Anyone But Romney: The race by the Republican right to find an ‘ABR’ continues

National Post ^ | Jan 31, 2012

[Jim Robinson]

Updated Jan. 31, 2012: Support for former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has remained one of the few constants during the Republican nomination race. But as contenders to Mr. Romney have emerged and then faded, the GOP still seems hesitant to embrace him.

The most recent candidate to play the Anyone But Romney role is former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who recently finished first in the party’s South Carolina primary.

The National Post’s graphics team takes a look at the ups and downs of the race so far.

[great grapics at source]

[MachIV]

Secession could be done and theoretically, it could be done peacefully. We could put it up for a vote. Alot of leftwinger types I think are equally ready. It would be like a big National Divorce. We could even have trade agreements between the new nations. Call me crazy.

[Jim Robinson]

Is this your opus then?

[Dead Corpse]

I've always seen campaign finance reform as an issue used by the Left to try and control who gets to send money to which of their preferred candidates.

There has got to be a less corrupting way to do this though.

[bigdirty]

America won’t die because of Romney or Obama. It will unfortunately almost guarantee a very painful period in America history with a huge economic depression and civil unrest.

[Jim Robinson]

Kind of funny that you’re now joining losers Dole and McCain in trashing our leading pro-life tea party candidate.

[Dead Corpse]

I'd prefer it to not be.

That is up to you though. I have always maintained and defended that fact that this is your site and your rules.

If my advocacy of Newt, despite valid reservations, isn't enough for you... Then I really don't know what would be enough.

[Dead Corpse]

Newt isn't Tea Party. Cain was. Newt's the new fave. He has warts.

Pointing this out and working to over come them before the Dems kill us with them isn't "trashing".

[ZX12R]

If my advocacy of Newt, despite valid reservations, isn't enough for you... Then I really don't know what would be enough.

Perhaps if you would stop highlighting Newt's negatives, it would be enough. Now is not the time for it.

[freemarketsfreeminds]

In short Santorum is the guy that shows up to a gun fight with a knife. He’s a decent man, but politics has moved way beyond decency. It’s a dirty dirty game.

[newzjunkey]

From the source's graphics, Newt raised under $4 million in the first two quarters of the race and spent nearly all of it.

Even with his surge, he's absolutely cash poor, particularly compared to Romney.

[Jim Robinson]

The tea partiers are coalescing around Newt with the conservative base and the evangelicals. FR is Newt country. You are either with us or against us. Your call.

[DJ MacWoW]

Newt believes there may be global warming. He does NOT believe that it’s man made. He also testified against crap and tax to Congress. That’s not a “weather vane”.

[The Cajun]

Sometimes a man's enemies will help define who he really is.
Newt's enemies are the MSM, GOP-E and Rats, those are the same enemies of the tea party.

Think about that.

[campaignPete R-CT]

The Maine caucuses have begun and Ron Paul is defeating ROMNEY in the small caucuses held thus far.

Bigger caucuses to be held this weekend. Augusta 9 a.m. on 2/4.

1500+ people to attend the Sanford, Maine caucus 2/11 9 a.m. (north of Portsmouth, NH and Boston, MA). ROMNEY wants to sweep in his slate of 400+ delegates!

Teapartiers, pro-lifers, NEWTS, Santorum fans, and other anti-ROMNEYites should get there and campaign against the ROMNEY slate!!!

[Dead Corpse]

I’m with you... There should never have been a doubt.

[Dead Corpse]

Yes, I'm fully aware of that.

I plan on attending my local caucus' coming up here. I'll be adding my voice and vote to Newt's totals. I don't have the pull to make it to the BPOU, but I may try for it anyway.

[Biggirl]

It is not just Newt that has his warts, EVERYONE has warts and all.

[ex-Texan]

I cannot stand to watch the GOP destroy itself this way with spiteful, acrimonious debate. When ABC News comments on the prospect of a long draw campaign with all attention focused away from Obama -- King Zero must be celebrating in the White House.

[alancarp]

That’s easy. The leading tea party candidate that the conservative base and evangelicals are coalescing with: NEWT GINGRICH!!

With all due respect -- and more -- my own candidate preferences have been getting whittled down to the nub...

Sarah Palin
Herman Cain
Michele Bachmann
Rick Perry
Rick Santorum

So now I'm on Newt ... but pretty much by default. Never had to get this deep before. Coalescing? Frankly, I'm kinda having to reach pretty far into the barrel. I definitely don't want to get any deeper. And the GOP better figure that out, too, or there's a lot of new options that will be on the table.

[Fraxinus]

I am with you in that Gingrich is the best of a poor field, and will give us heartburn as he proposes a multitude of ideas good, bad and indifferent. However I have not seen the answer to this question from Romney supporters, “What does Romney bring that is worth the dredging up of every non-PC bit of Mormon history?”. Gingrich will give a solid defense of his brand of conservatism against any and all comers, would any of the other candidates be able to do this?