[eeevil conservative]

I get that....but how is he worse than McCain?

That is what I don't get....I mean, I m liking Duncan Hunter and Mitt the best so far...

but why on earth does the Republican Leadership think that McCain is better than Newt? At least with Newt you won't have half the Republican base voting third party or staying home.....strictly speaking numbers, here...What makes them think that McCain would muster more votes than Newt in a General Election against Hillary? THAT is where I am lost.....

They seem to really under-estimate the hatred for McCain...

[Txsleuth]

I heard Mitch McConnell on with Hugh Hewitt on Friday.

Hugh has this pledge drive going...to have people say they won't give money to the NRCC or the RNC so that the money could be used for candidates that sign on to the iraq resolution.

When asked about that pledge drive, McConnell said it saddened him that Hugh was doing that...because they will back ALL Republican incumbents in their next election anyway.

When Hugh asked why....McConnell said something interesting.

He said that even though all of the GOP Senators are Republicans...their constituents in different areas of the country have different ideas and needs from their GOP Senators.

What this tells me is that McCain the the GOP leaders probably aren't as concerned with the hardcore base of the Republican party as much as they are in the more moderate middle of the road constituents that MIGHT either stay home..or vote independent or, heaven forbid, vote for a Dem....if the hard core right is TOO overly reflected in the candidate.

[snugs]

I think because Newt is a more polarizing figure eg Contract with America as far as the Independents are concerned and many conservatives/religious right will be iffy about him with 3 marriages. I know McCain has 2 but Newt's as some see it dirty washing is newer.

[Mo1]

I get that....but how is he worse than McCain?

I'm not saying Newit is worse then McCain .. I'm saying he has too much baggage and you can bet the liberals will hammer him over it

Just has they will do to Rudy .. plus many on the right will jump on that Rudy wagon

The bet on McCain is about electability and being able to beat the Dems .. McCain plays both sides of the fence and both sides think they can change his mind on issues

As for the issue of the base voting third party or staying home .. they already proved to the Republican Party in the 1992, 1996 and 2006 elections that they can't count on those voters

Then there is the fact there is not much wiggle room .. especially during a time of war to give the Dems the WH

Which is why voters like myself who can't stand McCain would vote for him in the General Election because we cannot afford to give these socialists all branches of government

There are many other reasons .. those I've mentioned are just a few

Bottom line is that we need a miracle to happen and give us a candidate that will rally majority of conservative voters and can win

I really don't see that yet

[greyfoxx39]

but why on earth does the Republican Leadership think that McCain is better than Newt?

I think there is a smidgin of "Dole-syndrome" in the republican leadership...they think it's McCain's turn. Who knows how many deals he has cut in his years in the senate with how many republicans of every stripe, and pay-back time is coming.

[tarheelswamprat]

...but why on earth does the Republican Leadership think that McCain is better than Newt?

I just checked-in and have been following this interesting discussion. There have been some thoughtful, plausible and well-articulated points raised. My take on this is simpler, and far more cynical, derived as it is from observing that "Republican Leadership" in action (or was that inaction) over the past few years:

The "Republican Leadership" prefers McCain because if, by some miracle, McCain were to win, well that would be "just great", and it'll be "business as usual" in Washington, DC. However, if Hillary (or whoever) wins, it'll be "too bad", or maybe even a "damn shame", but still "business as usual" in DC.

But if Newt Gingrich, or any other candidate who is talking about and trying to focus the attention of the American people on some of the ACTUAL existential threats we face, rather than the fuzzy, fake, contrived distractions, such as global warming or health care, etc., which the Establishment is desperately hyping, if such a candidate were to actually win, then "business as usual" would no longer be possible.

In such a scenario, the very real threats Gingrich (and Duncan Hunter and others) are trying to talk about would have to be dealt with, and THAT is the last thing either the "Republican Leadership" or the "Democrat Leadership" want.