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Tea party v. establishment in 2012 race: A battle for the GOP soul?
FOX News ^ | Jan 29, 2012

Posted on 01/29/2012 11:50:43 PM PST by Jim Robinson

Tea Party or establishment. That's the name of the game in the battle for the Republican presidential primary nomination.

But sometimes it's hard to determine who's who. Frontrunner Mitt Romney has never worked in Washington but has accumulated dozens of endorsements from Republican officialdom. Newt Gingrich was House speaker for four years, and has lived in Washington ever since his 1999 departure from Congress, but he's running as the outsider who knows how to use his experience to crash the corrupt system and rebuild.

The expressions of support are an indicator where the divisions are lining up.

Sarah and Todd Palin have both said they're Gingrich fans. While the former 2008 vice presidential candidate hasn't expressly offered an endorsement, Sarah Palin has frequently worn the mantle of Tea Party spokeswoman.

On Saturday, businessman and one-time candidate Herman Cain jumped in at a Tea Party Express rally vowing his support for Gingrich -- for now.

"I'm not against Mitt Romney if Mitt Romney gets the nomination, I'm gonna support him. But right now, I'm hoping Newt Gingrich gets the nomination and I'm going to work, and try to see to it that he gets the nomination," Cain told Fox News.

On the flip side, Romney has pulled out former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, the speaker's former Senate partner on Capitol Hill, to back him up against Gingrich. And on Sunday, Arizona Sen. John McCain explained why Mitt's the man.

"I would say that we had some rather unpleasant experiences with Newt Gingrich and one of them was the government shut down in 1995," said McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential candidate. "My problems with Newt has been over earmark spending, billions and billions and billions. When Newt Gingrich became speaker they turned earmarks into an art form."

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: elections; florida; gingrich; newt
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To: Boomer One

I’ll take him over Barry for now and do my best to get true conservatives in office. Needless to say I still hold out hope for one of the other candidates, but the “fix” for Romney appears to be a fact.

I apologize Sir. Needless to say that “Fix ‘O Romney” is chasing a rabbit along an Obamahole...


21 posted on 01/30/2012 12:50:53 AM PST by Carthego delenda est
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To: Still Thinking
I would say that we had some rather unpleasant experiences with Newt Gingrich...

Why does Juan McAmnesty think that his "unpleasant experiences" with Newt should disqualify him (Newt) from the presidency? That is the height of irrelevance.

22 posted on 01/30/2012 1:22:03 AM PST by luvbach1 (Stop the destruction in 2012 or continue the decline)
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To: Jim Robinson

I think that the die has already been cast since both Gingrich & Santorum were unable to get on the ballot in Virgina thus denying them the ability to gain the required delegates to win the nomination.


23 posted on 01/30/2012 2:17:10 AM PST by Republican1795.
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To: stormhill

Newt failed against Clinton during the government shutdown because his ego drove him to play the PR angle wrong. The minute Gingrich proclaimed he was going to shut the government down he handed Clinton a sledgehammer Clinton and the media used to bludgeon Gingrich and the Republicans. The concept of shutting down the government frightened many Americans. The beneficiaries of the welfare state were concerned about missing a check. The media focused on government programs most Americans enjoy and perceive should not close such as the national parks. Gingrich wanted to show the people he was as powerful as the President so he proclaimed “he” (Newt) was shutting down the government even though it was the President’s veto actually shutting it down.

The right way to have played the PR game would have been to pass the budget cuts and take the high road by publicly stating he hoped the President would work with Congress to bring our budget under control by signing the bill. Had Clinton signed, and taken credit, the country would have benefited. If instead Clinton vetoed the bill Gingrich could have played the same hand Clinton played by going to the American people and telling them the President was playing with fire by shutting down the government. The public would have turned against Clinton and the Republicans could have quickly passed a slightly modified “compromise” bill which Clinton would have immediately signed to end the shutdown for which the President was being blamed. Victory to Newt but he wouldn’t have had the ego pleasing moments in front of the camera beating his chest.

Hopefully Newt has learned to be more subtle when playing hardball power politics in Washington. Sometimes to win the PR battle with the public you need to appear to be the good guy. Playing the good guy occasionally means taking the first punch not giving it.

Democrats play the PR game much more effectively than the Republicans because they are playing for the long term and understand the power of propaganda on the masses. Intelligent conservatives such as Newt overestimate the ability of the public to see through the Democrat spin. It is sad but well less than 50% of voters are paying attention or even understand the Constitution. They do understand what cutting off benefit checks or closing the Grand Canyon means.


24 posted on 01/30/2012 3:07:51 AM PST by Soul of the South (When times are tough the tough get going.)
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To: dixiechick2000

“I’d rather live with four more years of Obama than eight years of Obama lite”

If Romney becomes President he will serve only four years. He will perpetuate the status quo, compromise at every turn, and be chewed up by the Dem propaganda machine. Obamacare will be implemented because Wall Street wants to move health care from business to government. Romney’s federal and Supreme Court nominees will be liberal to moderate, not conservative. The economy will not improve as RComney the moderate will not fight the leftist on deficit spending and regulation. He may even emulate Bush I and compromise on a tax increase on the “wealthy” to curry favor with the media and Dems.

Given a mediocre Romney presidency, the Dems might even run Obama again against Romney. Imagine the PR spin regarding a rematch. By then demographic shifts in the voter base will be enough to ensure a Dem victory in a tight race. If they don’t go for the historical rematch the Dem bench includes Rahm Emmanuel, Andrew Cuomo, and Hillary.


25 posted on 01/30/2012 3:25:10 AM PST by Soul of the South (When times are tough the tough get going.)
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To: dixiechick2000

“I’d rather live with four more years of Obama than eight years of Obama lite”

If Romney becomes President he will serve only four years. He will perpetuate the status quo, compromise at every turn, and be chewed up by the Dem propaganda machine. Obamacare will be implemented because Wall Street wants to move health care from business to government. Romney’s federal and Supreme Court nominees will be liberal to moderate, not conservative. The economy will not improve as RComney the moderate will not fight the leftist on deficit spending and regulation. He may even emulate Bush I and compromise on a tax increase on the “wealthy” to curry favor with the media and Dems.

Given a mediocre Romney presidency, the Dems might even run Obama again against Romney. Imagine the PR spin regarding a rematch. By then demographic shifts in the voter base will be enough to ensure a Dem victory in a tight race. If they don’t go for the historical rematch the Dem bench includes Rahm Emmanuel, Andrew Cuomo, and Hillary.


26 posted on 01/30/2012 3:25:10 AM PST by Soul of the South (When times are tough the tough get going.)
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To: Jim Robinson

The GOP establishment has no soul.


27 posted on 01/30/2012 3:28:40 AM PST by bmwcyle (I am ready to serve Jesus on Earth because the GOP failed again)
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To: luvbach1

Saw a clip of the village idiot Juan, in his support for Willard, say something to the effect that we need a guy like Willard now more than we’ve ever needed someone to lead in this country. WHAT A FRICKIN JOKE OF A STATEMENT! These phoney, lying, backstabbing, slithering snake politicians make me sick to my stomach! Why in the world can’t we get rid of these disgusting pols who are the ones ruining our great country with the policies and decisions they make! Why is it they have so much control and influence. Why in the world can’t we get SOMETHING TURNED AROUND IN WASHINGTON! ARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!


28 posted on 01/30/2012 3:36:26 AM PST by nfldgirl
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To: Boomer One
-- It's somewhat apparent that the RHINO wing is in line for another victory with Romney. Just another reason why conservatives should concentrate on Senators and Representatives for now ... --

I already no-vote the GOP in Senate elections (Snowe/Collins), and would do so for the House too, if they run a moderate.

Based on the observation that the GOP is "okay" with a lyin' candidate as "standard" bearer, what I have to say to the GOP is "bite me." The only standard the GOP has is "you scratch my back, or I'll scratch your eyes out."

29 posted on 01/30/2012 3:38:43 AM PST by Cboldt
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To: kingu

“Romney’s people are even worse, and just waiting to move into the top dog offices in the party across the nation. And they’ve got a load of targets, especially all of those who jumped the gun and endorsed during the primaries.”

Romney will make sure his people occupy all of the leadership positions in the GOP. Their first priority will be to suppress the rebellion by conservatives and the Tea Party. Conservatives better do anything they can to help Newt win the nomination. The first shots of the rebellion have already been fired and won’t go without a return from the establishment.


30 posted on 01/30/2012 4:15:23 AM PST by vmivol00 (I won't be reconstructed.)
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To: Jim Robinson

The GOP-E is as much a part of the entitlement class as is a person on foodstamps.


31 posted on 01/30/2012 4:29:10 AM PST by w4women (A claim for equality of material position can be met only by a government with totalitarian powers.)
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To: dixiechick2000

Who would have ever thought that the time would come that we had no one to vote for? Well, its arrived.

In retrospect look back. How many people in Congress have made lifetime positions there? The only reason they are there is to enrich themselves with money and power, nothing else.

To this end, they pander to “big business,” the stock market and any and all which are financially powerful. The little people don’t count. Support of the Constitution and the freedoms we used to have don’t count. Only their power and wealth count. That’s called the ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS.

They “go along to get along” since only their personal wealth and power are the only thing they protect and APPEASEMENT is the thing they offer the opposition.

Term limits will never happen because of the simple fact that these “lifers” will never, never place themselves in the position in which they are in office ONLY to protect the Constitution (as they swore upon the bible to do when they were elected) or the freedoms of our land.

It’s a “me first” congress and it’s not going to change until we change.


32 posted on 01/30/2012 4:33:02 AM PST by DH (Once the tainted finger of government touches anything the rot begins)
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To: Jim Robinson

The GOP has systematically and predictably betrayed Conservatives for donkeys’ years.

Of course this will be a showdown.


33 posted on 01/30/2012 4:34:24 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: Jim Robinson
“If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures.”

                 - Alexander Hamilton

34 posted on 01/30/2012 4:36:43 AM PST by central_va ( I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: luvbach1

What can I tell ya? “Lettuce” is a vegetable, after all. (Juan “Lettuce” McAisleReachingBackStabbingRINOAsshat, that is.)


35 posted on 01/30/2012 4:46:58 AM PST by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!)
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To: Nickname
Mordor on the Potomac vs. the hobbits.

Pretty much literally ROFLMAOed when I read that! Nice!

36 posted on 01/30/2012 4:49:19 AM PST by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!)
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To: Jim Robinson

http://www.selfgovernment.us/


37 posted on 01/30/2012 5:00:13 AM PST by EternalVigilance (Conservatives said: 'Give us the lesser of two evils'! The GOP establishment said 'no.')
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To: Nickname

See my tagline..I should update it.. It looks like we also have two Towers to take down. First Isengaard, then Sauron. Ironic, isn’t it?


38 posted on 01/30/2012 5:14:06 AM PST by SueRae (I can see November from my HOUSE!!!!!!!! 11.06.2012, the Tower of Sauron falls,)
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To: Jim Robinson
we had some rather unpleasant experiences with Newt Gingrich and one of them was the government shut down in 1995

One of the finest hours in the history of congress and John McCain has problems with it.

39 posted on 01/30/2012 5:18:05 AM PST by GVnana (Newt 2012 - He Speaks for Us)
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To: dixiechick2000

“I’d rather live with four more years of Obama than eight years of Obama lite. So, I’ll vote all of the down ticket races, and that’s it.”

Now this is some interesting logic......


40 posted on 01/30/2012 5:22:20 AM PST by snoringbear (Government is the Pimp,)
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