Newt Gingrich weeps, Mitt Romney attacks Ron Paul

AP/WorldMag ^ | Dec 30, 10:02 PM EST | DAVID ESPO and SHANNON MCCAFFREY

[quantim]

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wept Friday as he recalled his late mother's end-of-life illnesses, a moment of poignancy in a notably negative Republican presidential Iowa caucus campaign with four unpredictable days yet to run.

"I do policy much easier than I do personal," Gingrich told an audience of women as he tried to regain his composure. The tears flowed as the former speaker was responding to questions about his mother from a pollster and longtime political ally.

Gingrich's emotional moment came as his rivals engaged in traditional campaign tactics, and as polls suggested large numbers of Iowa Republicans could change their minds before caucuses Tuesday night provide the first test of the 2012 campaign.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney sought to marginalize his closest pursuer in most polls, saying, "I don't think Ron Paul represents the mainstream of Republican thought with regards to issues, particularly in foreign policy."

Paul gave no ground. "I really can't conceive" of intervening militarily to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, he said, unequivocally restating his position on an issue on which he differs with Romney and his other rivals.

[Lazlo in PA]

Now I am listening to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=1GQ8YfYyFwM

I am just an a burn out.

[jessduntno]

Happy New Year.

[Lazlo in PA]

Amen Brother. I see a New Year coming soon. God bless us all...

[Lazlo in PA]

Do you like oldies?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QN6feGBQJc&feature=related

I love Leslie Gore...

[sheikdetailfeather]

Drudge and Coulter are obviously on the same page. I am taking names and making major adjustments.

[sheikdetailfeather]

Schwarzkopf Cries over his Dad

Barbara Walters said “Generals don’t cry. Generals don’t get tears in their eyes.” He said “Sure they do.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG1G7dpYl9w

[Gator113]

Good luck in trying to reason with these lowlife POS.

There isn’t a real man among them. A justified insult is one thing, but this trash is beyond reason.

[trebb]

Maybe Newt can get together with Boehnor on a golf course somewhere and have a real sobfest.

Maybe you can tell us all about the robot you endorse. The inability to cry usually has some ties to serious psychological issues; perhaps you should get yourself evaluated before you become a public menace.

[nfldgirl]

My very manly "Marlboro Man" of a husband (minus the smokes, of course), still - at 69 - tears up over memories of his mother, who passed away in 1995. He can also get chocked up and tear up "out of the blue" while teaching a Sunday school class with men and women present.

As for Newt choking/tearing up, I didn't actually see the clip, so I'll have to withhold judgment as to whether it seemed genuine or contrived.

[fso301]

I'm so sick of this trend for the past 20 years of male politicians believing fake crying is the way to show their sensitive side to women voters.

[Outlaw Woman]

Ummmm you sort of have a problem with simple sentences don’t you? Your response is just a tad over dramatic ... oh but I guess that’s just you being in touch with your ‘inner’ self. Carry around a box of tisew with you too? You know, just for those times when it’s ok to ‘puddle’ up.

In the past 15-20 years it has become standard fare for ‘men’ to cry (some on cue) and personally, I find it somewhat disgusting. There’s a time and a place for everything; crying on camera by a man (or woman)is not it.

The oprahification of our country continues.

[Yardstick]

It’s.....beautiful.

[paintriot]

Drudge ran many negatives on Cain, now Newt. Who does Drudge support? Don’t even get me started on mAnne Coulter.

[Hattie]

What a fake. Crying over his Mother? What about the wives and children that cried over the end of families while he was in the back seat of the Congressional parking lot with a platinum broad? He is just a fake.

[ejonesie22]

That’s a beauty...

[Venturer]

My father died 50 years ago , the worst day of my life. I still tear up when I think of it.

Even today people come up to me and say I remember your Daddy, what a great man.

[Future Snake Eater]

Well that is quite a collection of foamy buzzwords you tossed into the blender and splattered all over your computer. Thanks for sharing with us, even though it makes no sense whatsoever and adds absolutely nothing to the conversation.

[Sudetenland]

I am a total Newt fan and supporter, as has been very clear from my posts, I also have great empathy for Newt's emotional display--I tend to be one of those "weepy" guys in emotionally charged situations (even movies), BUT that sort of emotional display in a man campaigning for the Presidency generally is devastating.

Americans like strong leaders (ususally-Obambi being the exception). They like men who appear strong, un-yielding . . . and not weepy. When I saw Boehner weep, I thought, "Oh no, he's weak," then I thought "Well, his brothers say he's always been that sort of man but he tough as nails, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt."

Unfortunately, through 2011 we have seen just how weak Boehner is. When push came to shove, he folded like a cheap suit time after time.

Conclusion, I don't know that Newt will survive this. It may not damage him, but it will surprise me if it doesn't. Anybody remember Ed Musky? He was leading in the polls in his bid for the Democrat nomination--one public crying spell and it was over. He was instantly dead in the water.

I fear this will be the straw for Newt.

[quantim]

Well said, finally some sense above the vitriol.  I don't think most people care when a man cries or if they do at all. 

But FGS not within a week of the first caucus in Iowa and you're seeking to be the leader of the free world.

I haven't made a single comment on supporting one candidate over another - like your tagline says 'Anybody but Obama' is the bottom line.  My primary isn't for two months so all things must be considered until then.



And this guy who is so far successful in his goal to weaken and socialize America sobbing about his grandmother, he's as weak as they get.