It's Time For Gingrich To Drop Out of Race For GOP Nomination [Editorial]

Times Herald (Georgia) ^ | March 15, 2012

[Steelfish]

Sunday, March 18, 2012

It's Time For Gingrich To Drop Out of Race For GOP Nomination

EDITORIAL

The time has come for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to drop out the Republican presidential race and allow Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum to battle it out for the GOP nomination.

After an up-and-down campaign, Gingrich based his chances primarily on a Southern strategy. That worked, with wins in South Carolina and Georgia. Then Gingrich set his sights on Alabama and Mississippi, where voters make their decisions on Tuesday.

Gingrich had been first or second in those two states in pre-election polls. He earlier vowed he needed wins in the two states to have a chance, although he backed off on that claim during the weekend.

When the votes were counted Tuesday night, Santorum -- who was ranked third in the polls in both states -- won both Mississippi and Alabama. Gingrich was second. Romney was third.

[Steelfish]

Time after time, writers from National Review, Weekly Standard, American Spectator, and several newspaper editorials have advised that Gingrich withdraw from the race rather than causing further damage to the anti-Romney candidacy and he still continues. No small wonder that onSuper Tuesday night Carl Cameron on FoxNews reported that Team Romney was "happy" to see Gingrich continue in the race. Romney won MI by 3% points, Ohio by under 1% and now leads Santorum by some 6%-8% in IL and Gingrich still siphons off around 10%-15% of the vote. His "southern strategy" having gone up in flames, Gingrich now simply is irrelevant except to denying Santorum at least an outside shot at the nomination and is simply greasing the wheels for a Romney nomination. This is now close to sabotage.

[Gene Eric]

>> This is now close to sabotage.

Get over yourself.

Go Newt!!!

[ZULU]

At this point Gingrich will not be remembered as a great scholar and the author of Contract With America.

He will be remembered as the spoiler who gave Romney the nomination.

[Fred]

And Santorum will be remembered as the stalking horse for Mitt Romney

Marco Rubio does not agree with this worthless opine

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2860851/posts

[Steelfish]

I could not have said it better. Chants of “Go Newt” means Romney wins by sneaking through the breach caused by a split in the anti-conservative vote and he wins major contests by a squeaker!!! I call it Gingrichian sabotage.

[American Constitutionalist]

If Romney get's the GOP nomination the total blame will be put on Newt and his supporters.
So much for their empty rhetoric of " anyone but Romney " .

[American Constitutionalist]

No, it seems the Newt supporters need to get over themselves in their selfish ambition of supporting Newt when we have had opportunity to win against Romney.

[Steelfish]

Rubio wants to Romney’s VP and so he wants Gingrich to stay in the race and help Romney win.

[Gene Eric]

>> Chants of “Go Newt” means Romney wins by sneaking through the breach caused by a split in the anti-conservative vote

That’s cute.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

The Times Herald is written in Coweta County. 54% of Republican primary voters in Coweta County voted for Gingrich.

[GreatRoad]

GO NEWT!!

[skinkinthegrass]

the Liberals and RINOs (Washington DC Establishment) have shown whom they really fear..
and it NOT Santorum or Romney.....Its NEWT, They Fear.GO! NEWT! GO!

[Yosemitest]

Romney should drop out. The base will NOT tolerate a RINO.

"Mitt, It's Time To Quit!"



Mitt. It’s time you quit!
Your credibility isn’t worth spit.
RINOs, the “Establishment”, and Democrats all agree,
But in the General Election, to Obama they’ll flee.
Against Obama, liberals and moderates know you’ll lose.
But conservatives, Romney they’ll never choose.

Mitt, our loyalty you can’t buy.
Back to Massachusetts, you’d better fly.
Just like Gerald Ford, Bob Dole, and John McCain,
Nominee Willard Mitt Romney will result in the same.
As a Governor, your record isn’t that great.
Out of 50 states, your popularity was number 48.

Your experience, the “Establishment” types tout.
Defending federal bailouts and FDIC loan forgiveness will find you out.
Democrats and RINOs cower from their liberal wives,
Supporting Romney with nothing but lies.
In 1994 Ted Kennedy showed Willard to be a great bane,
With Mitt’s Bain, and Bain Capital, Obama will do the same.

Damon Corp, with Romney paid $119 million in a fine.
Yet Willard says, for his leadership, it’s time.
He claims jobs he can create and taxes he can lower,
47th out of 50 in growth he rates. Can it get any slower?
$740.5 million dollars a year, fees and taxes under Mitt increased.
Will the half-truths and lies from Romney ever cease?

For Liberty and Freedom, we don’t need “Flakes”,
But Romney says Healthcare responsibilities belong to the States.
Conservatives stand for “Self-responsibility, Self-accountability, and Self-reliance.”
But against these things, Willard’s actions scream in defiance.
“Establishment Republicans” thinks Romney can help take back the Senate,
But they know that for President, Mitt can NOT win it.

Like everything the “Establishment Republicans” try to do,
It leads to failure, and we get the bill, as well as the screw.
In their corruption, little change do they seek,
They don’t want our Freedom to peak.
Their craving for power has pushed their bravery,
To ignore our Constitution, and sell us into economical slavery.

So Willard, don’t lecture us on the need for “patience” and “compromise”.
Romney, be selfless. Conservatism is on the rise.
Choosing the lesser of two evils, isn’t what we desire.
You let them rewrite the language. Where’s your fire?
Romney, they accuse us falsely, and you do little.
Where’s your response, or can you only twiddle?

Mitt, you don’t have what it takes to lead.
So with you I plead.
Do you really want to go from Obama-care to Romney-care?
With you, this nation will pull out its hair!
Go somewhere and quietly think … and sit.
“Know your own limitations!” Mitt. It’s time you quit!



By Yosemitest, Mar 15, 2012

[Revolting cat!]

Bad English in #1 and other posts is rather unpersuasive.

GO NEWT!

[Revolting cat!]

What is “get’s”?

[Gene Eric]

>> in their selfish ambition of supporting Newt

Selfish?

The recurring theme of moral elitism that plagues Santorum’s campaign will not win the White House.

[taxcontrol]

I disagree with the idea that Newt should drop out. As long as both Newt and Rick stay in, then Romney gets less votes and we are more likely to have a brokered convention.

[parksstp]

Okay, how about an ACTUAL EXAMPLE of how Newt’s appearance in the race HELPS Romney.

Let’s look at Arkansas.

Not counting the Superdelegates, Arkansas has 33 delegates available. 3 delegates for each of the 4 Congressional Districts are allocated to the winner of that CD. Of the 21 Statewide at-large delegates, everybody who gets over 15% gets at least one delegate, but if someone gets over 50%, they win all 20 delegates.

In a 2 man race between Santorum and Romney, Santorum would easily win 32 of the 33 delegates for 32-1 split.

However, if Newt stays in the race, it’s highly unlikely that Santorum would top 50%. In a 3-man race one of two scenarios happens:

(1) Newt finishes 2nd each of the 4 CD’s. If that’s the case, it would be an 8-4 split between Santorum and Gingrich. However, the statewide vote would be something along the lines of Santorum 40%, Gingrich 30%, and Romney 30%. In this scenario, of the 21 statewide delegates, Santorum would get 8, Gingrich 7, and Romney 6. So while Gingrich gets delegates, Romney gets 5 more than if the race was just between he and Santorum.

(2) Worse yet is if Newt stays in and keeps Santorum under 50%, but is unable to finish at least 2nd in each of the 4 CD’s. If this happens, then Romney can pick up to an additional 4 delegates by finishing 2nd in the 4 CD’s.

This is just one example, but can be repeated across the sates (KY, WV, NC, etc) that Romney would normally not do as well in. If this happens, he’ll get to 1,144 before the convention.

[montanajoe]

“This is now close to sabotage.”

Yep its sabotaging the GOPe’s plan to shove Romney down the conservatives throats..

[Utmost Certainty]

He will be remembered as the spoiler who gave Romney the nomination.

Please. Santorum's the incompetent buffoon who spoiled the race and is nigh on handing it to Romney. Some might say it was deliberate. What the heck was he doing down in PR when he should be pounding pavement in IL where he actually has a chance to beat Romney? Is Santorum just playing sham politics?

[napscoordinator]

The Times Herald is written in Coweta County. 54% of Republican primary voters in Coweta County voted for Gingrich.

That is precisely why Newt should run for Governor of Georgia. He thought that people would get behind him without a state wide election, but the problem is he didn’t think he had to run in 50 states. He thought 2 or 3 states would have given him the nomination. I don’t think he understands the process. As Governor of Georgia I think that would be perfect for him and he would most likely win.

[napscoordinator]

Santorum 11 states he won
Newt 2 states he won

Bottom line is results in the General. You do know that you need to win more than 2 states in the General right. Newt should run for Governor of Georgia. He might just win there. After he gets a statewide election under his belt, he might understand that in order to run for President you have to run in all 50 states.

[hosepipe]

Only hope for any reality is a brokered convention..

Zerodamus has not even started to seriously campaign yet..

[Thunder90]

Problem is that Rubio won’t get the VP... He is not well liked by the GOP-e. Susana Martinez is.

[Christie at the beach]

Maybe this has a potential to spreading hate for Newt Gingrich..
.. By the way, Santos has been the spoiler since Florida... Go, Newt. Stay in the race. One never knows what could happen. Prayers for Newt.

[Steelfish]

“One never knows what could happen”

Yes we do. We saw Newt siphon off 7% of the vote in MI where Romney sneaked in by 3% and of course everyone and their grandmother knows that Romney’s less than 1% win in OH would have been a devastating loss if Newt weren’t on the ballot. He is now becoming an official spoiler as editorial and political commentators from the right and across the spectrum have made clear.

[Vanders9]

What, as in, insisting on standards?

[Christie at the beach]

Santos has been the spoiler first so, he wins that honor.

[Vanders9]

I'm not so sure about that. Surely that argument assumes that if either dropped out Mitt would pick up some of their votes, but my understanding (admittedly mostly picked up on these boards) is that is highly doubtful.

I know there are some folk on these boards who are strong Gingrich supporters, but if Newt did drop out, I think almost all of them would vote for Santorum over Mitt Romney (unless they chose not to vote at all). Conversely, there are some very strong Santorum supporters on these boards, and again I think that if he was to drop out almost all of them would vote for Newt over Romney. Therefore I think it is quite clear that Santorum and Gingrich are splitting an anti-Rommey vote. Consequently, for there to be any chance that Romney can be stopped, one of them is definitely going to have to drop out soon. Which one? I don't really know. Gingrich is the more experienced politician and has the better political mind, but Santorum seems to have the momentum at the moment.

[upsdriver]

You do realize that the National Review, Weekly Standard, American Spectator, etal are all a part of the “Establishment” don’t you? I’m guessing you are too.

[FightforFreedomCA]

As if Santorum is somone to get excited about (yawn...)

Truth is, we get to vote for dumb, dumber or dumbest this year.

[DNA.2012]

Idiots voting for Romney are the ones giving Romney the nomination.

If Newt dropped out, the majority of those currently voting for him would vote for Romney instead.

[DNA.2012]

Agreed.

[taraytarah]

Those that support Newt's claim that his staying in the race helps Santorum by taking away Mitt's votes/delegates, ask him if it's such a brilliant idea, why did he tell Santorum to Drop Out after South Carolina?

"Go, Newt" is right. "Please Go, Newt."

[Lucas McCain]

Given that Santorum is the alternative, it becomes a virtue that Gingrich gives the nomination to Romney. Santorum sucks.

Gingrich is the only good choice among those running. Romney would be better than Santorum.

[autumnraine]

So you are saying Newt is the Perot of this primary?

Cause I kinda agree.

[autumnraine]

Indeed! The whole banning porn thing is a distraction and not what the country cares about right now. We can philosophically discuss the moral decay of society in America and yada yada yada and I agree with the destruction that porn causes... but it’s not going to win the presidency. Matter of fact, it seems so far out of left field with the Iran/Middle East situation and the economy, it just brings about a WTF? moment for most people.

Guys, I am for bringing conservatism back to the WH, but by God you have to remember we have a WHOLE NATION that is voting. And even with that said, I have no idea who I want on the ballot. I don’t like any of them for various reasons.

BAH!

[autumnraine]

In my opinion, I think all Newt thought he would have to do is come out and say “I am Newt and I am running for President” and it would be a cinch.

I feel like his ego didn’t prepare him that he would actually have to campaign as he has been so used to being the “SUPAHSTAR” for so long, that it would just happen.

[Josh Painter]

If anyone still needs proof that Rick Santorum is a Big Gov’t Republican, here it is: http://bit.ly/zUJGwi #CaseClosed

[ZULU]

Were Gingrich ahead in the delegate count, I would have said the same about Santorum.

Stating Santorum is a “stalking horse” for Romney when he is making him spend millions Romney would rather spend in a general election is absurd.

[ZULU]

If he ignored PR, it would have been taken as a slight to Puerto Rican voters on the mainland.

He’s far from a buffoon. AND, to be analytical about this, a Ginrich/Obama fight would be a repeat of the McCain/Obama fight. A tired old man against a youthful jerk - but a jerk who looks like he just stepped out of Gentleman’s Quarterly. Bad combination for us.

But if Gingirch was leading in delegate counts, I would have urged Santorum to step down. The important thing is to stop a RINO from getting nominated.

[ZULU]

I find that hard to believe. I think Gingrich and Santorum are far closer to a conservative ideal than Romney EVER will be.

[ZULU]

“Santorum sucks.”

If that is a sample of the rhetoric employed by Gingrich supporters - and I certainly don’t believe that to be the case, it speaks poorly of Gingrich.

But I think it more closely represents just a few of Gingrich’s supporters.

Anyone who thinks Romney is preferable to Santorum needs a serious reality check unless they too are a RINO.

[Joe the Pimpernel]

Newt staying in makes a brokered convention more likely.

That's what frightens the GOPe.

A brokered convention means they have lost control of the situation to the Tea Party.

[Georgia Girl 2]

National Review and Weekly Standard couldn’t smear Newt out of the race so now they are trying to hound him out. Thats not working either. Go Newt! All the way to Tampa.

[newzjunkey]

You seem to misunderstand meaning of the word "ACTUAL."

Arkansas votes in two months. There is no "actual" because it hasn't happened. It's not reality. It's all phony baloney.

Romney has more delegates than all opposition combined. A Newt exit will not benefit Santorum nearly as much his supporters wish with polling on the issue across many states showing 40-50% would go to Romney.

The practical time for a non-Romney to win outright as passed; the best time for that was before FL yet Santorum refused to exit the race. We know from the Santorum campaign memo a few weeks back they recognize the math.

Newt's strategy is clearly more tag-team now, one of trying to take as many delegates from Romney as possible, with a chance of denying him the nomination, and shape the dialog of the race which he's done to good effect.

[Lucas McCain]

“Anyone who thinks Romney is preferable to Santorum needs a serious reality check unless they too are a RINO.”

Hogwash. I just love it when people throw the RINO bomb at anyone with whom they disagree. I have no interest in proving to you how conservative I am. But I know this: Wittle Wicky Santorum is another bozo who never ran so much as a lemonade stand, and who will have his ass handed to him by the Obama campaign—should he get the nomination. The only candidate on either side that’s worth more than a bucket of warm spit is Gingrich. But, again, Romney would be better than Santorum.