Newt Wins South Carolina
Politico and the NYTimes are reporting a Gingrich victory.
Here's my analysis: Republicans are tired of tongue-tied, deer-in-the-headlights candidates. They're tired of gaffes and weasel-worders and stammering apologists and candidates who always need to have their words clarified by handlers. They're tired of candidates who can't debate or think on their feet or answer complicated and embarrassing questions. They're tired of watching presidential debates with their hearts in their mouths.
They compared the way Gingrich answered the question about his ex-wife to the way Romney answered the question about his tax returns and they decided that they'd rather have Gingrich go up against Obama.
It's high-wire-act fatigue. And they may have made the right choice.
- Comment (144)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (6)
Comments :
Feb '11
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
Amphibians unite! Toads for Newt!
May '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
Early exits indicate that as many as 40% of married women may have voted Newt. If that's true, it's astounding.
May '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
Rob, why didn't you head to the Promised Land to watch the returns in person?
Dec '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
So, basically you're saying it's about the ideas rather than the personalities, and the only guy who can espouse the ideas is Newt.
Aug '11
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
Rob, you've been saying "Why not Newt?" since last summer. You are an oracle for our times!
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
Such bad planning on my part!
Oct '11
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
Rob Long:
And they may have made the right choice. · · 3 minutes ago
why ? with Mitt you vote once and get a nominee with 2 interchangeable personalities.
Sep '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
Our A team political pundits have been telling us that Mitt was inevitable and we should just shut up and fall in line. I wonder if this will bring some humility to them tonight.
Dec '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
That is my prayer.
Sep '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
By the way, Rob, to a great extent I think you're spot on.
Sep '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
If they're both going to lose in the general anyway, then the base is saying better to go down swinging. Fair point, though Hinderaker seems to be making the point that a Newt loss will do far worse damage to the conservative cause in the House and Senate. If others agree with him, then it sounds like the closer The Lizard King (thanks Mama Toad) gets to the nomination, the bigger the chance for a brokered convention.
Edit: Oh wait, lizards are reptiles aren't they?
Edited on Jan 21 at 4:55pmMay '11
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
You're absolutely right Rob, but it's depressing that Newt is the only person in the race capable of those things.
Sep '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
Newt is a really intriguing candidate, but i won't vote for him in my primary. Not because i do not find him impressive, but because he will not be a better president than his primary opponents.
Don't be too dazzled by his debating skills, while they are awesome at picking his opponents apart, they are of much less use when it is Newt who must lead.
Newt over obama anyday, but he will not get mh vote in the primary
Dec '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
So, Mr. Inevitable is 1 for 3. Isn't that about his average anyway? #justsayin
May '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
I predict the NY Post headline for tomorrow: MITT NEWTERED
Dec '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
Romney is doing well in his concession speech, if nothing else...
Aug '11
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
His record as Speaker would seem to indicate otherwise.
Edited on Jan 21 at 5:03pmJan '11
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
I used to think about the non-Romney candidates - don't send them to lose nobly against Obama. But now I wonder if Romney really can win - therefore it may be better to lose nobly than lose timidly
Jan '12
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
I think you are right, Rob, for us Republicans. I am hoping that Newt's gruff resolution will appeal to independents and to Reagan Democrats too, once they come to understand what is at stake. These latter will need some persuading, however, so I appeal to you senior sages of Ricochet to help bring it to pass.
Dec '10
Re: Newt Wins South Carolina
DrewInWisconsin
His record as Speaker would seem to indicate otherwise. · 1 minute ago
Edited 0 minutes ago
Agreed. Contrast with the current president who cannot get anything through congress without a filibuster proof majority. The presidency seems to be more about persuasion, and Newt, not Mitt, is more natural in this skill.