Republicans Look to Gingrich

[Reaganfan]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2008/11/newt_in_2012.html

Newt Gingrich "is far from a unanimous or even a consensus choice to run for president in 2012, but there is a strong feeling in Republican ranks that he is the only leader of their party who has shown the skill and energy to attempt a comeback quickly," according to Robert Novak.

"One Republican critic of Gingrich concedes that he has an 'unlimited' energy flow and a constant stream of ideas, an important commodity in a party that appears to have run short of ideas during the Bush years. But there is widespread concern about what is described in the party as deep 'character flaws' of Gingrich's that would be difficult to overcome in a presidential campaign."

"Nobody in Republican ranks, however, matches Gingrich's dynamism."

[Χahar]

LOL Novak.

[Pictor Ignotus]

If Gingrich can come across as fresh, he is in much better shape than most big names to please both social and economic conservatives. I think he'd have a tough time in the general, but I see the same true for Palin, Huckabee, and Romney.

[ChrisFromNJ]

Honestly, I would be shocked if Newt wasn't the 2012 GOP nominee.

[paul718]

This was brought up in a thread earlier today, so I'll repost.

While I don't think he could win the general election due to character issues, he would serve the party's interest by coherently stating what conservatism is really about and why the country voted overwhelmingly for conservatism some time ago.  Newt is a "big ideas" guy, something the GOP has been devoid of for about ten years, and would at least get the party back on track for gains in the future.  Interesting, but it would almost definitely be a 2012 sacrifice and I don't see it happening.  He's big on Bobby Jindal.  I could see him pressuring Jindal for a run and advising him in 2012.   

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Honestly, I would be shocked if Newt wasn't the 2012 GOP nominee.

Agreed. It would be interesting to see how he would perform against Obama in the General.

[MR maverick]

He's been out of public office for too long and on foxnews too much running his mouth.

Endless sound bytes for president Obamas campaign to hang him with.

[nick]

How old is he?

He's a great strategist, I'll give him that... not sure how he will hold up in a national election though.

[Nixon in '80]

How old is he?

65, 69 on election day 2012... old, but not too old.

[All life is a blur of Republicans and meat.]

I already posted this here junk, youngin'.

[Applezz]

I can't see Gingrich as the Republican nominee. He's old, can't excite big crowds, and can't appeal to independents.

The republicans need younger, energetic figure and a candidate with executive experience. I'd say in 2012 it will be between Hoeven, Pawlenty, Huckabee and Romney. Palin and Jindal in 2016 or beyond because right now both are too inexperienced and under the age of 45.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

Gingrich is terribly clever and his alternate history books really break free of the cheese factor most others don't. He's a good Conservative, but incapable of governing a country.


No, even if we're running a pincushion for a strong Obama Admin, people like Romney would help a lot more.

[Nixon in '80]

Gingrich seems to want it.

He's very bright, ambitious, and driven. He still has a huge following among many conservative Republicans.

He could pull it out.

[Sam Spade]

Gingrich...  GOP nominee....  lol...

[12th Doctor]

Yes.  Yes.  Yes.  Newt is a real visionary, who doesn't try too hard to appeal to the Christian Right.  I think he would make a fantastic President.

[12th Doctor]

I can't see Gingrich as the Republican nominee. He's old, can't excite big crowds, and can't appeal to independents.

The republicans need younger, energetic figure and a candidate with executive experience. I'd say in 2012 it will be between Hoeven, Pawlenty, Huckabee and Romney. Palin and Jindal in 2016 or beyond because right now both are too inexperienced and under the age of 45.

He brings intellectual conservatism back into the party, which is something we really need to bring back right now.

[Χahar]

Yes.  Yes.  Yes.  Newt is a real visionary, who doesn't try too hard to appeal to the Christian Right.  I think he would make a fantastic President.

But would he have a chance?

[InsaneTrollLogic]

...and besides have you seen his favorables of late? They're pretty lame....I mean really lame. Maybe he will do a good job....but it will probably be a slaughter.

[Sam Spade]

I can't see Gingrich as the Republican nominee. He's old, can't excite big crowds, and can't appeal to independents.

The republicans need younger, energetic figure and a candidate with executive experience. I'd say in 2012 it will be between Hoeven, Pawlenty, Huckabee and Romney. Palin and Jindal in 2016 or beyond because right now both are too inexperienced and under the age of 45.

He brings intellectual conservatism back into the party, which is something we really need to bring back right now.

Newt is a very good policy guy, but as a Presidential nominee, he'd be a complete disaster barring an Obama collapse.  Even then he'd be a medium-sized disaster.

[Lunar]

But, as far as sacrificial lambs go, are there many better ones?

He's be a good middle-man for shifting the GOP to a "new ideas" team, no?

[Sam Spade]

But, as far as sacrificial lambs go, are there many better ones?

He's be a good middle-man for shifting the GOP to a "new ideas" team, no?

It's kind of early to be putting forth the sacrificial lambs.

[InsaneTrollLogic]

But, as far as sacrificial lambs go, are there many better ones?

He's be a good middle-man for shifting the GOP to a "new ideas" team, no?

Newt Gringrich seems like a Walter Mondale when you put it THAT way...

[pbrower2a]

Gingrich gets crushed in 2012 should he run.

I question whether he could go far in the GOP primaries because he puts on intellectual airs to an even greater extent than... Obama! The GOP is the anti-intellectual Party these days.

His marital life is sleazy, which will hurt him among the "family values" crowd. He has never won a statewide election (including the US Senate, where his oratorical skills would have come to the fore) or Governor of Georgia, where he could have proved himself as an administrator, which he should have been able to do because he has been in a relatively conservative State. Add to that, he doesn't talk like a Southerner.

Even though he did hold a very responsible job in politics as Speaker of the House (and I concede that he was good at it), he did so long ago -- long enough few remember him for that.

[Keystone Phil]

He has never won a statewide election, which he should have been able to do because he has been in a relatively conservative State.

Uh...

When did he even run statewide? How can you criticize him for not winning statewide when he didn't run/had a good gig going in the House as...you know...the Speaker of the House?

[Landslide Lyndon]

Republicans looking in 2009 to Gingrich would be like Democrats in 1989 looking to Hubert Humphrey (if he was still alive). A respected figure from the glorious, but very distant past.