Newt Gingrich; Chief Sissy
By Marcus Traianus Posted in Elections — Comments (34) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Apologies in advance for temporarily suspending the no name calling, but it was really neecessary to make a point
Let me make something plain and clear up front. I like Newt Gingrich and I believe he is usually a refreshing voice replete with ideas delivered in a plain spoken manner. But I also like milk, which if left in the sun too long spoils and less resembles it’s former state and is more akin to a stinky, bacteria laden glob. This is where I start the analogy to Newt’s latest statement which is odiferous and inculcated with so many potential explanations it becomes a glob.
As we watch Democrats further sink into the morass of irrelevancy due to their lack of ideas, inability to produce constructive legislation or connect with the greater part of this countries population, one can only wonder what they are thinking. The Iraq War “one trick pony” appears it will be beaten until the poor guy is lame and en route to a glue factory. Ignominious Democrats have insulted arguably one of this countries greatest military leaders (and thus the whole chain of command under him), openly court anti American groups such as MoveOn, Code Pink and the ACLU, threaten our economy with tax increases, obfuscate the Constitution, release classified information to the press, travel to countries of our enemies and speak proudly of socialized healthcare as a primary goal (I think that’s the whole list). They count among their accomplishments a minimum wage increase, which the small population receiving it probably didn’t even get enough to buy a celebratory beer with. That said, I can’t think of much else; but you can try and convince me otherwise.
We gave up our mantle of leaders in the last election by kicking conservatism and other closely held values in the groin. For good measure, we also spent other people’s money lavishly and then went to the rest room when our check came. The result was a foregone conclusion to anyone taking five minutes to consider it; we were blacklisted and sent to rehab.
With that in mind, very few people have earned the right to be critical of our parties’ efforts, past or present, and walk away with credible consideration from the listener. Newt happens to be one since he was a Congressional leader in a time of great accomplishment for our party and remains a reliable fountain of academic and generally well grounded ideas. But whether he cares or not here is my advice; learn when to shut up. Only you know why your latest opinion that “odds are Democrats have an 80 to 20 advantage to win the Presidency was made”. Perhaps it is to light a spark under some folks butts, and that in spite of self destructive Democrat Party behavior there are no sure bets or forgone conclusions. If that's it, then fine; but your getting my flame misdirected on you, not getting me motivated. Now, certainly I am not here to divine your reasoning or deny there is a fight ahead. But you sound like a combination of an elitist, envious, holier than thou, I know better crybaby. If I had the madd skillz to Photoshop you with a rattle and bonnet, I would.
Flame away, Newtnicks.
If I want to see clowns, I will go to the circus. That was my initial thought.
The numbers are not backed up in anything resembling credible analysis or thoughtful opinion.
Look, no doubt we generally agree. But the exaggeration makes me think he might not have been hugged enough as a kid.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
HTML Help Central for Red Staters
Reality: Thompson/Romney Dream: Santorum/Watts.
I am trying to work hard enough this election so he looks like this 
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"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
Inside the beltway punditry. The celebrity class. The US senate. Cable TV.
I'll never forget a Hannity interview with Rudy in which Hannity asked Rudy's reactions to current news. As if opinions and predictions were important. If being right with a guess about a far off event of what one felt about OJ mattered.
I'll also never forget Newt's first weeks and months as speaker. When he held an hours long presser every day to ponificate. His arrogance was twice Bill Clinton's.
I agree with newt on most issues. He is THE BRAIN.
But his agenda is selling books, getting tv show invites basded on his provacativeness, and mostly, selling Newt.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
www.race42008.com
www.hinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"One man with courage makes a majority" - Andrew Jackson
I heard Newt on an hour-long call-in program that he had promised to speak on for the whole hour--and then decided that half an hour was enough when callers started asking him tough questions.
He had more different positions on Iraq in that time than the whole House of Representatives, btw.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
www.race42008.com
www.hinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"One man with courage makes a majority" - Andrew Jackson
Attention Harlot, Newt Gingrich can't believe a continued GOP presence in DC is possible without HIS input.
James Hansen - Scott THomas Beauchamp with a PhD.
and have tended to dislike him on personal grounds ever since. I was in the Radisson Hotel in Amman, Jordan in 1999, I believe, when a cavalcade of official cars led by a large SUV and followed a small sedan rolled up to the hotel, sandwiched by security vehicles. Out of the front SUV stepped Gingrich and out of the sedan stepped hapless Minority Leader Dick Gephardt. There were no other aides or companions in either vehicle.
I assumed at the time that this was payback for the time Bill Clinton had Gingrich exit Air Force One from a rear door shortly before. But I also thought that this was a very petty gesture by Gingrich, unless there is some other possible reason the two had to travel in separate vehicles, one large and one small.
I'd think separate vehicles would be a good security measure.
Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what your country can do for you. Washington Elected Elite
Whenever Newt tends to let emotion be a primary driver or his actions (which does not happen all that often), he tends to go off the track and out of his zone. I suppose he spends so much time thinking about issues and creating policy, that is unfamiliar territory. In those situations, Newt is betrayed by his own inability to intellectually ground his articulation; something I believe is always thought was his strength.
Besides Gephardt probably needed a separate car to fit his big head....Just kidding.
You always have great stories Dave.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
I met dozens of VIPs & famous politicos in the Middle East & in political campaigns, and usually their reputation [i.e., Kissinger as an arrogant a** or GHWB & Reagan as gentlemen] was spot on. Cliches are cliches because they represent the average "truth." Cy Vance was a gentleman, Holbrooke a dork---both Dems. Go figure.
Newt is like any other political analyst, giving his opinion, why would he be branded a sissy or attention getter any more than a Carville? I do believe it is a wake-up call for the GOP to enact real change instead of the same old political games. Hopefully Dems will be overconfident and continue to flap their gums bashing our Generals. Reps could get blind sided by voters because the next election could still be about Bushism. It takes awhile to change the attitudes of the general public to realize Dems are in control and have failed to do anything. I doubt many voters even know Dems control congress. For that reason that I am not real optimistic about 08.
It's time to keep our priorities straight and attack who needs attacking and keep the friendly fire to a minimum.
Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what your country can do for you. Washington Elected Elite
I think the difference is that deep inside, many of us suspect Newt is positioning for entry into the Presidential race.
His 80/20 pronouncement was not helpful from my perspective and made me think only that Newt is only telling the world that the GOP is likely to lose and that the only chance of success is a candidate (unnamed, of course) who will ride in and save us by being completely different than GWB.
I wonder who that could be?
If he wants to run, great, go for it.
Another candidate can hardly increase the comic impact of the current circus of Conservative posers, wishful thinkers, nutjobs and "doing it my way".
I just hope he gets in the race sooner rather than later so those who actually do the grassroots work can start building some enthusiasm and momentum for whomever makes the final cut.
The last thing I want to see is one of the current crop start to gel support and build momentum towards the primaries only to have Newt step in and suck the O2 out of the room. At that point, he probably will not pull the nomination, but he can cut the presumptive candidate off at the knees by distracting the masses.
the sentiments expressed about Newt Gingrich or not, it's part of a larger discussion which ought to be had.
Is it possible for a person to convince himself of infallibility relating to a cause so much so that he cannot hear himself speak?
Is a call for self-restraint okay in the face of counterproductivity?
Nobody is perfect, but why in Heavens name always with such central issues. It comes across as whining, akin to you better listen to me or else we will fail. It detracts from every other good point he makes and Newt makes more than most. This unfortunatelty is superfluous and really hurts the overall party with folks on the margin.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
I know what you are saying. I think he does get frustrated at times because he sees the bigger picture and knows more than most the sense of urgency of our current situation.
I'd give a guy with qualifications and knowledge of history like Newt the benefit of the doubt every single time. He is even much better in person than he is in front of a camera or microphone. I've met him a couple times and he is almost shy in small groups and 1 on 1 conversations.
On TV I can see where people think he sometimes comes across as whiny or maybe condescending. It is really because everything is crystal clear to him, (he's done his homework, especially learning history's lessons) with the context of the big picture and a little "It's so obvious, why doesn't everyone get it?" frustration comes through which can also be interpreted as whiny.
If that is the worst Gingrich can do I kinda like the rest of the 99%. I'll give him a pass anytime.
He addresses 9/11 lessons in the bigger picture context:
http://www.newt.org/backpage.asp?art=4815
American Solutions workshops at the end of Sept. nationwide are the only attempt I see to empower people to make real changes. There is a national workshop live video on the net and on Dish Network then all the thousands of local workshops (volunteers who invite friends, family, neighbors etc..) over to discuss how they can make some changes. You don't see this stuff coming from any political party or any of the Presidential Candidates. In the bigger picture there isn't much difference between both sides of the aisle in that regard. Newt is trying to empower people to get active at every level of government noting there are 511,000 elected officials to be educated by the people, not just our few elected elite in Washington.
Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what your country can do for you. Washington Elected Elite
That's my problem with the guy. A lot of what he does is not helpful. He regularly seems to put his own personal interests ahead of the party. This is just the latest.
---
Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
www.race42008.com
www.hinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"One man with courage makes a majority" - Andrew Jackson
Have you looked into American Solutions event coming up? It's hardly a puff piece and a marketing ploy for Newt. How is that promoting Newt? Who isn't out for themselves anyway?
I hope every candidate is out for themselves. Otherwise if they have no real payoff in running nor will they succeed or maintain enthusiasm and motivation necessary to go the distance.
I just don't see how other candidates are real helpful in giving government back to the citizens. It's the same 'ol Washington for the most part.
A smart candidate will adopt a lot of his Winning the Future and American Solutions stuff.
Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what your country can do for you. Washington Elected Elite
Newt could win me over if he enters the race. That said I fear it is much too late this time around for him.
“It is not the possession of truth, but the success which attends the seeking after it, that enriches the seeker and brings happiness to him.”"-Max Planck
I also think this has been happening a lot lately, and I find myself holding my breath when Newt Gingrich starts to speak and biting my lip as he does.
He's involved in something called "American Solutions for Winning the Future," with workshops and whatnot, and this evidently some great stuff. He's distracting from that work, as well.
Nobody is perfect, but why in Heavens name always with such central issues. It comes across as whining, akin to you better listen to me or else we will fail. It detracts from every other good point he makes and Newt makes more than most. This unfortunatelty is superfluous and really hurts the overall party with folks on the margin.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
Nobody is perfect, but why in Heavens name always with such central issues. It comes across as whining, akin to you better listen to me or else we will fail. It detracts from every other good point he makes and Newt makes more than most. This unfortunatelty is superfluous and really hurts the overall party with folks on the margin.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
And knowing him very well, even he wasn't that pessimistic about the Republican chances in this election. He'd place them closer to 60/40 against, but look:
Whatever Newt's strengths may be as an idea guy for the party, he's still toying with the idea to run for President. The window hasn't closed yet and he's doing a little advertisement for himself, a little pot stirring, to see if anyone is interested in his brand of change.
I thought the interview was yet another feeler/publicity release with a few Newtonian analytical nuggets thrown in just so it didn't seem like a campaign teaser.
In fact I think Newt was trying to be in-your-face provocative with that interview. Especially considering how poorly Fred Thompson's rollout has been received, Newt is looking to see if anyone is biting at his hook.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
www.race42008.com
www.hinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"One man with courage makes a majority" - Andrew Jackson
The point is it takes brass to win. If I have learned anything from the political guys on this site, it is that politics is a contact sport. In fact, I believe we should actually really pay attention to guys like Petraeus.Think he would have given 80-20 odds we would win in Iraq a year ago? I doubt it.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
Given his new found found for the Global Warming hysterics, I found his latest statement of little interest.
But if Republicans and conservatives continue to focus on the horse race for the nominations and the general election (the politcs of politics) and do not get back to conservative principles they will not be re-elected.
All the Republicans jumped at the opportunity to beat up on MoveON.org but not word was said about the failure of the Bush Administration to use the Petraus report to explain to the American people why staying the course in Iraq is important. We heard a lot about the surge but little about the consequences to America is we pull-out.
Has any of the lead candidates convinced the American people that they can handle the immigration mass? Have any of them opined about the need to make sure the death tax dies?
Republican and conservative voters have clearly become fed-up with the Republican Party and if we believe that Hillary will guarantee that they come on election day we will be in for a shock.
favor for President?
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
www.race42008.com
www.hinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"One man with courage makes a majority" - Andrew Jackson
With all his talk of the threat of nuclear/biological attacks and the need to confront Syria and Iran the same way we confronted Iraq (although they may decide to back down), he really seems to be consiously setting himself up as the next Churchill. When there is another catastrophic terrorist attack, Gingrich will be the one politician who has been describing it in detail and has already formulated a plan for dealing with it.
While most of his solution are exceptional, personally I think some rely on wishful thinking. How are we supposed to do a better job of keeping democracies united with America as we war with dictators and Jihadists in Syria, Iraq, Iran, and the Taliban simultaneously? His ideas for rousing public support are excellent, but Bush had 75% support after the fall of Saddam's statue. Would Americans have supported a pre-emptive war against Iraq and Iran(a much larger country with a less erratic past)... at the same time? And fighting Syria at the same time? The only way to know would be if the President had suggested it sometime in 2001 while memories of 9/11 were still fresh.
I still think he would be an excellent chief advisor to the President in a variety of areas, kind of like Karl Rove but more focused on policy and somewhat less on politics. The proven ability to lead government effectively while shrinking it's size that a Giuliani Administration, with a significant contribution by Gingrich, would have would lead to the best government reform since the New Deal.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
www.race42008.com
www.hinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"One man with courage makes a majority" - Andrew Jackson
I truly believe that when looked at historically, it will be easier to see that analogy with clarity. Nobody, has done more to keep us safe then this President. He has never lost sight of that. You may not like everything Mr. Bush has done, but that is a fact. The political acolytes and their ridiculous, misguided nonsense will be a footnote.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
I am a team player, I will gulp very hard and agree. I also agree Newt is done with, the last thing he had was an aura, now that is gone. If nothing else, he was "angling for a run" at the presidency, now I doubt he will even get asked again. Ok, he will but not because anyone cares.
Molon Labe!
I think that Newt might be trying to help the GOP by raising expectations early for Democrats. When they fail to meet them, maybe we'll get energized and rally behind our candidate to beat Comrade Clinton.
That was my thought when I saw that. I could be wrong, though.