Posted on 03/16/2012 11:56:59 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
I have known Newt Gingrich for 27 years, beginning at a time when he was relatively obscure except to C-SPAN devotees who saw him chronically criticizing the majority leadership in the U.S. house of representatives (he was a minority backbencher). That continued to the Republicans’ surprise upset victory (much of it designed by him) in the 1994 elections which led to him being elected speaker of the house, and then to his resignation four years later, followed by a decade-long career in speaking, creating public policy think tanks and authoring and co-authoring numerous books on American history.
Mr. Gingrich is one of the few men or women in American politics who is truly sui generis, and it has come to no surprise to those who know him that he would close out his elective career with a serious run for the presidency. That campaign, while not yet concluded, has included some of the characteristic ups and downs, highs and lows, brilliance and blunders that have marked his political life begun almost 40 years ago.
Newt Gingrich’s place in American political history is secure whether or not he wins his party’s nomination for president. It would now appear that he will not be the Republican nominee in 2012 (although in a political year such as this one, nothing is absolutely final until the delegate tally in Tampa).
Twice in this political cycle, Mr. Gingrich’s candidacy was written off, and twice he has re-emerged by force of his ideas, his debating ability and a gritty persistence. One more time, many in the media, both liberal and conservative, have decided his candidacy is over, or to employ a baseball analogy, that a third strike has been called on him, and he is out.
Thus, there are calls for Mr, Gingrich to withdraw gracefully from the contest, and allow Rick Santorum to duke it out with frontrunner Mitt Romney for the remaining delegates. I think nothing would be more inappropriate.
To those who view a presidential nominating campaign as purely a horse race and a clash of personalities, it is logical to call for Mr. Gingrich to withdraw. But there are fundamental flaws in this thinking at this time. First of all, although anything is possible, there is no reasonable chance that Mr. Santorum will be nominated in Tampa. He has had recent success because he was the only remaining candidate who spoke to the social and religious wing of his party, a wing which has felt its issues have not yet been expressed in this political cycle. But these concerns, however legitimate, are not the primary concerns of the majority of the Republican electorate. Nor even more conclusively are they the concerns of the majority of American voters, including the almost one-third who belong to no party and ascribe to no formal ideology. Why should Mr. Gingrich, who has received almost as many popular votes as Mr. Santorum so far, and who represents a much broader conservative view than the former Pennsylvania senator, now stand aside for him?
Secondly, it is a misunderstanding of Mr. Gingrich’s political personality to think he would withdraw at this point without what he would feel was his full contribution to the political conversation in such a pivotal political year.
Without Mr. Gingrich, the debates would have been far duller. Without some of his ideas, the GOP campaign would have been less original. And without his historical perspective, the critical nature of November election would have been less urgent and clear. My point is that, while the eventual GOP nominee may have been determined (Mr. Gingrich will understandably strongly disagree with me on this), the full nature of a potentially successful Republican challenge to President Obama has not been determined.
Count me as one of those who feels that a GOP nomination contest finally settled too early is neither good for the party nor good for the country. It will be apparent soon enough (probably in May or sooner) who the nominee will be. Meanwhile, let the conversation and the debate continue. Mr. Santorum should remain in the contest, as should Ron Paul. I don’t agree with some of what they advocate, but they represent legitimate points of view within their party. And most certainly, Newt Gingrich should remain in the race until he feels he has had his say and presented fully his case.
Mr. Gingrich has made his share of political mistakes, both before this campaign and now during it. He is a volatile personality who appeals to some voters, and turns others off. He is probably now not going to be president of the United States. But the Republican Party, and the Democratic Party, for that matter, have no one with comparable a vision of the past, present and future of this “exceptional” nation among the nations.
So let Newt Gingrich finish what he began. Let history write the truest account of what he has done.
“And he is pushing a $100 trillion Muslim Moonbase, which will dwarf Social Security, Welfare, and Obamacare as the ultimate government program to takeover the economy.”
Please cite reference material for this ridiculous statement.
If you want Newt to drop out it can only mean you want Romney to win. I voted for Newt in Alabama, and those who didn’t most likely are uninformed voters. I had 2 people ask me who to vote for on election day. They had no clue. They sit in front of the TV and soak in all the propaganda, but never research the politicians who will be controlling their lives. Then they go vote based on the most prominent catch phrase they remember seeing on tv without a clue about their leadership skills. I have researched the candidates and Newt is the only one I could vote for.
You never Gingrich talking about his moonbase by 2020?
You are free to dislike him, but with all do respect, I think this is too harsh. I know socialist; I lived under their oppressive regime for 30 years.
Wow you’re irritating! Okay, you don’t like Gingrich. That doesn’t make you better or smarter, or your chosen candidate for that matter. All candidates the candidates are flawed. People just have different criteria for evaluating candidates. So please stop trying to be the most angry, bitter & arrogant person on FR. What do you think you’re adding to the discussion by acting this way?
Cindie
That doesn’t make you better or smarter, or your chosen candidate for that matter.
Why is my opinion bad, and other peoples are okay. The Gingrich people are free to say anything they want. I personally didn't even want Santorum to run. I don't think he's a good candidate. But that doesn't stop Gingrich from being orders of magnitude worse. One of the reason's I came to Free Republic in 1999 was because of what was going on with Clinton. And one of those things was Gingrich backstabbing this country. It amazes me that Gingrich can be so popular on here now, when he was so reviled in 1999, and 2006, and 2009, and even May of 2011, when he attacked conservatives as right wing social engineers.
Which socialist country did you live in? I didn’t say Gingrich was the worst socialist. Even Bush had a lot of socialism. It doesn’t mean they were Stalin, but it isn’t good, either.
Cindie, I am just sad so many good conservative people are being taken in by a man who doesn’t like or respect them.
I lived in Romania, but I am a native Hungarian.
Which candidate campaigned for a nominee who’s platform was to end the pro-life movement and make the GOP pro-abortion? Santorum. Which candidate thought of Reagan’s supporters as the right-wing fringe? Santorum. Which candidate wanted Specter for president in 1996, and Romney for President in 2008? Santorum. Which candidate campaigned as a “Progressive Conservative” and printed his campaign literature as such? Santorum. Which candidate admits that he was pro-abortion until it was time to run for office? (besides Romney) Santorum.
Beszelsz Magyarul? I was raised by my grandparents and they spoke it. I was in Hungary in the ‘80”s.
Newt should stay in because Romney sucks. Santorum sucks even more.
"Beszelsz Magyarul?"
Igen, mert magyar az anyanyelvem. = Yes, because Hungarian (Magyar) is my mother tong.
"I was raised by my grandparents and they spoke it. I was in Hungary in the ‘80”s."
I am glad to hear about your background. I hope you liked visiting Hungary. It was my escape route from Transylvania to Austria in mid 80’s.
ertem. koszonem szepen.
Working with Al Sharpton show Newt is the man with vision and compassion for all. We should all work to give a new fresh start for those inner-city kids.
“Conservative causes helped: 0”
Dude are You Nieve or just plain dumb.
Georgia is a Republican state largely because of Newt.
His 1994 Contract with America where he actively recruit new conservative members to congress.
“The American people were responsible for 1994.”
But ask yourself why. Because Newt had a plan and actively campaigned for it. You actually think winning the majority just fell into our lap.
He had a daring plan and actually pulled it off.
My God man, the stress is driving you over the edge.
Ah, you get it...
I am so tired of the Newt detractors here, please go man the phones for Santorum or something.
What they don't get? When Bob Michael's was too busy licking the Boots of Speaker Foley, Newt was engineering a bloodless insurrection and it worked and many especially the Dems were shocked.
This isn't his 1st rodeo. Against all odds he is planning a insurrection again if he can address the crowd in Tampa. They will have a 76' moment, i.e. of Newt's Speech which if like Reagan's ( in 76'), wakes up the delegates as they say aw $Hi+ we voted for the wrong guy ( in Ford ).
But this time they get a Mulligan, and could jump ship from Obamney and Ricardo, and it will be a time for choosing as the Republic hangs in the balance, let us hope they come to their senses.
Pray for this Doug Flutie Hail Marry Pass. More importantly, I want someone I can vote for that has the balls to get things done, I don't see it in the other two. Even if Newt looses, I go in their and vote for conscious and know I did the best I could, and not vote for the evil of 2 lessers, If I am gonna loose I want to go down swinging. The other 2, I'd be dancing around the may-pole...
I don’t really want any of the three running the country. But any one of them is better than what we have.
Of the three I guess Newt is my choice.
My candidate is cooling her heels in Wasilla.
When she dropped out of the running(never really entered) my enthusiasm for the 2012 election went from 100 to zero faster than a semi hitting a mountain emergency runoff.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.