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Campaign Crawlers
The End of ‘Inevitability’
Romney’s defeat in South Carolina extends the GOP fight.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Just after the polls closed Saturday in South Carolina, Hogan Gidley was talking to reporters inside Mark Clark Hall at the Citadel, where Rick Santorum was holding his campaign’s Primary Night celebration. Mitt Romney “was going to be 3 and 0 until three days ago,” said Gidley, communications director for Santorum’s campaign, adding that the results of the past two days — including the belated news that Santorum, not Romney, was the winner of the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses — had “blown a hole in [Romney’s] inevitability.”
Newt Gingrich’s victory Saturday took away what was always Romney’s strongest argument: That the former Massachusetts governor’s well-funded campaign machinery made him the odds-on favorite in the Republican field, capable of clinching the nomination early in the primary process, thus uniting the party for the battle to defeat President Obama. The perception of Romney’s inevitability — as the “It’s His Turn” candidate whom GOP voters have so often chosen as their presidential nominee — helped him pile up a huge fundraising advantage over his rivals. Inevitability also helped Romney garner endorsements from eminent pundits like Ann Coulter and popular politicians like South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Despite his relatively moderate record, Romney was endorsed by the conservative editors of National Review, who last month mocked Gingrich with a cover story illustrated by a cartoon depicting the former Georgia congressman as a ludicrous space alien.
All of Romney’s advantages evidently counted for naught when Palmetto State voters went to the polls Saturday, where they delivered a shattering blow to any thought that the “inevitable” Romney might lock up the nomination early. The prospect of a long fight for the nomination now looms, and some have even speculated about a “brokered convention” when Republican delegates gather in Tampa in August. That’s a far-fetched scenario. The last time the GOP had a brokered convention was when Thomas Dewey won the 1948 nomination on the third ballot. But the mere fact that it has been suggested indicates how Romney’s defeat in South Carolina has revived the possibility that the 2012 Republican campaign might be something other than the predictable coronation of the party establishment’s choice. And the end of Romney’s aura of inevitability came with astonishing swiftness.
After Romney won the New Hampshire primary Jan. 10, he appeared to have overwhelming momentum. A Rasmussen poll taken Jan. 16 — the Monday when former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman quit the race and endorsed Romney — showed Romney leading Gingrich in South Carolina by 14 points. When the votes were counted Saturday night, however, Gingrich won by more than 12 points. This apparent 26-point swing from Romney to Gingrich was driven by late-deciding voters who, according to exit polls, broke decisively toward Gingrich, and was almost entirely attributable to his strong showing in the televised debates last week. But in his victory speech Saturday, the former college professor put his own interpretation on that obvious factor. “It’s not that I’m a good debater,” Gingrich told his cheering supporters. “It is that I articulate the deepest-held values of the American people.”
Such are the “grandiose thoughts” of the man who, as the Romney campaign pointed out in a press release last week, has compared himself to famed leaders like Moses, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Charles de Gaulle, and even the 13th-city Scottish warrior William Wallace, who inspired the movie Braveheart. Gingrich’s tendency to envision himself as a towering colossus of world-historic significance, a man so transcendently important to the fate of humankind that he cannot be judged by the standards that apply to mere mortals, is one reason why some conservatives are uncomfortable with the idea of Gingrich as the GOP nominee. Santorum expressed the nub of that discomfort in Thursday’s debate: “I served with him. I was there. I knew what the problems were going on in the House of Representatives when Newt Gingrich was leading there. It was an idea a minute, no discipline, no ability to be able to pull things together.” Referring to his own work to expose the House banking scandal, Santorum said Gingrich knew about the abuses but “did nothing, because you didn’t have the courage to stand up to your own leadership.”
These were strong words coming from a fellow Republican, but evidently did not persuade South Carolinians against voting for Gingrich. And when the victor emerged triumphant Saturday night, he was magnanimous toward Santorum, specifically praising the third-place finisher for the quality that the former Pennsylvania senator had accused Gingrich of lacking. “Rick Santorum showed enormous courage in Iowa when he had no money, nobody covered him, and he just kept campaigning,” Gingrich said, inspiring someone in the audience to shout “V.P.” But Santorum seemed indifferent to the intended compliment, and uninterested in being the running mate on a Gingrich-led ticket. In a Sunday morning interview on ABC’s This Week, Santorum called Gingrich ideologically “erratic” and “a high-risk candidate” for Republicans, and dismissed the argument made by some conservatives that they must unite behind Gingrich in order to prevent Romney from winning the nomination. “I’ve beaten Mitt Romney,” Santorum told George Stephanopoulos, referring to his win in the Iowa caucuses, which wasn’t officially confirmed until 17 days after he edged Romney there. “Newt Gingrich has beaten Mitt Romney. The idea that conservatives have to coalesce in order to beat Mitt Romney, well, that’s just not true anymore. Conservatives actually can have a choice.”
Santorum’s vow to continue campaigning, with the expectation that Republican voters will eventually rally to him as the “consistent conservative,” provoked mockery from Democrat strategist James Carville. Appearing on CNN Saturday night, Carville called Santorum a “headless chicken” who had been decapitated by finishing third in South Carolina: “Everyone knows that a headless chicken is dead except the chicken.” Carville has an especially personal hatred for Santorum, who in 1994 won his Senate seat with an upset defeat of Democrat Sen. Harris Wofford, whose campaign was directed by Carville and Paul Begala, who had been previously credited with masterminding Bill Clinton’s 1992 election. And even as Carville was evoking laughter on the CNN set with his barnyard humor, Santorum’s campaign was releasing the allegedly dead candidate’s schedule for the next two days. By 2 p.m. Sunday, Santorum was holding a town-hall meeting in Coral Spring, Florida.
Many candidates have risen and fallen in this long struggle for the Republican nomination. Gingrich’s campaign was twice written off as doomed, first when his staff exited en masse in June, and again after he finished fourth in Iowa, where he was buried under an avalanche of attack ads. Gingrich placed fifth in New Hampshire, but it was Huntsman, the third-place finisher in the Granite State, who quit the race six days later. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who had refused to drop out after placing fifth in Iowa, waited until two days before the South Carolina primary to quit and endorse Gingrich — the same day it was learned that Santorum and not Romney had won Iowa. Meanwhile the libertarian-themed campaign of Texas Rep. Ron Paul, who placed second in New Hampshire, still has a strong base of donors and activists that cannot be neglected as a force to influence the 2012 race. Paul’s campaign indirectly helped Romney by piling onto Gingrich with attack ads in Iowa, then gave the same sort of indirect boost to Gingrich by slamming Santorum with attacks in South Carolina. And one member of Romney’s campaign staff told me Friday that they expect Paul to be a formidable contender in caucus states like Nevada, which votes Feb. 4.
In less than three weeks, the GOP field has been winnowed from seven candidates to four, and each remaining campaign argues that it can keep going for many more weeks. (Santorum, whom many critics dismiss as lacking the financial resources for a long campaign, raised more than $1 million in a 72-hour online “money bomb” last week.) No one can doubt the possibility for further sudden changes in this campaign year of unprecedented turbulence.
It was raining in South Carolina when Gingrich claimed his victory Saturday night in Columbia, and the sky in Charleston was still overcast with heavy clouds early Sunday. But by then the Republican candidates had already flown to Florida and, whatever the weather there might be, the campaign in the Sunshine State will be free from the previously gloomy shadow of “inevitability.”
About the Author
Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.
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Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.22.12 @ 2:54PM
The only thing that South Carolina changed was that Newt got to sidetrack some serious questions about his past.
Santorum's one million he raised will last about 3 days in Florida.
Romney's campaign is about to turn the tables on Gingrich once and for all.
Pete| 1.22.12 @ 6:29PM
Romney showed what a poor sport he is in his "concession" speech. Don't look for increasing support for him. People are tired of the elite telling them who is next. We see in Romney a person who lost to Mc Cain, a person who ran such a poor uninspiring campaign against Obama.
We don't need another wimp.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.22.12 @ 8:27PM
Perhaps he took a cue from the Gingrich concession speech in Iowa.
Pete| 1.23.12 @ 7:53PM
Where is Romney's Iowa concession speech? I haven't heard one, have you?
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.24.12 @ 8:26AM
Romney was originally declared the winner. It actually isn't clear who really won since 8 precincts were lost. Santorum was declared the winner more by default than any other factor. However, Romney called Santorum and congratulated him. But what's your point?
Are you claiming because Newt was rude when he lost, that somehow Romney became rude after he won, then the results were fogged up?
Vern Crisler | 1.23.12 @ 12:40AM
Here comes the non-stop attacks against Newt, from both the left and the so-called right. Ann Coulter, who supported Hillary last time around, thinks she has something credible to say about Newt. Time to retire Ann.
"It's not that I'm a good debater," Gingrich told his cheering supporters. "It is that I articulate the deepest-held values of the American people."
Newt is both a good debater and articulates conservative values. He does as well as Rush does or as well as Ronald Reagan or William F. Buckley used to do. That's what South Carolinans responded to.
Santorum is finished. Romney will become more shrill and agitated as time goes on. He claims to be a conservative and a capitalist but he does not know WHY he is a conservative or capitalist. He probably thinks Ludwig von Mises was a writer of symphonies.
Newt's got baggage all right. He's also got a 10 percent Progressive streak in him. But he's also 90 percent conservative and has a track record of implimenting conservative legislation. He would be a great President. We could both love him for his conservative policies and then criticize him for his inevitable Progressive rhetoric, and past behavior. What else could you ask for in a politician?
ImForNewt| 1.23.12 @ 3:37PM
After the sex-ed we got with Slick Willy and how it doesn't matter, that it's "a personal thing", I don't give a damn about Newt's past marriages. He's a product of the 60s free love and it's you're right to be happy era. What the hell do people expect! And yeah, I LOVE IT that he told Juan Williams and that CNN punk what to do with it. It's what we all want to say to their smug mugs. I hope he gets to debate obama. He will eat him for dinner and leave the little thug sucking his thumb in the corner.
Occam's Tool| 1.23.12 @ 6:58PM
If Rush Limbaugh decided to run for President, would he have a serious chance? Of course he would! Does he have baggage? Oh, my goodness!
Newt can enunciate ideas like Rush, and he also has baggage. What he also has is an ability to get things done. The analogies to Churchill are not far off, although Churchill was a better speaker and a greater writer. But our problems are also tremendoulsy easier than what Churchill faced in 1940.
Newt can do it, as well. I'd be HAPPY with the Catholics in the race, OK with the Mormon. It's interesting how much the two uber-Catholics on this site hate their co-religionists.
Vern Crisler | 1.24.12 @ 12:06AM
No, I don't think Rush would do well as a politician. He has no experience in elective office, nor in running a campaign. He would make amateur mistakes and would quickly fade. His forte is radio, not TV or being a politician.
WF Buckley could speak better and out debate just about anyone, but he did not have the knack for politics.
Everyone has their own talents. Newt would probably fail in radio, or on a TV talk show (like Firing Line), but his true medium is politics, and he brings along the intellectual caliber of Buckley and the Smokin Joe articulateness of Rush. Plus he has the political experience.
Whether he will be like Churchill, we can certainly hope.
Colin | 1.23.12 @ 11:27AM
I'll try to keep this brief. Newt's win in South Carolina was a direct response to those promoting Romney as thee Republican candidate as he's the only one with demonstrated ability to work with the opposition party(s).
News flash: Seems to me the message (at least so far) is clear. Conservatives don't want another milquetoast president to "work" with the opposition, we want someone who'll finally go to D.C. and show the necessary stones to kick some Democrat ass, along with David Gregory's. (with apologies for the a- word.)
You doubt? Well, answer me this: When was the last time the "opposition" truly "worked" with our side on anything of serious importance? Congressional pay raises not standing. The YES ON MORE MONEY votes are always in the bag.
*Obligatory troll response:
*Yeah, yeah, I know. Ron Paul will save us. Blah, blah, blah ...
Still waiting.
CrackerHound| 1.23.12 @ 11:45AM
That's right Colin...Gingrich is the only candidate giving the conservative base and even middle of the road Republicans what they want. Take it to Obama, take it to the MSM. take it to the establishment RINO's (one of which is Romney).
We also want someone to fix this damn mess, not create more of it. You don't need a sixth sense to see that Romney is NOT the answer. It's obvious. Fear of getting another four years of Obama is causing many conservatives to think Romney is a safe bet. It's an illusion caused by paralyzing fear.
If your only qualification is to have a strong family guy, then Mitt's your man....but after that he's got nothing and the forces of Obama will win that battle. What are they going to go after Newt with? His past marriages, his contentious style? That's already been played. Now let's bring up his conservative revolution and his war against liberalism which are reality despite his inconsistent statements from time to time.
Buck Ofama| 1.23.12 @ 3:14PM
>some serious questions about his past.
Such as? Marriage problems? How is that relevant?
Or do you correlate marital success with the qualifications for the pile of shit, Ovomit: junior senator, voted present most of the time, probably foreign-born, mulatto.
Hey, what else could possibly matter for presidential qualifications?
TrueBlue | 1.24.12 @ 12:10PM
Given the number of people in this country that have been divorced I'd say Newt's past actually gives him an edge with many of those since he actually has an idea of what dealing with an ex is like. Not saying I agree with his behavior overall, but there it is.
My bigger concern with Newt is that he has just as much of a tendency to go after his own party any time someone disagrees with him as he does to go after the Dems. He attacked Paul Ryan for crying out loud. Also, some of his crazy ideas really make people raise their eyebrows.
One other thing, WHY did he get fined $300k for ethics violations? Was it just because he was being hypocritical going after Clinton when he was having an affair, or was there more to it? The reason for that fine IS important, and I really think he needs to release the facts of the entire case if he doesn't want it to come back and bite him in the end.
Discounting Santorum is a mistake Bill, he spent less than 1/4 of the money in Iowa as the other candidates and yet he came out 30 votes ahead of Romney. That shows me he knows how to manage his money effectively, and isn't that what we need right now?
Patrick| 1.22.12 @ 3:15PM
And somehow, the turn was for the worse. Gingrich has done more damage to the Republican party than any man in the past 40 years, and people want him to be the Republican presidential nominee?
Madness!
Patrick| 1.22.12 @ 3:17PM
Please note that I'm not terribly thrilled about Romney. Even so, Gingrich!?
Interested Conservative| 1.22.12 @ 3:36PM
"Any man"?
I can think of a few.
RJ| 1.22.12 @ 3:56PM
Gingrich has his faults, but he deserves credit for building a GOP majority in the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. At the time, there were many in the leadership that were content with minority status. Gingrich is the Babe Ruth of the GOP; hits big, strikes out big.
Regarding your comment that he has done more damage to the GOP in the past 40 years, I would nominate George W. Bush for that honor and, Richard M. Nixon would also need to be considered. George H.W. Bush walked away from Reaganism and his "read my lips" promise and gave the nation Bill Clinton. There are many people who did more damage to the GOP than Newt.
Like it or not, our choices now seem to be Gingrich, Romney and Santorum. What has Romney done in term of elective office? His major achievement was RomneyCare. I don't see that as a benefit. All I have to do is see video clips of his 1994 Senate race to know that his political views regarding the role of government are not compatible with mine.
Kade| 1.22.12 @ 7:07PM
Alas, Newt is the best of bad choices but his victory speech was super -- he even came out against Helicopter Ben. He can beat Obama if he stays on a pro-American theme.
Newt though does need to rethink his local community board, quasi-amnesty plan -- bad idea and unworkable. Newt also needs to ditch talking about a guest worker plan. Romney or Santorum in a debate could hit and damage him from the right on both these issues.
The Tea Party patriots need to be vigilant on pushing Newt to the American-first right when he veers off the reservation and they also need to pressure the RINOs on talk radio to do likewise.
RJ| 1.23.12 @ 2:10AM
The Hispanic vote can change the outcome in Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and, probably in a few years, Texas. The GOP cannot win with more than New Mexico, Nevada and perhaps Colorado going Democratic. Emotionally harsh statements on illegal immigration turns off the Latino vote. I have lived through this in California.
My concern about Newt's plan is the "selective service" approach would result in discriminatory practices and if based on local sentiment, it probably would function as a free pass. I also think he ignores the group of people most deserving of staying; the kids who were brought here by their parents who my not really know any other country. They are the ones who are most entitled to establish US residency rather than someone who knowingly broke US immigration laws.
TexKen| 1.23.12 @ 7:20AM
Sorry to disagree, but living in Texas I've seen first hand the "Hispanic" areas vote in whites because illegals don't vote.
RJ| 1.23.12 @ 3:07PM
I am glad to hear it that illegals don't vote in Texas. Many of the laws for voting in states like California seem to invite fraudulent voting.
TrueBlue | 1.24.12 @ 12:18PM
Most "Hispanics" that I know absolutely hate illegals. If you ignore groups like La Raza you'll see it's pretty consistent regarding that. Also, don't group Cubans in with the Mexicans, two totally different viewpoints, and most of the "Hispanics" in Florida are Cubans.
Sorry to be cold, but I don't think the kids should have any more of a pass than their parents do. Trying to give the kids a pass just gives people even more reason to give their parents a pass, we can't split up families after all (if you try to go with the emotional angle). Most illegals have no wish to assimilate with American culture.
If the Left really wanted to get illegals citizenship instead of just spouting the words because they know it gets them votes in certain circles they would push to have them labelled as refugees, running from a war-torn country where the government is no longer in control. Notice how none of them seem to be doing that? At least most Republicans are honest about saying they don't want to grant them citizenship.
Crassus| 1.22.12 @ 4:33PM
Good grief, man, have you forgotten Dubya? If anyone did the most damage to the Republican party over the past 40 years it was him, not Newt.
JmsA| 1.22.12 @ 7:56PM
I agree with that, and raise you one Bush, Sr.
axbucxdu| 1.22.12 @ 10:08PM
As bad as they were, Nixon covers both.
Giarretti| 1.23.12 @ 3:01AM
I could make a stronger case that Gingrich has done more to advance the Conservative segment of the party than anyone else.
Richard Craig| 1.23.12 @ 10:35AM
It is clear to see that traditional wisdom does not apply as much to this years nomination process. Romney is not inevitable. No one is inevitable. It may be that the voters actually get to decide this year as the MSM and the establishment Republicans are being proven wrong at every turn.
Normally a man like Newt would be unelectable, but not this time. In fact, Romney is more unelectable in the general. Republicans cannot play it safe anymore and expect to win against the forces of media and organized activist groups (labor, hollywood, etc.) Whoever goes against Obama will be attacked/Palinized like has never been seen. Romney would not survive in the general. Newt will fight and prevail by shining a light on the positive while hitting the Democrats in just the right places. He will then close it out in what is sure to be the most watched debates in history where Obama will look too amatuerish to be considered for re-election.
Romney could never stand up to the onslaught and he will not have enough conservative support to overcome Obama. Newt will have that support and gain independents more and more as they see who has the better ideas. Newt's baggage is out there and anything new is just more of the same. Democrats are keeping their powder dry on Romney (because that's who they want) and if he is our nominee, the shots at him will dry up most of his support and his weak rebuttals and lack of conviction will turn him into John McCain.
Occam's Tool| 1.23.12 @ 7:00PM
Really? More damage? No. That was done by the RINOs between 2001 and 2005.
Newt arranged for the first Conservative majority in the Congress in forever. He reformed Welfare and balanced the budget.
TrueBlue | 1.24.12 @ 12:20PM
Not just balanced, but created a SURPLUS of nearly the same amount that it was expected to be a deficit. $2.7 trillion in the red over 10 back around to $2.3 Trillion in the black.
SC RJ| 1.22.12 @ 3:39PM
Romney is in trouble but the biggest political loser is our own beloved Governor Haley. Nikki nixed any hope of political office outside the state. And we the Tea Party will remember her in the next SC gubernatorial GOP primary.
Sean| 1.22.12 @ 4:37PM
Who can we thank in SC for voting for a TARP promoting global warmist?
Occam's Tool| 1.23.12 @ 7:01PM
Ron Paul, because his foreign policy is completely delusional and would kill millions of Americans.
Kade| 1.22.12 @ 4:11PM
It looks like the GOP establishment strategy to tar Newt with being anti-capitalist over his justifiable criticism of Mitt’s unsavory Bain Capitol tactics backfired big time-- the SC voters clearly saw this as a fabrication to promote Romney.
For the last week Carl Rove echoed Rush and company in this false charge against Newt and Romney is still singing this same song. In his SC concession speech Mitt implied that certain candidates (Newt) are attacking him on his free enterprise belief -- an incoherent charge.
Newt delivered a welcomed pro-American and pro-Main Street victory speech. Hopefully, Newt will continue criticizing Wall Street and the Fed when they go off the free enterprise reservation. Too-big-too-fail and backdoor bailouts from the Fed are not free enterprise -- it is socialism for the wealthy and well connected.
It is about time that a GOP candidate came out for both Main Street and business -- the two are not mutually exclusive. In this way Newt could neutralize Obama’s general election strategy to tie the Republican nominee to Wall Street and against the common man.
CrackerHound| 1.23.12 @ 10:51AM
You have a point Kade. In fact, Obama could be tied to Wall Street cronyism and AGAINST Main Street USA and the common man better than anyone. Obama definitely has two faces...one that the media propaganda puts out and one that is reality. George Orwell would recognize him in an instant.
Kade| 1.23.12 @ 11:16AM
Excellent point Cracker -- Newt needs to turn the tables on Obama and the Dems, and Newt is a master at framing the issues.
If Newt does that (now) and becomes the champion of middle class America he wins Reagan style. The middle class loved Ronnie because he first loved them.
Dick Nome| 1.22.12 @ 4:13PM
There have been 2 open primaries and 1 open caucus so far. There are 47 (or is it 54) other states in this. Why the hell should 3 or 4 states decide it now?? In '08 Oborg and Hildebeast duked it out to June. Capt. McQueeg got the nod early and was supposed to be the only one who could win. Turned out otherwise didn't it??
martin j smith| 1.22.12 @ 4:38PM
The MSM,The Establishment Republicans all wanted Romney. One problem. Or two. He is about as inspiring as a Camel and as cowardly and GWB and John McCain. All was needed were other candidates willing to attack and show something and bingo. Not so hot. He won one of three primaries. One Big deal.
Mike Hawk| 1.22.12 @ 6:22PM
Neither W nor McCain was a coward. Take that back. McCain ran a lousy campaign on the pretense of being 'civil' and 'respectable' while the Democrats were vicious. That is the problem with Establishment Republicans.
TrueBlue | 1.24.12 @ 12:23PM
I don't think he meant GWB and McCain were cowards, just that their backing of Romney is one of the things that has damaged his campaign. Many people don't like either of them, so getting backing from someone they dislike means people are less likely to support Romney.
RCV| 1.22.12 @ 5:09PM
As a Democrat, I'm delighted with these developments. It insures that the GOP primary fight will be long and costly, and the two combatants will continue to utilize funds that could have been available for the general election; they will continue to generate and use attacks on one another that will have a life long after the nomination process is over; and they will continue to generate fractures in the already weakened Tea Party/Religious Right/Libertarian/Traditional GOP coalition (a good example is the Tea Party's new attacks on Nikki Haley).
There is little question that Romney, coupled with a Rubio or Perry, would be the toughest opponent for Obama in the fall. As the polls confirm, Gingrich would be his weakest opponent. While Gingrich fires up the GOP base in a way Romney never could, his personality, his mean-spiritness and his ethical and moral challenges turn off most independents and Democrats in a way no other GOP candidate does. He will not only lose if he is the nominee, but as a number of Republican consultants and commentators noted last evening, may take down a mass of congressional Republicans with him. He is that offensive.
Mike Hawk| 1.22.12 @ 6:25PM
The long and costly fight between Hildebeasy and the Oborg didn't seem to be a problem in '08. McCain was supposed to be the only one who could win against them too. Your prognostications are vapid.
JmsA| 1.22.12 @ 7:59PM
Don't count your chickens yet. The pounding of the One will continue to get attention during the primary, and debates. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
CrackerHound| 1.23.12 @ 10:57AM
The only poll that matters is the one that is announced on November 6.
When you poll football fans before a game and the winner is "predicted" (you know, before the game is actually played) they are quite often wrong.
RCV| 1.23.12 @ 3:59PM
That's because the fans don't play the game. But the voters vote.
TrueBlue | 1.24.12 @ 12:25PM
Polls are too easily fixed to portray the message that the particular agency wants to present. They only poll a very small portion of the population, and generally go to areas that have more people publically accepting of their desired viewpoint.
ImForNewt| 1.23.12 @ 3:43PM
In your dreams RCV, in your dreams. You don't seem to get how much obama is hated for what he's done and continues to do to our nation. Best go stick you finger back in the wind. It's blowing the other way.
RCV| 1.23.12 @ 3:59PM
You don't get what a pig most non-Republicans see Newt as. Democrats couldn't ask for a better opponent.
TrueBlue | 1.24.12 @ 12:26PM
Newt is offensive compared to Mr. Class Warfare?
RCV| 1.22.12 @ 5:09PM
As a Democrat, I'm delighted with these developments. It insures that the GOP primary fight will be long and costly, and the two combatants will continue to utilize funds that could have been available for the general election; they will continue to generate and use attacks on one another that will have a life long after the nomination process is over; and they will continue to generate fractures in the already weakened Tea Party/Religious Right/Libertarian/Traditional GOP coalition (a good example is the Tea Party's new attacks on Nikki Haley).
There is little question that Romney, coupled with a Rubio or Perry, would be the toughest opponent for Obama in the fall. As the polls confirm, Gingrich would be his weakest opponent. While Gingrich fires up the GOP base in a way Romney never could, his personality, his mean-spiritness and his ethical and moral challenges turn off most independents and Democrats in a way no other GOP candidate does. He will not only lose if he is the nominee, but as a number of Republican consultants and commentators noted last evening, may take down a mass of congressional Republicans with him. He is that offensive.
Pete| 1.22.12 @ 6:34PM
To wage a war, you must first prepare the battlefield. That is what the GOP is doing. We know all about the Alinsky tactics. The Dems have counted on a compliant GOP for decades. All they had to do was play the race cards or the class warfare card.
Well we are no longer buying what you are selling. Be ready for war.
bill| 1.22.12 @ 9:08PM
If Gingrich gets the GOP nod, Obama is doomed. $1 billion campaign chest with hundreds of union thugs cannot protect Obama's throne. Obama is poised to defeat.
RCV| 1.22.12 @ 9:29PM
Said the man who, until a few days ago, assured us that Perry had the nomination locked!
bill| 1.22.12 @ 9:41PM
Perry quit, so we have to settle with the next viable person, Gingrich, and SC always picks the nominee since 1980. Gingrich is already scaring the Obama clan.
Occam's Tool| 1.23.12 @ 7:07PM
We'll see, RCV, my friend. Apparently, Obama used to frequent a gay bathhouse in Chicago. That will be fun news if it explodes, along with someone getting into the LA Times vaults and stealing a certain videotape (Khalidi) and spreading it around. Mittens wouldn't authorize this, but I expect to see Newt getting his hands on that tape, and the membership roster of that bathhouse.
You see, Gingrich will fight dirty, and launch all his blows below the belt. Dems aren't used to that coming from Republicans. But you can bet you will see videotapes dramatizing Dorhn killing a cop and then welcoming Obama into her home. That's what McCain should have done in 2008, and it's what Newt will do in 2012. Nothing but punches in the crotch, all day long, sweet Susie!
In short, I don't see the anti-Newt wave you see. I do see him firing up the Republican base, though.
RCV| 1.23.12 @ 11:58PM
Occam, if you're starting to believe silliness like that, I truly will have to reevaluate my high estimation of your intelligence. (Bathhouse...really ...).
Republican officeholders, who have to run next fall, will never allow a Gingrich nomination, even if he doesn't self- destruct before the convention. The man is truly the most ethically and morally challenged contender in decades, and probably the most dislikable human being to win a primary.
I would truly relish a Gingrich ticket in 2012. Truly.
RCV| 1.22.12 @ 5:10PM
Sorry for the double post.
martin j smith| 1.22.12 @ 5:45PM
RCV you are full of it. How much they paying you for your post on a Sunday no less --double time eh ?
Mike Hawk| 1.22.12 @ 6:27PM
Democrats telling Republicans how it is. Don't you love it?? My response is a big Bronx cheer.
Pete| 1.22.12 @ 6:36PM
They are dying for a Romney match up. It would be Mc Cain 2.0
RCV| 1.22.12 @ 7:55PM
About the same Sunday wages as you're earning, Mr Smith.
TrueBlue | 1.24.12 @ 12:28PM
It always amuses me when the Left tries to tell the Republicans who their "best" candidate is.
Al Adab| 1.22.12 @ 6:45PM
Since our friend RCV is happy with the prospect of a long, vicious GOP primary battle, can we not agree that it is time for Romney to do the numbers and realize that a full 2/3 rds of GOP voters want some other than he to be the nominee? I the man is truly a leader with his country's best interests at heart, he needs to withdraw and offer everything he can to defeat the President in November. The savings in dollars and emotion is more valuable than his ego.
RCV| 1.22.12 @ 8:08PM
Al Adab - you're absolutely right that most of the GOP base does not want Romney as their nominee. But with his war chest and the party machinery behind him, he's not about to drop out. As you know, since you're a regular here, I have long pondered why the conservatives in the party continue to split the majority vote amongst themselves instead of uniting. That continues to be the main obstacle to stopping Romney. Unless that changes, and very soon, the best conservatives can hope for is a deadlocked, brokered convention. But that will not get them Gingrich. Who would emerge? Christie? Jeb? Jindal?
bill| 1.22.12 @ 9:44PM
You wish! Gingrich train is rolling. FL will join SC. Just fact. SC and FL are both neighboring state to GA, Gingrich's home state.
Al Adab| 1.22.12 @ 6:45PM
Since our friend RCV is happy with the prospect of a long, vicious GOP primary battle, can we not agree that it is time for Romney to do the numbers and realize that a full 2/3 rds of GOP voters want some other than he to be the nominee? I the man is truly a leader with his country's best interests at heart, he needs to withdraw and offer everything he can to defeat the President in November. The savings in dollars and emotion is more valuable than his ego.
florin| 1.22.12 @ 7:32PM
No one, no one, not even Obama, has an ego as massive and undisplined as gingrich.If we have to have a RINO, I'd rather a RINO with character than one with none; when Romney's wife was diagnosed with a serious illness, Romney comforted her and remained faithful to her as opposed to gingrich who dumped his wives when they were diagnosed with serious illnesses and used/uses women for his own pleasure and satisfaction and then discards them.gingrich is a master deceiver/magician-he manufactures anger whenever he doesn't want to answer a question but he's not going to get away with the for much longer. He declares he put out his tax reports during the debate but offstage, he has to admit he only put out returns for one year and says that's enough because they probably didn't include the over $37 million he reported received from pharmaceutical companies or the massive amount from Fannie Mae. He declares to those who are interested that the list of his ethics report is on line-but only part of them are on line. The more intense the campaign gets, the more he will be raging and sniping and huffing and puffing and people will see him for the con-man he is, especially when his former colleagues from Congress speak out about how difficult he is to work with, how self serving, how he claimed all the credit and praise when things went well but would blame others when things went badly...he hasn't changed...
CrackerHound| 1.23.12 @ 11:11AM
Valid criticisms florin....but irrelavent.
Normally it would matter greatly. But with the country literally on the brink, the question is who can save us from hard left socialism and the collapse that must come before this scourage is fully implemented? It ain't Romney. He is just more of the same using the rhetoric he thinks will get him elected. Winston Churchill was not well liked by his own party for the same reasons Newt is not by many in his party. He flip-flopped on his positions and many found his character lacking, but he saved his nation when they were on the brink. I'm not saying Newt can do this but he shows more of that ability than anything we have right now. Being scared of losing/playing it safe is not an option. If we are going to go down, let's at least go down fighting. Putting Romney in is tantamount to capitulation...it's lose-lose.
Edward Cropper | 1.22.12 @ 7:41PM
Mitt Romney has his problems and they are numerous, however the fact that he lost South Carolina is not that surprising to those who know basic southern voters.
Romney's Mormonism hurt him regardless of the "fair mindedness" of Evangelical voters. His wealth hurt him among southerners, many who have an innate dislike for northerners especially if they are rich.
The old saw that he who wins South Carolina wins the Republican nomination is so much baloney. That only applies if the winner has also won one or both of the previous primaries.
What do you say about Evangelicals who all too often are hardliners and “ Bible Thumpers”, but go whole hog for a womanizing money grabber, his sudden spiritual epiphany not withstanding
Newt is solid proof of the old adage –politics & religion make strange bed-fellows
bill| 1.22.12 @ 9:04PM
Romney lost because:
-RomneyCare
-pro abortion
-pro gay marriage
-pro climate change
-pro gun control
-a New England moderate
McCain won SC in 2008, because he was not from New England, he was from the old south, AZ.
bill| 1.22.12 @ 9:01PM
Gingrich won because he showed that he has courage, conviction, charisma, statesmanship, and leadership. He is no perfect, but is far better than Romney, Santorum, Paul.
Gingrich led the 1994 GOP revolt, balanced the budget 4 straight years, and reformed the welfare. We never forgot his accomplishments as the speaker of House. He is the "Shadow of Ronald Reagan." Winning SC is a prize for Gingrich, and he deserves it.
FL has a close primary. Gingrich has southern heritage and conservative credentials, although He may be controversial on issues like individual mandate, climate change, or immigration. But He's the most viable candidate in the GOP field. As the independents and Dems voters are out of the primary, Gingrich is well positioned to conquer FL, too.
Here are some facts about his rivals.
Romney views on RomneyCare, abortion, gay marriage are disturbing to many Tea Partiers in FL. Santorum opposed "Right-to-Work" law, while FL is a "Right-to-Work" state, and he cannot win in FL, as well. Ron Paul is going nowhere with his "crazy" foreign policy.
Gingrich wins in FL will seal the deal.
Obama is doomed.
It's 1980, all over.
POST American| 1.22.12 @ 9:37PM
---------------------BOTTOM LINE---------------------
Rockefeller 'Punch n' Judy' at its
MOST insipid.
Meanwhile, sources now reveal
74% of ALLLLL donations
from the US military are going to
-------------RON PAUL-------------.
Tina B| 1.22.12 @ 9:43PM
Nobody read it.
1389AD | 1.22.12 @ 10:24PM
Mitt Romney is corrupt. His squeaky-clean image is a LIE.
http://1389blog.com/2012/01/22.....s-corrupt/
SUBVET| 1.23.12 @ 1:16AM
Mitt......empty suit........Paul.......will never happen.
Occam's Tool| 1.23.12 @ 7:11PM
1389:
SHARIA DELENDA EST! Great work!
George S| 1.23.12 @ 12:39AM
And where is it written that the primary determines the nominee? All it determines are delegates to the convention to cast their votes.
Romney was never inevitable -- too many conservatives were upset that he may take the nomination. Gingrich and Santorum are running an unpopularity contest to unseat Romney. Doesn't sound like a path to winning -- we saw what happened when Romney unloaded some negatives on Newt in Iowa (imagine what Team Obama could do).
Something tells me that the convention will end with neither of the three (four with Paul) being the nominee.
Ounce Oflogic| 1.23.12 @ 6:59AM
It may be a little early to think that the actual voters might be resisting the media's incessant Romney push... but it would be nice if it happened. The media has way too much influence on public opinion and constantly abuses it.
Reaganite Republican | 1.23.12 @ 9:53AM
Linked
Panicked Romney Flailing Wildly as Newt Pulls-Out NINE POINT LEAD in Florida
Minuteman78| 1.23.12 @ 10:13AM
The Republican 'establishment' still doesn't get it. The American people know their real enemy is the mainstream media, and when Newt goes after them like an inbred pit bull (is there any other kind, btw?), then people will rally around him, because if he can take on the multi-front leftmedia, he can certainly take on Casper Milquetoast hiding behind his shrew wife, his 23rd vacation and 117th round of golf.
Drunken Sailor| 1.23.12 @ 10:42AM
I agree. And these polls showing Romney fairs better against Obama don't mean squat. With more than one canidate running against Obama right now, of course the polls are skewed. Let's see what they say after we get down to one canidate. Between the drop in enthusiasm for Obama from his own party and the number of Independents (and even some Democrats) not happy with him he loses his edge. Add to that the terrible state of the economy and Obama's weak record and I still think we have a advantage.
Drunken Sailor| 1.23.12 @ 10:45AM
Well that didn't take long to change now did it.
Throughout the GOP race, Romney has always benefited from the perception that he was the strongest general election candidate in the field. However, among Florida voters at the moment, that is no longer the case. Forty-two percent (42%) now believe Gingrich would be the strongest candidate against Obama, while 39% say the same of Romney. At the other extreme, 64% see Ron Paul as the weakest potential candidate against Obama.
http://www.rasmussenreports.co.....an_primary
wodiej| 1.23.12 @ 2:59PM
Gingrich showed graciousness and Romney and Santorum acted like sore losers. Romney is attacking Gingrich on his time as Speaker leaving in disgrace but he has his facts wrong. People don't like this kind of thing. I think it will backfire. And Santorum is polling at around 10% in Florida. He needs to leave the race after Florida and quit prolonging the inevitable.
viewpoint| 1.23.12 @ 4:42PM
Hey, hey:
Somebody needs to do an article on how good, bedrock conservative South Carolinians kicked some teeth back at their (still new and inexperienced) governor, Nicky Halley.
Remember that it was SC Gov. Nicky Halley going out to Iowa (What was she doing in Iowa?) three days before the Iowa Caucus to throw her name and endorsement behind .... Mitt Romney.
Many of the hardworking South Carolina voters who gave much time and thought to all things political and future of the nation, these are the same very people who gave young governor Nicky Halley her chance two years ago.
They sweated for her so she would be the SC chief executive. And they felt mightily betrayed by her endorsement of Romney.
I hope she got the message; they weren't too pleased about her trying to play bigtime (on their dime) out in Iowa and cavorting with Romney.
(Is Governor "I spoke too soon" Bob McDonnell of Virginia also now regretting his Romney endorsement -- made 48 hours prior to the South Carolina primary)
Good on the South Carolina voters. They don't want the machine; they don't want the money; they don't want the establishment.
Ann Banisher| 1.23.12 @ 5:16PM
For the people saying that private morals now don't matter, I'm guessing you weren't the same ones defending Clinton & Edwards.
And how can Gingrich rally independents & disaffected democrats when he has p!ssed off more democrats & independents than any politician in modern memory (as well as his own republican colleagues)?
Leaving aside for a moment kiting 22 bad checks, the ethics investigation, his resigning in disgrace, the big money from Freddie, his support & advocacy for the individual mandate, and his support for Pelosi's global warming initiative, how can you make the face of the Republican party a man who dumped BOTH of his previous wives while they were hospitalized, after carrying on 6 year affairs and still expect to be the party of family values? Dumping one cancer stricken wife for your mistress could be a fluke, but two, that's a pattern. Shortly after the cancer ward visit, Newt stopped paying alimony and child support. Jackie had to take Newt to court to get him to contribute for bills, as utilities were about to be cut off.
"She isn't young enough or pretty enough to be the President's wife. And besides, she has cancer." - Newt, on his first wife.
Can you honestly picture Callista, who slept with him for 6 years while he was married to wife #2, and who racked up a $500K Tiffany bill last summer, as the first lady? It would be like the Democrats choosing Dennis Kucinich.
Just vote Santorum | 1.23.12 @ 6:07PM
What do you want, another McCain or another Obama? I don't want either.
Kingofthenet| 1.23.12 @ 8:37PM
You know the Mad Hatters are running the nominating process when Ann Coulter seems the MOST sane and logical...
POST American| 1.23.12 @ 9:25PM
--------------------BOTTOM LINE----------------------
Take heed rectum worshippers!
Over 74% of ALLLLLLL donations from
those serving in the military are going to
------------------RON PAUL-------------------.
"---Who has not succumbed to their
success."
-Nietzche
The Bush Sr./ Clinton/ Bush Jr. and
'BAR--Rockefeller' Obama CFR-Globalist
TREASON OP ---is incrementally being
revealed and undone.
-------------TOAST IS COMING-----------
Barbara Espinosa | 1.23.12 @ 10:21PM
"Action is Character" New's actions shows he lacks character.
Gingrich was the first speaker in House history to be disciplined for ethical wrongdoing.http://bit.ly/AdXOJb
Newt Gingrich Co-Sponsored the 1987 Pro-Fairness Doctrine Bill...http://bit.ly/znvaVO
Newt, From College Progressive to Pseudo Conservative Congressman to Speaker to Disgrace...College History Chairman on Newt http://www.gq.com/news-politic.....z1k1fY1CrZ Newt the man lacks a moral compass.And whatever it takes to advance himself in the world he will do, without scruple.
In 2006, Gingrich backed censoring the web http://t.co/Ug6HleJ0
POST American| 1.23.12 @ 11:28PM
---The RED China transfer and TREASON OP
would have been impossible without the
crucial assists from KEY front men.
---FORD ----REAGAN ----McCain and Gingrich
were and are open, even nakedly mercenary,
ADULTERERS one and all.
"Understand idolatry, fornication, ALLLLL
manner of sexual perversion go hand in hand."
---And USURY itself ------IS-------DEVIANT
'E--CON---O----ME'.
--------------------------------------GOT IT?
Marc Jeric| 1.25.12 @ 2:26PM
Romney's is a shallow intellect; he knows nothing about marxism. Mullah Obama will eat his lunch if he becomes Republican candidate. "A babe in the woods" - just like that confused Mc Cain was.