Posted on 01/17/2012 8:37:06 AM PST by VinL
Another chance to make a first impression?
Fresh off a rousing debate performance that had the Republican audience giving a standing ovation -- the first in a debate since Ronald Reagan in New Hampshire in 1980 -- Newt Gingrich may be reconsidering how far he can go in the GOP campaign.
Holding a distant second place in several polls, Gingrich said Tuesday that he could stick it out past South Carolina if he performs well enough against front-runner Mitt Romney. Related Video
Huckabee: Gingrich had 'night of his life' in SC debate
But will his strong performance be enough to overtake Romney?
"If (Romney is) at 25 or 30 (percent), we're still in a serious race," Gingrich told CBS' "This Morning." "If he gets up to 40 or 45, you have to be realistic."
The former speaker told Fox News on Tuesday he thinks debate prowess will be a "big factor" in Saturday's election, as primary voters look for somebody who can defeat President Obama on the debate stage. The candidates have one more debate on Thursday before Election Day.
But the latest Fox News poll continued to show Mitt Romney faring best against Obama in a general election. Unless Gingrich or another candidate steps up in South Carolina, Romney is poised to go three-for-three in the first primaries of the season.
Gingrich offered several forceful arguments on Monday night. He defended calling Obama the "food stamp president," pointing out that the food stamp rolls are at historic highs.
"Now, I know among the politically correct, you're not supposed to use facts that are uncomfortable," Gingrich said. [snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I’ve seen the replays of the zingers multiple times this a.m. but I’m not in SC . . . wonder how much play time they are getting in the news in SC?
Well, I’m interested in seeing the first reliable polls (meaning polling a lot of likely Republican voters in a scientific way) after last night’s debates.
Gingrich was stunning. I though Perry equitted himself very well too. I did not think Santorum did as well last night.
I felt Romney, to be honest, also handled himself well...nothing spectacular, but also nothing really damaging. He came across with several very patriotic general statements that got applause...but nothing like the fervor Gingrich generated.
I hope that after South Carolina, which IMHO is lining up to be a Gingrich race and assault on Romeny’s lead (and hoping he climbs at least to within 5% of Romney if not better), that both Santorum and Perry should throw their support behind Newt, which should give Newt the advantage going forward.
This would end up allowing, IMHO, Newt to eventually win, with Romney having a sizable seconbd place finish (including several more wins) and number of delegates, and Paul himself having a 3rd place finish with a surprising number of delegates too...though I do not see him winning any of the contests.
We’ll see how the vote goes. If somehow it was Santorum that assaulted Romney successfully, or Perry, then the other two should line up with that winner...but after last night, I believe if Newt can stay on focus and target, and not get out of hand because of anger and be lured into fighting things and spending money on things that do not really nail Mitt down, then he will most probably be the one in South Carolina.
If Mitt wins South Carolina and the more conservtive candidates fail to unite and continue to split the more conservative vote...then Mitt will probably also take Florida before they come to their senses and unite behind a single conservative alternative. Making it harder and harder to overcome his momentum (ie. the longer they wait to unite).
As for me...I’m now coming down to Newt, Perry, Santorum. However, should we fail and should Romney win, I will vote for him over Obama.
Despite his past, his current statements, his support, his votes, and the incoming congress will all be depending upon him and forcing him to keep the very direct statements and commitments he has made, meaning:
1) Repeal/reverse Obama Care
2) Secure the border
3) Balance the budget.
4) Cap spending.
5) Cut the heck out of the federal government, eliminating numerous agencies and returning power to the states.
6) Making our military the most powerful force, most advanced and efficient force on earth.
7) Secure the border and then target and resolve the illegals already here...sending them home to get in line.
8) Appoint judges who are constitutional oriniginal intent and overturn Roe v Wade.
9) Lower taxes.
10) Drastically reduce federal regulations.
Obama will do absolutely none of these things and will take every opportunity as he has already shown, to circumvent the house, senate, and the constitution to continue implementing his marxist, fundamental change to America.
He’s done it before. Will he remake himself as a conservative or a progressive this time?
Go, Newt! This would be a really good time for Sarah Palin to endorse Newt, if she is so inclined.
Sarah almost has to make a move this week or she becomes a postscript in terms of her opinion. She is not a fan of Myth, and his handlers have done him no favors on Sarah’s side with the actions and rumors they have spread about her just eariler this year. I hope (and pray) she throws down on Friday around noontime SC time and throws her support behind Newt.
I’m pretty sure I heard Sarah, on Fox, say she won’t endorse anyone during the primary. That was two or three days ago. She said her endorsement could have the effect of doing more harm than good.
Palin IMHO is gunning for RNC Chairmanship, so she wants to be in position to campaign for whomever the nominee is, without having a previous endorsement on her record.
I’d like to see a nationally televised CSPAN Debate between Newt & Rush against two selected members of the MSM. Alternate questions would be separately preselected by each side (30 each?). The question would be presented by a moderator selected by each side and the discussion for that question controlled by that moderator.
Interesting; makes sense. She’d be good in that job, I think.
Much the same way Herman Cain had from the beginning
We've just cast our early ballots for Newt here in Florida
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