CNBC Debate: Newt’s Big Night
by Alexander MarlowMitt Romney continues to display competence and confidence, but his rhetoric doesn’t soar and the base is inherently skeptical of his record, so he hasn’t quite put this thing away.
Last time I wrote about these debates, I said the vaudeville cane should have dragged Perry away, and his cerebral flatulence tonight proved me right. His inability to remember the three federal departments he would cut was easily the most awkward moment of the primary season thus far. The “SNL” staff writers are eternally grateful, I’m sure.
Herman Cain has planted his—to quote Perry—big ole flag with 9-9-9, and he’s going to sink or swim with it. In what seemed to be a heavily coached performance, Cain pivoted nearly every answer to the merits of his proposed tax plan. Cain has been arguably the most articulate candidate on the stage when it comes to having an inspirational vision for America’s future in the context of its past, and it’s beyond me why he would rather singularly focus on a specific policy (which may not pass, let alone work) than on that vision. Thankfully, it looks as though this debate will mark the moment where America began to move on from the sexual harassment claims leveled against Cain. That is, of course, unless more details emerge or another accuser steps forward…
But the winner of the debate was Newt. I mentioned last time that he’s my sleeper pick to challenge Romney, and he did a lot to improve his chances tonight.
He has a knack for keeping the problems in front of him—he has a clear and creative response to any challenge that floats his way (that doesn’t include the word “Tiffany’s” in it). His unremitting skepticism of the media is beyond refreshing and a Newt Gingrich candidacy would go a long way to fight the left-wing smear that the GOP is anti-intellectual.
When it comes to media criticism, some of the other candidates have begun to take Newt’s lead. At least a half a dozen times the candidates had the CNBC moderators on the defensive, and that should make those of us who fight the rampant and malignant liberal bias in the mainstream media very, very pleased.
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92 Comments
is
everyones
comments
pushed
over
to
the
left?
Yeah….. sort of like Rick Perry's chances of winning….
Yes. To the left! On a Right Wing Site!
But back to the topic. More and more, I'm thinking Newt might be the man in 2012. Gingrich/Cain anyone?
I like it. Romney is going to be a thorn in our political a$$ though.
America would vote for its favorite rock at this point.
I'm still with Cain but Newt is right there with him. I wish Romney's hair would just go away and take the other RINO Perry with him.
I think you are correct! Cain may still pull away from the scandal. In the end, anyone but Obama and Romney! It's also time to thin that on stage herd.
Newt cannot win. Cabinet member, yes. His style will come out too bullish and arrogant in the debate.
Oh No, The AB site is infected with LEFTISM, quick someone put our thoughts back to center right.
Gingrich is a tired old establishment man, who knows what to say and when to say it.
And if any of us are concerned about character…Newt has quite the past.
Don't forget too…Newt is the one who recently called Paul Ryan's budget plan "right wing social engineering"…
Oh yeah, then there's the whole resigning from Speaker of the House with a $300,000 fine. Uhmm yeah.
Sgt. Rock?
He's fictional like Obama, but he loves America.
If this continues to be pushed to the left, it’s an object lesson about the incomprehensibly of the same.
None of these people can beat Obama. As a news article pointed out ( http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/3/lo...
Nixon was in the same position and then won in a landslide because the Democratic nominee was such a loser.
Breitbart……..PLEASE fix the post format.
Not a Newt fan…he is a reed that bends with the wind. His stance on global warming concerns me…and I am afraid he will be the next McCain in both election results and being a Progressive Light….so go ahead and zero me out.
A Newt Cain ticket might just work.
I have always liked Newt as a statesman. He is the only candidate that I would vote for without hesitation.
Newt, whether you like him personally or not, is the strongest candidate that we have. The left will HATE anyone we put up. The Right will ALL show up to vote obama out. And the moderate/independents don't give a rip about personal issues, they only want to hear real solutions to our problems. That's where Newt shines.
lol, after I have gone through my entire system trying to figure it out, alas Joe asks the question.
Man I need another cup of coffee.
Yeah man the media machine is pushing us left, because left is the new right
For me Cain /Gingrich. We are going to need the voice of conviction when we are dealing with the Iran situation and other events.
As a bonus, he is aware that Islam political ideology is opposed to the principles of our country.
I am with you, if Newt wins, I am staying home.
It is rather peculiar how this whole thing is going down. * reaches to the hat rack, puts on tin foil hat*
AMEN
And I thought it was due to my glasses.
That's just nonsense. "None of these people can beat obama?" John freaking McLame was poised to beat him, before he cratered his own campaign. And that was before obama had a discernible (and disastrous) record to defend. Those who don't support obama (the majority of voters) are NEVER going to be swayed to vote for him. The only thing we need to do is nominate the candidate with the best platform, support them, and then hold their feet to the fire once they're in office.
John, although I do not care for Newt, I must agree with you.
Don't stay home, nelson – under any circumstances. To do so would be a vote for Obama.
I agree. Gingrich is the smartest person on the stage right now and he's gaining momentum at just about the right time. An alliance between he and Cain might be just the thing we need.
Newt is looking better and better as the republican candidate. Articulate, calm, and poised were his trademarks last night. It would please me no end to see him utterly destroy the toddler in a real debate.
actually, that's what we need. we have to counteract O's arrogance in a debate with some of our own. besides, wouldn't you pay to watch Newt vs. O in a debate with no teleprompters? Newt would whup his ass!!
Yep, just lost all respect for Christie since he supports the Kerry clone.
No REAL conservative will vote for the flip flopper Romney. The only people who are for Romney is the liberal media. That should tell you something. He is a progressive pretending to be a moderate conservative, don't fall for it. He is a wolf in sheeps clothes.
I'm in, and I do give a rip about personal issues so much as it reveals character.
By a process of elimination, Newt is the last man standing. Character issues notwithstanding, he does bring a lot to the table.
Actually, Newt is, by FAR, the brightest of the candidates in BOTH parties insofar as intellect and historical knowledge and understanding are concserned. If you're willing to accept the MSM's meme about him, his character and his past, you're playing right into the left's hands.
Maybe BG has been hacked by Anonymous (joking).
I don't like it on the left.
Gingrich is clearly the most knowledgeable candidate. The problem is that he episodically turns into a liberal out of the blue.
He'd DESTROY the Teleprompter Tyrant in a debate.
Agreed. Newt has, by far, the best intellect of ANY of the candidates in either Party. I worry about his establishment creds, but I'd take him in a heartbeat over Romney.
It should say, "Enter text left here". I don't like Newt, never did, but my goodness, every time I see him at a debate, I can't help seeing the style AND the substance. He would crush almost anyone in a debate, and unless he's outright lying, he's got good ideas. The Dems would go nuts if he's the candidate. We have to be prepared for an ugly campaign if it's him or Cain, who are the only two who seem really real.
Perry's slip up doesn't really bother me that much, incidentally, as long as he doesn't forget which agencies when he's wielding the pen.
Newt would likely have the most adversarial relationship with the media of any president in our history. That alone is almost enough to get my support.
The media need to be called out as the political hacks they are, and Newt's the only one doing so on a regular basis.
Yep. ID is on a diet and we are all getting skinnier!
L
O
L
!
When this started I was absolutely not a Gingrich fan.
He blew the power shift during Clinton, and I saw no reason to expect he would not overplay his hand again as President.
However . . .
As these debates continue, it is becoming obvious that he is the only one with the broad depth of knowledge required to be President, and he is the only one demonstrating not merely the restraint to not attack any of the other candidates, but he is actually deliberately and directly refusing to attack any of them when asked and given clear openings, insisting on focusing on the only relevant person to oppose – Obama.
He will never get rid of the baggage of his tenure as Speaker, but he is demonstrating that he has learned the lesson, and that he is the one truly qualified candidate.
How quickly people forget, Newt is part of why we are in the mess we are in right now. No more beltway insiders. The game is rigged in their favor
Of course he can win. The majority of Americans are NOT flannel-mouthed wimps. Whether they vote or not remains to be seen.
Yes, I feel like I am reading Dr.Seuss.
" if Newt wins, I am staying home"
The dumbest thing I read on this site in a very, very long time.
VOTE,…..!!!!!!
I stayed up all night in an unheated camper in a Kansas blizzard to hear that Newt had a majority in '93. I remember the 100 days and the Contract with America. It was brilliant and he got a LOT done before the press caught on and started flinging mud.
If the fool hadn't sat down with Polosi I could endorse him. As it is, I'll just vote for him, if Cain is not on the ballot.
ANYBODY but O.
The MSM's meme…
I suppose the MSM made him do all the things he's done in his past, eh?
And actually, I don't think Newt is all that smart, or he wouldn't have had to resign his speaker ship, not to mention all of the other poor decisions he's made as a human being…
You're probably right enough to maintain your digits, but he beats Ozero anytime.
Purist(ism) is what got us,….
Obama
Let's not let it happen again.
Governors, senators and,….
congressmen is where,…..
purity belongs.
I remember watching Newt's inspirational verbal essays in the well of the House during morning orders on CSpan.
I said then, '88 I think, that he would make a great President because he KNOWS historical context. He would honor the Oval Office, no doubt. I feel his pragmatic approach would make him an historical President, too.
Or as Cain's VP, Sec. State, whatever.
More and more are coming to the same conclusion. Newt is brilliant and highly adaptable. It was some of those RINO-y things he did that got him into trouble.
But, unlike the 1990s, there is now a big bear with big teeth watching…….The Tea Party! He's smart enough to know he better check with us before he snuggles-up on the couch with Nancy again.
I wonder if a trolls comment will post on the right side.
¿
Yeah, I'm down to two simple criteria. Who can beat Obama and who is knowledgeable enough to get us out of this mess.
Heh…….nice analogy.
I can support him as long he takes RINO Horn off the menu.
yeah yeah. I'm going to vote, I have a strong distaste for Newt, I will vote against him, perry and romney in the primary, but I have to come clean, I AM SICK OF HOLDING MY NOSE WHEN I VOTE!
Newt's routine is getting old. Waits for his question, then tells the moderator how stupid the question is, berates the media and then waits for his applause.
I've cooled toward Cain, and greatly warmed toward Newt. Who wouldn't want a President named "Newt"?
Well if you liked all those things you must love Bill Clinton. He did them too.
I would love to see a Newt- Obama debate. Newt would mop the floor with the teleprompter prince.
Well, there's the thing . . .
He CAN do those RINO-Y things.
That's the key for a President; he cannot perform his executive duties by being an ideologue – look at how spectacularly Obama is failing at that.
Conversely he will know that it is all about the economy, and not merely the Conservative base but the Centrist swing is going to look almost exclusively at the economy in judging him.
He can snuggle with Nancy all he wants to get other things passed, but not when it comes to reducing regulations and government spending.
If he can do that then he will have learned his lesson from the Clinton years, and will be setting himself up to be a second Reagan.
Yeah. I thought it was me. It is just happening on BG. All the others are fine.
Somebody hit a troll so hard, everything shifted to the left.
Bravo, William.
Spot on, John. PALIN/McLame were ahead and beginning to stretch a lead when the intentional market tank struck.
The timing of the Palin hit squads, market tank, etc. was no coincidence.
Exactly. I have my problems with Gingrich, but I will pull the lever for whomever is running (R). It doesn't matter.
As I said…
If you accept what the media says about him, you're playing into their hands. Ask Newt's ex-wives about him. They'll tell you he's an honorable man. He lost his speakership because of the MSM's meme about him. Wake up and smell the roses, sonny.
I never considered going Centrist the same as going RINO, if one is a good negotiator…and he is. He's certainly smart enough to do that and I bet he has learned that he needs to err on the side of conservative caution.
This is where the Tea Party should be a great asset. At least he will have an accurate idea of where regular people stand, instead of just inside the beltway bubble.
(dang it, this lefty format is giving me a headache…….no wonder liberals are so grouchy all the time)
It's the troll half of the ship sinking…. listing to port.
Man the life boats! We are going down fast.
That's what I'm hoping, based on his debate performances and other appearances.
(And I agree, viewing the world like this IS likely what makes liberals so angsty all the time.
)
No he didn't. The 104th Congress did.
Bill was just smart enough to finally go along with them.
If you're looking for Mother Teresa in any of the candidates, forget it!
Of course, all good politicians do that. The trick is not to fall in love with them, but to screw them just enough so they thank you for it after.
Whatever…
I'm sure his first wife that he left while she was dying of cancer thought he was a real "honorable" man.
You're free to have your own opinion about Newt, as am I.
I think he's a despicable human being, no matter how well he knows his history, and I wouldn't trust him half as far as I could throw his fat a$$…!
Oh, and I'm not your son, you brother nor you father. Capeesh?
Mother Teresa…….LOL!
Oh Dude, you SO don't know me very well.
Newt passes Mitt in Ohio see poll here: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/pres...
His wife will be really surprised to learn that she's dead. She was NOT "dying of cancer" though I realize that's what the DNC reported through their sycophants in the MSM…Sonny.
The man can't keep his prick in his pants. He left his first wife because of an affair, as did he his second.We'll see how long this one lasts before he asks another woman to marry him while he's still married.
But, I guess since he converted to Catholicism around '09, that atones him from all of his infidelities, right?
Newt is a douche bag and he possess the moral character of a typical Washington elitist.
Must be Another Intense Debate SNAFU. It went to my e-mail inbox.
Newt's scandals? He wouldn't give into Clinton's demands for more reckless spending, so CLINTON shut down the government. If Hillary Clinton can "forgive" her husband his many discretions, I think we can forgive Newt his marital discretions. He is still married to his 3rd wife and has ackowledged his mistakes, unlike certain Democrats. Every man is fallible. It doesn't mean they aren't capable of handling the tasks at hand.
As I said, wake up and smell the roses. Anyone the MSM is attacking with such vigor is the candidate we should support.
The GOP needs to keep up the assult on the msm moderators. They are so transparent it is laughable. Also, they were much better at not attacking each other. Santorum slipped a little in that regard.
Maybe we have all forgotten who Newt was. I like him, just not as my president.
Obama not only beats every GOP candidate head to head, he also beats the generic Republican. These clowns – every single one more a fool than the next -are making Obama look like a sure thing.
Believe me I will vote for him if he is the GOP pick…I just don't see him winning.
Am I the only one who remembers it was Newt who led the impeachment of President Clinton for banging a woman who wasn't his wife while he was banging a woman who wasn't his wife? Or the ethics charges that led to losing his job as Speaker? I can't believe Republicans would trust Newt to beat President Obama, but I sure would look forward to the left wing attack ads.
Works for me.
I look at the current field and marvel that, out of 300 million people in the country this is the best the Republicans have to offer?
I think it's because of the right wing hostility towards government. When your primary motivation for winning an election is to destroy the system, you are basically unqualified to govern. The other problem is the promises rightie has to make to the base to get elected. Promises that are impossible to keep when throttled by the responsibility to govern. Plus the right wing constituency will never be satisfied. They love you while you're running then turn on you like a snake the first time you displease them.
Then there is the issue of government spending. We are promised tax and spending cuts, but we never get around to the spending cuts. The result is runaway deficits because tax cuts never pay for themselves.
Ask his gay sister what kind of guy Newt is…
And lets do ask his second wife what kind of man Newt is:
http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2010/08/newts_...
You have low standards.
Really? Let's see….beat Obama and get us out of this economic mess. What higher priority do you have?
Oh, how wonderful. You quote an atheist site and an article by a Soros-funded moron. Now THAT'S something we can really get out teeth into.
The questions ARE stupid. The MSM has no clue what is important. Their focus is on anything they can sensationalize. They don't care about America or We The People, only about greed and power and money.
The only people who are for Romney is the liberal media. That should tell you something. He is a progressive pretending to be a moderate conservative, don't fall for it. He is a wolf in ships clothes. diyimprovementblog
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