerted effort to fix this problem!
Vote
Out
The
(E) Incumbent
Why do you hate? And use inflamatory words like "target"?
I notice you didn't mention the un-employment rate and poverty rate since Obumbles came in. I'm sure it's just an oversight.
RP -- I notice you never mention the 700,000 job losses per month this president inherited from Bush. You don't talk about the DOW at 8000 in January 2008 -- Bush's last days in office or talk about it being over 12,000 today. You don't talk about the economy that was shrinking at more than 6% per year in January 2009 or that is expanding at more than 2.5% today. Just an oversight???
As an Independent I am seriously amused by the term conservative values being associated with the Republicans. Newt, for example, has a tax proposal that gives the wealthiest in America a 28% tax break (they already pay less on a % basis than most of us) while the rest of get something like a 0.5 to 3% tax cut. Zero taxes on Capital gains (and that creates job how?) By they logic, shouldn't lottery winnings be tax free as well. You invested a dollar and won millions..Capital Gains? Right? Then they defend spending $700B a year on defense and are fighting any reduction in Defense spending tooth and nail. If these are conservative values..then what would you classify as extreme. But what I find most amusing are the middle income Republicans (who will get just as screwed as everyone else if any of these nut job get their agenda passed in Congress). And it's also comical of some of the brain washing going on....it appears that any attempt to make taxes more fair for everyone is either a communist or socialist plot. Warren Buffett paid 17% in federal taxes in 2010. As a middle income family we paid 21%. That's fair....right?
No, we would rather have a fair tax. I know it's hard for "progressives " not being able to grab that money from us. Oh, you are with the Soc Sec scam tax cut. How can you face your mother. Shame.
If conservatives want to drag this country back to the 1950's (women and blacks knew their place, society was fairly civil if you were white and male, etc.), why don't they want to pay the tax rates that we had back then?
Because Ike is not the president. Da.
From the IRS website...explain to me the difference between a lottery ticket and buy 1 share of GE stock. In both cases you invested money and received something of value. The lottery ticket is most likely a loser so you lost money. GE stock could tank and you could also lose money. But if you 1 share of GE stock makes money, it's taxed (currently) at 15%. Read the IRS tax code and THEN explain to me why lottery winnings shouldn't be treated as capital gains.
IRS Tax Tip 2011-35, February 18, 2011
Did you know that almost everything you own and use for personal or investment purposes is a capital asset? Capital assets include a home, household furnishings and stocks and bonds held in a personal account. When a capital asset is sold, the difference between the amount you paid for the asset and the amount you sold it for is a capital gain or capital loss.
Here are ten facts from the IRS about gains and losses and how they can affect your Federal income tax return.
1. Almost everything you own and use for personal purposes, pleasure or investment is a capital asset.
2. When you sell a capital asset, the difference between the amount you sell it for and your basis – which is usually what you paid for it – is a capital gain or a capital loss.
3. You must report all capital gains.
4. You may deduct capital losses only on investment property, not on property held for personal use.
5. Capital gains and losses are classified as long-term or short-term, depending on how long you hold the property before you sell it. If you hold it more than one year, your capital gain or loss is long-term. If you hold it one year or less, your capital gain or loss is short-term.
6. If you have long-term gains in excess of your long-term losses, you have a net capital gain to the extent your net long-term capital gain is more than your net short-term capital loss, if any.
7. The tax rates that apply to net capital gain are generally lower than the tax rates that apply to other income. For 2010, the maximum capital gains rate for most people is 15%. For lower-income individuals, the rate may be 0% on some or all of the net capital gain. Special types of net capital gain can be taxed at 25% or 28%.
8. If your capital losses exceed your capital gains, the excess can be deducted on your tax return and used to reduce other income, such as wages, up to an annual limit of $3,000, or $1,500 if you are married filing separately.
9. If your total net capital loss is more than the yearly limit on capital loss deductions, you can carry over the unused part to the next year and treat it as if you incurred it in that next year.
10. Capital gains and losses are reported on Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses, and then transferred to line 13 of Form 1040.
For more information about reporting capital gains and losses, see the Schedule D instructions, Publication 550, Investment Income and Expenses or Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax. All forms and publications are available at http://www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
I'd say more like bullish on bullsh!t, actually, if they fall for the premise of Newt du jour as a "leader."
Those that worked with Newt in the past generally don't support him. Most of his current supporters have never worked with him. That pretty much says it all.
The 2010 landslide should have been a wake-up for Dummycrats, but I can see you never learn. If Reps can prevent the illegal voting and illegal immigrant voter fraud that adds another 5% to Dums total, it should be a great year. I just hope the ones now can stop the spending before he takes all our Soc Sec and gives it to his public union free loaders. Please think this time around independants. You screwed it up last time.
"If Reps can prevent the illegal voting and illegal immigrant voter fraud that adds another 5% to Dums total,"
That is so much crap. Can you point to one single shred of evidence to back that up? Get a clue. The reality is we are NOT going to have thousands upon thousands if illegal immigrants, non-citizens, and ex-convicts lining up to vote. Real voter fraud is gong to happen electronically and that’s what we should be concerned about.
There are only 11 record voter fraud case in the justice dept. in the last 15 years period ! ( voter fraud cases the justice dept 2011)
They just caught your friends commiting voter fraud this week in Indiana. Ya, the old false voter petition to get obumbles and hillary on the ballot in certain counties. So I guess it's only 12 times now. Right.... You are so pathetically ignorant, you are probably one of the 15% that don't want id's to vote. Aren't you, you little trokskyite.
harder to cheat with id isn't it comrade. It's well known dems would never win w/o voter fraud.
Right... that'll last as long as it takes for Gingrich to puff himself up so much that he bursts. Then, they'll be all gaga for the NEXT candidate of the month, whoever THAT turns out to be. Christ, I'm glad every damn day that I'm not a Republican. Ugh!
Why is not the GOP bullish for Mo Romney?
With Newt on the ticket Obama will have to come up with more than Hope, More change, and Bush left a bigger mess than I expected. Obama owns this dung heap that we are living with.
With Newt on the ticked, Obama won't have to do much of anything. News is a great candidate -- for Democrats.
Gingrich is already slipping and he will soon be in the toilet--where he belongs....
It was only a matter if time. The "King of No Integrity" (Newt Gingrich) has flushed out and exposed the GOP candidates who are equally lacking in integrity. Don't take it personally GOP; you are who you support. And if you support a narcissistic, integrity deficient person like Newt Gingrich, you only have to look in a mirror to see the reflection of that same person; totally devoid of integrity - that be you.
please bring in newt, snl needs more comedy. the republican voters are really uninformed...
newt with three marriages...he creates chaos at home too?
You republicans support the rich only ... you really know nothing of politics...you Christan conservatives should remember the bible quotes :
Matthew 13:22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the
word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful
How many millions does Obumbles have?
Dear RP it is reported that a single donor from the northwest has pledged the Obama Super PAC a billion dollars ! so yes obama has cash and so does everyone else ! whats new this will be the most expensive campaign in history,and may the man with the most win ! because people donate to those who they believe in !