You sure hit that nail on the head.
I've been saying for months that I think Gingrich and Santorum get along much better than many of their supporters. Real damage has been done to the conservative movement by some people who have made it their goal to tear down social conservatives who are not sufficiently “pure” on economic or national defense conservative issues.
I've always believed that I can work with someone who meets the Romans 13 standards for civil government as long as they're not openly opposed to a Christian conservative agenda. I'll take allies where I can get them.
However, John McCain did lasting damage in 2000 by his attacks on Christian conservatives, despite having a record of being pro-life, and that forced him to nominate someone like Sarah Palin. Mitt Romney is far worse than John McCain. The logical conclusion from that should be that Christian conservatives, now that “our candidate” is out, need to back Newt Gingrich while we still have at least a shred of a chance to defeat Mitt Romney.
I'm willing to do that. But the implicit and sometimes even overt Christian-bashing of the last few months has not helped.
As someone who was watching C-Span years ago back when Gingrich and his Conservative Opportunity Society got started, I know there's a lot to admire about Gingrich.
I think most Newt Gingrich supporters here were and are sincere.
Note that I said “most,” not all.
I find it very interesting how many people are now coming out and saying Republicans need to get behind Romney, even though he hasn't yet won the Republican Party nomination. I can see the point after a nominee is selected, but why now? That's defeatism at best, and I strongly suspect in some cases it's not defeatism caused by exhaustion but rather deliberate and according to plan.
We'll never know for sure how many of the Santorum-bashers were paid Romney infiltrators trying to sow chaos. And yes, I'm guessing that Romney probably paid some people to come on here and support Santorum as well. He's got enough money to pay people to play all sides of the fence if he thinks it will help sow hatred and discontent among his opponents.
It used to be said you can buy advertising in a political campaign, but you can't buy commitments, and it takes committed volunteers, many of whom never show up on any candidate campaign roster, to win an election.
Romney may be proving that wrong this year, but only in part. He's almost won the Republican Party primary by outspending his opponents, but barely eked out victories in key swing states. He can't do that against Barack Obama who has at least as much money and probably more.
If it takes 10-to-1 spending advantages for Romney to win elections, he'll go down to a devastating defeat against Obama when the spending ratio is much closer to even.
“I can see the point after a nominee is selected, but why now? “
How about the fact that Mitt has 666 delegates to Newt’s 136? People here can engage in some kind of fantasy that Newt’s going to have some amazing comeback and win 85% of the remaining delegates, but that’s just not going to happen.
And, even if we go to a brokered convention, does anyone honestly think they’re just going to kick Romney off the slate and pick some fresh-faced hard-core conservative to face Obama? That’s not going to happen either.
now coming out and saying Republicans need to get behind Romney, even though he hasn’t yet won the Republican Party nomination.
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I don’t think most are doing that and are NOT supporting Romney. I think it is more of a defensive position because many on this forum are telling others to not vote for him IF he wins the nomination which is the same as a vote for the Kenyan. Many on here, obviously, want Barry out. They want ABO and I do not disagree with them. I never did and never will “support” Mittens. I hope he self destructs and is not the nominee. But in the end, in November, I will vote against Barry Soeotro.
[I think Gingrich and Santorum get along much better...]
Within the coming days, Santorum has to make an important decision.
Will he sacrifice his ‘beliefs’ of true Conservatism for a temporary power position with Romney or will he prove himself to everyone he stands solidly behind his spoken ‘campaign words’.
This tread by Jim, if nothing more, has separated the wheat from the chafe and when it comes to Santorum the same will be evident with which path he walks down.