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CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The real headline at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference did not come from anything said there, but rather the event's dismal attendance, which prompted at least one candidate to cancel his appearance.
There were about 25 people in the space set aside for the conference at 9 A.M. when Newt Gingrich was scheduled to speak. But his campaign cancelled his appearance despite the traveling press being brought into the event space, which would have seated about 800 people.
"The campaign came to a mutual agreement with the organizers that based on attendance, we would go ahead and spend more time with the children of Charleston at the children's hospital," said campaign press manager Nathan Naidu, referring to Gingrich's next campaign stop at the Medical University of South Carolina children's hospital.
Erin Callanan, the press liaison for the conference, attributed the cancellation to "conflicting schedules."
"We're disappointed but we wish him well in the rest of his candidacy," she said to reporters after the cancellation was announced. "He's a presidential candidate. It's what comes with the schedule. You've got to be flexible."
The attendance picked up around 10 A.M. when Texas Rep. Ron Paul spoke, his supporters bringing the total attendance up to at least 100 people.
While Paul did not acknowledge the sparse attendance during his speech, he did talk about last night's CNN debate.
"The debates last night were very interesting and sometimes distracting, but overall I thought the debate went quite well," he said.
After Paul, and about 40 supporters, left the arena, Sen. Jim DeMint addressed, via pre-recorded video, the approximately 40 remaining audience members, urging them to rally behind the eventual Republican nominee.
"Vote for whoever you want. You find the best of the best and vote for them. But when we have a nominee as a party let's be united and recognize that we need to win this election," he said.
DeMint also praised the conference's "critical mass of principles and power in Charleston" and urged the attendees to "leave and go work for your candidate" after the event concluded.
The low attendance rate suggested, however, that Republican activists had already heeded DeMint's message, given that the critical masses were certainly not at the Southern Republican Leadership conference.
Leave a Comment:
oh no the republican party is over! great story psmnbc liberal bias news!
i didn't see any mention that OBOMBO's attendance numbers have been
DOWN and pathetic unless it's his rich big union green company crooks!
oh just give him the election now!!!! OBOMBO USA united socialist of america 2012!
You do realize that your message will be collapsed GoodvsEvil. Not only are you the first poster but you spoke against the master blaster in the White House.
It's amazing what MSNBCFOS will write about when it comes to the republicans. If it's republicans, it's news. If a democrat does something it's all hush hush...
Gosh, there are some not so smart people who post here, and It's sad that this Republican Party has sunk so low. Thank God for President Obama.
Obama / Biden 2012
Brian, Good...
Did it happen or not? Has the president not attended a function due to low turnout?
That's the news.
geez
I wouldn't dream of collapsing his comment - in fact, I would love to be able to outline it in neon!
Spelling & punctuation aside, it wonderfully highlights why RNNJ's are fondly referred to as; STUCK ON STUPID!
This morning, getting ready for work, I caught two clips on the morning show: 1) Newt Gingrich, one of Bill Clinton's most powerful tormentors over Monica Lewinsky, taking umbrage at anyone questioning his private life; oh, the delicious irony! and 2) President Obama crooning - beautifully - "I'm so in love with you" wow!
I think its safe to say, President Obama has the female vote.
Speaking of STUCK ON STUPID:
Vice President Joe Biden managed to elicit boos at a Democratic fundraiser in San Francisco by declaring the Giants "are on their way to the Super Bowl."
The New York Giants and the 49ers will meet Sunday in San Francisco for the right to advance to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.
Biden's apparent show of support for the New York outfit drew some "good-natured" jeers from locals, according to a reporter from the Oakland Tribune — but Biden quickly backtracked, claiming he actually meant to say the 49ers but confused them with the city's baseball team, the Giants.
The event at the Bently Reserve, in San Francisco's financial district, reportedly raised between $275,000 and $1.1 million for President Obama's re-election bid, according to the Tribune.
I'm guessing that amount raised may have been $1.1 million, and after his blunder people asked for their money back and he left with around $275,000.
This goes to further the claim that MSNBC/First Read and most other media outlets are biased toward the Democrats. Had any of the Republican candidates made this mistake, it would have been all over the TV, radio and sites such as this.
PIPA and SOPA have been suspended in the Congress. How much did the MPAA and RIAA spend to get them passed? Who is more effective? Internet Organizers or OWS?
I never vote to collapse people I disagree with---it is better for everyone to see what they write and make their own decisions. Freedom of speech---another First Amendment freedom I cherish.
Steeler Fan,
You rabble rouser you.
Odd, Brianb, most of the collapsed posts I see are liberal ones. Sorry, to disappoint but I never vote to collapse what I don't agree with. If I find someone's repeated comments over the top, I put them on Ignore so that I don't see them but others can. I figure that unless someone threatens bodily harm, speech deserves to be read and let those reading judge what has been said.
What is it with the right-wing fascination with being FIRST?
inthemiddle12: "This goes to further the claim that MSNBC/First Read and most other media outlets are biased toward the Democrats. Had any of the Republican candidates made this mistake, it would have been all over the TV, radio and sites such as this."
Uhh, it was. Yesterday. And just for you, they even threw in a few extra "Bidenisms":
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46056132/ns/local_news-new_york_ny/t/biden-tells-frisco-crowd-giants-headed-super-bowl/
Some of the folks on the right like to collapse comments in the same way they want to collapse peoples right to vote.
Freedom of speech is great, but come on.
Why anyone ever collapses any comment is beyond me. Comments are sometimes, insightful, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes stupid or silly.
But they are always amusing.
So Steeler - you got any clients that utilize offshore investment accounts?
Thanks, phine---I've still never been collapsed. I'm surprised I haven't had to turn in my liberal secret decoder ring!
The funny thing about the people who collapse Feisty and other liberal posters---most of the time they take down their own posts as well.
Steeler Fan,
The only time I have "voted" for a collapse is when it was for an advertisement. As for others, as my grandmother would say, "Gotta take the bitter with the sweet" Besides, you never know when you might learn something new.
Obama brings his audience with him. And when he goes with handing out of the free smokes, he's usually able to fill the place.
And that bus of his is a chick magnet.
He did though have no audience at Disney yesterday. Having Mickey in the picture would have been just too easy for the GOP campaign brochures.
So spanky--have you seen me post any criticisms of off shore investment accounts?
I have no problem with Romney pursuing any and all legal methods of minimizing his income taxes. I expect he has done a lot of sophisticated estate planning as well. I do wonder why he is so reluctant to disclose his tax returns and why it seems to be a surprise to him that the questions won't go away. I am also surprised that he seemed so ill-prepared to address them last night at the debate.
Using "clever" (read STUPID and CHILDISH) nicknames to diminish the President, the Majority Leader, The Speaker of the House, The Senate Minority Leader and the Vice President, among others, renders whatever insight or worthwhile thoughts that may have been in your post, worthless. Unless you only hope to inspire the same same "courteous" response, or are singing to the choir of your own constituency, you are wasting your words...
danerfield,
Well put sir. Those are the posts one usually passes over, at least, I try to. BTW, are you ready for your big game on Sunday?
"2) President Obama crooning - beautifully - "I'm so in love with you" wow!
I think its safe to say, President Obama has the female vote."
Amy, so it is his good looks that win you over....makes sense...since his policies have been an unmitigated disaster.
The problem for Romney is not Bain Capital, his taxes, his off-shore accounts, his $374,000 in speaking fees, it is that people simply do not trust him nor do they feel he understands the problems of ordinary people. Does anyone, R or D, really know what Romney's views are? No, because on any given day, he provides a different answer; sometimes his answers change in hours. What Bain Capital did was legal, the morality of some of what took place is the issue as far as private equity firms are concerned. Romney speaks about bailouts, etc., yet Bain took government dollars for personal gain, raiding pension funds then having the Government spend $44 million to help the workers--that's hypocritical at best. His hedging on releasing his tax forms adds to the sense people have that he cannot be trusted, that they do not really know who he is or what he represents.
I couldn't agree more Dangerfield. All of these "grade school type" names that people attach to politicians lend less credence to their remarks than they may otherwise have.
Off topic but heartfelt, I wanted to take a moment to say farewell to one of the greatest blues artists of all times. We'll miss you Etta James! God bless and thanks for your contributions to the music industry.
Good grief, ITM, that last sentence is a doozy. It's a game, ITM, it's a foot ball game not foreign diplomacy. Apparently, in your world Presidents and Vice Presidents are not allowed a favorite team, should never express a preference? We all know President Obama is a Bears fan and you can bet that if they were ever lucky enough to get close to the Super Bowl while he's President, he'll be wearing his Bears cap and telling everyone who he supports. I'm a big San Diego Chargers fan and if they played the Bears, and President Obama supported the Bears, I have no problem with that. Wouldn't have a problem with it if former President Bush did the same. Those "good natured 49er fans get that VP Biden is a long-time east coast resident and most likely an east-coast team supporter.
ITM, agree, Etta James was a great one.
Read about that too...Just listened to "tell mama"...RIP Etta...One of a Kind!
Phine-
As ready as one can be I guess, although the "consensus" on a Giant victory has me a little (a lot) uneasy...
Jody. This may come as a shock to you. but you and I both live in the same world. While we may not share the same political viewpoints it has no bearing on that. I'm sorry if you truly feel that my opposing thoughts to yours would make you feel that I from some other world.
I think it's wonderful that a president, vice-president or any other political person shows an ardent interest in sports, the arts, or any number of other venues. It allows us to see that they are not one dimensional. I applaud that.
My single point was that Biden made a huge error in his speech at the fund raiser and the remarks were buried on the sports section. I still hold that if one of the GOP candidates or anyone on their behalf had made the same error, it would have made headlines here on FirstRead.
Agree or not, First Read and MSNBC is to liberals what Fox is to conservatives.
Bob
Did you support George Bush because he was so skilled at ducking shoes? I mean everybody has their gifts. I wouldn't be that impressed with Obama's if I didn't already like him (and his policies), but damn! you have to admit that man can actualy sing!
I sure have not Steeler.
But then again I have not seen you try to disabuse some of your fellow libbies of their baseless assertion that he must be a tax cheat because of the Cayman accounts.
You are the expert in tax matters Steeler. I'd love to hear from you on the issues that are within your area of expertise - even if they support a dreaded GOP candidate.
In the middle - Fox=MSNBC is exactly what Bill Clinton just said in his Esq. interview.
Newt is a total" Con Artist / BUM "..he will never answer the question asked ..He will "re frame it "and then shift or transfere the blame in another direction .Very clever ploy ... but BUSTED !
Con Artists and Manipulators --should be a required reading for all voters !
Watching TV news today talking about psychopathic bosses. It was chilling when they described psychopathic behavior the day after watching the debate.
Holy crap Robin, this describes three out of the four candidates.
Hare's Checklist
1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example. >
2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.
3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.
4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.
5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims.
6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.
7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.
8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.
9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.
10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.
11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.
12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.
13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.
14. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.
15. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.
16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.
17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.
18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.
19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE -- a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.
20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY -- a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes.
Damning don't you think Newter? Do you have a rebuttal?
My only comment is: that's uncannily accurate and scary.
The world doesn't need another sociopath in a position of power.
Well this is fine how do ya do, have a party or conference and no one shows up. The same thing happened at the Tea Party convention in Ocala, Florida back in November. Wonder (no snark intended) what's up?
When everyone heard Cosmopolitans where on the menu they all decided to stay home and read it instead.
Now, see, that would have made me come running to the event! Bar opens at four for happy hour(s) today.
I agree, phinephancy: rather telling when Southern RepubliCons hold a "leadership" conference and hardly anybody shows up. Such amateurism was surpassed, however, in Iowa...where that state's RepubliCon Party proved that they couldn't elect their way out of a paper ballot bag.
I remember some months back this GOP spinner mouthing Obama socialist, Obama socialist, and Christ Matthew asked the big mouth to explain to the audience what socialism means and he went numb and dumb, he actually does not know the meaning of the word he was banding about. GoodvsEvil please explain to us your understanding of Socialism vs. Vulture Capitalism in your description as you are on it, tell us which one is good or evil for the 1% and 99% respectively. I wait your response.
Good one, Unac Boston. Just don't hold your breath waiting for an answer.
"Gingrich pulls out"_— has a whole new meaning as of yesterday !
As in "KNOCKING UP" the republican party?
I hope those children in the hospital didn't ask Newt (if they even know who he is) anything, especially anything about the Mother of his children.........
Haven't the poor sick children at the hospital suffered enough?
Something I noticed in the peds unit at our hospital, they would rather have some sports star or "action" hero come visit and PLAY with them. They don't want to talk about what the "grown ups" talk about.
phine, I think the exception to sports stars or movie stars would be the President of the United States regardless of party.
Jody,
True - but the children would still want talk about "fun" stuff. They don't want to talk about being sick or brave or any of that kind of thing. Talking about (who are today's superheros anyways?) Spiderman or the X men are much more fun for the kids.
phine, absolutely they wouldn't want to talk politics.
Newt said, "I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much
of the news media makes it harder to govern this country"
Does that apply to the President or just your party Newt?
So what did Rupert Murdock think of Newter's critique of his "news" empire?
Hey--the Boiler Room post on Romney's potential Veeps is certainly not a timely comment. If Newt wins South Carolina, wholesale defections from both Romney and Santorum make Newt a possible Florida winner. Maybe Newt will pick Romney...
In other words, there was more press in attendance than southern republicans. Big mistake, Mr. Gingrich or any other candidate facing similar circumstances--those 25 people came to hear what you have to say and dissing them is not advisable unless there's a blizzard or something.
Jody, based on all the robo calls I got prior to the day of the iowa caucus I think it would be a good thing to have no public campaigning prior to a caucus, primary or general election. Looks like many south caroliners thought the same.
I'll bet instead of visiting children at the hospital, he's boinking helmet-head Calista. If he does go there, he'll probably have them all doing janitorial rounds.
OMG Brian! too funny...'boinking helmet-head Calista', maybe the hair moves then, but.........that's a vision that's repulsive. *snark*
D'ya think she uses the same hair spray as Mitt?
25 people showed up looking for a leader from the Republican party. Everyone else stayed away because they knew there was no such animal.
Newt must have met a nurse at the hospital
Shows what a flack he is. Makes a commitment then pulls out to do something else. A person of ethics would have gone anyway. Santorum is right, Newt is unreliable.
"Makes a commitment then pulls out to do something else."
sounds like his marriages...
Suppose someone gave a presidential campaign and no-one came?
Gee...does anyone think it MIGHT have something to do with the ex-wife's revelations?
Spanky--can't get on the thread above. I am happy to share my expertise on tax matters but without having seen Romney's returns I wouldn't feel comfortable making a comment.
Oh my, my, my....the liberal slant on a story that should actually go like this........Newt Gingrich decides to spend more time at a children's hospital and cancels his appearance at a Repub. Leadership conference.
Oh the outrage !! How dare Newt be at a children's hospital at the same time that our hard working beloved Pres. OBama is hanging out with Mickey Mouse at Disney and singing Al Green songs to boot !
LOL
Poor guy, he needed a break from all those fundraisers, Yes, it is great to be Barack Obama!
Leona, I almost didn't want to respond so I'll say this: 4 more years. Please psychologically prepare yourself so you don't have an aneurism.
Well it looks like he might be coming down just as quickly as he went huh ladies and gentlemen. Wow can this Republican primary get any stranger.
Well if Newt don't like the liberal coverage, then they should stop covering him let fox cover him.
This whole convention is a fiasco from the beginning it did look like a circus train and it coninues to rumble along !!!
Gingrich is a loose cannon and always will be. He uses aggression to get his own way and lies and manipulates - things do not change.
The Republicans want this convention to rumble along with a no winner at the end. They seem to love a fight and enjoy watching someone loose their cool and cower down anyone at the other end with their loud mouth temper tantrums. Gingrich obviously used these tactics from childhood and unfortunately he was never taken to task for his loud mouthed obsenities. Such a shame to see a country like America being put to shame by a bunch of so called politicians trying to win access to the White House.
cracker,
Speaking of "trying to win access to the WH"..........do you remember when the Clinton's were asking about Obama's birth certificate ?
The Clinton's were the first BIRTHERS !
Oh, the fun...
And they were among the first to accept the evidence presented and STFU! "Birthers" are laughingstock not because they asked what was a legitimate question the first time but because they refuse to accept any answer other than the one they want.
Newt Gingrich is the new George Wallace of Georgia.You will notice there is not one black man of note other than Herman Cain involved in the Republican staff.This is the Civil War all over again.When you wake up tomorrow,will you be proud to be an American?Or will you be another Newt Gingrich?The all white country club with the white crackers!
Seems like it is easier to get a seat there than at the local Denny's for breakfast.
Its safe to say and sing? Its all over. Obama Wins Again.
LOL
This is the GOP's "Southern Strategy", in full flower.
Gingrich was willing to use the Codewords--"Food Stamp President" and "Liberals"--and the Tea Party would rather have a white President, than a solvent, prosperous USA.
When you "dance with the devil", the devil likes to lead.