Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
I'm not saying that he's my favorite of the bunch, but the more that I see of the former Speaker in the debates, the more I like what he could bring to the table as President. While other candidates appear catty and bicker back and forth in these debates, Newt separates himself as the "adult in the room" through his answers. If anything, he at least seems among the most authentic and genuine behind the podium. While other candidates' responses seem obviously rehearsed, he acts like a natural.
We all recall his seemingly fatal decisions back in May and essentially labeled him as a dead man walking (or running, in relation to his campaign), but he's managed to stay afloat and relevant in the four months following. I know the landscape completely changes once primary season kicks off and that the poll numbers aren't in his favor, but I beginning to wonder if we were too quick to discount Gingrich early on. Could we have written him off too early?
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Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
I think Newt performed well in the debate last night - something he has consistently done. I think he could potentially come from behind because he is in fact a serious "ideas" candidate.
Problematic, however, is all of his vast baggage. This includes his failures at executive leadership as speaker of the house, which trouble me.
Jun '10
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
Nope, we didn't dismiss him too early. Newt has always been a great debater. He needs to be part of the new administration for his straight forward thinking. I will not, however, vote for him for president. Baggage, pugnacious dealings with others, outrageous arrogance (tough to stand out in this category but Newt manages it easily) will all work against him.
May '10
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
Every time he says "Callista and I", I'm reminded of his very serious character issues. Ideas aren't everything.
May '10
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
Also, being a good talker means he's also good at evading and obscuring. I notice that whenever he doesn't want to take a clear stand, he talks about the need for "a national conversation."
Aug '11
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
These last few debates have left me with the same impression regarding Newt. I kept thinking that he was irrelevant, but both Romney and Perry are making me uncomfortable. Neither has impressed in debates. Perry was not at all impressive last night, and Romney's fumbling, stuttering responses, regardless of how valid they were, made me think that in a debate against the President, Romney would lose. Romney talks too fast and too sputtery. Obama, for all his arrogant and dictatorial pronouncements, at least can string two sentences together, even if they are nothing more than pretty lies.
In a debate, Newt would have the President on the ropes almost immediately.
Herman Cain impressed me, too. And I came away from last night's debate wanting a Gingrich/Cain ticket -- or Cain/Gingrich, either one.
It's important that we have a candidate who won't just win the Presidency, but communicates the conservative vision well enough that we keep the House and win the Senate, too. At this point, I don't see either Perry or Romney having such long coat-tails.
Mar '11
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
Gingrich does not believe in anything but his own intellect. At times, he has held almost every position on every issue.
And he profoundly believes in the philosopher-king ideal: that if only he were in charge, he could make government work properly. It is sort of like right-wing thinking in Israel: all the same belief in the powers and rights of government, but shaped with the desire for government to achieve right-wing goals.
It is the Right-wing version of Obama socialism, and it is antithetical to those of us who want limited government. It is like saying "Obama is ruining things, but if I were in charge, I would make government work better for the people.
It is the reason I fear Romney.
Edited on September 23, 2011 at 5:02pmRe: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
iWc:
And he profoundly believes in the philosopher-king ideal: that if only he were in charge, he could make government work properly. It is sort of like right-wing thinking in Israel: all the same belief in the powers and rights of government, but shaped with the desire for government to achieve right-wing goals.
· Sep 23 at 8:00am
Edited on Sep 23 at 08:02 am
Sometimes on YouTube comments, I see Ron Paul supporters say stuff like "only Ron Paul can save the country," "only Ron Paul understands the Constitution," "only Ron Paul can_____." Now I don't know if you can pin this on Ron Paul himself, but what you said there reminded me of this.
May '10
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
"Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?"
No. Glib talking and the ability to extemporize smoothly (regardless of substance- Clinton was a master at that) is no substitute for actual policy depth and accomplishment as an executive, as anyone watching Obama ought to realize.
Apr '11
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
My husband and I started expressing that same opinion about Newt during the debate.
And, yes, like Drew, above - we thought Cain was very, very solid and were doing the same thing Gingrich/Cain . . . Cain/Gingrich. Wow.
Sep '10
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
I have watched these debates on and off. Newt is the best actor on stage, I will agree with that.
But it seems like his answers to serious questions (entitlement reform, bloated gov't, stagnant economy) are all dismissed with a hand waive, and his vague solutions seem to boil down to technocratic drivel.
Does he actually believe in entitlement reform?
And did he actually cite the ever elusive "job training programs" as a solution last night? Rush has it right when says we spend billions on these programs already, they're called schools.
Aug '11
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
Duane Oyen: "Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?"
No. Glib talking and the ability to extemporize smoothly (regardless of substance- Clinton was a master at that) is no substitute for actual policy depth and accomplishment as an executive, as anyone watching Obama ought to realize.
Yes, but Clinton was elected twice.
Obama is doing his best to keep the rotted corpse of leftism up and walking around like "Weekend at Barack's." Which Republican candidate can shove that thing in a coffin and nail it shut for good? That's who I want -- not just for 2012, but for 2016, 2020, to infinity and beyond. Can Newt do it? I don't know, but I certainly have my doubts about the abilities of Romney and Perry to put a stake in that blood-sucker.
Oct '10
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
What was that unemployment worker training program that Newt was proposing? You have to prove that you have been taking some federally approved training class in order to receive unemployment benefits? Sure, that would work.
Aug '11
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
I've always liked Newt and but keenly aware of his faults. Honestly thought he would flame out earlier in the summer but he's stayed in there and as others have pointed out his debate performances have been very good. I also find myself enjoying Herman Cain's debate responses. Maybe it's because both men don't seem to be playing the "I can be all things to all people" strategy which I despise. Their answers seem to be open and honest...what you see is what you get. Fence-sitters don't get my attention and I'm sure that's why I am not feeling either Romney or Perry. I tire of the "my book vs your book, my state vs your state" answers as well as the apparent personal battle of the Governors. I don't care about the other guy...tell me that YOU will do. I'm hearing that from Newt and Herman.
Mar '11
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
I don't think we "dismissed" him--I think he can have a place in Washington and perhaps even in the next administration. I just don't think he's the right guy for POTUS.
But, I did love his answer to Megyn Kelly last night.
Aug '11
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
Yes, I'm finding that tiresome, too. That's probably why I'm liking Newt and Cain more. They both ignore the internecine battles and focus on the larger picture.
Feb '11
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
I have to say that Newt's fond reliance on technological updates to our byzantine and labrynthine information systems to save trillions of dollars sounds like he's been reading too much sci fi.
Jan '11
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
I love Newt, when he's on his game. He makes sense. When I see him in a commercial with Nancy Pelosi, not so much.
Our technology is able to do many of the things we can't do now, but we have to be careful. I work with databases all day long. The holdup is rarely the technology. It's almost always human. Whether it's petty political turf battles, or legitimate security turf battles, the delay or blocking of data has rarely to do with the technology.
It's easy to coordinate machines. Humans aren't so easy. We live in a free society where every voter is a king.
It would be unfair to portray Newt as if he didn't know that. I'll bet he knows that better than me. But Newt sometimes seems to bypass human reactions and personalities, but is then surprised when human beings react like ... well, humans. Newt rails against bureaucracies, but bureaucrats aren't going away, and having a conference to re-think bureaucracy isn't going to change anything.
Of course he's right about bureaucracy, but good analysis isn't always effective policy.
Feb '11
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
KC Mulville -- I am sure that our information systems are antiquated in many respects. The issue seems to me to be one of political naivete instead. As I think you would agree, there is no magic wand to wave. Sci fi writers love to do things like hypothesize, "Well, if we discovered faster-than-light space travel..." or "Once we have clean, free, unlimited supplies of energy..." or "When we can quickly and efficiently update our antiquated information systems so that we save time and money in duplication and record-keeping..."
Feb '11
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
I do want to say that I am totally loving having Newt in the debates. His presence on stage is welcome dose of gravitas and refusal to be baited. I like that he didn't want to play the "game show" last night... but not as much as I loved Herman Cain's willingness to play along! (around the 5:10 mark).
Edited on September 23, 2011 at 7:36pmOct '10
Re: Did We Dismiss Newt Too Early?
This is the essential requirement in a candidate at this point. Not that I think Newt could pull it off either. Does anyone else fantasize that after seeing the poor performances last night, Ryan might finally be compelled to enter the race? I wondered when Perry entered the race if Ryan might have felt he was off the hook, that Perry had the message and he could continue toiling away in the house. I feel that last night was a one of those frightening 3 am phone calls:
"Are you sitting down, sir? I'm sorry to have to tell you that all, and I mean all of your candidates are inadequate. Do you require a grief counselor at this time?"