Newt Nails It
Adam Freedman ·
Nov 11, 2011 at 10:21am
At last night's Granite State Patriot’s Constitutional Conversation, the moderator asked: “What’s the biggest constitutional failing of the Obama administration?”
Santorum deferred to Newt, and Newt, without missing a beat, answered: "Not understanding which country he’s president of.” For that, Newt got the only standing ovation of the evening.
Say what you like about Newt, nobody comes close to his economy of language. With that one sentence, he spoke volumes about Obama's vision of America. And he got a laugh.
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Comments :
May '10
Re: Newt Nails It
As I said in another thread, I believe Gingrich is the only Republican candidate (with the possible exception of Ron Paul) whose beliefs are deeply rooted in first principles and an underlying philosophy. That not only enables him to convince voters of our need for drastic changes, but also protects him against the inevitable pressure of media, civil servants and fellow politicians. It's a powerful mark in his favor.
But is he serious about dismantling federal power? And could he do it?
When he stood with Pelosi on global warming, that was not the act of a small government advocate. I worry that Gingrich believes government should conform to his own whims... smaller in some areas, but large in others.
Jan '11
Re: Newt Nails It
Newt is the only pretender to the Republican nomination that can decimate Obama in a presidential debate. That's essential to get the undecided (i.e., independent) vote. Mitt, Perry, and Cain are flip-floppers, too concentrated on what they're supposed to say to garner support at a particular place and time. Newt's long-held principles are unambiguous in any venue, at any time. Newt, like me, and I suspect some others of you, has personal faults, but he is the most prepared by experience and intellect to win the White House, and succeed in that office.
Newt is a winner, the rest are only possibles.
Re: Newt Nails It
Agree with the comments so far. There's no denying that Newt has his idiosyncrasies, the global warming thing being one. But Newt's intellectual clarity on the core issues - going back to the Contract with America and before, make him the most compelling candidate in my opinion.
Re: Newt Nails It
Newt is undeniably impressive in debate. I cheer nearly every time he opens his mouth.
But let's take another peek at those deeply rooted first principles, A few years back, Newt filmed a TV spot with Nancy Pelosi gushing over the necessity of federal control of life, the universe and everything in order to save the planet.
If RomneyCare rules out Romney, doesn't this rule out Gingrich?
Oh, and don't expect Gingrich to get a pass on the personal front. Barack Obama can't run on his public policy record but, if Newt is the nominee, Obama can and will run on his marital record.
Nov '10
Re: Newt Nails It
Adam Freedman: At last night's Granite State Patriot’s Constitutional Conversation, the moderator asked: “What’s the biggest constitutional failing of the Obama administration?”
"Not understanding which country he’s president of.”
Say what you like about Newt, nobody comes close to his economy of language. With that one sentence, he spoke volumes about Obama's vision of America. And he got a laugh. ·
Economy of language is a virtue if it is correct. "Not understanding of which country he’s president.” Love those dangling prepositions. ;-)
Edited on Nov 11, 2011 at 11:57amAug '10
Re: Newt Nails It
in Newt's defense, re the TV spot with Pelosi - Recently, on "Special Report" he basically said that was one of the dumbest things he'd ever done.
Dec '10
Re: Newt Nails It
Starting at 6:48 Newt explains the Pelosi couch cuddle as the dumbest thing he's done. His explanation beyond that is a little wishy-washy, but I'll take that over some of the other explanations out there for position changes.
Aug '11
Re: Newt Nails It
I would imagine now that Gingrich is moving up, Axelrod is already working on his trash Gingrich plan. I'd be careful of whatever they have planned, Newt's been feisty enough lately that he's not going away without a fight. I sure hope so, because we need a fighter right now. I am tired of fence-sitters, can-kickers, and issue-avoiders.
Sep '10
Re: Newt Nails It
Please. That is not intellectual clarity, that is an applause line. Going after the press, going after Obama, in a Republican primary is shooting fish in a barrel. Newt's got an effective debate strategy. For all his reputation as a man of big ideas, I'm not hearing much substance from him so far in this cycle.
Nov '10
Re: Newt Nails It
There are three things about Newt that are a concern: historical values problems, global warming screwball lapse, and... there's a third, I know there is. I'll get back to you on it.
;-)
Jan '11
Re: Newt Nails It
George Savage: Newt is undeniably impressive in debate. I cheer nearly every time he opens his mouth.
But let's take another peek at those deeply rooted first principles, A few years back, Newt filmed a TV spot with Nancy Pelosi gushing over the necessity of federal control of life, the universe and everything in order to save the planet.
If RomneyCare rules out Romney, doesn't this rule out Gingrich?
Newt has said any number of times that making that commercial was one of the dumbest things he's ever done. I, and I suspect, many others agree wholeheartedly. But, to compare this well intentioned mistake to Romneycare, among other Romney dumb things, takes a certain kind of vision. OK, Romney's your candidate, but comparing him to Newt Gingrich isn't going to make Romney look good.
Dec '10
Re: Newt Nails It
Aaron Miller: As I said in another thread, I believe Gingrich is the only Republican candidate (with the possible exception of Ron Paul) whose beliefs are deeply rooted in first principles and an underlying philosophy...
But is he serious about dismantling federal power?
I sort of get your point, but I sort of don't. His beliefs are deeply rooted in first principles... yet you have to ask if he's serious about them?
Yep, that's Newt.
Dec '10
Re: Newt Nails It
George Savage: But let's take another peek at those deeply rooted first principles, A few years back, Newt filmed a TV spot with Nancy Pelosi gushing over the necessity of federal control of life, the universe and everything in order to save the planet.
If RomneyCare rules out Romney, doesn't this rule out Gingrich?
Gingrich calls that spot one of the stupidest things he's ever done. Romney defends Romneycare and stands by the mandate.
Sep '10
Re: Newt Nails It
Ugh, I'm debating myself. This was an unfair remark. I was focused on several debate performances where I thought Newt's answers were glib. But nobody can be substantive in these debates, and on reflection, Newt is obviously capable of going into great detail in longer-form venues.
Re: Newt Nails It
Bruce in Marin
Ugh, I'm debating myself. This was an unfair remark. I was focused on several debate performances where I thought Newt's answers were glib. But nobody can be substantive in these debates, and on reflection, Newt is obviously capable of going into great detail in longer-form venues. · Nov 11 at 1:39pm
I appreciate the clarification. I've long admired Newt, but never considered him an ideal presidential candidate. Unfortunately, none of the current contenders strike me as "ideal." What I like about Newt is that he can forcefully articulate conservative principles -- and I think we need somebody who can explain to swing voters what is at stake in this election.
Jun '10
Re: Newt Nails It
George Savage:
But let's take another peek at those deeply rooted first principles, A few years back, Newt filmed a TV spot with Nancy Pelosi gushing over the necessity of federal control of life, the universe and everything in order to save the planet.
All he says in the commercial is that we need to take action to prevent climate change, he never endorsed federal control as the way to do that. This was around the same time he wrote a book called A Contract with the Earth:
The commercial was dumb move politically but I agree with his broader points that (a) conservatives should be conservationists and (b) market solutions protect the environment better than the government ever has or ever will.
Jun '10
Re: Newt Nails It
Adam Freedman
What I like about Newt is that he can forcefully articulate conservative principles -- and I think we need somebody who can explain to swing voters what is at stake in this election. · Nov 11 at 2:08pm
And to that point we need someone who can articulate why free markets and entrepreneurship have a much better track record at protecting the environment than socialist governments ever did.
If you simply run on a slogan of "let's abolish the EPA" swing voters will assume this means corporations will be free to pollute the air and water and say "thank you, no." You need to articulate a conservative alternative.
Aug '10
Re: Newt Nails It
Adam Freedman
I've long admired Newt, but never considered him an ideal presidential candidate. Unfortunately, none of the current contenders strike me as "ideal." What I like about Newt is that he can forcefully articulate conservative principles -- and I think we need somebody who can explain to swing voters what is at stake in this election. · Nov 11 at 2:08pm
Great point. We need to accept that no candidate will be perfect. They are each flawed in their own way. And I'm coming around to the idea of accepting Newt's flaws as a more than fair trade-off for his positives.
Jun '10
Re: Newt Nails It
The more I think about it, and since I think Obama will win reelection anyway, Newt might be a necessary nominee this election cycle. The groundwork laid by Newt in this election could be essential.
Dec '10
Re: Newt Nails It
This is not about Newt this is about the Truth. What Newt said was the truth that nobody was willing to say. He said it and got the charged reaction that is inevitable when the creature in the White House is held up to the light. If we keep body punching Obama like this he will fall in 2012. It is just a matter of determination.