Why Gingrich Could Win
Dorothy Rabinowitz at the Wall Street Journal makes the case:
The former speaker of the House is a dab hand at drawing listeners in, for good reason—he showers them with details, facts and history in a degree no candidate in recent memory has even approached. Audiences have a way of rewarding such trust. ...
His greatest asset lies in his capacity to speak to Americans as he has done, with such potency, during the Republican debates. No candidate in the field comes close to his talent for connection. There's no underestimating the importance of such a power in the presidential election ahead, or any other one.
His rise in the polls suggests that more and more Republicans are absorbing that fact, along with the possibility that Mr. Gingrich's qualifications all 'round could well make him the most formidable contender for the contest with Barack Obama.
I like that Gingrich is an "ideas man" but I wish that so many of his ideas weren't bad ideas. But I'll ask today what I asked about Huntsman yesterday. Anyone reconsidering Gingrich as their choice? Certainly by comparison he comes out looking all right, right?
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Jun '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
I am reconsidering. I never thought I would... too much baggage, too many enemies, too many insults for the media.
However, I have been thinking about the British monarchs — the really effective ones were not nice guys. They were biting, ruthless, and brilliant. Sounds more and more like Newt.
I would prefer a nice guy. Actually, I want Haley Barbour but since he is not running, Newt is looking better.
Edited on Nov 9, 2011 at 6:35amSep '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
It's like shopping for cantaloupe. You squeez, observe, and smell then set aside two or three for further consideration. Newt makes the cut.
May '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
I'm still considering Gingrich, although my stance is very similar to yours Molly. I'm not ready to rule him out, but not to jump on the band wagon either.
Dec '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
Since we are now as always stuck picking from a list of imperfect pieces, we might at least have someone up there who know what conservatism means whether or not they always defend of embody it.
If nothing else, Newt has held the stage during debates with self-confidence, unmatched command of the facts and a graciousness that would drive Barry up the wall. I may vote for Newt just to watch that show.
Oct '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
I'm closer to him today than I was yesterday, and probably further from him today than I'll be tomorrow.
Nov '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
I've been saying that he's the best (of a bad lot) for a month or so. We need someone who can articulate our positions, and he is all we've got. I think the moment that decided me was this one from the Dartmouth debate:
QUESTION: Does this mean that these people who are out there protesting on Wall Street, across the country, have no grievance?
GINGRICH: No, let me draw a distinction. I think . . . virtually every American has a reason to be angry. I think virtually every American has a reason to be worried. . . .
The fact is, in both the Bush and the Obama administrations, the fix has been in. And I think it's perfectly reasonable for people to be angry. But let's be clear who put the fix in: The fix was put in by the federal government.
And if you want to put people in jail -- I want to second what Michele said -- you ought to start with Barney Frank and Chris Dodd and let's look at the politicians who created the environment, the politicians who profited from the environment, and the politicians who put this country in trouble.
(wordlimit; read more.)
Apr '11
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
While watching the so-called "Lincoln-Douglas Style Debate" on C-SPAN I realized that I have been watching Newt Gingrich give speeches for over 30 years. Each time I see him on TV I stop to hear what he has to say and very often when discussing politics with friends I find myself quoting him. He is always superbly organized, makes a lot of sense, and is spellbinding in his presentation. After watching him last Saturday evening I decided it was time get off the fence and choose a candidate, so I bought a Newt 2012 sticker and stuck it on the bumper of my car.
Jul '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
I like that Gingrich is an "ideas man" but I wish that so many of his ideas weren't bad ideas.
Which ones are these?
Sep '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
I will be incommunicado for roughly the next 7 days to attend to some work and personal matters. In the meantime, with respect to Gingrich, who I believe will be an unmitigated disaster in the White House, I submit the "Steve Hayward Leadership Test".
Its fairly simple, and I don't receive a commission, though I'm thinking now that I should.
Pick up in e-book or dead tree edition the small book by Steve Hayward called Churchill on Leadership: Executive Success in the Face of Adversity. If we now have a 2 horse race between Gingrich and Romney because Cain is mired in charges of being a Sir Gropealot in Shining Amore then we face a choice between a non-executive with great potential and a managerial progressive executive who could be steered in the right direction via congressional horsewhip.
So, I ask myself: What would Paul Rahe do?
Back in a week.
Sep '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
I received a private message and I should have mentioned an alternate text, though I'm thinking its more supplemental reading, since I think its the details of Steve's earlier book that are the strongest evidence, but nevertheless, you may also be interested in his 2006 book:
Greatness
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
Michael Tee
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
I like that Gingrich is an "ideas man" but I wish that so many of his ideas weren't bad ideas.
Which ones are these? · Nov 9 at 7:29am
I think I'll leave it to Andrew Ferguson to showcase some of the bad ones ....
Mar '11
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
As I said here:
He is probably the best of the lot. I don't trust Romney, Cain is still an unknown, and the rest are too small. I feel I have no other choice.
What do I want at the top; I want a manager who hires good people and holds them accountable; the opposite of what we have now.
Dec '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
Fair or not, many less-engaged voters have bought into the idea that, not only did GWB get us into this economic mess, but that he was a hard right-winger. Additionally, many have forgotten or are too young to remember the Reagan years. For them, the halcyon years came under Clinton, when unemployment was low, the budget was balanced, and we were at relative peace. While they have lost faith in Obama, the thought of turning back to the "conservative" policies of Bush hold little appeal either. If real conservatism is going to make any headway, it's going to take a leader who can strongly make the case.
Despite his flaws, Gingrich is better suited to do so than any of the other candidates. He is untainted by Bush. He can rightfully claim some of the credit for the "good times" of the '90s. He can credibly remind the electorate of the Reagan legacy. And more than anyone else, he's got the pedigree and communication skills to go after both Obama's and Bush's policies, and make the case that we haven't seen real conservative policies in a generation.
Nov '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Michael Tee
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
I like that Gingrich is an "ideas man" but I wish that so many of his ideas weren't bad ideas.
Which ones are these? · Nov 9 at 7:29am
I think I'll leave it to Andrew Ferguson to showcase some of the bad ones .... · Nov 9 at 7:49am
Mollie, I followed that link and read that review, and in fairness to Newt, the critique was mostly of his writing style. I admit I've heard Newt express some suboptimal ideas (the global warming bit and the ethanol plug in Iowa come to mind). But surely on the ability to express ideas, Newt comes out ahead of anyone else in the race, doesn't he?
It's kind of irrelevant whether he expresses ideas in writing less well than some platonic ideal of a political writer, if he's the person who can get out there and make people hear that our current problems are being caused by the federal government, and that more government is not the answer.
Edited on Nov 9, 2011 at 8:55amSep '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
Gingrich has interesting opinions on every idea (some bad as was expressed above) and can articulate them masterfully. That being said I can't get over my completely unsubstantiated viewpoint that Newt is past his expiration date.
Flip flopper, wife leaver, jewelry buying fatcat is about all we are going to hear from the MSM if Newt is the guy. It is unlikely I would vote for him in the primary, but I would be happy to do so in the general.
Nov '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
Lucy Pevensie: I've been saying that he's the best (of a bad lot) for a month or so. We need someone who can articulate our positions, and he is all we've got. I think the moment that decided me was this one from the Dartmouth debate:
QUESTION: Does this mean that these people who are out there protesting on Wall Street, across the country, have no grievance?
GINGRICH: No, let me draw a distinction. I think . . . virtually every American has a reason to be angry. I think virtually every American has a reason to be worried. . . .
The fact is, in both the Bush and the Obama administrations, the fix has been in. And I think it's perfectly reasonable for people to be angry. But let's be clear who put the fix in: The fix was put in by the federal government.
Let me explain further: I think that he alone of all the candidates in the race has the quickness and canniness to tackle the presuppositions of the Left, rather than trying to answer questions for which they set the terms. And that is essential.
Nov '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
Ross Conatser: Gingrich has interesting opinions on every idea (some bad as was expressed above) and can articulate them masterfully. That being said I can't get over my completely unsubstantiated viewpoint that Newt is past his expiration date.
Flip flopper, wife leaver, jewelry buying fatcat is about all we are going to hear from the MSM if Newt is the guy. It is unlikely I would vote for him in the primary, but I would be happy to do so in the general.
Well, I hope this means that the worst is already out there, and that they can't spring more on us.
Dec '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
A couple points in Gingrich's favor, and among the reasons I've got him at the top of my list right now:
To start, his flaws are many, but by and large they are known. His history of infidelity, for example, is bad, very bad, but we all know it. Is it fair to think that his knowing that we know will help keep him in line?
His management of an unruly House is a concern. I'm not sure what to think about that right now, but clearly with his knowledge and network, we can have reasonable hope that he will build a strong cabinet.
In recent days, I've started to see some parallels between Gingrich and Christie in terms of presentation style. Firm yet gracious, ready for a fight where they come in with facts and ideas rather than ad hominen attacks. Christie was the favorite of many conservatives even though he was, in all reality, a bit to the left of those same people. A big reason for this was because he did so well presenting ideas. I think Gingrich is in the same mold, and that counts for a lot.
Dec '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
Lucy Pevensie
Let me explain further: I think that he alone of all the candidates in the race has the quickness and canniness to tackle the presuppositions of the Left, rather than trying to answer questions for which they set the terms. And that is essential.
Exactly. He (and to some extent maybe Paul) is the only guy in the field who doesn't accept the left/media's narrative. For example, he's the type of guy who, when asked if he would accept increased tax revenues to reduce the deficit, would point out that "revenue" is not the same as "taxes," so the trick question actually becomes an opportunity for him to discuss why taxes and revenue are related but separate terms, get into the Laffer curve, etc.
May '10
Re: Why Gingrich Could Win
Lucy Pevensie
think that he alone of all the candidates in the race has the quickness and canniness to tackle the presuppositions of the Left, rather than trying to answer questions for which they set the terms. And that is essential. · Nov 9 at 8:52am
This is absolutely critical. Newt's been around long enough and fearless enough to take the Left on with full relish. Rather than trying to placate them, or adopt their positions, or some other mealy-mouthed plattitudes about all getting along, I sense that Newt will defend his turf. He even had the good sense to say the video with Pelosi was probably the dumbest thing he ever did.
OK, perfect? Heck, no. But certainly better than most. His personal foibles can be countered with strength if the conservatives stand strong. He's looking better and better every day. Saw a good videocast of Brett Baier (sp?) and the gang. Newt held up very well.
Besides, I'd love to see him and Obama go toe to toe.