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...

[thirst4truth]

And as for Gingrich’s Republican “colleagues,” whom the Editors applaud for ejecting him from the speakership, no one can deny that they had their reasons. But is there not another side of that story worth telling? In the seven years they controlled Congress after Gingrich left, didn’t these esteemed colleagues have something of a “weakness for half-baked (and not especially conservative) ideas”? Under a Republican president, they added over $3 trillion to the federal deficit, shunned conservative policy in favor of Beltway influence-peddling, and so damaged the GOP brand that we ended up, first, with an electoral rout that lost the majority Gingrich had worked years to forge, and then, with Obama.

This is important and worth talking about. He is also the one that worked "16 years building the Republican majority" to then win the house in 1994 for the first time in 40 years

[vbmoneyspender]

Is NR contracting out the writing of their editorial endorsements to David Frum?

[WalterSkinner]

..it sounds like Ann Coulter is gradually going the way of Arianna Huffington

[narses]

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[Raebie]

One has to wonder why they keep sending Huntsman out of the country. All in all, a good plan.

[Mare]

bfl

[presently no screen name]

Yes, Newt bringing up about the judges ruling from the bench - GO NEWT! He means business and giving him the power - the rats and rinos loose power. Their rants are showing they feel it’s a reality - let’s blast those maggots once and for all! Let’s reclaim our ‘WeThePeople’ status by voting for the candidate they are against - Newt.

[hosepipe]

[ No, he’s not. Just has a few bats in the attic. ]

True.. but who can claim theres not the occasional bat in their roofing regions..
I sweep and sweep but cannot remove Sandy Burgular from my attic.. the critter keeps coming back..
I really will not be happy until he does the perp walk into Levenworth..

Funny the things that totally piss people off..
Sandy did it for me.. Chinagate bent my cane as well..

I suspect a couple of things have totally pissed Ron Paul off..
Its almost impossible to distract him from them..
I can respect that.. the boy does have a bat problem..

[hosepipe]

[ Ron Paul is nuts. Schizophrenia best describes his politics. ]

So... I see.. you’d be happier if he did the flip/flop a bit more..?
Theres no doubt about it.. a few things have totally pissed Ron Paul off..
And he will not be happy until they are rectified..

Are you a Rino?... I’m just asking..
Only Congress can declare “ACTUAL” wars....... not Presidents..
I know.. I know.. thats a Constitutional thing..
But then...... ALL OF Ron Pauls arguments are Constitutional in nature..

Its possible you have no idea of whats in the American Constitution..
I could then see why you would think Ron Paul is nuts..
Reading the “Federalist Papers” might help in your confusion..

[hosepipe]

[ Ron Paul has the same problem as Obama...a zealous adherance to his political philosophy. ]

Anything less is called flip flopping.. you know like Newt does..
Paul does not veer, Newt veers like a little girl in her imagination..

Romney just tricks democrats into voting for him, and is presently trying to trick republicans..

Obama does not flip flop either..
What he does is always the complete opposite of what he says he will do.. like clockwork..

[NicknamedBob]

"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"

I trust a man who has made mistakes, and publicly expressed his regret for them, more than I trust a man who conceals his past in order to make his mistakes-of-office in office.

We learn from our mistakes, if we can learn at all. To hide from the past is to pretend that mistakes have never occurred, and to attempt to live the lie that they never will.

A man with a humble and contrite spirit is willing to share successes and their glory, and willing to borrow the experience and wisdom of others to achieve them.

[phillyfanatic]

Good for Andy. A prosecutor, perhaps now Rudy G will feel free to endorse Newt too. The Right Esta. along with MSM are going to try to kill Newt so they can put up a Mush candidate who will be killed by the MSM. Newt will not fold and if he can just unite as many Pubs, Indies, Reagan Dems, and TEAS ,he could pull off a huge upset over our Socialist in Chief.

[presently no screen name]

Conservatives have a message for you, Mitt.

We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support.