Yes, my thoughts exactly:
National Review lost any credibility to chime in on the primaries when it ran its infamous Marvin the Martian cover and issue in late December.
At least Andy McCarthy understood at the time:
For the Editors to single out Gingrich for this kind of raking — particularly when his accomplishments in government dwarf anything his rivals have managed to achieve — fails the test of judgment conservatives expect from National Review. The transcendent mission of our founder calls for explicating principled conservative arguments about the great issues of the day, not “winnowing” intra-GOP primaries….
Sure, National Review as an entity is entitled to an opinion, but it’s one that should be disregarded as emotionally tainted.
When Rick Santorum wins some big primary states were everyone is competing, when his “true conservative” credentials are understood, and when he is tested as he has not been so far by the Romney attack machine, then we can talk.
When Newt had his second surge in South Carolina his policy and personal foibles had been fully vetted, and only a $17 million lying and deceiving Romney attack in Florida brought Newt back down. Romney was aided by people like Elliott Abrams, who misleadingly attacked Newt’s Reagan history in National Review and had his false allegations trumpeted by Drudge for days.
When Santorum shows that he can withstand the money, media and politicial bombs that Romney can drop, then he can claim the mantle; until then, we cannot afford to have him be the sole remaining not-Romney.
Indeed, why are we even talking about a not-Romney. If nothing else, the past weeks since South Carolina have shown Romney to be a profoundly weak frontrunner, someone who has even establishment types worried.
Maybe Romney should be the one dropping out if he does poorly in Michican and on Super Tuesday. Then we can have a battle of the two conservatives.
Until then, hang in there Newt.
Update: Dear Speaker Gingrich.
And (h/t HotAir):
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Comments
Come and go as you please, is the NRO response for their editorial asking Gingrich to leave the race.
They do have a point, as Gingrich has directly and indirectly asked Santorum to leave the race in earlier more robust times for him.
That is precisely why I canceled my NR subscription. They’ve become a shill for the GOP.
To paraphrase a great man, I have canceled my God Damn subscription.
The only candidate with an R after his name I will vote for, donate to and campaign for is former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich.
Mr. Jacobson said, “and only a $17 million lying and deceiving Romney attack in Florida brought Newt back down.”
You don’t think Newt’s flat Florida debate performances had anything, anything at all, to do with his drop? I believe that was the biggest factor, because it hit Gingrich at what was perceived to be his biggest strength – that Newt was a killer debater.
That was devastating to Newt’s campaign, in the same way that, if it could somehow be shown that Santorum isn’t a real social conservative, that would devastate Santorum’s campaign.
I warned y’all that calling for others to drop out for your guy was a bad idea. Now the tables are turned, and y’all don’t like the taste of your own medicine.
In other news, it is starting to look like it won’t matter if Newt drops out or not, as his numbers are sinking lower and lower.
I think you’ve mistaken this website for a horse stall to spread your manure.
Stay classy and substantive.
Meanwhile, I’ll continue to make observations and predictions that receive thumbs down here, and thumbs up in the real world.
CORRECTION – in regard to the last Debate (FL/CNN).
Romney lied seven times…on the air, in front of 6 million viewers:
1. He denied accusing Newt of exaggerating/lying about his part in Reagan’s administration only three days before on Monday night in Tampa.
2. He lied about his own ‘ghetto language’ ad that bore his voice
3. He claimed all his business was run by a blind trust, a tactic that Mitt himself called ‘the oldest ruse in the book’ in a previous campaign.
4. He said he voted for republicans in the past when there was a republican to vote for, but if you look back at the Gingrich ad exposing his lies, it turns out when George H.w. Bush and Buchanan were running, he voted for a liberal democrat.
5. He denied the cost of Romneycare to taxpayers in Massachusetts. “Half of those people got insurance on their own. Others got help in buying the insurance.”
False. In fact, 98% of the additional people insured after Romneycare was passed have it paid for or subsidized by the federal government or Massachusetts government. Of the 412,000 additional people who had health insurance in 2010 who did not have it in June 2006 (pre-reform), only 7K of the 412K (1.7%) had unsubsidized health insurance. The rest were covered through Medicaid, Commonwealth Care, or a program of subsidized care for the unemployed.
6. He denied the impact of Romney care on citizens of Massachusetts. Romneycare has increased the price of healthcare premiums for every citizen of Massachusetts. Premiums have increased by 55 percent since Mitt Romney became Governor, a rate 13 points higher than the national average and the third highest growth rate among the states.
7. He said he lowered taxes in Massachusetts 19 times. Yet he raised fees and corporate taxes twice. No wonder Massachusetts was rated at the bottom of all the states (47-49th) in job and business growth.
Newt said he was flabbergasted…stunned. BUT, said he is ready for the next debate.
AND he promised to stay in the race until the end.
Thanks be to God.
Romney is the one who should drop out. He has sullied himself, the party, the political process and the whole conservative movement by running as a Republican conservative when he is a liberal Democrat.
He governed left of Ted Kennedy:
Here’s what Mitt Romney supported as Governor of Massachusetts:
1. Pro-abortion with taxpayer funding (added it to RomneyCare, refused to line-item veto it).
2. Pro-government mandated healthcare.
3. Pro-government mandates in general (“I like mandates” his own words on tape).
4. Pro-gay marriage with full state sponsorship (was first Governor to install it, had earlier broke the law in his quest to issue gay marriage licenses, then called opponents of his actions “right-wing”).
5. Pro-transgender education to children in public schools (promoted by Governor Romney’s administration).
6. Pro-global warming caused by human activity (his own words)
7. Pro-environmental regulations to combat global warming (imposed massive environmental regulations in Massachusetts, according to the Wall Street Journal).
8. Pro-taxes on businesses (closed loopholes, then raised business taxes by $300 million as Governor of Massachusetts, according to USA Today).
9. Pro-amnesty for illegal immigrants (path to citizenship for illegals, his own words)
10. Anti-second amendment (supported the strict gun control laws of Massachusetts).
Romney’s track record is to the Left of most Democrats.
As the inimitable and fearless Ann Barnhardt said, “Go Home Willard.”
So Romney is a lying weasel, this is not news. But it was news that Gingrich can perform badly in clutch debates. Until the Florida debates, it was generally conceded that Newt was the best debater in this field, bar none.
And if Newt would have debated in Florida the way he had in South Carolina, Newt would have won Florida, regardless of how much money Romney would have spent in attack ads. But the fact is, Newt fell flat in those debates, whether it was due to having a bad night, or from being too complacent and overconfident from his SC win.
If Newt was caught flatfooted in those debates because of all the lies Romney was telling, what does that say for Newt if he were to debate Obama? You think Obama isn’t going to be telling a million lies per minute during the debates? That is why Newt’s substandard debate performances were so harmful to him, it took away from him his primary strength – the air of debate domination.
Your comment is made of so much awesomeness. It’s like awesomeness cubed.
I think Gingrich should stay in just to get his revenge on Romney in the next debate. He always does better when he is underestimated by him.
Cynical conspiracy theory of the day: National Review wants to increase its readership by securing four more years of Obama.
The Santorum wave will crest…just like they all have-
Romney will make sure all that is left of the wave is gunky sea foam splattered about the beach.
Leaving Newt. Fresh. Calibrated.
Like George Will said: “The GOP’s favorite candidate is still last name Romney-first name not.”
Newt’s already had two chances, he will not get a third.
If Santorum stumbles or is taken down, one of two things will happen:
#1. Romney will win (because at that point, Republican primary voters will finally resign themselves to voting for him)
or
#2. We have a brokered convention, where we’ll end up with a RINO’s RINO, such as Romney, Jeb Bush, or someone just like them.
This race is far from over.
Romney still has to face his lies, his fiscal corruption, his use of taxpayer dollars to bail out his business and the SLC Olympics, his dirty campaign tricks and his lousy leftist record.
He’s gonna reap what he sowed.
The race is not over, this is true.
But it isn’t true that Romney will have to face his lies. Obama has gotten away with a whole lot for years – that comes with the territory of being the darling of the media.
The only way Romney will end up facing his lies is if he wins the Republican nomination. Only then, when facing Obama, will the media hold Romney’s feet to the fire.
At this point, Romney still has a big advantage, but Santorum has the momentum. Michigan is the state to watch right now.
*Him being Romney since he is going to attack Santorum like he did Gingrich, which will let Gingrich tag team Romney.
Newt is free to stay in as long as he wants. Traditionally a major candidate stays in the primaries until it becomes clear (to the candidate last, usually) that there is no realistic path to the nomination.
Newt is down, but I don’t think anyone can say that he is left with no path to the nomination. So of course he should stay in.
My hope is that if he’s not going to be the nominee, that he bows out gracefully and actively supports whoever wins. Ditto for Romney if he loses, ditto Santorum.
Tammy Bruce is my favorite lesbian feminist.
She is a free thinker and a great American.
Well…AND a fox…
(sigh)
I don’t see why her being a lesbian has anything to do with anything…outside the bedroom…just sayin’
If NR understood Marvin the Martian better they would see he never gave up:
“Being disintegrated makes me very angry, very angry indeed!”
“Never-the-less no Earth creature is going to contaminate my atmosphere.”
Go Newt – give ’em an “earth shattering Kaboom.”
Certo!
I’m quite happy with Santorum. Newt is now my second choice. There is no third choice for me. As for dropping out, the sooner Romney does it, the better.
Newt won’t be going anywhere til Tampa – by looking at the video where Newt was asked right after CPAC if he’s afraid of Santorum, the look alone on his face said it all. Trust me Newt is in it to win it! Had a subscription to NR, was pretty informative and honest, that was until this Primary started. So, so long, and your opinion means less than dog s–t to me. Haven’t been to NRO, Townhall, Fox -the list goes on, since they went all Romney on us. Thank god for the internet & these great blog spots. The professor’s one of the best!!
You are so right on. I saw that as well.
“Newt was asked right after CPAC if he’s afraid of Santorum, the look alone on his face said it all. Trust me Newt is in it to win it!”
Newt’s reaction was priceless. The infantry mentality that Newt operates in doesn’t bow out – you reorganize and attack with a varied strategy to win.
Certo!
It’s just the dueling vikings in the 13th Warrior. The experienced viking (Newt) against the young viking who has the money and power behind him (Romney)?
Guess who wins?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp1mzx5O4ao
I just love the dialogue:
“He might be killed!”
“That is possible,” He calmly answers.
“Any fool can calculate strength.”
Romney – money & organization
Santorum – few caucus wins & rise in polls
“Now he has to calculate what he cannot see”
Romney cannot see his inevitability
Santorum has not seen a win in a state with everyone on the ballot.
“Fear what he does not know.”
Romney and Santorum fear that Newt will not just go away. Remember he planned the GOP takeover of Congress for 14 years. His strategy and plan for Super Tuesday should not be dismissed. He knows how to win and win big.
Certo!
*Dialogue from the 13th Warrior
Politijim is one of my favorite bloggers – just discovered him recently.
National Review lost all credibility when they allowed one of their editors to endorse Obama.
Certo – loved that 13th warrior and how very appropo- Hope everybody watches it all the way thru. Between your comments and links, you’ve given me much info. & places to VERIFY info. on ALL the presidential candidates. Thanks!!
Newt will go all the way … Power to the People !!!
Conservative 4 Newt website is a great place to visit.
They update new video of Newt’s interviews, quotes, and so on.
Donate to them if you can.
http://conservatives4newt.blogspot.com/
Great link … http://conservatives4newt.blogspot.com/
Thanks NewtCerto : )
Latest polls:
Pew
Romney – 28
Gingrich – 17
Santorum – 30
Gallup:
Romney – 32
Gingrich – 16
Santorum – 30
PPP:
Romney – 23
Gingrich – 17
Santorum – 38
RCP average:
Romney – 29
Gingrich – 18
Santorum – 30.3
RCP average – 2/13/2008
McCain – 48
Huckabee – 28.2
Paul – 7.3
Romney dropped out 2/7/2008
OK, can anybody corroborate what I heard recently from Dick Morris? He claims Newt’s Super PAC money is going to dry up.
http://youtu.be/oPTqJ2WlHH0
(jump to 1:12)
Morris has had some good analysis in the past but lately has been a bit wacky. And not just on Gingrich. Hope he’s wrong.
And there’s this: Gingrich Seeks to Ease Fundraising Woes as Big Donations Slow – Bloomberg:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-10/gingrich-seeks-to-ease-fundraising-woes-as-big-donations-slow.html
Damn, wish I was a billionaire.
My guess is that Newt’s money is drying up at this point.
Dick Morris, however, has a really, really poor track record. Just see his past posts regarding Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann (candidates Morris was propping up to help Romney and hurt Perry, back when Perry was still a threat). Dick Morris has been a stealth-shill for Romney throughout this campaign. Never trust a political pundit, especially one with such beady little eyes!
Newt’s Super PAC money is primarily coming from the big casino owner Sheldon Adelson, who has agreed to support Romney the moment Newt throws in the towel.
Unrelated, Adelson is also a target of a criminal investigation related to his foreign casinos. Progress on the investigation might make his money difficult for either of them to take.
That Adelson made his commitment to Romney public pretty much shows his faith in Gingrich.
So Newt’s sins of moderation are more forgivable than Santorum’s? Add to Newt all the marital baggage and Santorum looks like a better option. This whole mandate fiasco with the Catholic Church may help push Santorum in the final stretch.
Gingrich has a record of accomplishment that Santorum simply does not have-period. I don’t care what Gingrich did 15 years ago in his personal life. I care that he can get this economy rolling and that is what we should all be concerned with.
I’m not concerned so much about Gingrich’s affairs from long ago, either. I’m more concerned by the fact that, as an older man and an experienced politician, he got suckered by Nancy Pelosi just 4 years ago.
Fortunately, it was only over the small matter of global warming – it isn’t like that is the tool of the left to destroy our whole economy and a huge power grab over our freedoms or anything. If you’re gonna make mistakes, make small ones!
If money was everything and that is what Romney has why isn’t he winning it all.
Money can help, but even being a ‘severe conservative’ like Romney message and vision is everything.
Santorum hasn’t faced the onslaught of millions of dollars of negative ads. He states his policies and his solutions are ho-hum.
Newt has the solutions and the ability to rally the American people to them. As he said, you need to have people understand what you want to do and then get them to follow you.
I donated to Newt. That’s all we can do.
Polls are up and are down.
We’ll see what shakes out after the next debate and after super Tuesday.
So until then . . . .
Certo!
Professor, you’re a strange vessel for the message “disregard as emotionally tainted.”
As the founders sacrificed everything for this country – Newt has pledged his honor & his fortune – so I pledge my support by talking with friends & family & financially to Newt!s candidacy.
To think a former successful speaker of the house should drop out before a losing senator w no executive experience and little else to show he is in any, way, shape or form qualified to lead, is ridiculous.
Sooo… having your own side turn against you and being forced to resign in disgrace is considered “successful”? And then going on to have a thus far losing record against a “loser senator” with no money, none of this reflects on the “successfulness” of Newt?
*sigh* This is your Friendly neighborhood Liberal telling you that Republicans who buy into Democratic story lines have a name, and it is “Losers.”
Liberal voters will vote for good-quality conservative candidates. If the Republican grow enough cojones to brag about him, they’ll be happy with the result.
Thanks for that wonderful summation Uncle Samuel! Can I forward that to some of my friends?
My data is your data. :8-)
Thanks, Buddy! Sorry my comment is so far below your post. For some reason it jumped to the bottom.
That “Dear Speaker Gingrich” letter was fabulous, by the way. I forwarded it to Rush Limbaugh.
I wish everyone here would do the same.
Also, PolitiJim has a great comparison between Newt and Mitt.
Mitt has a HORRIBLE record as Governor. No wonder the left want him as the candidate.
http://www.politijim.com/2012/01/stats-on-what-newt-and-mitt-did-not.html
Whoa – look what I found:
“Over my cold, dead, political body NRO.
Apparently the kids over at the National Review don’t know what honesty and integrity are because the above excerpt is a total lie. Allow me to educate these establishment lackeys…
Official Delegate Count as of Today, 02/13/2012:
Mitt Romney: 73
Newt Gingrich: 29
Ron Paul: 8
Rick Santorum: 3
Official Popular Vote Total as of Today, 02/13/2012:
Mitt Romney: 1,121,497
Newt Gingrich: 838,715
Rick Santorum: 431,819
Ron Paul: 307,866
Fact: Newt Gingrich has finished ahead of Rick Santorum in every contest whose results are binding – New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida, and Nevada.
Fact: Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado, and Maine are non-binding caucus contests. Zero delegates were chosen by these votes, Zero. Delegates are not chosen until each state’s convention. The Missouri primary was a senseless vote as Missouri holds it’s non-binding caucus on March 17th.
Fact: RNC rules clearly state that no contest held prior to April 1st can be “winner take all” – delegates must be allocated in a proportional manner. This is important because this rule will change the delegate count above. Currently all of Florida’s 50 delegates are being counted for Mitt Romney. However, when this number is changed to proportional allocation Gingrich will likely be awarded 16 of the 50 delegates. Thus a more accurate current delegate count would be:
Mitt Romney: 57
Newt Gingrich: 45
Ron Paul: 8
Rick Santorum: 3
A little different picture than the National Review and virtually every other media outlet has led you to believe isn’t it? Even setting aside the certain change in Florida’s delegate allocation the current state of the GOP primary process is undeniable to reasonable people. Governor Romney and Speaker Gingrich are far and away the leaders in delegates and popular votes.
Senator Santorum is a distant third in votes cast and dead last in delegates won. Period.”
http://tinyurl.com/82wxoxq
Another interesting insight about Drudge:
“You’ll notice that below the ‘Fred Declares: Romney has “Drudge in back pocket”…’ link there are three links rather childishly formed as: ;D ;O $$. These three links are to previous instances of the drudgereport.com where Newt is featured in a favorable light.”
There are screenshots shown in the link.
“Mr. Drudge, you must earn and maintain trust and credibility – they are not yours by right. This combination of emoticon linking and kicking Speaker Gingrich in the gut did not help matters.
You have lost my trust Matt Drudge, and squandered the credibility I previously thought you had. If you want it back you will have to earn it. Period.”
http://tinyurl.com/7gg25we
good read and with a link to a video regarding Newt on TARP:
http://www.redstate.com/leon_h_wolf/2012/02/13/an-open-challenge-to-supporters-of-rick-santorum/
Food for thought…
Gingrich: Talkin’ TWO DOLLAR Gasoline