Yes, the Left used that well and won over fools with a mole hill. I’m not a Newt defender, however, as I am both a fan and a critic and have seen it all with Newt, but I haven’t a clue who among the field will be on top next, or again, or in twelve months. I am not yet a Cain supporter. In fact, where is everyone lately? Posts are very slow coming and nobody I know is on threads? What’s up with that? Maybe my PC is acting up on the slow loads?
I just find it astonishing why I’d have to explain to ANY true-blue FReeper why Newt is a no-go. Unfortunately, we’re going to be treated to a litany of talking points and other rationalizations with respect to his candidacy by his booster club, and it still doesn’t cut the mustard. He had his moment in the sun, he led the GOP to a majority, but he folded in the budget showdown and all but handed Bubba a second term. He then skulked off when he couldn’t even win a third term (despite his repeated panderings to the left of the party).
I’ve been thoroughly repulsed and disgusted by his post-Congressional behavior, his desperation to be loved and accepted by the media/big government establishment**, his personal life shenanigans, his thumbing his nose at the Conservative grassroots and on and on (the Dede Scuzzyfava incident was the final straw for me, and no excuse can be made for it, none). He’s an almost 70-year old man grasping for one final attempt at glory for which he is neither entitled to nor deserving of. Simply put, I do not trust him.
We know the goal is to prevent Slick Willard from getting the nomination... but so is stopping all the other RINO prima donnas who have no business running for President (from Perry to Newt, etc.). Herman Cain is an outside-the-box choice, something truly different, and I’m willing to take a chance on him and give him the benefit of the doubt. Someone from outside the political culture who hails from the business world. He also presents a visceral threat to the political establishment (one for whom is unthreatened by people like Willard, Perry, Newt...), and that is a big plus in my book. It won’t be Newt who finally leads Blacks away from the Democrat Plantation unlike the other lily-White sixtysomethings.
As for your query about postings, I’m not sure what to say. FR seems to be loading fine for me, although you do have a point about these strangers (or infrequent posters, if not n00bs) showing up lately. They have certainly been noticeably absent for many of the vetting periods as of late and in the past.