Gingrich’s Virtues

NRO ^ | Dec 17, 2012 | By Andrew C. McCarthy, a senior fellow at the National Review Institute

[Jim Robinson]

I respectfully dissent from National Review’s Wednesday-evening editorial, which derided Newt Gingrich as not merely flawed but unfit for consideration as the GOP presidential nominee. The Editors further gave the back of the hand to the bids of two other prominent conservatives, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann — a judgment that is simply inexplicable in light of the frivolousness of its reasoning and of the Editors’ embrace of Jon Huntsman, a moderate former Obama-administration official, as a serious contender.

The editorial surprised me, as it did many readers. I am now advised that the timing was driven by the editorial’s inclusion in the last edition of the magazine to be published this year, which went to press on Wednesday. The Editors believe, unwisely in my view, that before the first caucuses and primaries begin in early January, it is important to make known their insights — not merely views about the relative merits of the candidates but conclusions that some candidates are no longer worthy of having their merits considered. Like many other voters, I haven’t settled on a candidate. What I want at this very early stage is information about the candidates so I can consider them, not a presumptuous and premature pronouncement that good conservatives do not even rate consideration.

Regarding former Speaker Gingrich, I have no objection to the cataloguing of any candidate’s failings, and Newt has certainly made his share of mistakes. But there ought to be balance — balance between a candidate’s failings and his strengths, balance between the treatment of that candidate and of his rivals. The editorial fails on both scores.

Gingrich’s virtues are shortchanged—his great accomplishment in balancing the federal budget is not even mentioned, an odd omission in an election that is primarily about astronomical spending. His downsides are exaggerated...

[petercooper]

https://www.newt.org/donate

[Arrowhead1952]

balance between the treatment of that candidate and of his rivals. The editorial fails on both scores.

Gingrich’s virtues are shortchanged—his great accomplishment in balancing the federal budget is not even mentioned, an odd omission in an election that is primarily about astronomical spending. His downsides are exaggerated...

I'll settle for a balanced budget long before I vote for the mittens. Fair treatment?? Why didn't the SRM go after 0 bummer after his 57 states remark? These "reporters" are really ticking me off more and more every day. They have NO CLUE why all the dead tree editions and now the on line sites are looking more like Jurassic Park dinosaur's remains.

[Malesherbes]

I’m with you completely.
I almost lost my breakfast when Sununu - who gave us Souter - declared that Newt was not a real conservative. I’ve had enough of lectures from the country club.
In March, when we have our primary, my head will probably vote for Newt by default (my heart is with Bachmann.)
Newt, alone among the candidates, has raised the issue of judicial tyranny. No one else had the courage, and of course, he is getting blasted by those who love being ruled by judges.

[Arrowhead1952]

I forgot to say that I’ll settle for a Gingrich and Perry ticket in either order. I was rooting for Bachman, but she used the wrong pistol in the last debate.

[Diogenesis]

NRO usually pimps Romney because of something he said.

But which time? Which time?

Milt Romney – the Magic RINO:
"I'm not running as the Republican view
or a continuation of Republican values.
That's not what brings me to the race.
(Romney Video, accessed 9/19/07)

---

"We don't intend to turn the Republican Party
 over to the traitors in the battle just ended.
We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged
 to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support.
Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates
wouldn’t make any sense at all.""
--  President Ronald Reagan

[Georgia Girl 2]

The big boys want Mitt Jim. You are not supposed to try to upset the republican progressive order of things.

[This I Wonder32460]

When Gingrich wins, the libs, lefties and msm are going to go ballistic as might some of the GOP. Though I am hoping those GOP members will help circle the wagons and fight the attacks, yet I can envision them jumping ship and joining the rioters. It will be some 4-8 year ride as they will be worse then they were when Regan was President. They hated Regan and the press et al was constant slamming him. And if 911 hadn’t happened it would have been just as bad against Bush, not that it wasn’t bad, it would have been worse. The msm is full of vitriol for anyone, but dims, socialists and commies. So much for their supposed unbias reporting.

[raybbr]

Ron Paul is nuts. Schizophrenia best describes his politics.

[Reagan69]

Just sent $300.

[Flintlock]

I’ve been wondering wether or not to renew my subsctription.
Maybe not.

[vmivol00]

Here was the comment I left on the NR site.

After being a loyal reader for just the reasons you described, I had decided that I was finished with NR. The constant cheer leading for non conservatives and an unwillingness to focus on records has been a real turnoff. I decided to remove NR from my favorites and browser as I didn’t want any of clicks or sponsorship to in effect be complicit with those who are destroying a once proud institution.

The only reason I clicked on the website was due to your article that was excerpted on free republic.

Andrew, I think your article was the singlemost thought out and well articulated article I’ve seen in a very long time. I would like to hope that you could work to restore NR from the inside....however I think it is too far gone. My suggestion would be for you and a few other conservatives to find a new outlet that appreciates in depth analyses as opposed to a drive by Paula Abdul popularity contest.

[Ann Archy]

I LOVE how Andrew REMINDED us that the Congresscritters that ousted Newt are the ones who went on to SPEND US INTO OBLIVION with BUSH and OBAMA!!!

THANK YOU, ANDREW!!!!

[Lucas McCain]

What’s the big deal? Does anybody actually care what NR thinks anymore?

Forty years ago I read it religiously. I stopped reading it about 20 years ago.

Regarding Gingrich, if the primary in my state were today, I’d vote for him, warts and all. If he becomes the nominee, I become a broken glass Republican.

[Ann Archy]

One of Ann’s best friends is BILL MAHER!! Need I say more??

[altura]

That was an excellent article. I particularly liked the part about what Congress did after they succeeded in ousting Newt (although I still don’t like it that he quit/and or let them oust him).

Who are they to deride Newt’s lack of leadership when they showed none themselves after they got rid of him.

And I also appreciate the defense of Perry against the cheap shots taken by National Review — more suited to Saturday Night Live or Jon Stewart.

What’s wrong with National Review???

[show]

Please find the Screen Shots comparing Coulter’s flip flop. And add text to the screen shots and then show both together side by side. Then we need to post this picture of the newest member to the John Kerry Flip Flop Club with a documented tag that...

John Kerry, “I Actually Did Vote for the $87 Billion, Before I voted Against It”

Ann Coulter, “I Actually Did Say Romney Would Lose, Before I said He Would Win.”

We need to start documented her flip flops and any time she opens her mouth, call her Flip Flop Coulter.

[show]

Can you make one of those for Coulter’s flip flops?

Flip Flop Coulter hates Conservatives like Newt. And maybe another one with her over the top Hater attitude for Newt.

[ez]

Ron Paul has the same problem as Obama...a zealous adherance to his political philosophy. It is fine and admiriable to have a political philosophy that GUIDES you, but as soon as you let it DICTATE to you, you become one-dimensional, and unable to adapt to realities at hand. There is no universal law in politics that governs the actions of men, when the very meaning of politics in the first place is dealing with difference between us.

[astratt7]

I’m sending another donation to NEWT !

Me too!
Go Newt!!

[libstripper]

This is a really devatating article that shows how far NR has sunk from the great days of WFB. Indeed, it’s expeciall so in that McCarthy is one of its finest, most well-informed writers and a terrific lawyer. To have one of its best people flame it this scathingly is truly astounding.