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The Spectacle Blog
Jon Ward reports:
WASHINGTON — Newt Gingrich’s catastrophic first week as an official Republican primary candidate may knock him out of the race before it even gets started. And if he stays in, fundraising will now be much more difficult, and that could hasten his exit, Republican sources said.
The former House Speaker from Georgia’s once biggest advantage over other long shot candidates — an established fundraising network — is withering before his eyes.
“The last 48 hours have called into question if Newt can even make it to July 4, because his fundraising is going to dry up,” said one veteran Republican strategist. “No serious finance bundler is now going to step forward in such an organized campaign and take a leadership role.”
Another Republican operative said he had spoken with an old friend of Gingrich’s in the South who had been planning a fundraiser for the campaign. There were 18 co-chairs for the event until Gingrich’s appearance on “Meet the Press” Sunday, where he labeled Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wisc.) proposed budget “radical” and “right-wing social engineering.”
“He said like 13 of them dropped off within 24 hours of ‘Meet the Press,’” the GOP source told The Huffington Post.
John Podhoretz argued yesterday that “Gingrich is not a positive but rather a destructive force in the GOP presidential primary,” and he has a point; it would be nice if Gingrich took the advice of the Iowan who told him Monday to “get out before you make a bigger fool of yourself.” But I suspect his ego may keep him on the campaign trail even if the money dries up.
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More Blog Posts by John Tabin
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/05/18/will-newt-survive-the-summer
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Ken (Old Texican)| 5.18.11 @ 10:25PM
All of this would be funny if 2012 were not so crucial. Here's the last election short of revolution, folks.
Occam's Tool| 5.18.11 @ 10:50PM
Newt's a mook. Here's to whoever wins among Palin, West, Bolton, Cain, Bachmann. I'd like a fully Black President this time, if possible. Or a woman. (How to deep six the racist and sexist comments)
wodiej| 5.19.11 @ 8:35AM
A white woman and a black man on the same Republican ticket would be not only entertaining it would derail the racist agenda.
I fully support Gov. Palin but I am not convinced of Cain or West being ready for the VP slot. If I was to choose however, it would be West who served honorably in the military vs Cain who worked fattening the bottom line of a corporation and has not done anything notable as a true servant as Palin and West have.
Occam's Tool| 5.18.11 @ 10:50PM
Newt's a mook. Here's to whoever wins among Palin, West, Bolton, Cain, Bachmann. I'd like a fully Black President this time, if possible. Or a woman. (How to deep six the racist and sexist comments)
John - TMF| 5.18.11 @ 11:36PM
OT... maybe I live too close to the Beltway... but I see inside.. and I see the machine grinding, how it works, and know some of the players personally.
(my old man always told me that "Sometimes the people who know things, actually do KNOW things.")
Cain isn't happening. (I think that he's one of the good guys, and I'd vote for him in a millisecond.) He'll be allowed some votes, he might even get a great speaking gig at the Republican Convention, and maybe even a peak at VP... or more likely Commerce. But he has no "juice", and paid no party dues. Those sorts of folks don't get nominated unless they have 4 stars on their shoulders.
West, isn't running that I have heard of, he is on the right track, but still hasn't paid enough party dues to have that sort of step up. Besides Congress is a failure prone launch pad to the White House. Not impossible for a multiple term Congress Critter with some sub-committee and committee chairmanships, but rare. -he also only wore Silver Oak Leaves... not stars.
Bolton - (My personal absolute favorite... and the man I will back in the Primary/Conventions) I think he's the best in the field, but he's not a pol. He's got facial hair (truly a problem with Q ratings). He's tough, minces no words, and doesn't suffer fools gladly. Which makes it even harder to win because fools are the largest voting block in the nation.
Palin... I doubt that she runs. If she does the media will eviscerate her before the convention's opening gavel. George Allen's macaca moment will look like a laugh riot minor oopsie. My wife says that she can't win (She's never wrong... as she informs me at least twice a day.)
Bachmann.. oh please... not even. Her train would wreck faster than Palin's. She needs to run for Senate.. or Governor first... maybe second and third too... but her delegate count at the convention will rival her IQ (and she is smart, but normal folks' IQ scores rarely exceed 130), not enough to make a dent. Speaker's spot at the convention. No peek-a-boo for VP either. She's ruffled too many feathers.
Oh.. no third party, either. any attempt at a third party run for anything is a guaranteed Obummer win in 2012, and it could lose the House and Senate back to the Dems. See NY-26 for that lesson.
Let's pray Bolton catches on... and he runs...
Bolton - Cain, Bolton - West... humm... sounds like music.
r/TMF
Occam's Tool| 5.19.11 @ 2:11AM
Dear John,
I believe you. And I love Bolton, stache and all.
But, to go along with music, "sometimes an ant, can move the rubber tree plant..."
I mean, did Carter pay his dues? Did Clinton? really?
John - TMF| 5.19.11 @ 11:20AM
OT,
Yup they did, Democrat Party dues, but they slogged in the trenches...
Carter was a Georgia Democrat Machine cog for many years, and of course was governor for enough time to attract attention.
Clintoon.. well he was a foot soldier, protester, operative, Party cog, Party boss, and then served more than a few terms as Governor. He greased the right palms, patted the right backs, and stroked the best donors.
Barack 'Barry' Hussein Dunham Obama Soetoro well, he did the same stuff... found his niche, paid his dues (guys I am talking $$$ when I talk about politics and dues.)
-- wait, an aside since most of the Conservatives on the forum are completely uninformed on this little gem -- DUES means MONEY.
I know from the inside... IF you do not contribute noticeable and significant amounts of cash to Republican candidates (and they have to be the "right/winning" candidates) and causes, you get nowhere in the party, period. Money meet mouth... No money, no say... no access, no one pays any attention other than a greasy cold wet fish handshake on a greeting line to you.
In the Democrat Party, there is an upward mobility path that includes shoe leather, work, volunteering, etc. There is no such ladder in the GOP... Needless to say, at some level, the Dems expect cash remuneration to continue to the next level.
It is a franchise business, and great potential candidates who cannot buy in, or refuse to buy in... are left out.
If you think this is bad (I do, btw) then you are not alone. However; a study of the history of American Politics will uncover the 400 (well 392 actually) track record of drinks for votes - flowing in both directions.
It all started in 1619 in the church at Jamestown. There is truly nothing new under the sun.
Hope for Bolton, Pawlenty, even Mitch "The Butter Knife" would be better than the current regime. Why not Romeny? Because no one including Romney knows what he actually truly believes, and his track record says that his lips are moving, but the words don't match the motions.
Going to be an interesting decade...
r/TMF
W| 5.19.11 @ 6:54AM
what dues did obama pay?
LarryK| 5.19.11 @ 8:44AM
Membership dues to the Communist party?
John - TMF| 5.18.11 @ 11:15PM
Ken....
I am not convinced that the GOP Establishment cares a whole bunch about winning in 2012. They are pushing Romney for the nomination come "heck or some dampness between the toes".
If Romney won't stick they'll backstop him with Mitch "the Butter Knife" Daniels - if his wife lets him run. They pick some nod to the right VP candidate (just like Johnny Mac chose Palin) but they won't mean it much.
What we dolts in flyover country don't seem to understand is that there is no "crisis". There is no "debt". Nobody is in "debt" to anybody. Our dwindling supply of children won't be saddled with anything... neither will their children (and who really cares about those people because not too many people from now will be here then to feel guilty about it anyway.) /SARC OFF
I really get the feeling that the GOP Establishment is just not all that interested in leading. It's easier to get the good stuff from the best table scraps if you keep quiet and sit at the table in an innocuous spot.
If they have to lead, they'd rather repeat the Clinton years. Control the House and Senate with a stalking horse in the White House to blame (Which just proves that they are the Stupid Party - since that didn't work all that well as a strategy for re-establishing and maintaining American exceptionalism) They did get filthy rich though...
From what I can see most of the Ivy Educated Elite of either Party are basically using political power to stroke their own egoes, and most especially line their pockets. If that means mollifying the masses with largess.... Well then who really cares all that much?
50% of the people don't really vote all that much. Only 30% pay significant enough taxes to be affected by any downward or upward momentum in tax rates. Those people are the "rich" and don't much benefit from government goodies.
The 50-52% of the serfs who don't pay taxes though, are a different case. Their votes cannot be bought with tax cuts. They benefit from government and therefore vote themselves as much as possible of something that they do see... Welfare, food stamps, WIC, "free health care".
The GOP Establishment just doesn't want to drive a bus full of those passengers.
Someone Conservative, and "real" better step up to the bar soon. Currently the GOP no viable candidate to stand against The One's Machine.
I do caution everyone, who wants a real candidate to challenge Obambi. If that candidate is identified and steps out too early, the Democrat Macaca Machine will start running full bore.
Sad that it has come to this.
Regards,
The Mighty Fahvaag
Occam's Tool| 5.19.11 @ 2:13AM
TMF--you make many good points. So, i'm just going to ignore facts and go with blind optimism. Always worked for Bertie Wooster.
P.S. You are SOOOO right about the dwindling kid supply---that actually drives EVERYTHING---our "entitlements" crisis, our diminishing research prowess, etc.
Occam's Tool| 5.19.11 @ 2:15AM
Of course, remember that one of the Rushmore Presidents only wore Captain's bars, in the militia.
A guy can hope, can't he, TMF?
somnolence| 5.19.11 @ 12:19AM
The media is incapable of eviscerating Palin. She proved that tonight in her interview with Sean Hannity she anticipates what their next move will be by analyzing Newt's mistakes. Make no mistake about it, she would instead declare war on them and get quite a following from not only her supporters but others just straddling the undecided fence. I think she would have thrown the microphone in Gregory's face if he insinuated racism to her over the food stamp issue. As far as Bolton's moustache, what the hell gives there? Only sissies like Cal Thomas cave under pressure and shave the 'tache. I'm like G. Gordon Liddy, I intend to die with mine, which I've had for 37 years. At any rate, Bolton won't run, Palin will, sometime around January 1, and will become the biggest money recipient and the eventual nominee. She has already run her PAC better than any of the other nominees, and if you don't believe me, then check it out on the web and start reading Facebook daily. You underestimate her at your own peril. She would destroy Katie Couric, Chris Matthews, or George Will if given the opportunity. The others in the field are truly milquetoast, but the only other 3 I could POSSIBLY support are Bachmann, Cain, or Santorum, which tells you where my heart and soul lie. The others can go to hell.
wodiej| 5.19.11 @ 8:39AM
well said. Palin is rock solid and I think she will run. Her interview on Hannity was top notch (he called her a Pro....) I think many are just anxiously awaiting her announcement. Get our your life preservers-it's going to be a tsunami.
simon templar| 5.19.11 @ 1:08AM
No.
simon templar| 5.19.11 @ 1:45AM
The question you should be asking is will the country survive another 4 years of this chicago community organizer...not whether Newt will still be running by the end of summer. The real question is why have so-called Republicans, the establishment GOP, and quite a few conservatives have already given up and accepted this re-election? Dare we look at this? Last November seems to have had no meaning for any of you? Man, and the hand wringing..it just never stops. The country as we understand it is largely center to right. His ratings have fallen back to 48 percent. An historical phenemenon, The Tea Party, has arisen like a phoenix from the ashes. More whining..more hand wringing..more defeatism. Oh, and let us not forget the incredible jump to tear our own candidates to shreds even before the socialist MSM get a hold of them. Yes, ours need to be saints, walk on water, be unblemished lambs to be even considered. But hey, they can roll out a chicago thug community organizer with less than two years experience, never even ran a pop stand, has associations with criminals and homegrown terrorist....and has openly admitted in his own books that he sought out Marxist professors. No sweat. No problem. No worries or hand wringing. No talk or concern about those independents. Our candidate makes a history mistake and my god, geez...finished, done, over. Two of the hot shots have already dropped out. The next starts taking shots at his own and looks like he will implode. Lot of big talk and big speeches about saving the republic, the constitution, conservativism! Look it is simple. Grow some balls if you do not have them. Stop the whining. Clearly articulate what you believe in. FIGHT BACK! Stop apologizing for conservativism. Mobilize. Confront. Articulate. Expose their lies, their manipulation. Damn it, stop accepting their false premises and living by them.
Occam's Tool| 5.19.11 @ 2:16AM
Why is it that the Democrat can say we have 57 States and get a pass?
wodiej| 5.19.11 @ 8:42AM
Because the media is as stupid as they are.
simon templar| 5.19.11 @ 10:03AM
Because conservatives essentially let them get away with it. George Will is a classic example of American conservativism. When was the last time you saw this guy stick his finger in the eye of one of these liars, manipulators, and fellow talking heads. Never. He is more interested in being nice, proper, stiff, and mannered....intellectual with the passion of a sloth. This is the face of conservativism to most of the public..this is the state approved image. Next time they have one of those panels on the Sunday Review the Week, Meet the State Media shows..watch..watch very closely, less on the content of the exchanges and more on the style, tone, body language, and the quality of responses to accusations, misinformation, and disinformation presented by the lefty wing talking heads. Think about how you might have responded. Think about how Newt responded to being called a racist because he used the phrase, food stamp president. Think about how many missed opportunities to turn this around and blast back with such precision that you actually embarass them and expose their bigotry. Once in a great while you find someone who gets what I am talking about. Two people, West and Breitbart, one politician and one media man, both conservatives, do get it and have that innate ability to take the narrative away from them and the control of the message. Yes, they control the media and a large segment..but this is shrinking fast with the new medias on the horizons. Let me ask you. Have you ever gotten the impression that our guy has gone on one of their shows being fully aware of the BS they pull and has been prepared a response like the one I am talking about and shot that out of the cannon and blown them away? They are so predictable. This is their weakness. We have never exploited it.
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Hook| 5.19.11 @ 4:15AM
Newt should drop out. Anyone with the judgment to undercut Paul Ryan does not have the judgment to be president.
Many years ago when he became speaker he said something that disturbed me. "We will cooperate whenever possible; we will not compromise." He is incredibly smart and has lots of good ideas but lacks judgment and always did. He had no chance anyway. On the other hand he would be good in the debates and would slaughter whoever he debated.
W| 5.19.11 @ 7:02AM
Looks like Pawlenty for P and Bachman for VP
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 5.19.11 @ 8:28AM
Newt is no Lady Gaga.
LarryK| 5.19.11 @ 8:56AM
True, but both make me gag.
wodiej| 5.19.11 @ 8:41AM
Newt is yet another man who let arrogance and ego dictate his actions instead of God. If he had done the opposite, he would not have 3 marriages and the reputation as an adulterer. I would never support someone like that as a leader of anything, let alone President of the US. We can do better.
Palin 2012
Wayne | 5.19.11 @ 11:54AM
I see AS is running a campaign against Newt. I would prefer some genuine discussion about the role of government in Health Care.
Wayne | 5.19.11 @ 6:26PM
Seeing this author's comments about Obama and Israel, now I get it. He is bent on getting Obama re-elected.