Patterico's Pontifications

1/26/2012

Gladiator Republicans

Filed under: 2012 Election — Karl @ 8:22 am



[Posted by Karl]

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!?

In the current wave of generally conservative punditry on Newt Gingrich’s candidacy, a common subtext (and occasional text) is criticism not of Newt, but of his supporters:

[C]onservatives are simply out for a good time. They want to be entertained by a Gingrich-Obama slugfest in the general election debates, and they are willing to sacrifice everything — their credibility, their values and the White House — to sit in the Coliseum and watch a Christian get devoured by lions.

Blaming the electorate is rarely effective and this line of attack is no exception.  In the first instance, to the extent Gingrich’s campaign is feeding on populist discontent, his supporters are unlikely to be swayed by a parade of pundits perched at big media outlets telling them they are shallow rubes.  To the contrary, the implicit condescension probably fuels the underlying populist discontent.  If these pundits are hoping to persuade, they are likely failing.  If they are writing simply to vent their own frustration, how different are they from their stereotype of Newt’s supporters?

Moreover, on the campaign trail, Gingrich apparently comes off as far more substantive than Mitt Romney.  That would not surprise me.  Gingrich is nothing if not an an uncontrolled, gushing firehose of policy.  Some of his ideas may not be conservative.  Some of his conservative ideas may be irrelevant to the major issues facing the next president.  But the notion that support for Gingrich is simply the desire to be entertained ignores the facts on the ground, which again makes for bad punditry.

The problem for these pundits is not that Gingrich is Maximus, manipulating the mob to get ahead.  Their problem is that Romney is Commodus, the political heir of dubious legitimacy who tries but fails to co-opt the mob.  Ironically, their Circus Maximus of criticism is being staged at the very moment when Gingrich looks to be losing momentum.  It would be even more ironic if Gingrich could again turn the criticism of his supporters to his advantage.

Update: Via Twitter, I have learned that S.E. Cupp thinks it’s bad journalism on my part to not identify her as the author of the blockquote, although I did link to her article immediately beforehand.  I generally like her work, and thus was loath to single her out as having written something so condescending and counter-productive.  I forgot there’s no such thing as bad publicity.  My apologies.

–Karl

235 Responses to “Gladiator Republicans”

  1. Great post! Very well written with entertainingly expressed insights in every sentence.

    Who would have thought you could get that sort of thing at THIS blog??

    Patterico (d508e7)

  2. “Blaming the electorate is rarely effective and this line of attack is no exception.”

    Meh. Gladiator or “animatronic plutocrat”, everybody is doing this cycle.

    Nevertheless, another good post.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  3. Coburn is unbowed:

    http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot/289249/when-gingrich-tried-and-failed-intimidate-tom-coburn

    Do not, under any circumstances whatever, get between Senator Coburn and the hot camera.

    You will regret your stance.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  4. C’mon, Karl. “Commodus”?

    Simon Jester (47a6bb)

  5. But there’s a debate tonight, the last for a month. with that horrid SOTU as fair game. Lots of opportunity for Maximus to incite the crowd Cato to villify Carthage.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  6. I noticed a huge Newt-Panic putsch this week that was rendered less effective by it’s being somewhat all over the place as if they didn’t know whether to use a net or a trident or a testudo formation or what. Got some licks in but it seems like there is cheating.

    As a member of the mob I do quite resent being told not to notice, and told who is the proper victor.

    I might have to meet that Romney lever. But not yet. Not yet.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  7. Coburn asserts the battle was over his side’s resolute fealty to the Contract with America.

    ” A few of us met in [Lindsey] Graham’s office before the meeting to prepare ourselves for what we expected to be the ultimate woodshed experience.”

    All eleven of the stalwart’s spoke in defense of their vote, and the words recounted by Coburn sound conservative.

    Lindsey? You were hanging in Lindsey’s office for strength?

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  8. Jester He does have the self-crowed laurels and the spotless glowing silver and white suit and a pretty impressive praetorian guard.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  9. Simon Jester,

    Hey, who actually won at the end?

    Karl (f07e38)

  10. Well, Ms. sarahw, please read a bit about the real Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus. I don’t mind it if people don’t like a candidate. Fine. But likening someone on what is supposed to be “our” side to that awful, awful historical figure isn’t…well…conducive to getting the present occupants of the Oval Office out on book and speaking tours.

    But, of course, people can and will say what they like. I was just surprised by Karl.

    Simon Jester (47a6bb)

  11. Karl, the genuine history—that which we know of—is a lot less pleasant.

    Simon Jester (47a6bb)

  12. It all makes more sense when you realize that the US has been over for quite a while now. Whatever we were meant to be in our founding documents is something we will never be again. We will also never be solvent again. There is no path forward on that front.

    So what is left is bread and circuses. Obama is trying to buy votes with bread and the Republicans with circuses. The only serious and intellectually sound movement in the country is the Tea Party and Gingrich is the closest thing they have to a candidate in the race.

    So you can justify Gingrich’s support in either manner you want. They are not mutually exclusive. If nothing else it will be nice to hear someone just state the truth to Obama’s face for once. If all Gingrich does is get on stage and tell Obama he is a colossal idiot then I will consider my vote well spent.

    Testaclees the Great (740534)

  13. 11. Simon is having a panty issue, like the resemblance was made to Caligula.

    Get a grip. Use the unisex toilet.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  14. Recently saw “Inventing the Abbotts” Joaquin and Liv were impressive.

    I’ve heard libs I know pan his latest efforts. Wass up?

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  15. _________________________________________

    Coburn is unbowed:

    It’s pretty much a given that the two leading candidates for the Republican Party are full of squish. That could be why a not-small percentage of folks on the right are saying they’d like to rewind the process and find another potential pol to run against President “Goddamn America.”

    Whether conservatives want to be entertained with chameleon Gingrich or not, or whether they’ll be so turned off by the likely choices in November they’ll choose to sit out the election, the biggest irony would be a part of the electorate’s desire for a non-chameleon candidate resulting in this country tilting further to the left after 2012 than where it started.

    4 years of leftism have put enough tentacles into the process, 4 additional years will squeeze it straight into a Greece-like, Argentina-like stupor.

    Blaming the electorate is rarely effective and this line of attack is no exception.

    But in a generally democratic system, and when there are examples of ultra-blue cities and states full of corruption and socio-economic dysfunction (or anomie) galore decade after decade, and when too many voters are guilty of the insanity of “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” the electorate deserves no less of a kick in the butt than anyone else, certainly when they often lazily and easily blame “that horrible mayor!,” or “that lousy governor!,” or “that crummy president!”

    Or, at the very least, the electorate’s own ideological quirks and lapses — of either a leftist or rightist bent — need to be scrutinized and then compared and contrasted with those of the figureheads they’re slamming or praising.

    Mark (31bbb6)

  16. I’m not out for a good time I just want the rape to stop

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  17. GG confuses vulgarity with strength of character. Again. I have never been rude to the man.

    Simon Jester (916d43)

  18. I feature Gingrich as more Grandiosicus Gluteous Maximus, Karl.

    And he’d be the one more predisposed to diddle his sister(s).

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  19. He’s a true vulgarian, Simon. The gibberish can be amusing at times.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  20. Gingrich could upstage Obama by creating a replica of the facade of the Parthenon to accept his nomination.

    Replace one nattering narcissist in the White House with another.

    Idearrhea, here we come, d*mn the relevancy.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  21. _____________________________________________

    If all Gingrich does is get on stage and tell Obama he is a colossal idiot

    It’s okay to like a politician for his persona, for his (or her) looks and personality, and speech patterns, etc. Tacticians and analysts would be fools to not take that into consideration. Imagine if Ronald Reagan had the appearance and demeanor of a Gerald Ford, or if John Kennedy, instead of his youthful looks and glossy wife and family, was similar to a Jimmy Carter.

    But from a purely ideological standpoint — below the surface — Gingrich is full of dead ends and pockmarks. Of course, Romney has those same defects too, but, unlike Newt, he also lacks natural fast-on-his-feet qualities when dealing with people. But then one of the two candidates has more traditional skeletons in his closet, while the other can easily come down with an infection of limousine liberalism—and one does not have to be wealthy or a registered Democrat to be guilty of that.

    In the meantime, Jeremiah Wright’s former pal is sitting in the White House.

    America in 2012. What a country.

    Mark (31bbb6)

  22. 18. Rude is my name, means field or farm in Norwegian. All the same, PC sensibilities are an affectation of the enemy posed as evidence of a superior moral consciousness.

    Tnere is no room in the tent for both we, the devolved, and humanist euphorians.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  23. Um, I guess I missed the part where courtesy is weak, and being a rude reason meant superiority. But to each their own.

    Simon Jester (916d43)

  24. 24. I see, courtesy to your candidate by avoiding comparisons that carry unsavory connotations incidental to the point of the comparator is important.

    Their point isn’t.

    Seems like intimidation to me.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  25. Swing and a miss by Karl — with great respect.

    Here’s the basic calculation IMO.

    Gingrich is the candidate who attracts, but the potential President who repels.

    Romney is the candidate who repels, but the potential President who attracts.

    I would feel much better with Romney in the White House when all is said and done — pretty much over every candidate in the GOP field.

    But Romney is lifeless and uninspiring as a candidate. I would rank him 4th or 5th as someone whose election campaign I would work for.

    Newt Gingrich as President would epitomize the concept of the “perpetual campaign”. He’s not about the levers and gears of governing — its always about the next great idea. Tyrell calling him a huckster and carnival barker seems pretty spot-on to me.

    Romney is pretty much the opposite.

    shipwreckedcrew (ecea92)

  26. Mr. Gulrud, let me be direct: how is being a dick to people with whom you disagree not an attempt at intimidation? And your history, sir, is precisely that.

    You have a right to your opinion, and you can certain be an asshat if you choose. But when someone suggests that being civil is a good course, and you reply that that is intimidation?

    Good God.

    On a more pleasant note, shipwreckcrew pretty much puts out what many voters are going to feel. Thank you, sir. I am happy with almost anyone other than the present crew in office. That being said, I am really disturbed at the flexible ruler folks use on this topic: Romney is a flip-flopper, but these same people give a pass to Gingrich doing the same kinds of things.

    I think we are going to lose in 2012, and it saddens me. We are doing it to ourselves.

    Simon Jester (916d43)

  27. _______________________________________________

    Example of “Limousine Liberalism” No. 1,400,230 (or maybe that should be #1 billion, but who’s counting?!):

    news.investors.com via drudgereport:

    A new report just out from the Internal Revenue Service reveals that 36 of President Obama’s executive office staff owe the country $833,970 in back taxes. These people working for Mr. Fair Share apparently haven’t paid any share, let alone their fair share.

    Previous reports have shown how well-paid Obama’s White House staff is, with 457 aides pulling down more than $37 million last year. That’s up seven workers and nearly $4 million from the Bush administration’s last year. Nearly one-third of Obama’s aides make more than $100,000 with 21 being paid the top White House salary of $172,200, each.

    The IRS’ 2010 delinquent tax revelations come as part of a required annual agency report on federal employees’ tax compliance. Turns out, an awful lot of folks being paid by taxpayers are not paying their own income taxes. The report finds that thousands of federal employees owe the country more than $3.4 billion in back taxes. That’s up 3% in the past year.

    The Treasury Department, where Obama nominee Tim Geithner had to pay up $42,000 in his own back taxes before being confirmed as secretary, has 1,181 other employees with delinquent taxes totaling $9.3 million.

    Mark (31bbb6)

  28. Romney’s not ggoing to win Daleykos.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  29. going*

    Damn.

    And yes giving kids an proper education is so unfair…………..not.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  30. 27. “Romney is the candidate who repels, but the potential President who attracts.”

    Oh, my, I’ve incited the civil into using prejoratives like “dick” and “asshat” with the insults at 14, which are, on objective inspection, vulgar.

    The fault falls on my head alone, I denounce myself.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  31. shipwreckedcrew — 1/26/2012 @ 9:41 am

    Gi

    ngrich is the candidate who attracts, but the potential President who repels.

    Romney is the candidate who repels, but the potential President who attracts.

    I think indeed you have that backwards, in all parts.

    Which is not to deny, however, that lifeless and uninspiring has bonuses – in failure to rally dispirited Obama voters against him, Mitt has a strength. But overall it could prove to be a bigger liability than aid.

    However counter-intuitive it may appear to you, Newt is formidable in a way that is far less threatening than Sarah Palin. That formidableness gains grudging affection and yet there remains hope, on the other side, that he can be worked upon.

    One of the spaghetti-testing attacks on Newt this week is the accusation that he is a moderate, has been, and no matter what he says to us, will be. That history is actually less energizing to the left and they don’t care about his ratbastard to ladies problems – they are just hoping conservatives will pearl-clutch him out of contention.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  32. Sara — you could draw up a list pages long of all the non-conservative things that Newt has proposed over the last 25 years.

    They are not all cancelled out by winning a House majority in 1994, the Contract with Amercia, and ending welfare as we know it.

    He’s unstable both in terms of his politics and his persona. He cannot be trusted — not in the sense of bad character — because he’s capable of saying and doing anything while convinced of his own infallibility.

    That’s his character flaw — that in every room he enters he believes he’s the smartest one present.

    shipwreckedcrew (ecea92)

  33. Yes it’s true that Wall Street Romney set the horrifically negative tone for this election, but he only did it cause he’s entitled to the presidency cause it’s his turn just ask Meghan’s coward daddy.

    Newt on the other hand is trying to use ideas, which is un-Republican and same as cheating really if you think about it.

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  34. I mean the only sword I see Romney holding is double edged with insipidity and nasty smarm – I do not see this triumphing.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  35. I think we are going to lose in 2012, and it saddens me. We are doing it to ourselves.

    Precisely.

    Circular firing squad, reload!

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a18ddc)

  36. Ship – I see him having kicked the vichy water in the trash.

    In my movie it’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  37. that’s not a sword

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  38. It’s pretty much a given that the two leading candidates for the Republican Party are full of squish.

    It’s pretty much a given that the leading candidates for any major party are going to tend towards the center and not the far end. Only rarely does one get an opportunity where an ideologue has a chance, notably where the other party’s incumbent is roundly despised AND there is a candidate available. Currently we are lacking one or both of those.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  39. 36. The Right can’t agree on a candidate, whether ends justify means, whether government can be improved, whether to stay to to go,…

    http://www.gallup.com/poll/election.aspx

    The fault is in our bones.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  40. MAJOR STRASSER HAS BEEN SHOT!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDhGS4EJS8M

    sarahw (b0e533)

  41. More to the point is “Which candidate, if any, can unify the party?” Because a unified party is a basic requirement for winning.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  42. I like thinking of all the big and little bloggers and pundits wearing fezzes and riding around in an old fashioned open car.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  43. ==He’s unstable both in terms of his politics and his persona. He cannot be trusted…. — because he’s capable of saying and doing anything while convinced of his own infallibility.

    That’s his character flaw — that in every room he enters he believes he’s the smartest one present==

    You are describing Barack Obama, who has that self-deluding flaw, to a T. However, he convinced many people, and he goes to sleep every night in the White House. We need him out of there.

    elissa (e3d8ab)

  44. “He’s unstable both in terms of his politics and his persona. He cannot be trusted — not in the sense of bad character — because he’s capable of saying and doing anything while convinced of his own infallibility.”

    shipwreckedcrew – Which sounds exactly like Obama. The thought of somebody who is temporarily saying things to energize the base while their long-term record shows they cannot be trusted doesn’t cause me clutch any pearls, since I don’t own any, but reminds me of great recent hucksters Clinton and Obama.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  45. 42. Now we’re talking.

    Jeb or Jindal?

    What?

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  46. A huckster who is ably arguing my case is better than a sincere one who does the opposite.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  47. No Ocare, no Oromnacare, no VAT.

    Get ROmney to swear to whatever future Godhead he expect for himself that there will be full repeal and never a VAT and maybe I won’t be shooting Strasser

    sarahw (b0e533)

  48. I’m not saying Newt is ideal, I’m saying Newt has his plusses and they outweigh Romney’s negatives.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  49. Wall Street Romney is fundamentally abusive is what I heard.

    Hide your kids hide your wife

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  50. Public employee unions, Big Labor and Newt Gingrich in a three-way four-way.

    The American people are only hoping for a reach-around.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  51. if extreme right-wing fascist Rick Santorum would stop playing spoiler we could put this baby to bed sweety sweety

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  52. You have to ask yourself, “Did I sign up for an STD?”

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  53. Karl,

    Comes off as” more substantial? Ah, go on. Say it! He is more substantial than Romney. Anyone who has watched but a single debate knows this to be true. The problem for Romney is that Newt is also more charismatic than he or any of his other competitors. Anyone with the misfortune of supporting a candidate competing with Bill Clinton understands what a potent combination substance and charisma can be.

    The problem for Obama is even worse. As yesterday’s embarrassment on the tarmac in Phoenix so keenly illustrates, our Commander in Chief is at the mercy of his own insecurities. And, as those rare moments when Obama is without his teleprompter and left to his own devices so clearly illustrate, he “comes off as” neither substantive, nor charismatic (let alone effectual). I cannot for the life of me understand why any true conservative would fear an Obama-Gingrich contest.

    At this point, nominally conservative pundits (and pols, as well) are throwing anything and everything at Newt just to see what sticks. The attack on Gingrich supporters is just another sign of a growing desperation. It is a dismaying spectacle.

    Yours truly,

    ThOR

    ThOR (94646f)

  54. If extreme left-wing fascist flip flopper Romney just made up his mind on whether individual mandates were wrong or not we could put this baby to bed.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  55. 50. I told the liberal I sleep with the Romney family stories about the trip with Fluffy riding point.

    http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2007/06/romney-strapped/

    I’m pretty sure we had no chance for her vote anyways.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  56. And Daleyrocks I wouldn’t expect you to clutch pearls over the LLRBN* stuff (PORNOGRAPHY STRIPPERS O MY stuff either that desperate GOPers are scraping from barrels of old) and more to be concerned with general effectiveness at salvaging something of what used to be America.

    Newt on fire can be persuasive and he intends a legacy for himself. His ambition requires him to, draw people away from red-diaper dependency and rethink and put the brakes on the trainwreck to “french Philosophies” and soclialist tyranny.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  57. *ladiesloveratbastardNewt

    sarahw (b0e533)

  58. poor wupper must have been terrified

    I would never treat a dog like how Wall Street Romney treats his. Never ever.

    Unless there for reals wasn’t any room in the car.

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  59. Newt is “charismatic”… is that what you call it?

    He’s the Harold Hill of politicians… and that spells Trouble, with a capital “T”.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  60. Never thought sarah’d be a chubby-chaser…

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  61. that’s so massageyness

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  62. “Newt on fire”… preferably between a couple of Hershey Bars and Graham Crackers…

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  63. The dog on the roof story is a complete campaign killer. Just saying I told you so in advance.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  64. Newt understands people. Newt understands that the press will never be his friend. Newt understands what the Tea Party wants and appears willing to deliver it.

    Romney not so much.

    I have this picture of the fall campaign, where Obama attempts to rise above and ignore his opponent, using the press as his shield. I’m not sure Romney would know how to crack into that, and I’m sure that Obama would ignore Newt at his peril.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  65. See there; Newt’s even safer now as a round reformed cad.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  66. And yet the really good band comes marching into the audience after all…

    sarahw sadder but wiser (b0e533)

  67. happyfeet — 1/26/2012 @ 10:51 am

    re: Room in the car

    The dog was crated on the roof to make room for all the luggage in the rear section of the station wagon.

    Had it been put up top for people well, there’s dogs and then there’s people. It was put up there for luggage. Romney wisdom right there.

    sarahw sadder but wiser (b0e533)

  68. After the picnic, the Romney family began packing up and was ready to go but for loading up Seamus into his kennel. They finally found the poor trembling irish setter cowering under the car.

    No amount of coaxing would persuade him to crawl out, so Mitt reached under the car and dragged Seamus out by his leash.

    “Dad he doesn’t want to go back in the kennel!” cried one of the young Romney lads, the compassionate one.

    “We’ll see about that!” snapped Mitt, lifting the mewling dog by the scruff of his neck and swinging him up and over the station wagon and right through the kennel door, which he slammed shut triumphantly.

    And with that the intrepid family were on their way: destination Disneyland.

    “We’re really making great time, better than I thought we would,” Mitt mused to nobody in particular.

    “I never doubted it,” Anne said devotedly.

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  69. Matt Drudge is getting kinda ridiculous too.

    I am actually encouraged to support Gingrich by this idea of a firey young 1983 new Congressman Gingrich telling Reagan to be bolder on spending and the cold war at the same time.

    Shows me his core instincts, much as I think the younger, less polished Romney shows me his core instincts on a great many things.

    It truly is on hell of a negative primary.

    Dustin (7362cd)

  70. shipwreckedcrew,

    I think you missed comment 10.

    Karl (f07e38)

  71. Karl the answer is ROME

    sarahw (b0e533)

  72. Movie-Rome in case S-J asks me to look stuff up again.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  73. Had it been put up top for people well, there’s dogs and then there’s people. It was put up there for luggage. Romney wisdom right there.

    Couldn’t they have the dog follow in the limo?

    Kevin M (563f77)

  74. No roof rack

    sarahw (b0e533)

  75. why do useless geriatric whores like Bob Dole feel so compelled to dictate the terms of a future their diapered codger asses will have no part in?

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  76. Consider how frustrated Newt must be by now, working for 30 years in an industry where the average IQ appears to be about 87. Have you listened to these people? It’s amazing he hasn’t gone completely postal.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  77. Jeb Bush getting his hispandering on.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  78. Romney hates hispanics even more than he hates dogs.

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  79. Except for those who work for him illegally happyfeet.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  80. I’m not in either camp yet. As do most (ahem) realistic people I really do see positives and negatives in both of them when it comes to the general election, beating President Obama, and leading the country. But the lefty blogs and media have been flogging the dog/roof story since 2008. My gut tells me that when push comes to shove policy be damned, and more casual voters are gonna care about what Mitt did to his dog than care about what Newt did to his wives. Call it what you will–and it’s hardly a reason to choose a national leader–but it’s all out there. Confused or lazy people sometimes look for an excuse to vote against a person more than they are willing to do the hard job of thinking through reasons to vote for a candidate. The dog will most definitely be a “no-go” for some people. How many is the $64,000 question.

    elissa (e3d8ab)

  81. why do useless geriatric whores like Bob Dole feel so compelled to dictate the terms of a future their diapered codger asses will have no part in?

    More to the point, why does Bob Dole think he knows how to spot a winning Presidential candidate? He was probably the worst candidate in my lifetime.

    If there was one Senator who blocked more of the Contract with America more than “Tax Collector for the Welfare State” Bob Dole, I don’t know who it was.

    He’s also the guy who tripled my (self-employed) Social Security tax in 1983, and called it “reform.”

    To me, Bob Dole is the perfect sum of the warts in the Republican Party, with none of the good stuff.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  82. And damn, but if you Google “Tax Collector for the Welfare State” what comes up?

    Newt is the guy who called Dole that.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  83. Badass Newt.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  84. More to the point, why does Bob Dole think he knows how to spot a winning Presidential candidate? He was probably the worst candidate in my lifetime.

    It’s frustrating. He should know better than anybody, and I thought he did based on his self deprecating humorous ad campaigns after he lost…

    The general public always prefers the most moderate GOP candidate, and then in the general election thinks he’s too weak to be president.

    Electability polls will always, often radically, overstate how good the moderate is doing.

    Mccain was beating Obama by double digits in electability polls before the primary ended, and then the actual general election campaign started, and moderates just have a hard time looking like visionary leaders. The democrats went on and on about how stupid it would be to nominate the more controversial Obama over the sure brand Clinton. “Obama will lose” they said. And the stats proved there was no way Obama could win.

    And then the general election campaign started.

    This election will be about replacing Obama due to the economy.

    Dustin (7362cd)

  85. Karl the answer is ROME

    Comment by sarahw

    ~~~~~~~~~~~

    lol… “The Last Daze of Pompous”

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  86. allahpundit Santorum trashes Gingrich moon colony http://t.co/5s0yAJUc

    Isn’t there a $50 fine for that?

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  87. “I will probably do better than [Reagan]. My coattails will help him.”

    – The Humble Newt, circa 1984

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  88. This just in… Rep. Barney Frank to marry partner http://t.co/fM6UApE3

    But can his partner make an honest woman out of him?

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  89. philipaklein MT @BuzzFeedBen: Listen to Newt, in 96, try to talk a WI GOP candidate out of race — in favor of Callista’s then boss http://t.co/NltbQs5s

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  90. How not to “Discuss”
    Bing Five Negative Attacks
    Copy and Paste

    Dustin (7362cd)

  91. Romany is a numbers guy, loves credits, debits and bottom lines.

    So why does he say the economy is improving when:

    The seasonally adjusted BDI is dropping, and 42% below norm?

    The stock market is doin’ so so on no trading at all?

    There is no market for new, single family homes?

    The labor participation rate is at the 1983 modern nadir?

    All the good numbers seem to be polls of the survivors’ performances year on year in shrinking markets?

    Doesn’t being a number’s guy mean ‘ability to interpret their significance’?

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  92. 90. Ah, something the left of the Right, the right of the Right and the sloppy center can agree on:

    It won’t last, she’ll be underfoot and drive him bats.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  93. 83. “probably the worst candidate in my lifetime.”

    Everyone is too young to remember George McGovern.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  94. “Those who are about to shart salute you!”

    – Newticus Gluteus Maximus

    “I was so distracted by Newt Gingrich tearing CNN’s John King’s head off at the South Carolina debate that I didn’t even notice this pretty serious charge the former speaker leveled at ABC. In the middle of his rant, Gingrich claimed he offered the network interviews with several of his friends who could rebut his ex-wife’s “open marriage” charge, but the news organization turned them down.

    That could have been a major black eye for ABC. But as it turns out, it wasn’t true. Fittingly, John King got the story:

    “Tonight, after persistent questioning by our staff, the Gingrich campaign concedes now Speaker Gingrich was wrong — both in his debate answer, and in our interview yesterday,” King said on tonight’s edition of John King USA. “Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond says the only people the Gingrich campaign offered to ABC were his two daughters from his first marriage.”

    Needless to say, not a smart move on Gingrich’s part.”

    http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/01/26/gingrich-cnn-john-king-witnesses/

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  95. Sheik of Texas sands
    rides two-hump hare-lipped camel
    to oblivion

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  96. “prawn of arab loins”
    Really the kind of thing
    A bigot would say

    Dustin (7362cd)

  97. “prawn of arab loins”
    Really the kind of thing
    A moby would say

    Dustin (7362cd)

  98. Bad news for Rubio groupies:

    http://www.suffolk.edu/50641.html

    Rubio as the VP tab hurts the ticket in FL, if only by a few points.

    But the Borg reads polls.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  99. oops six syllables.
    That isn’t the right number
    for “cogent haiku”

    Dustin (7362cd)

  100. For those interested in cosmology, when one slips within the Schwarzschild radius, into a black hole, from which point no light escapes, that observer will have no tangible indication.

    The lights entering from outside stay on:

    http://illinoispolicy.org/news/article.asp?ArticleSource=4639

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  101. This is all part and parcel of the line taht’s goinbg out now. People…and they may mean informed people, support Newt Gingrich according to this line that’s being circulated, because they would like to see a fight – but they actually know all the things wrong with him. and those things, they would agree, are disqualifying from him being a president.

    I’m just wondering at whom this line is aimed at. Who is the target of this propaganda? It’s very peculiar.

    The idea here is, I guess to respect the electorate, but not their choice.

    Is the target Democrats in the media? Are they justifying themselves being republicans?

    Sammy Finkelman (d3daeb)

  102. Obama doesn’t have to like what anybody writes but Bush or Republicans do no matter how much racist it sounds.

    /Left logic

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  103. That’s his character flaw — that in every room he enters he believes he’s the smartest one present.

    Comment by shipwreckedcrew — 1/26/2012 @ 10:05 am

    I agree and that’s an important concern, but I’m curious which of these two candidates you think conservatives can most successfully push to the right on as many issues as possible? I’ve decided it will be easier to push a Southern conservative to the right than a Michigan-Massachusetts moderate.

    In addition, I’m reminded of the one issue Patterico has always said is the reason we should elect a Republican: Who will pick the most conservative Supreme Court Justice? I trust both Romney and Gingrich will pick a more conservative jurist than Obama, but I think Gingrich will pick a conservative while Romney might. The difference between “will” and “might” is huge for me.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  104. A Newt compliment from a neglected demographic.

    “Newt, a voice out of the past. Down but not out and still fighting. First I do not want anything from you but have been watching the debates. I have 80% of inmates that would vote for you. They might not be able to but their extended families will.”

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a18ddc)

  105. Who will pick the most conservative Supreme Court Justice? I trust both Romney and Gingrich will pick a more conservative jurist than Obama, but I think Gingrich will pick a conservative while Romney might. The difference between “will” and “might” is huge for me.

    Comment by DRJ

    That’s a great way to make a point I’ve tried to make in the past with much less success.

    Judicial appointment problems from Republicans in the past are lasting hurdles for conservatism.

    Dustin (7362cd)

  106. Governor Perdue of NC, home of the 2012 Democratic Coronation, floater of the suspend elections inorder that Congress may focus on doing stuff, is not running for re-election.

    Intends to spend more time with her hairdresser and the Shopping Network.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  107. Who would have thought you could get that sort of thing at THIS blog??

    — Your biggest fans, Charles Johnson and Brett Kimberlin, would.

    Icy (e70c45)

  108. Bradley, that sure wasn’t what I hoping to read when I clicked your link.

    Not really an endorsement on par with Flake or even O’Donnell.

    Dustin (7362cd)

  109. I don’t really care if honey badger finds the hive, I just want him to take the cobra’s head off.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  110. Um, I guess I missed the part where courtesy is weak, and being a rude reason meant superiority. But to each their own.

    — Gary is the most superioriest one here.

    Icy (e70c45)

  111. That’s hilarious, Bradley. I doubt Newt will mention it at the debate!

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  112. Re: Comment by shipwreckedcrew at #27
    — What he said!

    Icy (e70c45)

  113. Aaaarrgghh!!!!!! #26
    Never quote comment numbers!

    Icy (e70c45)

  114. Icy,

    I think that was Simon Jester’s comment but, at the risk of sounding like a liberal, I also support more civility.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  115. And #33

    Icy (e70c45)

  116. Santorum trashes Gingrich moon colony

    Who would have thought Santorum wasn’t a visionary? Color me shocked.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  117. Everyone is too young to remember George McGovern.

    It goes without saying that I’m speaking of Republicans.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  118. It’s all the right’s fault that children aren’t educated.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  119. 105, 107. Anthony Kennedy has promised not to retire or die until Dog is gone.

    Ginsburg is odds on fave to choose to exit. Enormous pressure will be laid on a Repugnant to keep the balance of power ‘even’.

    I know some would like to think Princess would bend to their will rather than another’s, but he does know best.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  120. /sarcasm

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  121. Newt on the other hand is trying to use ideas, which is un-Republican and same as cheating really if you think about it.

    — To be fair, only about half of Newt’s ideas are un-Republican.

    Icy (e70c45)

  122. Maybe this is aimed at potential contributors to superPacs.

    The way they have been cvarrying on like this, I get the feeling that a lot of money might disappear if Mitt Romney does not win quickly.

    Sammy Finkelman (d3daeb)

  123. my 120 post was sarcastic.

    The left love to blame the right for our lack of education.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  124. Get ROmney to swear to whatever future Godhead he expect for himself that there will be full repeal and never a VAT and maybe I won’t be shooting Strasser
    Comment by sarahw — 1/26/2012 @ 10:38 am

    — He HAS sworn that there will be a full repeal. Anyone that says otherwise is ly•ing.

    Icy (e70c45)

  125. 112. Touche.

    One legally cannot be convicted of slander against another maintaining a reputation as a scoundrel.

    Nonetheless, lying like a Shinola Spokesmodel will be opposed whenever such blameless behavior is practiced.

    People want what they want when the want it and it was ever thus.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  126. I cannot for the life of me understand why any true conservative would fear an Obama-Gingrich contest.

    — You and a lot of other people, ThOR.

    But you need to learn.

    Icy (e70c45)

  127. After that last contest, one most go ‘ramming speed,’ whereas Mitt is too much like Chip Dillard

    narciso (87e966)

  128. So, Delay, found the Hastert leadership style, ‘sure and steady’ it seems.

    narciso (87e966)

  129. 126. And just yesterday, Norm Coleman, which politician I helped to retire from MN politics voting 4th party(but mostly is was Dimmis stealing), Romney advisor, shape-shifter, proclaimed full repeal by a Republican POTUS off the table.

    Who cares what Greaseball swears? He won’t have 60 Senators and he’d have to lead to keep them in line if he did.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  130. The dog on the roof story is a complete campaign killer. Just saying I told you so in advance.
    Comment by sarahw — 1/26/2012 @ 10:57 am

    — Yeah, just like “G***amn America” was a killer last time. But not to worry! I’m sure the “Spanish is the language of the ghetto” video won’t be played over and over . . .

    Icy (e70c45)

  131. 130. So DeLay is done serving time, plea-bargained, got time off for favors, what’s his story?

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  132. Yep, Gary.

    The Romney guys are already starting to say a full repeal of Obamacare is excessive. The walkback after nomination would come quickly.

    This is why Romney’s support is soft. I think he lost 30 or so points in SC, going from +20 to -10 or so. There’s a reason his supporters quickly become his detractors. Not something I want to see in November.

    Newt has many problems too, though. Often he’ll even say something I agree with in a way that strikes me as unnecessarily brash. His problem is not soft support… it’s that he will have a hard time gaining enough to start with, soft or not.

    Dustin (7362cd)

  133. If it was Herman Cain that had sexual relationships with that women and not the police chiefs son there would be evidence in the left’s mind.

    Sorry for the Off Topic.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  134. Consider how frustrated Newt must be by now, working for 30 years in an industry where the average IQ appears to be about 87. Have you listened to these people? It’s amazing he hasn’t gone completely postal.
    Comment by Kevin M — 1/26/2012 @ 11:40 am

    — Now that’s a ringing endorsement! Let’s put the patronizing hair-trigger prima donna in charge!

    Whoo!!! Royal Rumble, baby!

    Icy (e70c45)

  135. 132. Sara is on the money. The GOP is trolling this Chum among so-libs, that is the whole “Electability” argument–that Princess is a rockstar with the ‘fiscally connected to reality’ on the left.

    The story is and iconic image of bloodlessness.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  136. This just in… Rep. Barney Frank to marry partner.
    But can his partner make an honest woman out of him?

    — That girl has never known an honest day in her life.

    Icy (e70c45)

  137. And now the rest of the story;

    I am getting sick and tired of liars. Matt Drudge should have verified. Those headlines were intended to destroy a candidate, and it turns out they were untrue.

    Outrageous.

    Of course, Mitt doesn’t have the stones to make these attacks directly. Rubin won’t confirm which attacks she gets. Mitt can’t talk to his superpac, etc etc.

    But whoever the not Romney is will have to wade through lie after lie. Tricky Dick would be pleased.

    Dustin (7362cd)

  138. 134. Armey said yesterday the goal or hope now is for a brokered convention, a mexican standoff.

    Standing in for Lee, George’s Kid, as Blondie Neuter, and Tuco will be Nor Laup.

    But what then? I’d think those that have declined or endorsed are done: Daniels(Cheri), Ryan(family), Christie(Plus-sized Panties), Palin(family), Pawlenty(withdrawn, comatose, unresponsive), etc.

    But Ryan or Palin facing a shortened window of exposure might reconsider. Have to admit the growth in Ryan over the last year is extraordinary.

    Jeb obviously wants it, Jindal, who knows?

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  139. If your a Republican and make comments involving mexicans and tacos your a racist.

    If your a democrap and make comments involving mexicans and Tequila your safe.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  140. From Wiki “As of January 11, 2011, Delay is out on bail pending his appeal.”

    Money laundering conviction.

    Again lying like a zeppo about a powerful scoundrel who crossed you has become the Amerikkkan dream.

    Like having an energy stock that pays dividends.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  141. Can’t we just elect a new people?

    AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92)

  142. Professor Jacobson:

    “The only way Mitt Romney wins a nomination is by destroying others. It was true in 2008, and it’s true in 2012. He is incapable of bringing people together with positive inspiration. He had the chance early in this cycle to prove he would not run the type of nasty campaign he ran in 2008, but when push came to shove in Iowa, he fell back on what he knows.”

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  143. There would be revolt should Jeb be crowned in a brokered convention. It’s just too dynastical.

    sarahw (b0e533)

  144. There should be a revolt. Yesterday.

    sickofrinos (44de53)

  145. Comment by shipwreckedcrew — 1/26/2012 @ 10:05 am

    I guess I’ll just have to vote for the other candidate that delivered the House (and the Senate) into the hands of the GOP after they wandered in the wilderness for 40-years.

    AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92)

  146. “…where the average IQ appears to be about 87…”

    then, they open their mouths.

    AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92)

  147. OH MY GOSH RIEHL IS A COMMUNIST DEVIL

    /Romneybot

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  148. Elliott Abrams is a back stabbing joke.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  149. Sorry if my sentences seem to have no periods.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  150. 153. Indeed, some of these people, like Sununu, short of a Romney win, were never going to work again.

    But a lot of people, should Romney die on the vine like a green tomato in early frost, have totally blown their chance at UnderSecretarial Assistant Au Pair.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  151. 154. Only if you forgive my syntactical errors, spelling, elliptial phrases, faulty memory and dyspepsia.

    Fair is fair.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  152. Fair is fair indeed.

    By the way gary Bawney Fwank is engaged.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  153. Will he wear white? I hear Kimmy has a selection on consignment. The buttetocks won’t require letting out.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  154. Karl-

    As to Gingrich “losing momentum”-I’ve only had time to look at the internals of one of the polls SurveyUSA/Monmouth-but the internals of that seem strange.

    The SurveyUSA/Monmouth poll shows Romney up by 7%.

    In the internals of that poll women are favoring Romney by a significant margin- from the pdf of the poll-

    while women prefer Romney over Gingrich by a sizable margin (45% to 26%)

    However the poll samples women at 49% and men at 51%.

    Is that the correct weighting for a Republican primary?

    The exit polling in Florida for the Republican primary in 2008 showed the turnout to be-

    56% male to 44% female.

    See here at exit polling for Florida project Washington Post-

    http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/primaries/exit-polls/states/fl/r/

    By giving almost equal weighting to both genders in the Republican primary-which goes against the turn out for 2008-the results might be incorrectly skewed towards Romney.

    I don’t know what turn out model would justify SurveyUSA/Monmouth giving a 49% to 51% weighting for male to female when the turn out in the 2008 Florida Republican primary was-split 56% male to 44% female.

    madawaskan (89a442)

  155. 160. No holds barred, no biting or blows below the belt will be indemnified, loser agrees to donate usable organs to science or medicine.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  156. I wonder if Bawney, Ron Paul and his boyfriend will have a threesome.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  157. HE did better after 1994, but his record was somewhat mixed;

    http://www.punditpress.com/2012/01/surprise-romney-donated-to-democrats.html

    narciso (87e966)

  158. There would be revolt should Jeb be crowned in a brokered convention. It’s just too dynastical.
    The last brokered convention was 1968, Chicago. One would think that a party would want to avoid something like that. That convention ended up with a candidate so weak, and a party so fractured, that they couldn’t beat a Republican has-been who was fighting a strong 3rd party challenge to his Right.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  159. In a party so dominated by Mayor Shinns, I’ll take Harold Hill any day.

    ThOR (94646f)

  160. At what point does the GOP stop bashing each other and train their fire on our Campaigner-in-Chief? Time to close ranks, because a look at the numbers shows that a certain President just may have progressed over to the dark side …http://bit.ly/qVdDUt

    ombdz (2a81ef)

  161. Romney is certainly burning bridges to the Tea Party as fast as he can. It is one thing to win the nomination by making a case for yourself, it is quite another to do so by destroying all opponents with lies and half-truths.

    The way he is going the nomination, if his, will be worthless as he will be unable to rally the old base (social cons) OR the new base (Tea Party).

    Kevin M (563f77)

  162. Will Barney go to Mr. Tucks?

    sickofrinos (44de53)

  163. “Just take a look at the extraordinary men and women who make up the 104th Congress, and, of course, this distinguished Speaker Newt Gingrich [gestures to Gingrich]. The dramatic movement of 1995 is an outgrowth of a much earlier crusade that goes back half a century. Barry Goldwater handed the torch to Ronnie. And in turn, Ronnie turned that torch over to Newt and the Republican members of Congress to keep that dream alive. I know that Ronnie believes it will succeed, and that the American people support their efforts.” – Nancy Reagan

    So when Newtonicus Gluteus Maximus claims that he and he alone was the heir to Reagan, he’s mischaracterizing what actually happened.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  164. in 3000 the world will be overpopulated by 360,000,000,000 bawney fwanks too bad the economy will collapse though thus preventing that from happening………..Oh god love ya.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  165. How fat is Newt? Side camera shot is not flattering at all.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  166. And we are all mortals by the way.

    Colonel shouldn’t you be wearing your Romney pajamas?

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  167. Republicans are jingoistic natavists.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  168. 166. Word.

    I was worried the TEAs would just rollover. Funny what an unprovoked poke in the eye will do.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  169. allahpundit RT @kirstenpowers10: Newt is thinking about how amazing it was when he wrote the Star Spangled Banner

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  170. 169… well, looks like he’s fast approaching “too fat to f*ck” status, daley.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  171. 175. Snark while you can Allah. The comparative advantage of being a dumb hayseed is there’s less to remember.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  172. Newt dodges question and talks about himself.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  173. How handsome is romney?

    Not at all.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  174. How handsome is romney?

    Not at all.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  175. JonahNRO We are Flintstone’s Grandmas: 11 Million strong and growing.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  176. allahpundit RT @philipaklein: Mitt won that immigration exchange –making Newt both at once look more inflamatory and more liberal.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  177. Newt is remembering how he convinced General Lee to surrender to General Grant at Appomattox.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  178. JimPethokoukis RT @TonyFratto: Romney’s immigration policy isn’t my policy, but he crushed Gingrich.

    JimPethokoukis RT @freddoso: Now Newt wishes the audience wasn’t able to cheer.

    RichLowry why is newt defending an ad he pulled?

    michellemalkin Newt needs to follow first rule of holes. Stop. Digging. #cnndebate

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  179. postpolitics In the live blog: Puerto Rico Gov. Fortuno may endorse Romney on Friday http://t.co/Dr9LVUBM

    postpolitics RT @glennkesslerwp: actually gingrich once apologized for saying “language of the ghetto” …and his apology was in spanish. #CNNdebate

    “We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English so people learn the common language of the country and so they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto.”

    – Newt Gingrich

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  180. “Gingrich backs up his “anti-immigrant” charge at Romney. Romney demands an apology and accuses him of being over the top. Big applause from the audience. First blow landed. Gingrich asks how else would you describe his position. Romney calmly says that being in favor of enforcing the law doesn’t make you anti-immigrant. Romney: Our problem isn’t 11 million grandmothers. Romney wins the exchange.”

    – Jonathan Tobin

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  181. BuzzFeedBen .@ZekeJMiller nails it: Romney schools Gingrich at his own game http://t.co/idSlKxhH

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  182. allahpundit Out: Mitt Romney as Robby the Robot. In: Mitt Romney as the Terminator?

    BuzzFeedBen Gingrich way down in the weeds again. #losing

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  183. The recession is getting cleaned up?

    It will take more than 10 years to clean it up.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  184. Malkin and the Romneybots teaming up?

    Oh wait no.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  185. The value of the dollar is not strong if there is debt.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  186. michellemalkin YES. Thanks, Rick Santorum, for pouring water on Big Space Newt Schemes & talking about cutting entitlements. #cnndebate

    JRubinBlogger let’ be honest- 1.2 trillion debt and to promise new programs is pandering but not responsible… santorum is killing in this debate

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  187. philipaklein Just to take a step back — Newt just made an earnest case for Lunar colony statehood in a presidential debate.

    LarrySabato It’s true. When I ask people about America’s needs, over 90% volunteer, “Moon colony”.

    JimPethokoukis Newt: “I, for one, don’t want to go the sleep by the light of a Communist moon!” Again!

    JRubinBlogger here it comes… state hood.. santorum has an i told you so look about grandiosity

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  188. JimPethokoukis I wrote about Romneycare study Santorum is talking about. He is distorting it http://t.co/QIhF8aC4

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  189. No he is not now Jimmy boy remove your head out of Romney’s ass.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  190. Wolfie is pathetic.

    sickofrinos (44de53)

  191. Anyway I will hold my nose and vote for Romney.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  192. allahpundit RT @AndrewStilesWFB: Gingrich leaving door open to appoint a new first lady, if elected.

    JimPethokoukis Wait, what was Newt saying about three wives?

    JimPethokoukis RT @davidfrum: I’d give the whole 10 minutes to Newt on this one. He has the broadest basis for comparison

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  193. JimPethokoukis RT @jpodhoretz: Whose wife would be the best Queen of the Moon?

    Now that is funny!

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  194. allahpundit RT @freddoso: I will never understand how Newt became a more acceptable not-Romney than Santorum.

    allahpundit Remind me again: Aside from his shots at Juan Williams and John King, what were Newt’s “great” debate moments?

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  195. Because Santorum is a freak ,or just a twerp, and does not believe in limited government AT ALL. And his Griswald hate means he would never be accepted in the general, all else notwithstanding.

    SarahW (b0e533)

  196. queen of the moon did make me laugh

    SarahW (b0e533)

  197. Tell me what the assault weapons ban done to curb mrders with AK-47S?

    Oh wait nothing.

    DohBiden (ef98f0)

  198. I think Santorum has been impressive tonight.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  199. Actually, I kind of like the idea of making Mitt and Newt duke it out in the arena.

    It’s gotta be more entertaining than listening to them bloviate 24/7.

    Dave Surls (46b08c)

  200. The only way Mitt Romney wins a nomination is by destroying others. It was true in 2008, and it’s true in 2012.
    — Mitt won a nomination in 2008?

    He is incapable of bringing people together with positive inspiration.
    — Yeah, that whole Olympics thing was all smoke & mirrors.

    He had the chance early in this cycle to prove he would not run the type of nasty campaign he ran in 2008, but when push came to shove in Iowa, he fell back on what he knows.”
    — Which contrasts with the other candidates, none of whom have done anything nasty?

    Leave it to gulrud to find a professor that lobs ad homs under the pretense of scholarly analysis.

    Icy (e70c45)

  201. Republicans are jingoistic natavists.
    Comment by daleyrocks — 1/26/2012 @ 5:12 pm

    — Don’t tread on me, foreigner!

    Icy (e70c45)

  202. JimPethokoukis RT @jpodhoretz: Whose wife would be the best Queen of the Moon?

    One of these days, Calista … Bang! Zoom!!!
    — Newt Kramden

    Icy (e70c45)

  203. that’s really a lot massageyness

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  204. It is true that many people would like to see a debate between Gingrich and President Golfpants. Newt would eviscerate Obama in such a forum. But if Newt is nominated, expect Obama’s puppeteers to steer clear of any debate at all costs, because they know their guy would get destroyed. And if they can’t, expect the debate moderators to do everything possible to make King Putt look good.

    Sample questions:

    “Mr Speaker, when did you stop beating your ex-wife?”

    “Mr President, would you say your best quality is a) your awesomeness, b) your effortless style, or c) how you look with your shirt off?”

    Jones (79d993)

  205. I learn from the master baiter, mr feets.

    Icy (8ddb53)

  206. 206. Friend, not your best work.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  207. 195. After the Jeopardy debacle, I cannot watch Wolfie out of human kindness, or fear I might find some, whatever.

    He is helpless.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  208. If you’re going to quote someone, you should be willing to explain why the quote is relevant to the discussion at hand.

    Icy (8ddb53)

  209. Via Twitter, I have learned that S.E. Cupp thinks it’s bad journalism on my part to not identify her as the author of the blockquote, although I did link to her article immediately beforehand.

    So someone is proud of that quote? Amazing.

    Y-not (e7d1c7)

  210. Icy (214),

    The link is attribution. And the post explains why the quote is relevant to the discussion. The question is whether the name was particularly relevant to the piece. And it isn’t, as far as I can tell.

    I can think of situations where it would be relevant. For example, if I was quoting her on religious freedom, I would have named her, because she is (afaik) an atheist who nevertheless stands up for religious freedom, and has written extensively enough on the subject that the fact that a quote came from her would add value to the reader.

    Conversely, in this case, many pundits made the basic point I criticized; she was quoted only because she directly invoked Rome. The reference is far from unique, which was the reason to address it in the first instance.

    Karl (f07e38)

  211. Karl, you don’t have anything to explain. Also, I assumed that you didn’t name Ms Cupp because you were trying to be gentle about your discussion of the idea instead of the person behind it.

    I agree that this kind of complaining is not persuasive, but I think Cupp is totally right. I think this explains why Cain did much better than Perry, pre implosion of both.

    Dustin (7362cd)

  212. No need to apologize Karl.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  213. The Day of Newticus Gluteus Maximus honoring himself is near an end.

    Colonel Haiku (b486eb)

  214. The day of Marcus Junius Romney and Julius Ceasar Gingrich will never end but hey we need to choose between these two.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  215. It seems like Iowa is repeating itself…

    FINAL DRUDGE POLL RESULTS… READERS FROM FLORIDA ONLY: ROMNEY 34.78%… SANTORUM 24.61%… PAUL 22.7%… GINGRICH 17.92%…

    This he calls the final poll, and is five days before the election. (up to Thursday night, probably mostly pre-debate) Total percentages add up to 100%. Actually about 1% may go to others.

    Gingrich+Santorum = 42.53%. In the actual voting in South Carolina they got about 57%, Romney 28%.

    In an earlier Florida poll, Romney was at 41%, Santorum at 19%, Gingrich at 18%. Romney does not climb above 35% in this poll. Total percentages add up to

    Santorum is gaining. The lasat debate may help him too.

    Jonah Goldberg wrote after the Iowa caucuses:

    When Newt surged last month, everyone
    said his timing couldn’t have been better. If you’re going to surge, surge late, goes the conventional wisdom. Townhall magazine’s cover for January features Newt vs. Mitt with the tagline “Gingrich: The last non-Romney standing.” Well, they — we — were wrong. Think of it this way: Remember when Indiana Jones is escaping
    that South American temple and he manages to slide under the closing door in the nick of time? The audience thinks he just made it with not a moment to spare. But wait — then he grabs his hat! The hat is Santorum.

    Paul’s totals are probably too high since this is an election limited to registered Republicans.

    It may not change as much as Iowa in the final days because:

    1) Romney has some votes banked. But not all that many.

    2) Gingrich has some votes banked too

    3) You don’t have the element of an evangelical endorsement. (This was also attempted in South Carolina, but opinion among them was too divided)

    Sammy Finkelman (d3daeb)

  216. Don Gingrich will not be displeased.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  217. * Total percentages add up to 100% in Drudge’s poll. He does not link to anything.

    Drudge is pro-Romney, or has early access to all the aRomney anti-everybody else material. I say this not only because all the anti-Newt Gingrich stuff appeared on his website but because of this:

    The Romney campaign, managed by a former opposition researcher, Matt Rhoades, who is legendary for leaking information on opponents to his pal Matt Drudge, the conservative newshound, employs teams of videographers and has three in-house editing bays for churning out advertisements and videos, a virtual production studio for destroying Obama.

    http://nymag.com/print/?/news/features/negative-
    campaigning-2012-1/

    – The Coming Tsunami of Slime: How Super-PACs, vulnerable candidates, and armies of mercenaries will converge to create the ugliest campaign ever.

    (January 30, 2012 New York Magazine. Artucle satrts on pages 18-19, words start on page 20. Internet copy of article dated January 22.))

    From this same article we also learn:

    Jason Meath, who directed the anti-Romney documentary about Bain, worked for Stevens and Schriefer for eight years, including on Romney’s 2008 campaign.

    So the anti-Romney Bain film was made by somebody who actually had worked for Romney. That may mean some people on the Romney campaign are actually pro-Obama. That is, their personal interests may be in Obama winning. (Why not? With Obama as President, there’s more money spent on Republican campaigns)

    The Bain material fit into things said by a Democratic campaign.

    Sammy Finkelman (d3daeb)

  218. Newt Gingrich may still recover in other primaries.

    Sammy Finkelman (d3daeb)

  219. Look for him to do well in Virginia

    Icy (8ddb53)

  220. You rule.

    No matter who wins Gingrich or Romney we need to vote for them IMO.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  221. Gingrich or Bombney don’t inspire confidence in me but I will hold my nose and vote for them.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  222. vote for them if they are both on a ticket.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  223. Romney is super-electable he doesn’t need our votes

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  224. The left are trying to play us and the rich off against each other.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  225. Obama blames Recession on Republican gridlock.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  226. According to the left the presidente wants to work with Republicans but they refuse too because they want gridlock.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  227. 229. Bingo.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  228. Comment by Sammy Finkelman — 1/27/2012 @ 12:49 pm

    SF: Newt Gingrich may still recover in other primaries.

    Comment by Icy — 1/27/2012 @ 1:06 pm

    Look for him to do well in Virginia

    He can’t. He’s not on the ballot. Newt Gingrich has neglected that issue, it seems.

    Sammy Finkelman (d3daeb)

  229. 221. FINAL DRUDGE POLL RESULTS… READERS FROM FLORIDA ONLY: ROMNEY 34.78%… SANTORUM 24.61%… PAUL 22.7%… GINGRICH 17.92%…
    ===========================

    No other Florida poll is or ever was like that.

    Also I think that quickly disappeared from the Drudge web site and it was unsourced.

    Of course Drudge, being pro-Romney, or having sources very pro-Romney, would want to split the non-Mitt vote more – maybe not so much now, although who can tell?

    Polls last week seem to show Santorum always ahead of Ron Paul, but around 10 to 16%, Romney somewhere between 27% and 47% (!) and Gingrich between 27% and 32%. Not clear which polls include any banked votes.

    Ron Paul is actually concentrating on caucuses, and advertising in places like Minnesota.

    Real Clear Politics summary of teh polls:

    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/republican_presidential_nomination-1452.html

    Nate Silver in the New York Times in his http://www.fivethirtyeight.com blog

    http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/

    The polls are always the place, although they all show a Romney win. One poll January 28/29 shows Romney with a 20 point lead.

    http://www.suffolk.edu/images/content/FINAL_Florida_GOP_Marginals_Jan_30_2012.pdf

    32% say they already voted.

    Another poll done Sunday night shows Romney with a 19-point lead.

    http://weaskamerica.com/2012/01/30/florida-revisted/

    Both of these polls might possibly overrepresent those who already voted.

    But another poll, done January 28/29 shows Gingrich only 7% behind, with the results on Sunday alone looking better , with Gingrich only 4% behind.

    http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_FL_129.pdf

    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/2012/InsiderAdvantage_FL_0129.pdf

    Another poll, which has favored Gingrich all along shows Gingrich 5% ahead.

    Best guess: Gingrich will be about even or slightly ahead with votes cast on Election Day. They shoukld amount to 60% of the total. Romney may lead 3-2 in the banked votes.

    Give them both 33% on Election Day. If 60% that’s 20%. Give Romney 40% of the remaining 40%. that’s 16%. That’s 36%. Give Gingrich 8% from the bank. That adds up to 28%. Give Santorum around 15% and paul around 10%. Some banked votes show go to Perry as well. That adds up to 89% plus 5%. We need to allocate some 5% more. Maybe I should raise Santorum. Late deciders will not go to Romney.

    [note: released from moderation. –Stashiu]

    Sammy Finkelman (d3daeb)


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