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Gingrich’s Speech — How to Make a Bad Night Worse
The National Review ^ | February 5, 2012 | Victor Davis Hanson

Posted on 02/05/2012 3:49:00 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife

Newt Gingrich’s post–Nevada caucus speech included about three minutes of inspired moments about issues and ideas in his usual imaginative and intellectually robust style. So why does he not just stay with that — given that he often seems more dynamic and glib than Romney in his attacks on Obama, and not long ago gained ground despite the attacks against him? Instead, he now turns ad nauseam to the tired reasons why he loses — yes, including lots of Mormons in Nevada — and ends up as Richard Nixon not going to get kicked around any more.

But whether he knows it or not, Gingrich is becoming a caricature of petulance: no concession in Nevada, no call to Romney, no awareness that his inability to raise money at levels of a political rival or to match a competing campaign organization is not necessarily unfair. That’s politics, and Gingrich knows it. I don’t understand why he thinks now losing to Romney in 2012 is solely due to Romney’s innate deviousness in a way McCain beating Romney in 2008 was not — given that Romney was about the same in both 2008 and 2012. Gingrich seems oblivious to the fact that McCain’s style and history gave him advantages over Romney’s money and hardball in ways Gingrich’s own proven liabilities apparently do not.

Gingrich should carefully play a tape of his post–Nevada caucus performance, and then he would quickly grasp that it was little more than a litany of excuses, whining, and accusations — characterized by stream-of-conscious confessionals and rambling repetitions. And, I think, will hurt him more than anything yet in the campaign.

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


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: gingrich2012; gopestablishment; gopprimary; msm; nevadaprimary; newt
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Here is a video that I believe is the speech they are talking about:

Newt Gingrich Slams Mitt Romney as “Fundamentally Dishonest” in Nevada Press Conference; Says He Can be Frontrunner Again by the April 3 Texas Primary – Complete Video 2/4/12

http://freedomslighthouse.net/2012/02/04/newt-gingrich-slams-mitt-romney-as-fundamentally-dishonest-in-nevada-press-conference-says-he-can-be-frontrunner-again-by-the-april-3-texas-primary-complete-video-2412/

At 9:38 minutes in the video he makes this statement:

Newt Gingrich: “The Obama administration has declared war on religious freedom in this country”

Newt is correct.


81 posted on 02/05/2012 7:24:57 AM PST by Texas Fossil (Government, even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

VDH has now jumped tte shark?
I watched the whole speech and questions. I thought Gingrich was spot on, a fighter. The punditocracy has lost its mind.


82 posted on 02/05/2012 7:27:00 AM PST by DaxtonBrown (http://www.futurnamics.com/reid.php)
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To: DaxtonBrown

NRO has been bashing Newt from day one. Just like Fox and Drudge.


83 posted on 02/05/2012 7:31:22 AM PST by sheikdetailfeather (Romney Fired His New Debate Coach!)
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To: FryingPan101
Perry took it courageously, with humor and with dignity. He withdrew graciously. He didn't give all kinds of excuses. He just said he could see no path forward...and my heart broke. No path forward.

My heart is still broken. Gov. Perry would've been a great president.

84 posted on 02/05/2012 7:35:21 AM PST by Inspectorette
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To: Artcore
“For the first time since 1994, I’m not even remotely interested in Rush’s political opinion on an issue.”

You're not alone on that. I remember the first time I ever heard him in 1990 and I've been with him ever since. Not anymore. I'm just not interested in what his opinion is anymore. I was dumbfounded by his three hour a day, two week defense of Herman Cain and comparing him to Justice Thomas. I was winded from gasping from the lunacy. It was insane. I was livid that he failed to even speak the name of my candidate, Rick Perry. Months ago he had taken to a deliberate, gravelly voice that I associate with condescension, and self-induced stutter-speak (buh-duh -buh-duh-buh-duh) to fill air space. I got the distinct impression he didn't even believe what he was saying. So...over a month ago, he went the same way as Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin in my life.

I never thought I would ever ever end this relationship. I didn't even get to taste his tea.

85 posted on 02/05/2012 7:38:38 AM PST by FryingPan101 (My taglines always lose.)
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To: Beagle8U

Sanctimonium makes people sick from a distance, think how sick he must get being up that close to himself.


86 posted on 02/05/2012 7:39:47 AM PST by true believer forever (Vote for Newt - Save the Irish Setters!)
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To: deport

deport wrote:
There are five more events before Super Tuesday on Apr 6. They are:
Colorado, Feb 7
Minnesota, Feb 7
Arizona, Feb 27
Michigan, Feb 27
Washington, Mar 3


Mitt is ahead in all the polls to win in these states. Even Newt’s major backer of super pacs Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson has said he would have no trouble supporting Mitt if he is the nominee. Adelson knows the odds of Mitt Winning and is adjusting. Newt may want to burn bridges and tear down the chances of defeating Obama in November because he puts Newt ahead of Country..isn’t it time you all adjusted?


87 posted on 02/05/2012 7:40:06 AM PST by AmericanMade1776 ( Obama Happens! Not my Fault!)
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To: Artcore

You’re not alone.


88 posted on 02/05/2012 7:43:24 AM PST by true believer forever (Vote for Newt - Save the Irish Setters!)
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To: AmericanMade1776

Everyone had better adjust to four more years of Zero and Moochelle, because Obama is gong to beat Bishop Romney like a drum...at least 10 percentage points...maybe more. Conservatives will NOT vote for the pro-sodomite pro-abortion Romney.


89 posted on 02/05/2012 7:44:03 AM PST by who knows what evil? (G-d saved more animals than people on the ark...www.siameserescue.org.)
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To: no dems

I watched the entire Newt Gingrich press conference!!! It confirmed in my mind that Newt Gingrich is not the “one”, not even close. It also confirmed my switching my support from Gingrich to Rcik Santorum. Actually, Romney, Paul, Santorum are all better candidates then Newt Gingrich.

I love Newt, but.....being objective, he has lost it!!! This “sour grapes” mantra he is now living by, will not cut it. He got slaughtered in Florida and Nevada (the current posted results for Nevada have yet to post the Romney votes in the “Clark County” slaughter, which will take Romney to between 50-55% of the overall vote!!!

I actually felt sorry for Newt last night. What he gave was the press conference that a pure novice would give, infused with his disgrunted and sore loser input. Worse then that, he had a clear shot at finishing Romney off in Florida an he blew every open opportunity he had. I also believe that Rick Santorum will soon replace Newt as the real alternative to Mitt Romney!!! Again, I’m sorry for Newt, but....he only has himself to blame!!!


90 posted on 02/05/2012 7:47:43 AM PST by JLAGRAYFOX (My only objective is defeat and destroy POTUS Obama & his Democrat Party, politically!!!)
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To: AmericanMade1776

isn’t it time you all adjusted?


Adjustments and reality outside of the money barons will most likely come after the Apr. 6, Super Tuesday showdown. JMO.


91 posted on 02/05/2012 7:48:08 AM PST by deport (..............God Bless Texas............)
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To: Patton@Bastogne

I love your post, I just love it. And you are right, Newt was talking to us. He couldn’t have given a regular speech and taken on Willard Your Worst Nightmare that way, so he did it here and there, by bits and pieces, and we got to hear what we needed to hear: That Willard is crapola, so is the GOP and media, and we are going to fight!! Of course the media didn’t like it, he outsmarted them, spoke over their heads and straight to the troops...

that’s our newtie, he’s a cutie!


92 posted on 02/05/2012 7:49:48 AM PST by true believer forever (Vote for Newt - Save the Irish Setters!)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

I hate the media sliming up the joint for Romney 10 times as much as when they do it for Obama

Were the old soviet-era propgandists as gleefullly willing as the American Media? or were they forced to say what they were told.


93 posted on 02/05/2012 7:50:19 AM PST by Mr. K (Physically unable to profreed <--- oops, see?)
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To: JediJones
Well put, as usual, JJ. I was a strong Cain supporter and stayed w/him throughout his race. Sadly, I reached the same conclusion about him as you have. I hope one day Herman will follow the redemptive pathway you proffered.

I was not “sold” on Newt early on; but, have come to believe he truly has changed. Fears of ones own mortality and past misdeeds tends to engender a moral metamorphosis even in the worst of people.

I wish I knew why Newt frowns so much; his message would be better received if he could project more the image of a “happy warrior.”

94 posted on 02/05/2012 8:01:04 AM PST by Ozymandias Ghost
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To: JediJones

The are all just subjetive value judgements on your own and may or may not bear resemblance to a wider reality. At any rate, you cannot set yourself as the grand arbiter and say “this one can WIN and this one CANNOT win”. Why that clearly belongs to the soverignty and final decision of the voter. I will leave it to them and not to your predictions and biases, as to whether a certain candidate should stay in the race or not..


95 posted on 02/05/2012 8:03:01 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo (Major riots notwithstanding, let us kick this Marxist imposter out of office once and for all!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

OK I HAVE HAD ABOUT ENOUGH OF THE LAMESTREAM MEDIA

*WE* ARE THE NEW MEDIA

SCORCHED EARTH ON ROMNEY- NOW!

DIG UP EVERY PIECE OF CRAP YOU CAN FIND ON HIM

(JUST LIKE THE REGULAR MEDIA DO FOR OUR GUYS)


96 posted on 02/05/2012 8:06:08 AM PST by Mr. K (Physically unable to profreed <--- oops, see?)
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To: txrangerette

Thank you BUMP.

I am stunned at the number of posters here, (I do not classify them as FReepers. Honestly, I do not classify them as conservative at all, and fear that they are in fact, moderates or worse), who read/listen to what the pundits and reporters say and pronounce immediate acceptance of someone else’s interpretation. There have been threads with page upon page of knee jerk reaction posts, where people have been totally aghast/inflamed/dejected by the spin of whoever wrote the article, without ever bothering to actually LISTEN to what the candidate actually said!

Please. Listen To What The Candidate Says. If at all possible, listen to him/her BEFORE you read the OPINION piece that is passing for news today.

Newt was fine. He was not, in my estimation, whiny or petulant in the least. He was remarkably good humored. IMHO, his ONLY mistake was in not pointing out that they only reason he continued to “talk about” Romney was because that was ALL the reporters kept asking about!!

The only advice I would give Newt is to revert to professorial mode with the press - make a clear, complete, but concise statement at the outset and then refuse to answer any further questions on it.

I really do like the press conference format, and think it plays to Gingrich’s strengths IF he insists upon POLICY questions. It also highlights something Americans have not seen in years - the very real possibility of once again having a president who is unafraid of standing up in front of people and answering questions.

Dear Lord, please grant Newt strength, and remind the American people that they do indeed have the ability to use their eyes and ears and make decisions for themselves, but much like accepting Christ, it is THEIR choice, and it does require some effort on their part.

Tatt


97 posted on 02/05/2012 8:08:53 AM PST by thesearethetimes... ("Courage, is fear that has said its prayers." Dorothy Bernard)
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To: Servant of the Cross
I believe VDH read this one completely wrong.

Agree completely. I like VDH and there is no way I would consider him to be part of the MSM, in fact, I consider him to be a mainstay bastion of honesty against the MSM.

I watched some of the conference and saw nothing of what VDH writes about.

VDH got one wrong, but he has gotten many, many more right over the years. I'll give him a mulligan.

98 posted on 02/05/2012 8:10:52 AM PST by tentmaker (vote for John Galt)
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To: Yashcheritsiy

Probably a good thing to do would be to reframe the contest so as not to focus on a loss, but rather to have people see each state contest more like one inning in a baseball game.


99 posted on 02/05/2012 8:11:05 AM PST by Anima Mundi (NO SPECIAL PRIVILEGE)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

LISTEN for yourselves BUMP!

http://c-spanvideo.org/program/PrimaryNig

May God grant us strength.
Tatt


100 posted on 02/05/2012 8:12:51 AM PST by thesearethetimes... ("Courage, is fear that has said its prayers." Dorothy Bernard)
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