-
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
Richard Viguerie is a conservative legend and sage. He speaks for himself.
View all comments (19) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Quin Hillyer
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/03/07/viguerie-calls-on-gingrich-to
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
Anommynous| 3.7.12 @ 1:27PM
I want Gingrich to withdraw, but it's up to Santorum to force him out of the race by winning Alabama and Mississippi.
RJ| 3.7.12 @ 1:49PM
I was very excited about Newt's prospects in December and January. No other politician is as inspiring discussing issues. But then his legendary erratic and undisciplined behavior kicked in when he 1) talked about Congressional subpoenas to judges to explain their rulings; 2) attacked Romney from the left; and 3) brought up Moon colonies. It is hard to see how continuing his campaign at this stage in the race will do anything other than split the conservative race and help Romney win the nomination. We need to avoid the distractions and focus on the central problem of our times - the government has choked the economy and damaged our society by excessive controls, regulations and restrictions. It has become corrupt and dictatorial and serves the politically connected with bailouts, subsidies and regulations, all to the detriment of the general public.
MikeBee| 3.7.12 @ 1:57PM
Absolutely! I wholeheartedly agree. Newt needs to back out, but so does Ron Paul. Paul has been there deliberately to split the conservative vote, and ensure that Romney succeeds. If Paul had not run in Michigan, Santorum would have edged Romney; that is, if the Republican establishment in MI didn't "work it out" that Romey won, anyway.
Mike 3/505| 3.7.12 @ 2:00PM
RJ,
Only one of three of your examples was "erratic," attacking Romney from the left. Newt was spot on about Congressional subpoenas and about a Moon colony funded by the private sector and encouraged by government prizes. Both of those concepts have a basis in history.
Regards,
Mike
RJ| 3.7.12 @ 2:25PM
Hi Mike,
My fundamental concern is that Congressional subpoenas and moon colonies are distractions from the elephant in the room, which the statist media is happy to ignore - an increasingly dictatorial, corrupt government is shutting down the economy and freedom in America.
Newt has a problem staying focused, and we need to be focused like a laser on Obama's failed policies. Why create a media opportunity to talk about something else? I see that as erratic, but understand you don't. OK, it is something reasonable minds can disagree on.
With respect to Congressional subpoenas, I would like to add a few more points to clarify why I raised it. Why is a Presidential candidate raising Congressional subpoenas as a solution? Also, to me, it violates separation of powers and ignores the fact that judicial opinions are published to explain their rulings. Lately, I have enjoyed reading Professor David Currie's The Constitution in Congress series. During the Jefferson administration, judges were being impeached and one of the issues debated in Congress was whether they could compel a judge to attend. They decided that Congress did not have power to compel attendance and that it is up to the judge to decide if he/she wants to attend or not. I would be surprised to learn that the law on that issue has been changed and would expect a similar outcome with respect to subpoenas. Also, are people so happy with Congress that we want they to correct judicial abuse? Imagine what Nancy Pelosi would do with that. No sir, I don't want to go there, even though I agree with Newt that many judicial opinions are outrageous.
Mike 3/505| 3.7.12 @ 2:36PM
RJ,
Thanks for the cordial response. Not a shot at you....but most folks who keep encouraging Newt to "focus," just don't see that he is entirely capable of focusing on a multiplicity of things all at once. Look at his web site. He has seriously thought about every major issue we face. You don't have to agree with his solutions...but he has given them all SERIOUS consideration.
I agree with you on allowing Pelosi et al, control over the courts.
I firmly believe he is the only one left standing that can consistently articulate the serious differences between the Liberals and the rest of America. Romney, Santorum and even Paul are all good men. But IMHO, only Gingrich has what it takes to put out the clear and concise conservative message with real solutions...and he has it all the facts & figures in his head. My only concern is that Obama could refuse to debate him.
Regards,
Mike
RJ| 3.7.12 @ 2:54PM
Hi Mike,
I respect you opinion and views. Newt is very a impressive speaker and his depth of knowledge on so many issues is unmatched. I was inspired by his Renew American Civilization course in 1995.
Obama might very well refuse to debate Newt ("The crisis in Greenland is too great for me to be distracted by partisan politics."), but more likely, Obama's staff will work with the media on the debate questions and the media go 24/7 on how great Obama did.
Best wishes and let the best man win because in November, failure is not an option if we hope to remain free and prosperous.
Mike 3/505| 3.7.12 @ 2:58PM
RJ,
Violently agree with your last sentence.
Regards,
Mike
Dai Alanye | 3.8.12 @ 5:00AM
"Newt... is entirely capable of focusing on a multiplicity of things all at once."
The problem is that the majority of voters is not so capable. The KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid) is in operation during political campaigns, and one of Newt's faults is that it seems he cannot operate on that basis.
Look to Herman Cain's campaign (pre-bimbo) for proof. The man had few definite policies and rarely explained them fully, but carried through on eloquence. For that matter, consider Romney's generally derided fifty-nine point economic plan.
randyinrocklin| 3.7.12 @ 2:44PM
if there is anyone that should withdraw it's Ron Paul!!!!! Not Gingrich!
Evan| 3.7.12 @ 3:23PM
What's the point. Santorum still won't win enough delegates. NEwt could have dropped out after his awful Feb28th showings. Had he then,Santorum surely would have won Ohio,Georgia and possibly Alaska. His hate for Romney oddly enough ended mup helping him.
OLDRAY| 3.7.12 @ 3:48PM
Yes ,it looks like the establishment GOP is going to have it's way with another sure loser to face Obama in November. Romney will be crushed. He is probably a very good person, perhaps a good businessman, but shows no sign of potential greatness that the country needs at this critical period.
Clint| 3.7.12 @ 4:20PM
In January 2008, Viguerie launched http://www.ultimateronpaul.com, a website designed to promote the 2008 presidential candidacy of U.S. Congressman Ron Paul, whom Viguerie described as "truly a principled conservative in the grand tradition of Robert Taft, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan" and who "has differentiated himself from all the other candidates, whose allegiance is to Big Government Republicanism."
aware| 3.7.12 @ 4:39PM
Too many "conservatives" like the bread and circuses.
Oldefarte| 3.7.12 @ 4:46PM
Personally, I think that instead Santorum and Romney should both resign the race and support Gingrich for the nomination [since he's the Reagan conservative with the intelligence, the debating skills, the governmental experience, and the economic/financial knowledge to take on these socialists now running this country and if victorious to successfully administer the government as president. Santorum never has run anything successfully or otherwise in his lifelong senatorial career, and his whole stick is religion, morality and Catholism [which will result in a devastating defeat for Republicans in November]. Santorum couldn't even win his old Pennsayvania senate seat back and lost by what 19%? How in hades can he win the presidency? His nomination would be the gift that keeps on giving to the Democrats in November. Talk about them being able to LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH? Romney is financially/economically qualified to run this country but his liability is his nice guy demeanor and possible inability to adequately debate and call out Obama on the socialistic issues now being implemented. Viguerie is no doubt an intelligent editorialist and theorist but does he have professional experience as a private or public sector administrator in order to offer concrete ideas upon the administratorial job of the presidency [or is he another political hack with a partisaned political motive for supporting Santorum]???????
Dai Alanye | 3.8.12 @ 5:04AM
We can absorb occasional gaffes, but back a man who regularly self-destructs? Doesn't sound like a winning strategy.
Oldefarte| 3.8.12 @ 12:40PM
Well maybe so, but a 'winning strategy' is certainly NOT to back Pennsylvania LOSER-FORMER SENTATOR who could not eve retain his own state elected position previously, and who is nothing but a [although personally an extremely moral and honorable person] one-trick pony candidate which will cause the Republican Party to be unsuccessful in November. Therefore we all [conservatives, moderates, taxpayers, patriots etc] will LOSE by backing a candidate who has no possiblility of ever beating Obama and the current radical elements within the Democratic Party. The Democrats are licking their lips hoping for a Santorum to become the nominee so that they can incite the NOW female radicals etc to their cause and to Obama. They have already sucked in the STUPIDS among us into an unnecessary war over contraception and religion recently. Newt has tremendous baggage but he has the capability [maybe the only candidate who does so] to debate and defeat Obama, and THAT is suposedly what we all want RIGHT??????????????????????????
LorenU| 3.7.12 @ 9:26PM
The reason Newt needs to leave now or after Kansas is that AL and MS have 50% rules. Anyone with more than 50% then the delegates are winner take all. Without Newt, Santorum could gain 80 delegates next week.
Add to that Newt's delegates that he would release to Santorum and Rick could catch Romney by MO.
Oldefarte| 3.8.12 @ 12:42PM
The Rickster is a political LOSER and just ask the voters of Pennsylvania if you doubt this!!!!!!!!