Newt Gingrich Is Coming On in Florida

[oberliner]

Once written off in the contest for the Republican presidential nomination, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich is starting to focus on Florida as his campaign finds new life in the fluid race to see who emerges to challenge President Barack Obama in 2012.

After a series of strong debate performances -- and stumbles by some of his primary rivals -- Gingrich has found his footing after a poor start to his presidential bid.

Michael Krull, Gingrich’s campaign manager, sent out an email to supporters on Wednesday, pointing to a We Ask America poll of Iowa, which holds the first caucus. The poll, which was released on Monday, showed businessman Herman Cain in front of the pack in the Hawkeye State with 22 percent. Gingrich placed second with 18 percent -- ahead of former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts who placed third with 15 percent.

http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/newt-gingrich-coming-florida

Gingrich showing signs of life

If Newt Gingrich is banking on a "slow and steady wins the primary" strategy, people are starting to notice. Multiple blogs and newspapers ran long pieces yesterday highlighting Gingrich's growing support in national polls.

New Hampshire Republican voters in a recent poll conducted by the Huffington Post and Patch.com ranked Gingrich second behind former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney on ability to fix the economy, but tops on foreign policy, repealing President Obama's health care law and addressing illegal immigration.

http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/291377/gingrich-showing-signs-of-life?CSAuthResp=1320925091%3Ab4rmbog4795gj4nds6ng36os50%3ACSUserId|CSGroupId%3Aapproved%3ACBC22C46FC83E0CBBE5651FEC4F2CAEB&CSUserId=94&CSGroupId=1

Beware of Newt, folks - he is going to be the anti-Romney, and a lot of Republicans don't like Romney (including the loud, shrill, and well-heeded voices of the RW radio hosts).

[no_hypocrisy]

1. In 2008 Giuliani put all his money and attention in Florida.

How'd that work out?

[oberliner]

2. Very different election

Although you do raise an interesting point.

A non-Romney option would have to emerge in Iowa, New Hampshire, or South Carolina.

I think Newt could be that person.

[Douglas Carpenter]

3. if Palin, Perry, Bachmann are out and Cain was never really in. Gingrich has my support for the GOP

nomination. Although defeating him in the general election would not be the slam dunk that Palin, Bachmann or Cain would be. He would probably be less viable then Perry and obviously less viable than Romney. Although he comes off as smart - he really cannot hide the reality that he is simply a very nasty person. Ronald Reagan was viable not because his ideas were popular. They were not. He was viable in large part because lots of people actually saw him as warm, charming and personable. However fake it may have been, George W. Bush was fairly successfully sold as a back slapping ordinary guy especially when compared with the sometimes wooden public persona of Al Gore and the widely perceived elitism of John Kerry. Newt absolutely radiates arrogance and elitism and is about as warm and cuddly as a tarantula and has history to back up that image. Although he does seem to have a bit more pragmatism than the rest of the crazies. He did correctly suggest that Paul Ryan's tax plan and push to privatize medicare would not sell and that the repeal of Glass Steagall was probably a mistake.

I agree that Gingrich's chances for the GOP nomination are looking up. In fact way back in the beginning I thought he would be a leading contender until he appeared to flame out with his public criticism of Paul Ryan's plans. But in the bigger picture that might actually help him. If we remember way back to 2008 McCain was originally thought to be a leading contender. Then he fell badly as stories of the collapse of his organization surfaced. Then after Iowa he came on strong and won enough primaries and caucuses to secure the nomination. Furthermore, I think the the collective thinking of the media has never really taken Cain seriously as an actual potential nominee and has already counted out Perry and Bachmann while finding Romney just too boring. I expect we may very well see a bit of a media circus around Newt especially if he does well in Iowa.

Still I do not believe he can win nationally in a general election. He is simply too transparent. I hope for the sake of the human race that I am not being over confident on this.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. He Will Never Win With His Dissolute Personal Life

.

[oberliner]

7. Is that really a dealbreaker for most voters?

I get the sense that it is not.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. Three Wives

Marrying your secretary. Divorcing your wife while she is the hospital recovering from cancer.

Let's see...

[former9thward]

I don't know about the GOP primary but voters in General elections

have shown they don't care about that stuff. Clinton had it far worse ("the bimbo eruption") in 1992 and he did just fine.

[oberliner]

16. Similar to Rudy G

I wonder how he would've fared.

[Douglas Carpenter]

10. not in a general election. For the GOP nomination - given the other choices

he remains quite viable. The right-wing would be quite capable of rationalizing away his personal stuff. Fundamentalist might normally have some problems with his personal life. But a bad Christian is still better than a good Mormon.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

12. Plus He Is Not Likeable

He does not pass the beer test.

[oberliner]

17. Which Republican candidate is likeable?

Do the Mormon candidates even drink beer?

[CBHagman]

53. Ah, but Gingrich is in a class by himself.

It's the tone of voice, the general air of condescension, the open contempt for other people, the irritating verbal habits (overusing very, for instance), plus his complicated personal history. I mean, this is a guy who changed the pronunciation of his name to fit the voters, who has a record of multiple infidelities and divorces, even while his GOP-run House impeached Clinton.

I find most (but not all) of the Republican hopefuls irritating, mean-spirited, and obnoxious, but Gingrich really couldn't swing appealing to a broad swath of the electorate. He makes Dubya look like Cary Grant!

[oberliner]

54. Changed the pronunciation of his name to fit the voters?

I hadn't heard that one - what's that all about?

[CBHagman]

61. I heard about it in a news story about his half-sister.

Candace Gingrich and the rest of the family pronounce their surname "Ging-rick" instead of "Ging-rich." When Newt Gingrich began his political career, constituents tended to use the latter pronunciation and he's kept using it.

[oberliner]

8. Really thoughtful analysis

Makes a lot of sense.

[WI_DEM]

4. where does it say anything about Florida? only poll cited is Iowa.

[oberliner]

6. The Florida poll is cited in the first article

Here is the relevant excerpt:

A poll released on Wednesday from Rasmussen Reports found that Gingrich was making strides in the Sunshine State. Despite allegations of sexual harassment, Cain continues to lead in the Sunshine State with 30 percent. Romney stands in second with 24 percent. Gingrich comes in third place with 19 percent, his best showing in a Florida poll to date. None of the other candidates in the race breaks double digits.

[ancianita]

11. He Should Be Asked His Views On Voter ID

Especially in a state full of active voter suppression and ex-convicts who should have their democratic voting rights returned.

[Yavin4]

13. Newt Gingrich in the Florida Humidity.

Put that image in your head for a minute.

[win_in_06]

68. Well, he's from Georgia.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

14. Beware of what? I'd take that fat docuhe over Romney as the nominee any day. As a matter of

fact. Good luck to him on the primaries. I mean it.

[oberliner]

18. I think he would present a more formidable challenge than Mitt

In fact, I think Mitt has zero chance of beating Obama.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

20. I think it's totally the opposite. Plus Romney has Reagan hair. Which is an automatic 20% of the

vote.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

21. PLUS ONE

I will rate them (from hardest to easiest to beat)

1) Romney

2) Huntsman

It will becomes an exercise in futility/absurdity after this.

3) Perry

4) Gingrich

5) Santorum

6) Cain

7) Bachmann

8) Paul

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

22. Self Edit: Sorry, never mind. What I meant to say is Gropey could be at the bottom of that list. At

least Paul's crazy ass can fake populism.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

23. I Really Should Flip One And Two

.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

24. Oh wait my bad. I had a mental fart. You have it right.. I meant to say the opposite. Gropey would

be right at the bottom.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

25. What's His Campaign Slogan

"You can have your pizza with or without sausage."

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

27. Now picture that slogan with this photo and some 70s music:

[oberliner]

29. Creepy photo under the circumstances

Under any circumstances really.

[oberliner]

28. Romney's Mormonism would sink him

Too many voters would automatically disqualify him on that basis alone (and Hunstman for that matter).

I think of that list only Newt could even give Obama and run for his money.

Personally, I think Obama beats any and all of them with ease.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

32. People Overstimate The Problems Romney's Mormonism Represents

An anecdote.

I have a friend, who I have known since I was fifteen and he was already a grown up minister. He is a fundamentalist, independent Baptist. His church left the Southern Baptist Convention because it was too liberal! One time we were watching tv and Glen Beck was on. My friend said "he has some good ideas for a Mormon."

They will certainly vote for the Mormon over the (IN THEIR EYES) crypto-Muslim socialist.

[oberliner]

26. I think you underestimate the number of people who will not vote for a Mormon

Poll: One In Five Say They Wouldn’t Vote For A Mormon Prez Candidate

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/poll-one-in-five-say-they-wouldnt-vote-for-a-mormon-prez-candidate.php

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

31. But see. I think you over estimate it. I know that's what they say now. I guarantee

that the evangelicals and assorted nuts will fall in line. Then "so called" independents can be sold an anything. If the economy is still in the toilet and you add all that "Citizens united" money they'll pour on Romney. He has a better chance than an unlikeable unethical assclown, who looks like he could drop dead tomorrow. Especially when juxtaposed against a young vital candidate like Obama. (I'm not saying Romney's likeable but with the right software implant he might be able to fake it)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

33. Newt Fails The Beer Test

At least you could imagine having a beer with Romney to see if he loosens up.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

34. If he gets an emotion chip like that dude in Star Trek. I'm sure he could come close at least. nt

[oberliner]

39. Mitt Romney does not drink alcohol of any kind

He will not be having a beer with anyone.

[Douglas Carpenter]

30. polls show Obama running pretty much even with the "Generic Republican" and Mitt personifies the

Generic Republican. I think he is the most formidable of the candidates. He is not exactly warm and charming like Reagan was perceived or an ordinary guy like George W. was perceived. But he is not distinctly dislikable nor radiate arrogance and elitism like Newt. He kind of reminds me of a typical life insurance salesman. I do think he would have problems igniting the base. As we all know, when elections are close having a base of enthusiastic foot soldiers are very important to call people on the phone, drive people to the polls and basically transfer their enthusiasm into action on election day. In that regard Mitt would have a problem.

Normally speaking the Republicans should almost have this in the bag. No incumbent President has won reelection with the unemployment rate as high as it is now in more than 70 years. But other factors have come into play. The radically right-wing foot soldiers of today's Republican Party requires a litmus test to win their support that alienates the general population. Furthermore, there is a upsurge of left leaning populism that we have not seen in more than thirty years. Furthermore there appears to be a sea change in how people view the role of government. There appears to be a reversal of the popular sentiments that were so manifest in 1980 and over the most of the past 30 years when regulation, higher taxes and more state intervention were out and private sector initiatives, less regulation and lower taxes were in. Now the trend in popular and even academic thought appears to have shifted in favor of more regulation, higher taxes and more government intervention. This can only favor the Democrats.

Still all in all since Mitt has less glaring liabilities than the other GOP candidates and he is the generic Republican - I think he would be the most formidable. Although I doubt he would win. But I still think his chances would be better than any of the others.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

36. Do You Think A Romney Nomination Might Provoke A Serious Third Party Challenge From The Dead Enders?

.

[Douglas Carpenter]

37. I really doubt it. The Republicans tend to fall in line more than Democrats.

Plus the logistics of putting together a viable third-party challenge - getting on the ballot, raising hundreds of millions of dollars, putting together an organization capable of pulling off an affective ground plan - all in a very short period of time - I don't think it can be done.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

38. John Anderson Did It. George Wallace Did It

I mention those two and not Perot because they weren't self funded.

Romney "ain't" winning if seven to fourteen percent of right wing support is pealed away.

And, yeah, I know Anderson wasn't a right winger...

[oberliner]

44. Totally disagree with that

John Anderson, as mentioned - Pat Buchanan flirted with the idea for quite some time and fought to the bitter end. I can definitely see someone emerging as third party.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

48. Buchanan Ran In 2000 As An Indy And Embarrassed Himself

But there wasn't a major schism on the right then.

[oberliner]

40. I think his Mormonism is a glaring liability

I know that others disagree with me on this, but the numbers seem pretty high.

Also, the RW talk show people (Limbaugh, Hannity, etc) really don't like him.

[Douglas Carpenter]

51. the Mormonism factor is a somewhat unknown quantity

As we see with this poll, among Independents and Republicans the prospects of a Mormon President seems to elicit only somewhat more discomfort than electing an Evangelical President which as we know has happened before. It is hard to say how much attention will be drawn to Mormon beliefs should Romney secure the Republican nomination. I would guess that if more of the religious public realized the extent to which Mormon teachings departs from traditional conservative Christian teachings especially with the Mormon belief in the existence of a multitude of gods - the discomfort factor might increase. But it is hard to say if Mormon teachings will become a major point of discussion or not. I would guess that most conservative Evangelical Republicans will put Mormon theology aside and back the one more supportive of their social agenda. But it might have some effect and a difference of even a few percentage points can make the difference between winning and losing. I agree that the Mormon factor would have a negative impact on the Romney campaign in a general election. But we don't know to what extent.

[southernyankeebelle]

15. He won't win in the general because he is way to mean and he started all

this non cooperation in the first place.

[oberliner]

19. Who do you see as the biggest threat to Obama winning in the general?

None of the other candidates really worry me at all.

[Nancy Waterman]

35. He is a bloviating buffoon!

When he talks, it may initially sound intelligent, until you try and figure
out what he is saying, which is mostly incomprehensible. It is hard to imagine the
right wing appreciating his pomposity.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

41. I think you and other posters make good points both pro and con. One thing

that many of us could agree on. Is that even though it's not going to be a cake walk next year. It helps that the opposition has put forth the biggest collection of assholes to run in a presidential primary. So every little thing helps.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

42. I Think The Pugs Have Literally Snatched Defeat Out Of The Jaws Of Victory

If everything was the same but a R was in the White House I couldn't imagine not getting it back. Because the most electable R can't get past the Republican gauntlet gives me hope

[oberliner]

45. I was somewhat worried about Chris Christie

I thought he had the best shot - was very pleased when he decided not to run.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

46. Although I never got the collective corporate media whacking it at the mere mention of his name.

I did think that his whole "Heyyy! I got yer big govmint right heeere!" shtick might appeal to some so called independents.

[CBHagman]

65. Thanks for your assessment...

...as well as the biggest laugh of the day! Regarding the collection, that is. :rofl:

And I agree with you that every little thing helps.

One thing too we must not underestimate is the GOP's tendency to put a lot of effort into defining the image of the Democratic candidate via talking points, advertising, etc., and seeing to it that the bulk of the media obediently falls in line. They pulled it off with Gore, big time, and succeeded with Kerry. People tend to forget that the morning after the election in 2004, a winner hadn't yet been announced, though we knew it was going to Dubya. I still think it's remarkable that happened during two wars and without the economic meltdown having happened. The media always wildly exaggerates the percentage of the electorate that identifies itself as or leans toward GOP/conservative.

[Obamakarma]

43. Gingrich's Achilles Heal is Laziness

Gingrich's Achilles heal is laziness. As soon as he has anyone's attention he stops filtering himself and then his mouth turns into a gaffe machine once again. It's basically a form of intellectual laziness. Watch for it once he is back in the limelight, which seems very possible now that almost all the other anti-Mitts are in freefall.

The Florida strategy is an example of lazy Newt. If you don't want to do the hard work of retail politics on the ground in small states like Iowa and New Hampshire, then convince yourself that you will capture the whole thing in Florida. Stay there and enjoy the sunshine for a while, issuing press releases, and the whole race will eventually come to you.

This was the logic that Giuliani convinced himself of in '08. It is seductive only to someone who wants to avoid the grind. Watch Newt follow him down the same tubes.

[beac]

55. I don't think Newtie really wants to be POTUS.

"Running" for president is (by his own admission) a great way to sell more books and continue the easy life of a author/pundit/rich jackass.

Plus, Calista's expiration date is probably approaching and he couldn't move on to Mrs. Gingrich 4.0 until 2016 if he was in the White House.





ETA: And WELCOME to DU! :hi:

[LongTomH]

47. Fools! I warned you! I warned you!

Newt the Impaler has risen from the grave.......again!



People underestimated Dracula too! "The strength of the vampire is that no one believes in him." -- Dr. van Helsing

Could Newtula win in the general election? When was the last time the GOP won in a FAIR election?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

49. Newt Is A Man Of Destiny

He is destined never to be president.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

50. The Republican Party deserves to be Newtered

And the Newterizer is up to the task.

[quaker bill]

52. At least a Gingrich v Obama debate

will be interesting

[DemocratSinceBirth]

56. He Has Al Gore's Debating Style

On substance Gore wiped the floor for Bush* but lost points for pedantry and condescension.

[quaker bill]

66. True but

Al Gore, while a pretty good candidate (I worked for Gore in FL) has neither the command of language or political sense of Barack Obama. Gingrich is far brighter than Bush*. He has been a history proffessor-lecturer for years. While I will disagree with every syllable of what he is saying, he can do it without seeming like an idiot. Bush* couldn't do anything without seeming just like an idiot.

Obama is far better than Gore at putting large concepts in plain language without gimmicks or losing substance. His political skills are an order of magnitude better than Gore and Kerry added together. Obama knew to bypass the Democratic Party of FL and set up his own operation from scratch. The Dem party of FL could not find its own voters at a party convention.

[totodeinhere]

57. Gingrich is evil but he is smart. He is not a bumbling idiot like Perry is.

I think he has a good shot at the nomination. All of the anti Romney forces might eventually coalesce around him. I would rate Obama as a favorite to beat him but as they say anything is possible in politics.

[yellowcanine]

58. Oh crap. I thought it said 'Newt is "coming out" in Florida.' Whew!

Glad I was wrong. Not that I don't want everyone to be all that they can be, I just would not want Newt to be gay.

[Rambis]

59. Gummers for Gingrich does have a ring to it

:evilgrin:

[Jakes Progress]

60. newt will be the republican candidate.

All the dish on him is old news, and this slime is willing to be anything to anyone for any reason. He will say anything. He is a hypocrite. He has no moral center. He will lie with a straight face.

So he has all the qualifications to lead the republican party.

[Crunchy Frog]

62. Coming on to whom? Is there yet another new marriage in the works?

Or just another adulterous affair?

[blue neen]

64. My thoughts exactly!

:thumbsup:

[BiggJawn]

63. And the slimey little cold-blooded creature will have his turn as flavour of the week...

And another bites the dust!
Maybe by the convention they'll be down to John Huntsman and the Libertard.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

67. Republican families are flocking to Newtism

Red-blooded Republican families are becoming practicing Newtists. Florida's Newt beaches will be overrun. Gingrich is proudly parading his Newtity in all its glory as Republicans cheer him on. He's Newt and they love it.