-
Not Just the Media: First Amendment Under Attack
May 22, 2013 | 3 comments
-
Curl is Right: Don’t Dismiss Benghazi
May 22, 2013 | 2 comments
-
Artur Davis Says Scandals Are Real
May 19, 2013 | 3 comments
-
Good New Book: ‘Precipice’
May 19, 2013 | 1 comment
-
A Long Record of Obamite Thuggery
May 16, 2013 | 4 comments
The Spectacle Blog
Gingrich performed better than anybody in the debate, although Michele Bachmann REALLY hurt him among women by fighting back against him repeatedly saying she has her facts wrong (she doesn’t) in a way that sounded like, well, a male chauvinist correcting a “little lady.” And all the other attacks on him on Iowa TV, all well-founded, mean that his campaign is really in at least temporary difficulty overall. The Freddie/Fannie attacks against him really hurt, too, even though he handled it as well as anybody could have. It didn’t matter that he handled it that well, because the facts are so strong that the stench sticks to him.
Bachmann did fine overall. Not well enough to emerge as a major contender again, though.
Romney did very well, as usual.
Perry had his ONLY really solid debate (overall) of the year. But it doesn’t make up for all his earlier problems. I don’t see him re-emerging.
Huntsman again was insufferable.
Ron Paul, on Iran, committed political suicide. It didn’t matter that other than that he was very effective.
Santorum did very well on abortion and on economics. But he still didn’t grab hold of voters’ attention. He has been solid in every debate, but he needed to transcend, in some way, his opponents. He didn’t. I give him a solid B. But his hopes now rest on his hard work and ground game in Iowa; he didn’t emerge tonight as a powerful, charismatic force.
So…. that’s how they all PERFORMED tonight. Who BENEFITTED most, overall, politically, from tonight? Alas, Romney — unless debate follow-up supports Santorum’s attack on him on homosexual marriage and then somehow it stays in the news and sticks. (Talking politically, that is, from as neutral an analyst position as I can muster. NONE of this particular blog post involves my own views on issues.)
Now, watch the Spectator main page tomorrow morning for my column (written BEFORE the debate) predicting the shape of the campaign to come….
View all comments (57) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Quin Hillyer
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/12/15/alas-gingrich-won-but-only-sor
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
H/T to National Review Online
ADVERTISEMENT
Interested Conservative| 12.15.11 @ 11:15PM
Q. How do you tell Rep. Bachmann she's wrong?
Q. How do you tell any woman she's wrong?
Q. How does a man tell any woman she's wrong?
Margie| 12.15.11 @ 11:22PM
You just say it.
Mike 3/505| 12.15.11 @ 11:44PM
Careful guys....Margie is setting you up! Don't say it! Don't say it! :-) Jes funin w/ya Marge!
Regards,
Mike
Margie| 12.15.11 @ 11:51PM
Haha, Mike. Veeerrry funny. :^).
Mike 3/505| 12.15.11 @ 11:57PM
I am very well housebroken....
R,
M
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:03AM
A decent women, a God-fearing woman respects the truth and would not treat her husband like he was a dog in need of housebreaking, dear sir.
Tell your wife to call me, and we'll talk.
LOL.
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:55AM
Dear Mike,
Sorry if that came off as insulting to your wife. This is what happens when joking a little too much.
Perhaps that is why the Bible tells us, "Do not say, I am only joking." Prov. 26:19.
My apologies. :^).
Mike 3/505| 12.16.11 @ 6:07AM
No offense taken whatsoever! I find myself in agreement w/Cain....Americans need to get a sense of humor! The day comes & I can't laugh at myself, time to pack it in!
Warm Regards from the both of us,
Mike & Teresa
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:08PM
Hey, thanks Mike & Teresa~
You both just made my day. The hubby thanks you too, but he's outside right now "decorating" the doghouse with some hay. They say it's a great insulator for the cold weather we get out here in the snowbelt, what with temps dipping into the teens already some nights.
Looks like Poochie will be nice n' cozy! :^)
Warm and coziest regards,
Margie
ps. I still love Herman Cain, and him and his wife are in our prayers. We think he is AWESOME.
Jack in Wi.| 12.16.11 @ 2:16AM
Ron Paul won the debate because he and most americans want nothing to do with a war with Iran after the disaster with Iraq.
beebop2| 12.16.11 @ 5:12AM
Sorry. You can't persuade enough law and order republicans to vote for him. He's just too too.
Margie| 12.15.11 @ 11:28PM
Gingrich didn't hurt himself at all and in fact I thought Bachmann hurt herself and in fact lost my respect because she was not truthful in what she was saying about Newt was a lobbyist instead of a consultant and tried to paint him as a liar, basically.
I despise liars.. and Michele you screwed up and it isn't gonna go unnoticed.
So far, Newt is still the winner. Though I loved how Santorum boldly refuted Ru Paul on Iran. THAT was GREAT!
And I'd still vote for ANY of them, except Paul. EVER.
florin| 12.15.11 @ 11:38PM
She said he didn't have to be a lobbyist literally in order to peddle influence and gingrich was peddling influence and being paid for it..he was insufferable tonight and he always, always treats women shabbily, with disdain. He uses women for his own pleasure and purpose and then dumps them and his disdain for women showed so clearly on his face tonight...he is an insufferable old man and if he thinks that the woman he cheated on one of his wives with will sit in the White House- not going to happen.
Brian| 12.15.11 @ 11:51PM
Your feelings not interesting, and that's all you have - feelings.
Margie| 12.15.11 @ 11:54PM
Yeah, really. Lots of generalizations and baloney. Bachmann also blew it while accusing him of wanting to back Republicans who were for partial birth abortion.
She's clearly trying to look like she's better than him, and it may appeal to SOME in the conservative camp, but not to me.
That is such the typical disingenuous method of destruction, and is NOT kosher in my book.
Dai Alanye | 12.16.11 @ 11:30AM
But how long can we allow The Newt to get away with claiming to act as a historian to Freddie Mac. $30,000 an hour of taxpayer money, according to one analysis. You could get the entire history faculty of a large university for that size payoff.
And did I mention it was TAXPAYER money?
As for Bachmann, she's becoming more desperate and irrational by the week.
Red Phillips | 12.15.11 @ 11:28PM
"Ron Paul, on Iran, committed political suicide. It didn't matter that other than that he was very effective."
Give it a rest Quin. You knew exactly where Ron Paul stood on foreign policy before this debate so enough with the feigned shock and surprise.
Amy| 12.15.11 @ 11:33PM
I am a 25 year old young professional. I think ron paul's foreign policy is fantastic, loved him in the dabate. As do most people I know my age.
Marco2| 12.15.11 @ 11:51PM
Amy, brains like yours gave us BHO. Your grammar would indicate that it's Ronnie's position on illegal drugs that really does it for you. Thankfully, you and your ilk are young enough to serve on the front lines of the results of your ninny politics.
Mike 3/505| 12.15.11 @ 11:47PM
I like Paul's economic ideas. But his foreign policy of moral equivalence between us and other nations is childish...and dangerous.
Regards,
Mike
Mark in LA| 12.16.11 @ 12:37AM
Well Rambo Mike the only two options that will work with Iran are massive unprovoked nuclear strike or massive unprovoked invasion requiring upwards of 500,000 troops.
It's so easy to spout nonsense about "stopping Iran" when all you have to do is bray like a donkey when your trainers command you but what about the real world?
Mike 3/505| 12.16.11 @ 6:11AM
Mark,
There are many more than 2 options when dealing with Iran. As to the real world...the real world says that nations are NOT all equal. Folks who believe they are and act accordingly, end up in wars.
Regards,
Mike
Mark in LA| 12.16.11 @ 4:20PM
Well Mike, FYI - Iran has uranium deposits so doesn't need to import it. The technology is 65 years old and Iran is the second most educated society in the middle east after Israel, Iran has many mountans where untouchable underground facilities can be located such as our NORAD command center in the Rocky mountains. The only people who can stop Iran if they want to build a bomb is Iran, but keep reading those comic books you get your Rambo ideas from.
Dai Alanye | 12.16.11 @ 11:32AM
Mark's knowledge of military-political strategy runs the gamut from A to B.
Clint| 12.15.11 @ 11:52PM
The Neo-Chickenhawk RINO-CINO's Wouldn't Know Real Conservative Foreign Policy If It Jumped Up And Bit Em.
Read George Washington's Farewell Address, Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural Address And The Old Right And Get Back To Us.
" George Will, "Today, we have a very different kind of foreign policy. It’s called Wilsonian. And the premise of the Bush Doctrine is that America must spread democracy, because our national security depends upon it. And America can spread democracy. It knows how. It can engage in national building. This is conservative or not?"
William F. Buckley, " It’s not at all conservative. It’s anything but conservative. It’s not conservative at all, inasmuch as conservatism doesn’t invite unnecessary challenges. It insists on coming to terms with the world as it is …”
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.
Margie| 12.15.11 @ 11:59PM
Ron Paul reminded me of a sad old man who needed to be taken away in a straight-jacket while he was talking blaming America for the world's ills, namely terrorism.
I pity the man.
Clint| 12.16.11 @ 12:10AM
" Ron Paul, the once-forgotten presidential candidate, is picking up steam in Iowa and now appears poised to overtake frontrunner Newt Gingrich, according to a new survey released today from the left-leaning Public Policy Polling.
The poll finds support for Gingrich has slipped to 22%, with Ron Paul just behind with 21%. Mitt Romney trails in third place with 16%.
That's a five-point drop in favorability for Gingrich, who has raced to the top of the Republican presidential field over the past month. PPP found Gingrich's favorability numbers have fallen 19 points over the past week."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.
florin| 12.16.11 @ 8:38AM
Any woman watching gingrich's face while Michelle Bachman was talking will see the utter contempt he has for women, except when he uses them for his pleasure and purposes...he looked at her with such condescension, bordering on contempt...the only woman he doesn't seem to have contempt for is Nancy Pelosi...wonder why?
Dai Alanye | 12.16.11 @ 11:38AM
Bachmann's attacks were deserving of contempt. Newt is a long way from being my favorite, but Michelle is acting downright irrational lately. Her attack on Ron Paul, however, made a great deal more sense.
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:45PM
florin,
Are you for Ron Paul?
Paul McGrath| 12.16.11 @ 12:03AM
The reason Paul hung around as long as he did is because he was flying a bit under the radar. He's unusual! He's got out-of-the-box solutions! And you know what, he's right on domestic policy!
Now that he's doing well, people were a little more focused in, and his comments tonight as they regard foreign policy were as bad as they've ever been. He got booed. He's dead. Dogmeat. See ya.
Gingrich was good and bad. He took some major hits in regard to the Freddie/Fannie deal, and he was not able to extricate himself from this. He also, in too many cases, comes across as condescending. You CAN NOT talk down to your audience. You must engage them sincerely and with logic. You can't treat the moderators--your audience--as if they were some kind of idiot for asking the question. But he was his typically brilliant self in his discussions about the U. N. and foreign policy in general. And his comment comparing and contrasting the Iranian threat to close the Straits of Hormuz with our failure to allow the Canadian pipeline was magnificent. He will have to use this against Obama. It is a killer. A knife to the heart.
Romney was excellent. He has not been bad, but tonight he was as good as he's been. Maybe better. He had an answer for everything: this guy knows his stuff. I will not be unhappy if he is the nominee. To my fellow conservatives: he is NOT George W.
Bachmann was as good as she's ever been. She is also well informed and she is tough. But there were a couple of times it was obvious she was caught a bit unprepared. She came up with kind of a canned, Cain-like response, on a couple of occasions. She's best when she attacks Obama. She is on shaky ground when she attacks her Republican opponents. She is not in the league of Romney or Newt.
The problem with Santorum and Perry--as good as they would be--is that they come across as consumnate politicians. The smiles, the well-groomed looks, the I-did-that-before-anybody-else mentality. They both remind me of my fraternity president in college. Yeah, he looked good and he talked the talk, and everybody kind of liked him, but he never got smashed-drunk, he never smoked any dope, he didn't listen to wild music, and he always had a perfect little girlfriend who loved him. He might have liked us, in a way, but there were some of us that he could never, ever understand. Weirdly, I do not feel that way about Romney.
I'm starting to like Huntsman more and more, but he killed himself early on with his complete acceptance of global warming, and all its political ramifications.
It looks like it's going to be Newt or Romney and I will be happy with either one.
Dustin| 12.16.11 @ 12:25AM
"Weirdly, I do not feel that way about Romney."
That is kinda weird.
I think Romney's been attacked (justifiably and righteously) so the veneer is off a bit and the Ken Doll thing no longer is what we see.
But I think that's only for folks who really follow politics. I think Romney still comes across as extremely fake to most people (and I think he is quite damn fake).
I also don't mind Huntsman except when I'm actually watching him. his record is better than most of the other candidates.
I like Perry a great deal, but I don't really put a lot of stock into how people come across in debates, and I have to admit I think your take is pretty normal.
Mark in LA| 12.16.11 @ 12:45AM
Sorry Paul but the neocon Israel firster's are losing control of the American public. In the general election barking about Iran will carry much less weight than with these AIPAC bought and paid for Republicans. Ron Paul's foreign policy is the only one that will get cross over voters. The Republican Party has to decide on Paul or Obama. The others can't beat him. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Obama gets a woody when he sees Gingrich campaign posters.
Ryan| 12.16.11 @ 8:47AM
Bachmann has too many factual gaffes in her past to catch up. Shots causing retardation, anyone?
Clint| 12.16.11 @ 12:06AM
Margie's The RINO-CINO Who Said She Will Vote For The Ruling Elite's RINO-CINO Frontman, Mittens Romney.
We Are Being Set Up By The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges.
These Are The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges Who Gave Us The Serial Traitor To Conservatism, John McCain Of McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy,McCain-Lieberman,Gang Of 14, Opposing Bush Tax Cuts Of 2001 & 2003,TARP.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:22AM
Duhhhh. Clint is the type of person who gave us Obama the first time, and he will help to re-elect him again because his cult leader won't get the nomination.
Like last time, he will write in his brother-in-law on the ballot rather than vote for the Republican nominee if it isn't his man.
And the only Rebellion you're part of is the one against God, and it is reflected in your political as well as your Religious Idolatry~ that of idolizing men and not God.
Dustin| 12.16.11 @ 12:28AM
Nicely said.
I like a robust debate in the primary, and I think conservatives should vote for a real conservative (like Rick Perry).
But in the general election, we need to get serious about beating Obama.
I can't stand Romney. the dude is indeed a progressive and he's going to be Nixonian on policy (though probably much more ethical) and this would be a long term disaster for this country. But that's better than Obama.
The country needs a conservative government in a bad way, and that's why I want us to beat Romney now. We can't do that with 'I'll take my ball and go home arguments' because everyone listening realizes this is not a smart way to handle Obama.
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:45AM
Thanks, Dustin.
I agree about Romney, and I don't trust him. And I still do not believe Ron Paul has a chance, I don't care what the polls say.
That said if Romney does become the nominee. I'll vote for him, too. I am praying though that won't be the case. My fave was Herman Cain, but they destroyed the man with false accusations.. and these liars will pay the price for doing that~ in Eternity.
I never thought Newt would rise to the top, because so many conservatives can't stand him for many and various reasons, some of which I agree with too. But overall he is far better than ANY Democrat, and is at least in his right mind, unlike Ron Paul.
I agree with you about Rick Perry as far as voting for him goes, I don't know him well enough to say he's a real conservative, but I don't see him as any worse or any better than the rest of them~ except again, Ron Paul.
Each one has his foibles and nobody's perfect, but any of them would be better than Obama, except Ron Paul who would actually be like re-electing Obama if you ask me.
I mean, think about who he'd have in his admin, and I've said this before~ Dennis Kucinich?
He's in agreement with the Left on too many issues, I don't care that he may be "fiscally conservative", which I don't buy anyway. And even if he were, his insanity in blaming "America First" cancels out everything else in my book.
He's the only candidate that I might consider staying home on election night if he became the nominee. Not because I "don't like him", but because I think he's actually dangerous for the country.
There's still time for the others besides Newt to pull forward~ so we'll see.
Ryan| 12.16.11 @ 8:50AM
If Paul is the most conservative on anything, it's fiscal matters, and precisely the reason I may vote for him. He's been more than consistent in Congress on fiscal issues, even calling out the Fed several times.
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:45PM
Well, that doesn't surprise me, Ryan. You've often been on the wrong side of the truth. You're saying you'd vote with a lunatic makes perfect sense.
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:50AM
I forgot to mention~ I think Rick Santorum would make a good President too. I just ddid not appreciate that he jumped on the bandwagon and trashed Herman Cain, saying Herman Cain was pro-abortion when he isn't. He lost my respect for that. along with many so-called conservatives that jumped on that bandwagon along with him.
But he's right on most issues, so he'd get my vote.
Same with Michele Bachmann~ though I hated what she did towards Newt which I thought was extremely unfair and misrepresented his character to the hilt, she'd still get my vote because she's also right on most issues.
In fact, I'm not sure there are any issues I'm not in agreement with them on.
Nite.
Nancy in NC| 12.16.11 @ 7:17AM
Newt has character??
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:28PM
Nancy, I know you think you're so much better than the rest of us, and you despise Newt Gingrich because he's a sinner and you aren't, but some us us actually have the capability to realize that no candidate is perfect.
And the way I wrote it was concerning the issue she was attempting to trash him about, so yes, that's my opinion.
florin| 12.16.11 @ 8:42AM
Margie...how can you say that Michelle Bachmann misrepresented gingrich's character to the hilt??? She didn't even touch the surface of his self-absorbed, dysfunctional character...the man thinks he is a god, that he is going to save the universe...he writes notes to himself about that and also writes notes to himself about smiling, trying to look a little softer..etc...he is a sham...he tries to appear to be what he is not and hides his true self as best he can. He says he is trying to 'control' himself during the primaries. How long do you really think he will be able to hold himself in check??? And as for his pledge not to commit adultery anymore...really! A man who could not, would not, keep his vows to his wives is going to keep a pledge not to commit adultery any more? I don't think so...and it's shameful and bizarre that he even needs to refrain from his infidelities - he has no core moral principles except to himself and his own grandiose desires...just wait and see!
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:40PM
I thought she did on those specific things and if I am wrong then I will ask God to forgive me, ok?
I just don't happen to agree with your assessment as to Newt's pretending et al.
He wasn't my first or even second or third choice for President, but I'll take him over Obama any day, foibles and all. I'll take any of them, except Ron Paul.
There's still time though, and we don't know who may pull ahead.
Clint| 12.16.11 @ 8:34AM
Uh Oh !
American Spectator's Resident Fanatic Maniac Anti-Catholic Israel Firster Joisey White Trash Bigot,Margie Attempts Another Of Her Anti-Catholic Hissy Fit Remark.
You're The RINO-CINO Israel Firster,Who Says,You'll Vote For The Serial Traitor To Conservatism RINO-CINO Frontman Mittens Romney And Who Voted For The Serial Traitor To Conservatism, John McCain.
We Are Being Set Up By The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges.
These Are The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges Who Gave Us The Serial Traitor To Conservatism, John McCain Of McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy,McCain-Lieberman,Gang Of 14, Opposing Bush Tax Cuts Of 2001 & 2003,TARP.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:41PM
The only person you're "being set up" by~ is yourself.
And the only Rebellion you're part of~ is the one against God.
William R| 12.16.11 @ 12:51AM
Dream on Hillyer!!! The American people are fed up with these NeoCon wars. We don't want a war with Iran. We want our troops home. You're out of touch. Americans are worried about their jobs, not Iran.
Red Phillips | 12.16.11 @ 12:56AM
In a 2009 article for the Brown Journal of World Affairs, national security analyst Andrew Grotto probed the question "Is Iran a Martyr State?" and found that such claims are unsupported by anything like evidence, but rather have achieved the status of conventional wisdom simply by repetition."The martyr state view rests on bold, even radical claims about Iran's goals and behavior that defy conventional expectations of states' actions," wrote Grotto, "but no government in recorded history has willfully pursued policies it knows will proximately cause its own destruction."
"Given the novelty of the martyr state argument," Grotto continued, "and how unequivocally its proponents present it, one would expect to encounter an avalanche of credible evidence. Yet that is not the case." Finding both that "references are scarce in this line of writings, and certain references are cited with striking regularity," Grotto determined that the "martyr state" view essentially rests upon a few neoconservative op-eds and a report by a right-wing Israeli think tank, whose claims have been bounced endlessly around the internet.
http://mideast.foreignpolicy.c.....state_myth
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:59AM
Duh. Who WANTS a war with Iran.
You Paul-bots remind me of those Leftists that say "We're for clean air and clean water, you guys aren't!"
Who ISN'T for clean air and water?
And who is FOR war? Please quit with the ridiculous accusations. If anybody's out of touch on this, it's you guys.
William R| 12.16.11 @ 10:33AM
You're still dumber than a load of bricks.
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:22PM
And you Paul-bots are soooo intelligent. What with your blame America First state of minds, we can all look to you guys for the future of our country, right?
NOT!
Kingofthenet| 12.16.11 @ 1:54AM
I didn't hear Ron Paul being 'Soft', he just doesn't believe the way we are doing things is working out, and I agree. Wars cost Billions and lives, Sanctions cause anger and proxy battles, why not try something NEW? Oh yeah because Iran is Bad and run by a nut who says bad stuff about Israel. Guess who else makes practically WEEKLY threats not only to our allies but our soldiers stationed there? North Korea a week doesn't go by that they don't say they will wipe South Korea away in 'seas of Nuclear Fire' Any suggestion to deal with them from these Chickenhawk Leaders?
Chrslea| 12.16.11 @ 7:46AM
Quin, I disagree about your assessment of the attacks from Michelle on Newt. Michelle is obviously a smart tenacious woman. Her arguements were grasping at straws. I didn't think he sounded at all condescending. He sounded a bit frustrated with her ridicuous assertions. They may be technically accurate but they extrapolate his comments to a point that was obviously unintended. I for one love that Gingerich is not pandering. He treats her just like an other opponent and she gets no "special" treatment for being a woman. Good for him. That's the farthest thing from being a chauvinist.
Margie| 12.16.11 @ 12:43PM
You said it better than I could, I agree.
James| 12.16.11 @ 9:45PM
Do any of you support Gingrich for the nominee?
Johnny| 12.17.11 @ 5:32AM
What debate were you watching? During the debate, Gingrich showed he is a Fascist with his advocacy of the Affordable Housing/GSE. Romney stated that he voted on gun control after being visited by the gun Lobby, not his principles or the Constitution. These two Socialized Medicine-loving, Bailout champions CAN'T beat Obama for the same reasons McCain couldn't. Yikes.