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Gingrich: 2008 Race Like 'Idol' and 'Survivor'
Newsmax ^ | 5-10-07

Posted on 05/10/2007 6:46:08 PM PDT by SJackson

The 2008 presidential campaign is like a reality show, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says.

"There are a lot of smart people who are running very hard," said Gingrich, who is considering getting into the race. "But they have allowed themselves to be talked into a consultant-driven model, which is the equivalent - it's a mixture of 'American Idol,' 'The Bachelor' and 'Survivor.'"

Gingrich said recent candidate debates "were ludicrous."

"In the debate the other night, the Republicans averaged seven minutes and 20 seconds apiece, split up into 25- to 30-second answers," he said. "The television celebrities dominate these things. They cut people off. They treat them with disrespect.

"The potential president of the United States, the most powerful governing office in the world, shrinks with each appearance in these shows, and we don't have a national discussion."

Gingrich has been arguing for a different style of debating than the rules, time limits and moderator that come with traditional presidential debates.

"Whoever the two nominees are, they should agree in advance to 90-minute dialogue - time keeper, but no moderator - 90 minutes a week, for nine weeks, from Labor Day to the election. Let the American people have in their living room a chance to see two adults." He was interviewed on "Face the Nation" on CBS.


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: gingrich; newt; newtgingrich
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To: streetpreacher
I don't think he would have to. You seem perfectly willing to use the hammer on any candidate who isn't Hunter.

No, I support Fred as well.

But nice try anyway.

21 posted on 05/10/2007 8:02:37 PM PDT by dirtboy (A store clerk has done more to fight the WOT than Rudy.)
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To: pissant
There was a trickle of exposure from the last debate - the Michael Medved interview comes to mind.

I gave his campaign some more money just now.

He does do surprisingly well in a number of the straw polls.

22 posted on 05/10/2007 8:16:17 PM PDT by Lexinom (http://www.gohunter08.com)
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To: dirtboy

My top choices are Hunter (by a country mile), Huckabee and Fred tied for 2nd. Romney, Brownback tied for third.


23 posted on 05/10/2007 8:19:29 PM PDT by pissant
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To: Lexinom

Straw polls, yep. And having Ann Coulter’s and Swiftboat Vet John O’Neill’s endorsements won’t hurt a bit.


24 posted on 05/10/2007 8:20:37 PM PDT by pissant
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To: SJackson

Geez, just when you think Newt is very intelligent he reminds you of why he’s a moron.

A great tactician. A lousy leader. A political tin ear.


25 posted on 05/10/2007 8:20:41 PM PDT by Fledermaus (The Republican party is dead! Let's start over.)
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To: dirtboy

I apologize. You are correct. I had you confused with another poster who has went on every Thompson thread spamming for Hunter as the only true conservative. I like Hunter.

My one problem with him is that I don’t see where he has the ability to inspire, which to me is something we have been lacking in the presidency for the last 8 years. I do agree more with him on the issues than I do Thompson but that alone will not make someone a viable candidate for President. Maybe that will change between now and next year as we see more of him on the trail. I hope so.

In the end, I don’t think he will be the nominee but I wish him the best.


26 posted on 05/10/2007 8:21:49 PM PDT by streetpreacher (What if you're wrong?)
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To: pissant

Brownback is a spineless coward and typical political hack.


27 posted on 05/10/2007 8:25:02 PM PDT by Fledermaus (The Republican party is dead! Let's start over.)
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To: pissant

I thought you said Fred was a CFR globalist? And BTW, as an Arkansan, I can vouch for the fact that Huckabee is no conservative. He is for open borders, amnesty and nanny state government. He would basically be four more years of the same.

I know that there is some question regarding Fred’s view of the 12 million that are here right now but Huckabee won’t even defend the border from 12 million more, much less deport.


28 posted on 05/10/2007 8:26:30 PM PDT by streetpreacher (What if you're wrong?)
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To: streetpreacher; dirtboy

FYI, I may be the biggest Hunter supporter here (though some would argue that). I’m also a huge fan of President Bush, despite some pretty apparent flaws.

Anyone who has the demonstrably right positions on:

War against the islamo nazis

The 2A

US Sovereignty & borders

Life

10th Amendment

Will get consideration due support from me should they win the nomination.


29 posted on 05/10/2007 8:26:58 PM PDT by pissant
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To: Fledermaus

Yep. I put him on the same level as the Huckster.


30 posted on 05/10/2007 8:27:02 PM PDT by streetpreacher (What if you're wrong?)
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To: pissant

Well, I’m not a huge fan of President Bush so maybe I’m the “pure” conservative. LOL.


31 posted on 05/10/2007 8:28:21 PM PDT by streetpreacher (What if you're wrong?)
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To: SJackson
I stood up at the National Review Summit back in March and told Newt that the way to go was for the feds is to announce that US national policy was to collapse the cost of water desalination and transport and thereby make it economically possible to turn the world's deserts green...and basically, double the size of the habitable earth. And oh also green deserts would replace the extra carbon dioxide with oxygen and reverse the work of the last two centuries.

I think Newt got it.

Sadly right now the standard model at the highest level is anything that fits into the NAU model. So the big boys now are talking about doing a Chinatown style water transfer from canada to the US west and Mexico.

I discuss the matter in a blog entitled Desalination VS Water Transfers I wrote two weeks ago.
32 posted on 05/10/2007 8:28:39 PM PDT by ckilmer
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To: SJackson

Too bad it’s not like “The Apprentice”. I’d fire all of them.


33 posted on 05/10/2007 8:29:38 PM PDT by Tall_Texan (NBC News - the preferred network of assassins and terrorists.)
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To: streetpreacher

Me? the only CFR I rail about is campaign finance reform. The Council on Foreign Relations is a non issue to me. They’ve had some good ideas along with some shitty ones, just like every think tank.


34 posted on 05/10/2007 8:30:36 PM PDT by pissant
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To: streetpreacher
Hunter is an excellent guy that most FReepers could be quite pleased with. The man is smart, serious, and is the only candidate talking about China - a real threat I've recognized for years.

His bonafides are impeccable. He represents the very best traits of America - freedom, sovereignty, decency. He strikes me as a austere military man, yet one with sound judgment. Chuck Yeager endorsed him for good reason. He also seems more normal and level-headed than many of the candidates - someone I'd like my family to have over for dinner. He is the balanced candidate - balanced, yet not wishy-washy. The contrast between him and Hillary in a match-up would prove striking beyond superlative.

Newt - I agree with his positions, for the most part. His personal marital issues are a concern - someone seeking the Presidency does not have the luxury the rest of us peons have of separating personal character from competence, and the Clinton years bore that out.

Fred Thompson sounds good. My main suspicion is that much of his support seems to arise from the fact he is on the television. Also his political experience seems lighter than Hunter's, not to mention the comparison of their respective military backgrounds. But nonetheless he too would make an excellent candidate, if his health is up to it.

You, like everyone, need to make up your own mind. Watch the next debate - May 15.

35 posted on 05/10/2007 8:33:24 PM PDT by Lexinom (http://www.gohunter08.com)
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To: streetpreacher

But your implication that FR’s Hunter supporters are a bunch of Buchananites is wrong. There are a few of those, there’s a ton of Reaganites, and a gaggle of bush fans as well, staunch 2A types, Pro-lifers, some college kids, along with some very conservative folks leery of all politicians.

Showing definitively, that he has appeal across the whole specturm of GOPers and conservatives.


36 posted on 05/10/2007 8:34:35 PM PDT by pissant
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To: B Knotts; newheart; Prov3456; beckysueb; Tolik; RebekahT; BUSHdude2000; Jet Jaguar; familyop; ...
Newt '08 PING

FReepmail me to get on/off the Newt '08 Ping List

A Voice for Freedom: Newt Gingrich

American Solutions for Winning the Future

37 posted on 05/10/2007 8:38:59 PM PDT by B Knotts
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To: SJackson

Newt is TOO fertile in ideas. That was his main weakness as speaker. He wouldn’t stick to a definite agenda. The strength of the liberals is that they stick to a fixed program. The Pubbies had a program. the Contract with America, but wouldn’t stay with it.


38 posted on 05/10/2007 8:39:19 PM PDT by RobbyS ( CHIRHO)
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To: Fledermaus

I don’t know that much about him, except he’s soft on the border. Hence, he’s in the basement with Romney.


39 posted on 05/10/2007 8:40:32 PM PDT by pissant
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To: pissant

I didn’t mean all of them. I was only referring to the few in question.


40 posted on 05/10/2007 8:43:37 PM PDT by streetpreacher (What if you're wrong?)
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