Posted on 11/15/2006 8:39:52 AM PST by ConservativeMajority
Now that the 2006 midterm elections have almost all been decided, political observers are turning their attention toward the presidential sweepstakes in 2008. It will be the first race since 1952 that doesn’t have an incumbent president seeking re-election or vice-president looking for a promotion, leaving the field in both parties wide open. Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and John Kerry top the list of about a dozen Democrats considering a White House run and Mitt Romney, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani are the names most frequently talked about for the Republican nomination.
With the official end of the 1994 Republican Revolution coming just a week ago, some have been openly wondering if the architect of the Contract With America will return to the political stage to once again lead the conservative movement with a bid for the White House. After attending an event with Newt Gingrich last night, it appears that the former House Speaker is not running for president - he’s waiting to be asked to serve.
Gingrich was interviewed by a restrained Chris Matthews and revealed the depth and breadth of his knowledge of American history. Gingrich, once a college professor, lectured the audience about how leaders like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt might deal with today’s problems and political environment. Woven into his responses to the over-matched talk show host, was an unmistakable affirmation of conservative principles that were abandoned by the Republican Congressional leadership just deposed.
More striking was Gingrich’s outlook for the upcoming presidential campaigns. He suggested that the current lack of effective leadership in both parties is the result of negative campaigns that appeal to the lowest common denominator. Gingrich believes that real leaders will emerge when “things get bad enough” for Americans to stop responding to the politics of personal destruction and seek candidates with a strong, defined, inspirational message. The underlying premise is that those who seek power will be turned aside in favor of someone who seeks to lead a nation.
It is clear that Gingrich believes he is such a man, as do I. He’s not running for anything, but it seems that he is waiting for his country to call.
I guess it all depends on what you think of when you think of Hillary's baggage.
I think of Whitewater and a bunch of unexplained suicides surrounding her and Bill. I think of her casually mentioning that Bill is a "hard dog to keep on the porch" when asked about his philandering. Do even Dims really want a woman running the country that is that dismissive ? If she has such disdain for marriage, isn't she dissing half her base ?
A lot of Dims were willing to let Bill's sexual antics slide because he was POTUS, but that doesn't mean they weren't embarrassed just the same. Do they really want him back in the limelight as First Husband ?
I think she's got her own baggage plus Bill's baggage, and that would be too much. She'll alienate some Dims and Bill will alienate others. Together she stands no chance.
From the article, that is Jeff Gannon's speculation, not something that Newt stated or even implied.
I just wanted to clear up that misperception, although a dozen or more FReepers have already attacked Newt for having said so.
Thye problem is is that the man is too outspoken. Kinda like me, when he sees the truth, he says it out loud.
If you want to make people angry, lie to them.
If you want to make them absolutely livid, then tell 'em the truth.
Newt had his chance and blew it.
And he TOTALLY blew it for me this Nov. 2nd, 2006 on the Sean Hannity radio show when he stuck a knife in Sen. George Allen's back and gave it a nasty twist.
He complained publicly that Allen's press release about Jim Webb's nasty novel writing, was a "Mickey Mouse" campaign gambit on Allen's part. Gingrich then said that the people in northern Virginia read novels and wouldn't take kindly to Allen criticizing Webb for writing sleaze.
As a Virginian who has now lost a great Senator, I will remember that moment. Gingrich has no sense of loyalty or timing. He appeals to intellectuals but most folks aren't going to read his books. He is hard pressed to smile and comes off as desparate these days.
He might be able to beat a Dem like John Murtha but it would be a tough fight.
WHAT???????? Who are we to judge anyone in that manner.
None of us know enough of their private life to make any judgement on his marriage and divorce.
He's pro life, I don't believe he is in favor of gay marriage, either.
I would support Newt over Rudy, who also carries loads of personal baggage, because Newt is closer to an actual conservative that any of the others presently mentioned.
I believe that Ronaldus Maximus was divorced once, so I do not see that as a problem. Newt can talk also, and well. Go Newt!
Newt will definitely run if he thinks he can win.
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 526 times - call me a Bushbot!"
Who said I was talking about Dubya? I was talking about people in general. You don't let other people talk. And any time someone voices an opinion different from yours, you bash them. THAT'S what I was talking about.
I'll concede your point about my overbearing behavior exhibited off-line. Not relevant here.
If you want to see a Presidential candidate LOSE by a landslide, nominate Newt.
Newt is going to have to move on his own, maybe start a Reagan Conservative coalition.
Yeah, that bothers me too. So many who are professed followers of Christ find it so hard to abide His command to "Judge not...".
Matthew 18Sounds to me like he wasn't kidding.23 ¶ Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
JEFF GANNON!!! WOW WHAT A GREAT JOURNALIST!!
what's his phone number? :)
Please keep posting that over and over and over. Then maybe the Newt-haters will shut the...well, you get the idea.
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.