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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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To: HIDEK6

Why?


21 posted on 12/06/2011 9:01:04 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: SeekAndFind
King Obama will bury anyone in a contest except Gingrich. Gingrich is very intelligent and if anyone can drop King Obama he will and backed up by his knowledge of the Constitution and his understanding of the Constitutional law.
22 posted on 12/06/2011 9:06:43 AM PST by Logical me
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To: SeekAndFind

Obama was a creature created BY the PRESS.

So looking for someone who can effectively battle the press is the first step towards defeating the Press built monster called Obama....


23 posted on 12/06/2011 9:21:29 AM PST by GraceG
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To: Logical me

[ King Obama will bury anyone in a contest except Gingrich. Gingrich is very intelligent and if anyone can drop King Obama he will and backed up by his knowledge of the Constitution and his understanding of the Constitutional law. ]

The MSM will be a very staunch ally of Obama, expect all sorts of dirty tricks if Newt is the Challenger against their creation Obama.


24 posted on 12/06/2011 9:24:46 AM PST by GraceG
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To: SeekAndFind
"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. "

This concept is supported by the success of Donald Trump's prior campaign.

25 posted on 12/06/2011 9:32:33 AM PST by matthew fuller (Hey Buckwheat- What the Hell are we paying you for?...(GO NEWT!))
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To: Gator113

“Newt...my name’s Newt...nobody calls me Rebecca, except my brother.” /Aliens (Carrie Henn, 1986)


26 posted on 12/06/2011 9:40:17 AM PST by Christian4Bush (PSA. As of 12/6/11, 336/411 days 'til we vote out/take out the trash. (11/6/12, 1/20/13))
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To: Nervous Tick

Yep, that’s what they say. I believe they were forced out because of conservatism or maybe they are on the other side. Anyway, it’s always a mind game that they want America and it’s people to lose.

It’s pretty much a conspiracy today so you are preaching to the choir.


27 posted on 12/06/2011 9:56:07 AM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: truthkeeper

Avoid cliches like the plague.


28 posted on 12/06/2011 10:18:40 AM PST by HIDEK6
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To: HIDEK6
Please...this forum is full o cliches.

If the shoe fits... ;-)

29 posted on 12/06/2011 10:28:53 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: truthkeeper

Maybe, but that one is extremely annoying.


30 posted on 12/06/2011 10:36:42 AM PST by HIDEK6
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To: desertfreedom765
"In other words, he’s already been vetted and their going to have trouble finding more dirt."

I see it more as he's already in the hole, they just haven't thrown the dirt back in to cover him up. I think the media isn't attacking Newt, as they did Cain, because they know Obama will bury him.

31 posted on 12/06/2011 3:50:42 PM PST by HangThemHigh (Entropy's not what it used to be.)
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