Thinking about Newt Gingrich...Or, can there please be an alternative to Romney?
A lot of people are bringing up baggage from Newt's past to bring him down as a candidate. In particularly he has been all over the map in terms of the policies he has supported. Then there is always the "angry badger" accusation. But is that all there is to it?
Click here for a Wikipedia article about Gingrich
Click here for Gingrich's website
While Gingrich may have been all over the map for whatever reason, what if at this time he is ready and willing to go to bat for conservative principles? Just because Gingrich has been on the liberal side of the fence on occasion doesn't mean he'll stay there. What I'm saying is that maybe Gingrich is such a star player, he chooses what team to bat for, rather than the reverse. I think for all the other candidates you get what you see on TV. Romney has had his ups and downs in politics and business. He relies heavily on his business credentials to win American's confidence. With the libertarian favorite Ron Paul you get what you see, a 3rd party candidate (yeah yeah I know he's running as a Republican for now) beating a drum that resonates with people but is too out of touch. For my part, I've written off Perry and Huntsman. Perry is too awkward on stage, and doesn't have striking replies or insights. Huntsman is a windy candidate and gives me the impression that he would cave quickly if not immediately. The left wing swamp is burying Santorum such that I don't seem him with a chance. So that leaves Gingrich and Romney. Unfortunately for Gingrich, his campaign is not connecting with Americans (judging by the polls). But between the two, Gingrich gives me the impression of being the "all star" so to speak. So comfortable is he with politics and the principles involved (conservative and others), that in almost every question I saw him answer during the ABC and NBC debates, he was able to answer to the heart of each. Gingrich cut to the quick with his answers. Romney is a strong candidate undoubtedly, but too often he went off into the comfortable territory of his mantra when answering a question. Gingrich rather stomped on the questions, and answered what he sees as being the real question or problem. Romney also gives the impression of putting on a performance, whereas Gingrich says "come at me bro" with his presence (Huntsman says "don't tase me bro"). When the NBC moderator David Gregory asked Gingrich to call Romney a liar to his face, Gingrich was nonchalant, un-phased by the game. I think this will carry over into Presidency, Romney will be predictable and stick with his comfortable territory. This in my opinion will likely prevent him from making significant changes. On the other hand, Gingrich has been playing with the big boys and girls (look at me nod to political correctness) for a long time. He seems at ease in all territory, and will have the guts to call other politicians out by name. While this may be divisive (sorry Huntsman), it will make people in Washington put up or shut up. So to keep up the sports metaphor, Gingrich has signed on with us now (well, if he gets elected), so the other teams (Democrats) better be ready to play.
BTW I have not endorsed Gingrich. I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe, Romney isn't all there is for us to rally around.
Stephen Hayward of PowerLine also discussed Gingrich about a month ago, drawing interesting comparisons to Churchill. See the links below,
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Re: Thinking about Newt Gingrich...Or, can there please be an alternative to Romney?
I might have my head in the clouds though, the conservative interwebs are abuzz with criticism of Gingrich and his latest attacks...
Here-John Hinderaker's arguments
and Here-Allahpundit at HotAir
I recommend reading the first article (from PowerLine) before the second, as it sets the stage of a specific criticism, and the second article provides a few more insights. The subject of these articles is a critique of attacks Gingrich is making on Romney's past experience with Bain Capital. Romney's opponents are trying to paint him (Romney) as a bad guy capitalist, playing into the hands of the Occupy crowd.
Here's an article at Slate that kind of addresses the confusion conservatives have over Gingrich's "new found socialism."