Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
The clip of Newt that King Prawn posted below, "Newt's Standup," is worth more than a laugh. It's important. Politics is a hard, unforgiving business, and campaigning is such tricky, draining work that only the very best can enjoy themselves while engaged in it. Ann Coulter will throw the kitchen sink at me for saying this, but in the past few days Newt has been so good, and enjoying himself so much, that he bears comparison with Reagan and Roosevelt.
Watch Newt's clip. Then, making a few allowances--Newt was speaking outdoors, and, apparently, extemporaneously, whereas the clip below shows a man indoors, with an intent audience, who is working from a script--as I say, making a few allowances, watch this:
FDR remains the master, but Newt's playing the same joyful game.
Romney? Capable of unforced ebullience? When I caught him a couple of times on the radio today, he projected the false good cheer of a man who has just seated himself in the dentist's chair.
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Sep '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
I actually feel for Mitt. He seems genuinely uncomfortable and at times its hard to watch.
Feb '11
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
I'm starting to feel bad for Mitt too. I've said many bad things about his attempts to be a politician, but as I've learned more about him and his business career my respect for that aspect of his life has grown significantly.
Why is he even running for president?
Sometimes it seems like he's just grimly undertaking an unpleasant duty which he cannot escape.
Except he can, actually.
Edited on Jan 23 at 6:21pmOct '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
I remember someone somewhere saying that Clinton (Bill), being a textbook extrovert, was energized when speaking in front of a crowd, while the same thing was a drain on Gore. I think we're seeing the same dynamic play out with Newt and Mitt. I'll bet Newt would do this even if he knew he didn't stand a chance. It's the difference between delight and duty.
Jul '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
I think Newt is doing all this fully cognizant that he doesn't stand a chance of taking a single independent from Obama, and thus will almost certainly lose a presidential election. Mind you, I hope I'm wrong, but a man as smart as him can't be running into this thing without knowing that while he has what it takes to rouse conservatives, he is far, far less capable when it comes to the general electorate.
Aug '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
Humza Ahmad
I think Newt is doing all this fully cognizant that he doesn't stand a chance of taking a single independent from Obama, and thus will almost certainly lose a presidential election. Mind you, I hope I'm wrong, but a man as smart as him can't be running into this thing without knowing that while he has what it takes to rouse conservatives, he is far, far less capable when it comes to the general electorate. · 2 minutes ago
His narcissism deludes him. He genuinely believes the big lie he is telling regarding his public and private conduct, this is why he can lie with such conviction. No doubt this self delusion extends to his prospects in the general election.
I find Newt repugnant. It is offensive that he can lie with a straight face about his money grubbing, insider career and expect me to believe and support him. It is reprehensible.
If we don't get another option beside he and Romney, I am staying home.
Sep '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
I find Newt repugnant. It is offensive that he can lie with a straight face about his money grubbing, insider career and expect me to believe and support him. It is reprehensible.
He's compartmentalizing his career, similar to Clinton, but with a different arc.
Jan '11
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
I never bought the "misery of politics" and the "horrible prison" of the White House.
Does Tom Brady complain about the burden of being a quarterback? Did Michael Jordan complain about having to take the last shot? Did Kirk complain about being captain?
When Tom Cruise was complaining about having to fly the plane ... let's face it, we all wanted to slap him. That's when I went to get popcorn. But when he went Maverick and went for the shot ... that's when we enjoyed the movie.
I love watching guys who love their job. Newt wants to be The Guy. I want my quarterback to want to win the game, and not just avoid a loss.
More fun, less talk.
Sep '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
I think your comparison is apt, news reports are exactly like that: Newt is energized walking into a room, whereas Mitt is scripted and access to him is tightly controlled. Newt will actually hunt down reporters he knows in a room.
Aug '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
Pseudodionysius: I find Newt repugnant. It is offensive that he can lie with a straight face about his money grubbing, insider career and expect me to believe and support him. It is reprehensible.
He's compartmentalizing his career, similar to Clinton, but with a different arc. · 1 minute ago
I responded the same way when when Bill Clinton behaved this way.
Edited on Jan 23 at 7:58pmSep '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
Squishy Blue RINO
Pseudodionysius: I find Newt repugnant. It is offensive that he can lie with a straight face about his money grubbing, insider career and expect me to believe and support him. It is reprehensible.
He's compartmentalizing his career, similar to Clinton, but with a different arc. · 1 minute ago
I responded the same way when when Bill Clinton behaved this way. · 1 minute ago
Edited 1 minute ago
I have trouble visualizing a President Gingrich pardoning Marc Rich, however.
Oct '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
Maybe the hope (probably false) is that Newt's aggressiveness and 'grandiosity', as someone put it, can be harnessed to actually reverse the advance of statism, rather than just meekly manage its growth. I know he admires both Roosevelts, and Woodrow Wilson, and he's previously supported personal health mandates and cap and trade, so he's not inherently against progressivism or statism, per se.
But, if he knows that his mandate is to stem the tide, and his inflated ego is aware that failing to accomplish this mission will destroy his legacy, then........oh, forget it.
BROKERED CONVENTION OR BUST!
Edited on Jan 23 at 8:37pmNov '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
I think Newt can indeed win the general election, and here's why: he, far better than Romney or anyone else left up there on stage, can articulate the conservative position. Most people don't have a clue what conservative principles are all about, and I think Newt can lift the veil for millions of them.
All he has to do is acknowledge he has enough baggage to fill a coal barge, and swear on his mother's eyes that he's a changed man. He's enough of a showman that he can grab the attention of enough of those drifters to make a difference, and win in the general.
And that opens up a whole 'nother conversation about how good that would actually be.
Aug '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
Many introverts are highly engaging public speakers; it would be in the "retail" politics where they'd lose the energy an extrovert would gain. (Shrink hat off)
Sep '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
Nice distinction.
Dec '10
Re: Newt, Working in a Great Tradition
What I want to know is: did FDR really send a destroyer back to go pick up his dog? I guessing not, so I also want to know if the accusation came from serious Republican leaders or just some crank.