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Strange Newt Respect (He's surging because many love the fact that he isn't bullied by the press)
Wall Street Journal ^ | 12/06/2011 | James Taranto

Posted on 12/06/2011 7:35:01 AM PST by SeekAndFind

SNIP SNIP

It seems to us that Gingrich's appeal to the primary electorate is best explained by reference to an earlier period in his career: 1989-94, when he was House minority whip. He was an extremely effective insurgent leader, helping to bring down two Democratic leaders, Speaker Jim Wright and Majority Whip Tony Coelho, by calling attention to their ethical problems.

As the Orlando Sentinel reported in May 1989, just after the latter announced his departure: "House Democratic whip Tony Coelho said Sunday that Republican whip Newt Gingrich was trying to destroy the Democrat-controlled House in order to rebuild it with a GOP majority." Five and a half years later, mission accomplished.

It seems to us that what has appealed to Republicans about Gingrich in this year's debates has been his willingness to challenge the assumptions of the (usually) liberal moderators. In one of the best examples, noted by NewsBusters.org, the ex-speaker "schools" Scott Pelley of CBS on the laws of war.

As it happens, Gingrich was defending the Obama administration for having killed al Qaeda terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki. The point, however, is that he was aggressive in refusing to accept Pelley's smug presumption of moral and intellectual superiority--a left-liberal presumption that rankles conservatives, that is very common among the leaders of cultural institutions, and that Obama very much personifies.

Matt Lewis of the Daily Caller summarizes it as well as we've seen anybody do:

A lot of people I talk to can't fathom why Newt Gingrich is actually winning. The latest narrative--and I think there's truth in it--is that voters are hungry for someone who will "take it to Obama." Clearly, Gingrich's debating ability is key. Republicans are champing at the bit to see him debate Obama.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: gingrich; newt; press; surge
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1 posted on 12/06/2011 7:35:12 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

I think we’ve reached a point where we know ANY GOP candidate will be torn, tattered, and trashed, and figure, why not Newt? At least he knows how to take it, and he fully admits to his past transgressions and addresses them.


2 posted on 12/06/2011 7:37:15 AM PST by RockinRight (If you're waiting to drink until you find pure water, you're going to die of dehydration.)
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To: SeekAndFind

I have to admit I have some problems with Newt, but love the fact that he is willing to tell MSM to f off and die.

Also love the way Trump handed Todd his a** to him. I think I’ll watch it again.


3 posted on 12/06/2011 7:39:30 AM PST by ILS21R (Never give up)
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To: SeekAndFind

The old my turd floats higher than your turd.


4 posted on 12/06/2011 7:40:50 AM PST by org.whodat (Just another heartless American, hated by "AMNESTY" Newt, Willard, Perry and his fellow supporters)
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To: SeekAndFind
A lot of people I talk to can't fathom why Newt Gingrich is actually winning. The latest narrative--and I think there's truth in it--is that voters are hungry for someone who will "take it to Obama."

Yep, that's it in a nutshell. So far he has talked the talk, let's see if he can walk the walk.

5 posted on 12/06/2011 7:41:34 AM PST by truthkeeper (Vote Against Barack Obama in 2012! (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.))
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To: RockinRight

:: we know ANY GOP candidate will be torn, tattered, and trashed ::

Except George’s little boy, Mittens. He will treated as McCain, The Sequel.


6 posted on 12/06/2011 7:43:51 AM PST by Cletus.D.Yokel (Catastrophic Anthropogenic Climate Alterations - The acronym explains the science.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Yep. That’s one of the reasons I like him. The Press, along with colleges and Hollywood, are responsible for much if not most of what our society and culture has become.

FOX, talk radio and the Wall Street Journal, Hillsdale College are but a few exceptions.

The LEFT wing Main Stream Media. CNN and Howard Kurtz Reliable Sources are the poster child. Trying to make it appear as though they are unbiased and balanced and lying about it all the way. Worse than MSNBC who admits their bias. CNN.....the worse. May they burn in hell.


7 posted on 12/06/2011 7:45:10 AM PST by JNRoberts
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To: SeekAndFind

He’s not bullied by the liberals either. Unlike the stuttering boob Romney and our last worthless nominee.


8 posted on 12/06/2011 7:47:34 AM PST by cotton1706
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To: RockinRight

In other words, he’s already been vetted and their going to have trouble finding more dirt.


9 posted on 12/06/2011 7:50:28 AM PST by desertfreedom765
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To: SeekAndFind

“...he isn’t bullied by the press...”

There ARE worse reasons to support a candidate! (Like, his skin is the same color as mine)


10 posted on 12/06/2011 7:54:48 AM PST by SMARTY ("The man who has no inner-life is a slave to his surroundings. "Henri Frederic Amiel)
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To: SeekAndFind

What we should be asking is why Cain and Palin are not in the race? Were they threatened and why?

And why do we end up with these people we don’t want?


11 posted on 12/06/2011 8:03:18 AM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: Cletus.D.Yokel

This a.m. on F&F - Gretchen repeatedly referred to Mitt Romney as ‘Mitt’......never Mitt Romney or Romney.

OTOH it is always ‘Gingrich’, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Jon Huntsman, Michelle Bachmann or their last names only.

Clearly Gretchen is a Mitten.


12 posted on 12/06/2011 8:05:00 AM PST by sodpoodle ( Newter the Democrats and newtralize the RINOS - the Senate, House & WHouse)
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To: RockinRight
Correct. It isn't so much the fact that Newt is bullied by the press. It's the fact that he hits back.

Newt isn't even close to being my first choice. He has even more baggage than Mitt Romney. But I give him credit for knowing how to punch back.

13 posted on 12/06/2011 8:09:02 AM PST by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: org.whodat

>> The old my turd floats higher than your turd.

... voiced in your case by someone whose turd sank COMPLETELY to the bottom.


14 posted on 12/06/2011 8:21:54 AM PST by Nervous Tick (Trust in God, but row away from the rocks!)
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To: SeekAndFind

Newtie Kazootie is a prog - that is why the press has not ganged up on him.


15 posted on 12/06/2011 8:25:00 AM PST by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is necessary to examine principles."...the public interest)
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To: freekitty

>> Were they threatened and why?

Palin simply chose on her own not to run.

Cain quit when his infidelity and horn-dog nature came to light.

Not everything is a conspiracy.


16 posted on 12/06/2011 8:25:25 AM PST by Nervous Tick (Trust in God, but row away from the rocks!)
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To: sodpoodle

>> OTOH it is always ‘Gingrich’

To tell you the truth, I prefer to call him “Gingrich” myself, because “Newt” sounds like what you’d call your baby brother when he’s five and you’re eight.

And I’m gravitating towards his camp... I’m not a detractor by any means.

So maybe don’t read too much into that.


17 posted on 12/06/2011 8:29:03 AM PST by Nervous Tick (Trust in God, but row away from the rocks!)
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To: truthkeeper
So far he has talked the talk, let's see if he can walk the walk.

Can we please stop saying that?

18 posted on 12/06/2011 8:45:26 AM PST by HIDEK6
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To: SeekAndFind

The people, the regular folks who don’t even think in terms of MSM or the Frankfurt School or Antonio Gramsci saw how the press treated Sarah Palin. It went beyond any degree of legitimate political difference (even in its widest interpretation), but hit real low... lower than low. They remember and I suspect that even a few leftwingers have in the meantime developed a smidge of conscience.

...and so when Newt snapped back and showed contempt, he instantly must’ve scored 10 points. Smart political move.


19 posted on 12/06/2011 8:49:13 AM PST by Youaskedforit
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To: Nervous Tick

LOL... I call him Newt because it’s quicker and easier to type... I am lazy.


20 posted on 12/06/2011 8:56:43 AM PST by Gator113 (~Just livin' life, my way~.. Newt/Palin-West-2012."got a lot swirling around in my head.")
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