Democrats for Gingrich are pouring money and assistance into his campaign in Florida. Easily more beatable than Romney, there are now an ongoing supply of anti-Gingrich stories that outline his opposition to Reagan when Reagan was President to the various positions he has held on a range of issues that make him less Republican than Romney.
The push signals a growing belief among Democrats that they may have a real chance at helping to derail Romney, who has long been viewed as Obama’s most formidable GOP opponent but is reeling from a loss to Gingrich in South Carolina. Gingrich and Romney are locked in a tight race ahead of Tuesday’s Florida primary.
While unions and other groups commonly run political ads supporting their candidates in the general election, this is something different — an unusually direct intervention by one side into the other party’s primary race, political strategists said.
And with Senator Marco Rubio coming out to outline the assistance he received from Romney when it really mattered and his primary win over Charlie Crist was so uncertain, there is genuine evidence of which is the more conservative candidate of the two, and it isn’t Gingrich.
I also had the experience of watching Obama’s State of the Union speech in the company of many others. I found it hollow empty rhetoric but then everything Obama says seems to be hollow empty rhetoric. But this time others seemed to find the same as the audience just drifted off. You could see they wanted to believe but there was nothing there at all and eventually they gave up listening. With his audience down 12% compared with one year ago, there is real reason to think his hold has deserted him.
Update: In Texas in the middle of the night, not Melbourne in the middle of the evening. But here is Ann Coulter providing more of the same and is doing so when it means taking a different position from many in her natural constituency. A genuinely brave view who has much to lose by taking the strong position she has. Read the comments after the article to see just how out on a limb she is.
In a world where words have meaning, Mitt Romney is not the “moderate” in this race. He is the most conservative candidate still standing, with the possible exception of Rick Santorum, who is bad on illegal immigration. (Santorum voted in the Senate against even the voluntary use of E-Verify by employers, which means he doesn’t want to do anything about illegal immigration at all.)
Romney is “moderate” only in demeanor — which is just another word game. His positions are more conservative than Gingrich’s, but he doesn’t scare people like Gingrich does. Ronald Reagan and Jesse Helms were moderate in demeanor, too. No one would call them political moderates.
Romney is the most electable candidate not only because it will be nearly impossible for the media to demonize this self-made Mormon square, devoted to his wife and church, but precisely because he is the most conservative candidate.
Conservatism is an electable quality. Hotheaded arrogance is neither conservative nor attractive to voters.
Brad Norington still gets moist every time Obama opens his mouth.
Steve of Ferny Hills
26 Jan 12 at 9:17 pm
Romney is by far the preferable candidate when comparing the two. Gingrich is deeply frightening when he speaks – the kind of person who will do whatever it takes to get ahead, damn the consequences.
Romney is the easily the most capable statist on offer.
Now just waiting for Gingrich and Santorum to drop out. Unfortunately with the result in SC, Gingrich may be around for some time yet.
Driftforge
26 Jan 12 at 9:54 pm
“The push signals a growing belief among Democrats that they may have a real chance at helping to derail Romney, who has long been viewed as Obama’s most formidable GOP opponent”
Interesting. It has been an article of faith around here that Democrats want Romney to run against Obama. I have made that same argument. Maybe this is a bluffing manoeuvre? An expensive gamble, if it was.
“But this time others seemed to find the same as the audience just drifted off.”
And yet 91% of people polled approve of his proposals in the speech. Maybe it was just the people you happened to be among?
Jarrah
26 Jan 12 at 9:54 pm
Sounds like a well-publicised piece of trickery.
‘Hi Alan, we’re Democrats and we really want Gingrich.’
Decoded: ‘Hi GOP base, see how much you should back Romney? [Hee hee].’
C.L.
26 Jan 12 at 9:56 pm
91 percent of what?
Obama’s SOTU ratings tank 12%, worst of presidency.
C.L.
26 Jan 12 at 9:58 pm
Jazza
A couple of sentences below it says last year 81% of people polled supported the SOTU address, yet Odumbo has been polling listlessly through the year.
He’s eminently beatable.
JC
26 Jan 12 at 10:01 pm
People probably liked the speech because when it comes to tax and the very wealthy, it made common freaking sense. Obama selling it yesterday:
steve from brisbane
26 Jan 12 at 10:08 pm
Ah yes, the ooooollllllle double cross. Good thinking, 99.
m0nty
26 Jan 12 at 10:13 pm
JC and CL, obviously approval of his speeches doesn’t translate into approval of his leadership. I was addressing Kates’ description of the reception. Clearly whoever he was watching with are not a representative sample of the US public.
Jarrah
26 Jan 12 at 10:13 pm
They may have liked it, but it doesn’t make sense you innumerate. US income taxes are THE MOST progressive in the western world.
After he’s raised spending to stratospheric heights he then asks for a tax increase. Great work.
Finally you are aware that unlike here dividends in the US are double tax, right?
JC
26 Jan 12 at 10:17 pm
Hilarious:
Dumbo’s little-watched SOTU speech was a retread.
It certainly has been a bad week for leftie plagiarists and speech-givers.
C.L.
26 Jan 12 at 10:18 pm
Forbes: SOTU stunt secretary actually earns $200-500,000 a year.
C.L.
26 Jan 12 at 10:22 pm
I like Coulter’s article. Romney is not a great candidate and there are many reasons to be dissatisfied with his campaign, however the only reason Republican voters are taking to Gingrich is that he provides good entertainment in the debates. He is a great rhetorician, but terrible in every other regard. Unfortunately, there is no credible alternative to Romney in the race.
Fisky
26 Jan 12 at 10:22 pm
What a large number of Australians don’t know is that small business in the US operates as Sub-Chapter S corporations because of the advantages of not incorporating as full corporations that demands tax at 35% and dividends are taxed twice.
So when you file under S you file as an individual which allows profits to be taxed once.
Most profits are not spent but ploughed back in small business. That’s what Odumbo wants to his dirty little hands on.
Odumbo wants to get his hands on retained earnings.
JC
26 Jan 12 at 10:23 pm
Gingrich reminds me of plenty of local politicians. He’s been involved in so many deals and compromised so often, he doesn’t know what he believes in any more. All he knows is what to say to get elected.
The Democrats have recognised this and are hoping to use his history against him so Obama wins. It might work too.
DavidLeyonhjelm
26 Jan 12 at 10:32 pm
And now he wants a permanent base on the moon within eight years.
Jarrah
26 Jan 12 at 10:37 pm
Latest polls show Romney ahead by 8 in Florida.
JC
26 Jan 12 at 10:38 pm
Romney: Conservative enough for Ann freakin’ Coulter, not conservative enough for CL.
wreckage
26 Jan 12 at 10:45 pm
Associates of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich are stepping forward to rebut accusations from Republican presidential rival Mitt Romney that he resigned in “disgrace” and paid an ethics “fine.”
Gingrich insisted during a candidates debate Monday that reports he was fined $300,000 for House ethics violations are inaccurate and records back up his claim the payment was not a fine.
…….the record of the House debate in January 1997 as recorded in the Congressional Record, supports Gingrich’s contention that the $300,000 he paid was a “reimbursement” or “sanction” related to legal fees, but not a fine or admission of any wrongdoing.
JC
26 Jan 12 at 10:48 pm
oops should have been in quotes
JC
26 Jan 12 at 10:52 pm
Gingrich frames the debate
Peter Ferrara writes:
Before this campaign is over, America will know who Saul Alinsky is, even if Mitt Romney does not.
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/01/25/gingrich-frames-the-debate
Viva
26 Jan 12 at 11:02 pm
That’s what I keep saying about Gingrich. He’s always had this amazing ability to frame the debates. It’s an incredible ability as his articulation is perhaps the best of any candidate I’ve ever seen.
I’ve seen him operate since the early 90′s and he was trouncing the Dems into that amazing win in 94.
I’m seriously in two minds. Who knows if Romney can win. He certainly wouldn’t be framing the debates as he seems to soft and uncommitted.
Gingrich on the other hand would take it up to odumbo and force him to explain himself a more. Let him explain away his ACORN association or Rev. Wright.
You never right off Gingrich.
JC
26 Jan 12 at 11:15 pm
The thing about Gingrich is that he throws out countless ideas. The moon idea sounds crappy, but tomorrow he’ll dream up some other ideas that sound better an everyone forgets about the moon landing in 8 years.
He has the capacity to destroy Odumbo.
JC
26 Jan 12 at 11:17 pm
Absolutely JC. Let’s see what happens next week.
Many may not recall, but Gingrich on Fox the day of 9/11 was very powerful stuff. He resonates.
Lazlo
26 Jan 12 at 11:44 pm
WTF?
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/10662-is-there-a-saul-alinsky-portrait-in-the-white-house
JC
26 Jan 12 at 11:46 pm
Gingrich
He has the capacity to destroy Gingrich and lotsa other GOPers running for office.
If this election is about Obummer as it should be, he loses.
JamesK
26 Jan 12 at 11:53 pm
The Chicago machine Wants to face in decreasing order of preference: 1. Gingrich, 2. Romney and 3. Santorum.
Big labour at the direction of Obama’s campaign team are campaigning for Gingrich in Florida for a reason.
JamesK
26 Jan 12 at 11:56 pm
If Alinsky is indeed hanging in the Whitehouse I am very glad. I’d prefer him hanging from a light pole on Pennsylvanis Ave, but this is very heartening news… what? Oh…
Infidel Tiger
26 Jan 12 at 11:58 pm
But why so you think that the Odumbo campaign is right, James? I’m so sure that even if that list correct I would be saying they have it correct.
The assumption in this is that they will be able to frame the campaign. What if it doesn’t go their way?
You lose presidential elections by miscalculating your opponent and the public perception of the other candidate.
JC
27 Jan 12 at 12:06 am
oops… do
JC
27 Jan 12 at 12:07 am
I’m not a conservative.
Does that explain things?
Coulter at 2011 CPAC:
C.L.
27 Jan 12 at 12:29 am
I dunno.. the right wing is bouncing around candidates trying to figure which of them can beat Odumbo and we’re all over the map.
It’s really hard trying to figure it out though. What’s easier is to figure out how to beat Odumbo and that’s to frame the campaign about Odumbo and get the message about his competency to the voters over the heads of the media. I really can only think that Gingrich would be able to do it.
JC
27 Jan 12 at 12:38 am
Well here’s some good news for Ann Coulter et hoc genus omne:
George Soros says there is no difference between Romney and Obama. Only Gingrich and Santorum are conservative alternatives, he says.
Video.
C.L.
27 Jan 12 at 12:42 am
Well if they are right or wrong, they calculate spending $2-3 millioin on a GOP primary well worth it.
They’ve made a calculation and they’ve backed it at Axelrod’s instigation.
I repeat if the general election is on the President’s record, he’s toast.
Nobody knows – least of all Gingrich – what Gingrich is liable to say next.
Gingrich is a great rhetorician. but he’s a dreadful presidential candidate.
I don’t have great confisence in Romney political centre of gravity and I’d like to see more of Santorum whose race Gingrich has basically fouled up.
Also I reckon Romney could be made to do the right thing by the conservative base and Republican congressional leaders but Gingrich would do whatever idea came into his head.
I suspect we’d have a much more conservative presidency with Romney as a result.
JamesK
27 Jan 12 at 12:56 am
I wonder when CL started acceprting Soros’ word in good faith.
JamesK
27 Jan 12 at 12:58 am
So what you’re saying is that Romney should be elected because he’s not a leader and Gingrich should be overlooked because he would be a leader.
Congratulations. You’re now a full-fledged member of the GOP’s Obama Lite brigade.
C.L.
27 Jan 12 at 1:05 am
Just speculation here, but I wouldn’t think that many people whose religion is generally antipathetic to homosexuality* would be big cheerleaders for GOProud’s poster girl anyway.
*NTTAWWT
spot
27 Jan 12 at 1:12 am
Spot, respectfully, neither I nor my religion are antipathetic to homosexuality – though, speaking for myself alone, I have no doubt the lines get blurred in the more aggressive debates. (On both sides; purveyors of ‘tolerance’ often exhibit next to none of it).
What I am antipathetic to is the gay lobby and its bullying, hate-mongering and authoritarianism.
Not the same thing at all.
C.L.
27 Jan 12 at 1:40 am
Fair enough, CL. Point taken.
spot
27 Jan 12 at 2:12 am
Not an expert, but all the same, I think Romney will win the primaries. He’s the only one who looks remotely ‘presidential’.
THR
27 Jan 12 at 2:15 am
That’s where the election will be won or lost, yea? I can’t see any of them other than Gingrich taking it right up to odumbo and smacking him in the face with it.
The other problem is that Romney is rich as hell and being rich isn’t exactly fashionable in voter land at the moment the way it is when the US economy is doing well and everyone has jobs. Romney is a negative there.
Look, I’m just thinking all this aloud and trying to figure out who is the best out of this bunch.
I’m thinking that if Odumbo’s side is thinking that Gingrich is the easy target they are way off base.
JC
27 Jan 12 at 2:39 am
I’m not sure, THR. He seems unable to break that 30%. If Santorum would opt out those votes would go to Gingrich I reckon.
Gingrich is a real threat here. If Romney is unable to break that 30% mark he’s toast.
Look at the recent result. The votes going to Bachmann and Perry basically went to Gingrich. Romney’s 30% ish didn’t budge and inch.
Paul’s votes could end up anywhere.
JC
27 Jan 12 at 2:42 am
Just FYI:
For several days Drudge has been running almost around-the-clock negative banners against Newt, hyping negatives and burying news which contradicts the Romney campaign narrative that Newt was anti-Reagan.
Against the anti-Newt crusade stands a wealth of counter-viewpoints of people who were in a position to know and who share very differenct recollections of Newt and Reagan…
Prof. William A. Jacobson at Legal Insurrection, Drudge vs History
spot
27 Jan 12 at 6:21 am
Seems like there’s enough division in the right in America without the Democrats needing to wade in.
m0nty
27 Jan 12 at 7:53 am
The only thing that matters, monty, is whether American conservatives will have enough fire in their bellies to propel them to their polling places in November to vote against Obama. Whether Newt, Santorum or Romney can propel them to do that is still up in the air. Heaven knows, a NYT-endorsed McCain couldn’t, so we shall see…
Isn’t politics exciting when ordinary citizens have a real say, though?
spot
27 Jan 12 at 8:00 am
It appears the Demolitionists don’t agree with you for once, m0nty.
Mark the day in the diary.
JamesK
27 Jan 12 at 8:02 am
Monster
There’s no division in terms of the right agreeing that the affirmative action kid and Alinsky follower needs to rent a U haul back to chicago and make amends with Uncle Rev Wright.
JC
27 Jan 12 at 9:18 am
If Gingrich wins the nomination, it’s time to start hoping Obama wins a second term.
Driftforge
27 Jan 12 at 10:28 am
1992 records emerge:
Romney donated to Democrats.
Socialist RINO rat.
C.L.
27 Jan 12 at 2:42 pm
Watch 1080 now defend Newt.
.
27 Jan 12 at 2:43 pm
Jesus I meant Romney.
.
27 Jan 12 at 2:45 pm
Dick Swett?
Oh come on, is this a real US politician?
.
27 Jan 12 at 2:46 pm
Yes. Dick Swett (D), former ambassador to Denmark:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Swett
C.L.
27 Jan 12 at 2:55 pm
Good to have you on board JC.
Note that the SOU address was a carefully crafted first salvo in the POTUS campaign. It was clearly targeted at Romney, with its ‘tax the rich’ trope. So that’s where Dem political intelligence (oxymoron, like Slapper’s office?) is now.
They won’t know how to handle NG because he is from a parallel universe as far as they are concerned. These awful Tea Party people, who must be racist etc because they don’t believe in Michael Moore..
The stuff that Steve would gobble up with his weetbix..
Lazlo
27 Jan 12 at 11:39 pm
Drift
The presidency is a strange job. Most of it is setting priorities, policy and talk.
I think it also matters a great deal what sort of executive is hired particularly the chief of staff role.
Clinton was a remarkably undisciplined person, yet he had several okay years because he hired the right staff like the chief of staff (Erskine Bowles).
I’m not too fussed about Newt abilities.
JC
27 Jan 12 at 11:56 pm
Fantastic video by the folks over at Reason on why Super Pacs aren’t bad.
But we already knew that, didn’t we?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG28GvQz6UA&list=PL1665C8F1880E1A25&index=1&feature=plcp
Alex Pundit
28 Jan 12 at 12:03 am
There have been nineteen – NINE FUCKING TEEN! – GOP primary debates thus far. Gingrich would be nowhere without this interminable succession of gabfests, where he shines. O will agree to, what, two debates? Max three. Guarantee two if he’s up against Gingrich.
The presidency will not be decided at the presidential debates even if Gingrich is the nominee.
oh come on
28 Jan 12 at 2:50 am
The kind of commonsense observation which ought to(but probably won’t) settle down all the chicken littles.
Viva
28 Jan 12 at 3:21 pm
Bookies have Romney at $1.10 to win Florida
I really think the media and associated noise machines pump up these candidates like Newt and nutty Santorum to give themselves something to ‘report’ about.
Odds have firmed for Romney last fortnight despite the predictable SC result.
People just get swept away in what they want to be the story.
Don
28 Jan 12 at 3:36 pm