Newt Gingrich: Sarah Palin nod a 'signal' to conservatives

Politico ^ | 1-17-12 | Gibson

[VinL]

— Newt Gingrich says he thinks Sarah Palin’s remarks on Fox News that she would vote for him in Saturday’s primary if she lived in South Carolina may just be what puts him over the top.

That’s what he told Todd Palin, the former vice presidential nominee’s husband, who outright endorsed him ahead of the New Hampshire primary. Continue Reading Text Size

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“We’re thrilled — I just talked to Todd and we’re just thrilled,” he told POLITICO as he headed into his hotel here for the night. “It’s a signal to every conservative that the one conservative vote that’s effective is to Newt Gingrich and that’s very helpful.”

Gingrich’s campaign immediately cut a YouTube video of the Palin remarks and tweeted it out to supporters.

Palin, Gingrich said, is part of a rush of support he believes will power him to victory on Saturday — and from there, into the candidate who will beat Mitt Romney to the GOP nomiantion.

“Lots of different things are working together to help us,” Gingrich said.

But Chip Saltsman, former campaign manager to Mike Huckabee, cautioned that with the election in only a few days and the support likely stopping with her remarks on Hannity, the news may have come too late to make a difference.

“For it to make an impact she needs to come to support him,” Saltsman said. “Is it a game changer where it turns everything around? My thoughts are probably not.”

In an appearance on Fox News, Palin stopped short of endorsing Gingrich. But she didn’t leave any doubt where her preference was.

“I would vote for Newt and I would want it to continue,” she said of the campaign. “More debates, more vetting of candidates.”

Palin is a well-known figure in the conservative movement and her endorsement has been considered one of the biggest gets in this year’s campaign cycle. She used her support strategically in 2008, weighing in on midterm elections that in turn produced large fundraising prowess and surprise primary victories.

Gingrich has been traveling the Palmetto State trying to make the argument that despite disappointing finishes in New Hampshire and Iowa, he is the best candidate for conservatives to rally around.

Without a victory on Saturday, Gingrich could see his campaign come to an imminent end. He’s called the state a “must win” and said it would be “very hard” to keep going after another defeat.

Palin said she was among the many Republicans impressed by Gingrich’s debate performance Monday night.

“I do think that Newt is the one that won the debate if you will, because Newt came out like South Carolina’s own Smokin’ Joe Frazier,” she said on Hannity. “He came out there swinging, talking about work, talking about jobs and work ethic and how government needs to get out of the way in order for all Americans to have a sense of opportunity to work, and I think that’s what a lot of voters have been craving to hear.”

[VinL]

Ye of little faith- a week ago, after Todd, I told you she'd come on board.

[http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2831801/posts?page=2#2 ]

BUT, I agree with the article- she has to do more- she has to come to SC and support him.

[maine-iac7]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFx47DOd0xQ

[bigbob]

Or maybe let Newt go it alone on Saturday, and then climb on board with a full endorsement, personal appearances, and a new round of financial support for Florida?

[vaudine]

I am sick of these negative pundits, like Saltsman. that smarmy idiot steve schmidt who helped advise McLain into obivion, etc. I hope they all end up with egg on their faces and it hardens.

vaudine

[BenKenobi]

Guess we were wrong about associating Paling with the Tea Party. A pity.

Good to find it out now.

[ngat]

“BUT, I agree with the article- she has to do more- she has to come to SC and support him.”

She can’t, and shouldn’t, tie herself that closely to Gingrich.

[VinL]

Thanks maine for the link-— have a feeling, that the video will be shortened to— “If I were a South Carolinian...I vote for Newt!” -:)

[VinL]

Why not, ngat? Just wondering.

[maine-iac7]

Rush and Laura Ingram even ‘got it’ -

Laura I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9_eFzbL2BY&feature=relmfu

Even Rush Limbaugh, who’s been in the tank for Romney, for some God forsaken unknown reason, said he was jumping up and down out of his chair for Newt last night. so maybe NOW he’ll realize that Newt is the ONLY one who can wipe the floor with obama -

the “Kraut’ had to grudgingly - and with the look of having just sucked on a lemon, give Newt his due...but you can tell he wasn’t happy about it - his RomBot did SO badly!

[VinL]

Or maybe let Newt go it alone on Saturday, and then climb on board with a full endorsement, personal appearances, and a new round of financial support for Florida? thought she’d be in to stop Romney in SC— If he gets too much mo— they won’t beat him in Sc.

************

BB, Once Todd can on board, I hadto believe there’s definitely an alliance between the Palins and Newt— there must be a strategy. We’ll see.

[Future Useless Eater]

To: Sarah Palin

Sarah, your country NEEDS you. This is a good start, but maybe not enough! A Mitt Romney nomination will be a DISASTER!!!

PLEASE schedule a visit to SC and make at least a cameo appearance on-stage at an event for Newt Gingrich.

Newt can defeat Obama, AND he will REVERSE the Obama nightmare.

Romney has a HISTORY of supporting abortion, gay-marriage, illegal immigration, higher taxes, and ObamneyCare.

Romney will be easily defeated by Obama, and he would NOT reverse Obama's policies.

PLEASE Sarah, help us win back this country!!!

.

[VinL]

Maine- I don’t believe a word out of those quislings mouths— until I hear what I’ve always heard from Rush— “a moderate can’t win!” We haven’t heard that yet relative to Romney, wonder why?

[Parley Baer]

“Guess we were wrong about associating Paling with the Tea Party. A pity.

Good to find it out now.”

This Tea Party person supports both Newt and Sarah. Yes I have been to Tea Party rallies and given the move my suppot. GO NEWT GO!

[maine-iac7]

Guess we were wrong about associating Paling with the Tea Party. A pity. Good to find it out now

poor obi - so transparent -

I don't for a minute think you are unaware that she is under contract and therefore can not come right out and directly endorse.

But by Todd coming out and endorsing - that was the signal where she stands.

And in case there are still some who don't get it, she told us by saying what she said last night.

WE get it, obi - and I think you do to.

You're just hoping we don't.

We get YOU to.

[VinL]

Sec of Energy 2012-2014

She runs for Alaska Senate 2014, beats the punk Dem;

runs for Pres. 2020.

[bray]

She and Santorum need to support the Bambino! Perhaps an arms length endorsement may be better for him rather than taking up his limelight.

Pray for America

[Lakeshark]

Yeah, how dare she support the only candidate who has balanced a budget in your lifetime (three times). What was the TEA party thinking when they liked her so much? The TEA party would obviously prefer more spending and gubmint.........

*rolls eyes*

[BenKenobi]

“This Tea Party person supports both Newt and Sarah. Yes I have been to Tea Party rallies and given the move my suppot. GO NEWT GO!”

Glad to know.

This tea party person hasn’t, and won’t.

[Future Useless Eater]

* Before Monday's debate, Mitt was losing ground, and his debate performance was weak / below average
* Before Monday's debate, Newt was GAINING ground, and his debate performance was fantastic
* Rick Perry gained into upper single-digits but his debate performance was mediocre
* Rick Santorum was losing ground rapidly, AND his debate performance was mediocre
* Jon Huntsman's support was ONLY 1% in the latest poll, and that support won't ALL go to Romney so don't sweat him

SC voters: If you liked Rick or Rick, THINK ABOUT THIS before voting....

Each congressional district will have 2 delegates given to the winner-take-all within the district (that's 14 delegates total)

And Statewide, there will be 11 delegates given to the winner-take-all at the state level

So let's assume Romney is still barely in 1st place in the polls just before the vote.
Let's assume there is only ONE close NON-Romney in 2nd place (Newt).

Maybe YOU would prefer Rick or Rick....

So, IF YOU Vote for Rick or Rick, you have most likely voted FOR ROMNEY because it is WINNER TAKE ALL!!!!

The ONLY way to NOT give your delegates to ROMNEY is to consolidate all conservative votes behind the LEADING NON-ROMNEY

[onyx]

I posted the entire video. You need to get on her new list.

[ngat]

Just because that would tie her to Gingrich too closely and we are not even sure Gingrich makes it out of Florida at this point. Gingrich is a flawed candidate, although not quite as flawed as Romney. I’m just taking her at her word that she said exactly what she meant, i.e. that she would vote for Gingrich in order to keep the primary process going (past SC and Fla.) I would like all fifty states to matter this 2012 primary for the credibility and good of the party. For it to end at Florida or SC deflates the overall party excitement level and hurts the down-ticket primary races, especially the tea-party type primary candidates. JMHO.

[BenKenobi]

“I don’t for a minute think you are unaware that she is under contract and therefore can not come right out and directly endorse.”

Which is why she’s endorsing anyways? Terrible argument.

I’m not arguing that she hasn’t endorsed Newt.

I’m arguing that she has - and by extension, Dede Scuzzyflava.

I’m really disappointed in her. I really thought she’d endorse someone who was worthy of her endorsement.

[VinL]

BK,

We were both fervent Cain supporters. And I’m just curious, why the antipathy for Newt?

[maine-iac7]

I think you are right - she sent her message - only a dolt wouldn’t get it.

What with Todd’s endorsement and this - perfect - she is telling us all where she stands - that’s all we need for now

[BenKenobi]

“We were both fervent Cain supporters. And I’m just curious, why the antipathy for Newt?”

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/newt_gingrich_endorses_dede_sc.html

He backstabbed Hoffman who was an excellent candidate.

[moehoward]

"She can’t, and shouldn’t, tie herself that closely to Gingrich."

Agreed. She has played this beautifully.

[VinL]

Hi Onyx. Hope all is well. Which video?

[onyx]

ROTFLMY romney OFF.

You know nothing about Sarah Palin and the TEA Party.

You’re such a child.

[magritte]

So, IF YOU Vote for Rick or Rick, you have most likely voted FOR ROMNEY because it is WINNER TAKE ALL!!!!

---

Nope. If I vote for Perry, that’s a vote FOR Perry. This “if you don’t vote for MY candidate you’re voting for Romney” is absolute baloney. SC is only worth 25 delegates, a tiny portion of the pie. Alaska is bigger.

Conservatives, vote for the candidate who you feel most represents your conservative values. This is your chance to make your statement.

[VinL]

I still don’t understand, my friend. Are you hoping she will still get in the race?

[matthew fuller]

From Laura Ingraham:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9_eFzbL2BY&feature=relmfu

[maine-iac7]

to Parley Baer's

“This Tea Party person supports both Newt and Sarah. Yes I have been to Tea Party rallies and given the move my suppot. GO NEWT GO!”

You replied:

Glad to know. This tea party person hasn’t, and won’t.

to which I reply:

[Lakeshark]

And your candidate (whoever that is) has never made a bad endorsement?

Pray tell, who is the one you support and I'll be glad to let you know the RINO squish they supported.......

Honestly, that's the reason you don't like Newt? Good grief, man up.

[Leep]

I said on another thread a few days ago that I think she needs to break away from McCain once and for all. Even denounce his politics. I still wish she would say it in words. However, since McCain is backing Romneycrat and she obviously is not it is the next best thing.

[onyx]

Sean Hannity's entire interview

[VinL]

I see...I understand your feelings. I still wish it was Cain. -:)

[MadelineZapeezda]

Sorry, I’ve not heard that Rush was in the tank for Romney...he just said about 10 days ago, befire she quit, that he loved Santorum and Bachman

[onyx]

Too easy Sharkey: Arlen Spector.

[teg_76]

Hoffman had the right stance on issues, but he wasn’t “an excellent” candidate.

[BenKenobi]

Yeah, I liked Hoffman quite a bit.

I was incensed that not only would he intervene in a race that his intervention was not necessary.

But that he would side with Scuzzyflava. To me it showed me where he stood - behind the RINOs all the way, against the conservatives and the tea party.

So, no. I’m not going to support someone who goes out of his way to hurt the candidates that we need to get into the seats that we do need, and instead endorses democrats.

Need I remind you that Scozzafava immediately crossed over?

[RitaOK]

This toe dipping she is known for always comes up short of the mark, but nationally she hurts Newt with any kind of endorsement for him for awhile, and she knows it. Thus, the toe has to suffice. Thankfully, she does know this.

[BenKenobi]

He was a helluva lot better then the Democrat- Scuzzyflava.

[VinL]

Matt,
All the talk shows are coming to Newt today—but I think only because they think Romney has it sewn up.. As “Deep Throat” in the X-Files series said— “Trust No One!”

-:)

[Mountain Mary]

Rush has never been in the tank for Romney.

[txhurl]

Well, let me ask you this: how did you feel about Santorum supporting Murkowski in her changeling victory in Alaska?

[BenKenobi]

I’m glad you do.

Thanks.

[Lakeshark]

Ooooooooh, the Arlen Spector, the one who delivered Obamacare and Scottish law.

Nice job Ben. You support that?

How dare you? Your candidate not only supported a RINO squish, but a full out traitor and future democrat henchman. Congrats.

:-)

[VinL]

You are so right. Ever since the Alfalfa dinner in 2009, and hooking up with the McCain money men, and then endorsing him-— she has tied herself to the wrong horse. And if that is what’s holding her back, it’s a shame— because McCain is taking her no where,

[exit82]

Guess we were wrong about associating Paling with the Tea Party. A pity.

Good to find it out now.

Obiwan, Palin just helped your boy Santorum by doing this. Keeping the race going, helps Newt, Santorum and Perry by not letting Romney walk away with this thing yet.

Are you that dense, or is your PDS coming out on full display?

[BenKenobi]

Like I said, I’m really disappointed in her endorsement.

I’m absolutely appalled by the response here of the Newt supporters.

To me it demonstrates that I made the right decision not to support Newt, even if that means going against Sarah Palin.