The Political Cancer that is Newt Gingrich: The Republican Presidential Nomination Made a Mockery by Evangelical Christianity and Other Associated Far Right Wing Evil
John Adams, one of the fathers of American confederation, once remarked about a fellow progenitor, Thomas Paine, that “…without the pen of the author of ‘Common Sense,’ the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”
Mr. Paine, who emigrated from England in 1774 to fight for a revolution which few truly understood, wrote what is considered one of the foremost (and all-time best selling) tomes in American history. In it, he reasoned without the largesse and unapproachability of Enlightenment Era writers. Although laden with Biblical references, his was a commoners blue print to liberty, indeed; simple to understand and straightforward to adopt.
It remains one of my favorite reads and sits prominently on one of my bookshelves where it has occupied a rather celebrated spot. I refer to it often, particularly when trying to decipher the perpetually growing nightmare of the American political landscape.
Why else would one want to find naked but lively truths in a 236 year old book?
In the almost two and one half centuries since Mr. Adams paid Mr. Paine such a dizzying, but appropriate compliment, you’d think that the Americans had all but forgotten of their struggle to be free.
With every four-year electoral cycle, they enslave themselves further.
Mr. Paine’s narrative in ‘Common Sense’ couldn’t have been more clear: an oppressor must be defeated or liberty damned. Though, it seems these words do not appear to resonate with the Republican Party of 2011.
In fact, it appears that the current lot of electors have learned nothing.
Coming on four years, a velvet-voiced fraud has occupied the White House, along with her husband–a blithering, stumbling clod, and the country instead of experiencing better days, is seeing some states suffer through 12% inflation and monstrous housing drops. And that’s not even the brunt of it–one that will surely come.
Nothing has been accomplished, save and except for the fitting assassination of the world’s most sought-after murderer.
The Republicans, having borne witness to the single most spectacular do-nothing administration (this is something of an accomplishment for President Obama since the Carter years weren’t so long ago to be absent from our memory) have decided to destroy any hope of rescuing America in what will surely be the most significant election of our lifetime.
Mitt Romney is an accomplished man. In a country that bleeds capitalist ox-blood, this is, apparently, for some Republicans a crime. Gov. Romney rescued one Olympics and advised a second, was the most effective Governor in State of Massachusetts history and rescued thousands of businesses and over 100,000 jobs, while helming a multi-billion dollar corporation, which thrived in an industry rife with fantastic failures. He’s a dedicated family man, who raised five well-adjusted sons. Mitt Romney believes in a hand up, but too, that some need a handout while getting that assistance. He reserves his most vociferous attacks for the President, who he sees as his natural opponent–and the Democrats, in turn, view Gov. Romney as their biggest threat–and logically so as he has more credibility than all other Republican candidates combined. As the one with the highest current number through the primaries (2nd. in Iowa, 1st in New Hampshire, 2nd. in South Carolina) he has weathered the wrath of what I predicted would be the downfall of the Republican party if indeed they could not be purged, or at a least controlled: The Tea Party.
This far right grassroots movement lost the plot long-ago and has bolstered some loony candidates, like Rick Santorum, who cannot win as much for his strict social conservatism as for his policy blarney, and Michelle Bachmann, who was intensely pleasant to watch, but logically stood down after months of demonstrating that she was unfit to serve. How many times can a woman explain that she’s a tax lawyer and not know the tax code?
The Tea Party, fueled by the always destructive Evangelical Christian vote–embarrassingly chauffeured by Fox News, also gave wings to America’s chief dimwit, Sarah Palin, and now appears poised to work hard at handing Barack Obama, an abject failure, four more years.
And doing so, by driving the candidacy of the single greatest political fraud in modern American history–that of one Newt Gingrich.
Speaker Gingrich not only doesn’t deserve to running for President, he should be investigated for influence peddling and jailed if found guilty. He has clearly used his position as former Speaker of the House for financial gain, and refers to the President as a “Kenyan Colonialist.” Pure insanity. Beyond unpalatable, Speaker Gingrich, who won the South Carolina primary thanks to the same crew of crazies that continue to support Tea Party darling Gov. Palin, is now being hailed as the “real” conservative–as if this is the only determinant of qualification for the Republican Presidential nod.
Conservative? Really?
Speaker Gingrich accepted over $1,700,000 payments from Freddie Mac (no, no conflict there, none at all), was the only Speaker in American history to be subjected to an ethics investigation, when 88% of his own Republican colleagues voted against him and has turned glib, snotty, pot shots into the order of the day through the Republican primaries. His candidacy has so very cheapened the level of discourse that it is unfathomable how he can be viewed as anything more than what he is: a phony and a fraud–a cancer of the American political establishment.
But this was of no consequence to the Tea Party and particularly the Evangelical right in South Carolina. Gov. Romney wasn’t very exciting during the last two debates. So they chose, instead, Mr. Excitable.
They claim they chose a CONSERVATIVE.
Newt Gingrich a conservative? No he’s not, he’s a cancer. He sat in the Speaker’s chair while President Clinton was being excoriated for using the Oval Office as his own romp-her room. The Speaker himself was the main prosecutor of Mr. Clinton’s insane hijinks, yet retired to his Washington apartment every night, to commit to the very same activities for which he denounced the then President. His then assistant, is now his wife. However, as told by Mr. Gingrich’s second wife (I’ve already lost count) he demanded an ‘open’ marriage, with dear sweet Callista listening in on the conversations, as he ravished her with one hand while telling his wife how much he loved her with the other.
It’s one thing to have a failed marriage and try to make the best of it, for whatever the reason(s), but to be making outlandish suggestions while hurting a whole string of people with lies and deceit is quite another.
Ronald Reagan is said to have privately hated him. He is despised by over two thirds of likely American voters. During his impeachment, Speaker Gingrich’s approval ratings were 20% favorable with a 60% disapproval rating (the balance remained undecided or indifferent).
Well, those numbers haven’t changed since the 90s–in fact going into Florida his disapproval numbers continue to climb (as his approval numbers plummet)–nothing has changed. Neither has Speaker Gingrich–remaining the nasty, obnoxious, repulsive, spiteful, mean-spirited bastard that has almost single-handedly destroyed the Republican primaries.
And all while preaching about God and country; oh, how they embrace a false prophet.
The American people need a leader who isn’t exciting or excitable. They need someone who isn’t a firebrand or fireable.
They need someone purposeful and prudent. They need someone who understands their challenges from outside government and can see those problems to answers and better days.
They need someone who can work a calculator–with a proven track record of how to use it. They need someone to embrace them.
They need Mitt Romney.
Even if they might not want him.
Wrong Mr. T.
President Obama is exactly what they need. I am amazed that someone as well-read and articulate as you would promote Millionaire Mitt….a corporate raider who has signed on to the full meal deal of right-wing policies…..including banning contraception and a woman’s right of choice.
You may have noticed him dancing around the issue of publishing his tax returns. That just might be because he embraces the ridiculous fiscal policy of not taxing the rich (duh????) This guy would look much better wearing a mask.
If you feel the US needs Mitt, give your head another shake my friend.
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Actually, right MR. T. Your lather and propaganda notwithstanding:
1) Mitt Romney was NEVER ONCE a corporate raider. His firm is so well respected it has been used by the last three presidential administrations for advice on various matters, the last being the Obama Administration who sought business advice from Bain as recently as a last quarter.
2) During his tenure as Managing Partner as Bain Capital, he saved over 100,000 American jobs. A corporate raider would have sank every last one of those jobs for greater profit. In the turn-around business (I used to be partner in my own such business) you are supposed to lose more than you win. You make a ton of money on the grief of others if you do it wrong. Romney’s example still shines today as evidenced byt he fact your saviour St. Barry and his cadre of dimwits sought Bain’s advice several times, most recently last quarter.
3) He isn’t interested in banning contraception, what are you on? He said he is uninterested in having abortion used as a contraceptive and I fully agree with him. His personal belief is that he’s against abortion, but when Governor of Massachusetts supported a woman’s right to choose as that was the right thing to do. Far from demanding people follow his personal belief, he did what was right. This is someone who is going to ban abortion? I think your tinfoil hat is on too tight.
4) He stumbled on the tax return matter and made a bad calculation. No one who is worth more than the average joe wants to release their personal returns, not because there’s anything wrong there but because it’s not an easy thing to do when you’re worth close to a half billion dollars.
5) You’re an absurd fellow. Who says that he doesn’t believe in taxing the rich. The Rich have been taxed appropriately for decades in America. Do some research instead of spouting bullshit.
I think it’s you that needs to shake your own head, or perhaps your derriere since it appears that your brains aren’t located anywhere but there.
You come here and spout all sorts of made-up or simply wrong drivel and expect a soft landing? And then you have the temerity to tell ME I need to shake my head?
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Taxing the rich will solve all our fiscal problems? What a maroon. Tax the rich and the truly rich take their money elsewhere. Just ask London. Its happening there right now.
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Complete agreement.
Also, consider that the rich are taxed–quite heavily. The argument they make “too much” money is asinine.
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I’m rather ambivalent on the Republican party but would you care to comment on the this concept of a multi multi multi millionaire (Mitt) running a country.
Stew
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I will in a my next post.
The short of it is that I don’t care about someone’s personal wealth or poverty. I do not believe in any kind of discrimination. Period.
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Amen, good sir.
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Newt Gingrich reminds me of the cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn, the overstuffed rooster with the booming voice.
He and other members of the US Dumbo Party are an embarrassment.
Thankfully, the others who were considering a run for the Presidency have fallen by the wayside. But if these remaining candidates are the best they can find, there should be no question of another Democratic victory.
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Some very good points indeed.
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Newt as Foghorn Leghorn? Nah, more of a televangelist caught with his pants down in a sleazy motel room…
Ironically enough, The Bugs Bunny character ‘Foghorn Leghorn” was based on a US Senator Claghorn. If you are able to find a video and audio of Senator Claghorn speaking in public. The similarities to Foghorn are very obvious and hilarious. How the Looney Tunes producers never were sued is beyond me.
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Well put!
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Newt as Foghorn Leghorn? That’s a joke son. ol’ newt couldna never be like ol’Foggy.
Ya take any two of Newt’s policies, and what ya got? Two half nuthins! Two half nuthins is a WHOLE nuthin!!” You listenin’ to me boy?
“There’s something kind of ‘eee-yew’ about a voter who likes Newt Gringrich…”
AGT, I say AGT’s busier than a centipede at a toe countin’ contest..
“De Camptown ladies sing dis song — Doo-DAH! doo-DAH!…
..Mmm – mmm- mmmmmmmm.. doo- DAH.. doo-DAH…
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great column,
the newt had over 80 charges against him at one point,
he was asked by his own party to leave.
his life after politics may be just as corrupt he formed many non profits and took millions in salaries for running them.
his attacks on clinton were epic yet he was worst
obama came in with a bang and will leave with a wimper
it took him 5 days to declare a state of emergency regarding the bp oil spill/ the gulf coast is screwed for decadses.
if the us gets either the newt or obama they are so screwed
and when the us gets screwed canada gets molested
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Total agreement.
I like Romney as being the right guy, for the right time.
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Americans are not ready for Mitt Romney for different reasons, religious included. Obama, on the other hand, plays smarter than many expect. He let the financial Behemoths go off the hook and now works with them hand-in-hand in shoveling the subprime mess out of the US through manipulating international financial markets and fleecing small investors who are powerless while facing flash trading and other market manipulation programmes, let alone many subprime and interest swap time bombs sitting on balance sheets of many financial institutions and investment funds throughout the world. Obama is, no doubt, a master of manipulation. Americans are probably doomed to have him for the second term, especially in light of the US stock market “revival” (which is actually a zero sum game given its inverse correlation with the dollar exchange rates). Let’s wait and see. It’s not bad for Canada, as at least one oil pipeline project is now dead in the water.
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I certainly agree with you Alex, Gingrich is nothing but a ‘venom machine’ and shouldn’t even be on the Republican primary ticket.
I can’t rember if it was one of your recommendations to read, “This Used to be Us” by New York Time’s writer Tom Friedman but it was a good one as I took the advice and I have nearly finished it. The authors have really hit the nail on the head about America’s problems over the past 20 years and gives many solutions. The book should be compulsory reading for all USA politicians and ours also.
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I did indeed recommend that book. I thoroughly recommend it and I agree with you. Glad you enjoyed it.
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“Nothing has been accomplished, save and except for the fitting assassination of the world’s most sought-after murderer”
Sorry, I think this is way overstated.
His administration said “no” to the pipeline you love to hate.
The auto industry was rescued. I’ll freely admit to hating the idea at the time – but it turned out to be a good investement.
And they finally got a much-needed heathcare bill passed. No, I’m sure it’s not perfect, but I think Frum was right – the Republicans could have got bits of it changed if they had not been so hell-bent on trying to make it into their game-winning issue.
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1) I didn’t overstate the case at all…
2) His administration made the only decision they could as the XL plan had little environmental safeguards. You want me to laud him for making the obvious choice?
3) The auto industry turned out to be, again, an obvious answer to a painfully weeping sore. That wasn’t rocket science. But bailing out his new-found pals on Wall Street was not. You conveniently missed that part.
4) The healthcare bill is resolutely imperfect and David is quite right on that point.
But none of this changes my point: none of it is significant. It’s following the only path or providing imperfect results.
Not a stitch of it is significant.
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Sure, I agree with you that killing those bitumen pipelines is obvious (and respect you for saying so), but Harper doesn’t – no do the Repubicans.
The auto industry bailout may also have turned out to be an obvious answer – but Romney was dead against it.
Point is, Obama made some correct decisions that may have been obvious, or not for the right reasons, but at least he didn’t get them WRONG – like some others would have.
Oh well, maybe we’re just gonna disagree.
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Fair enough. I certainly can appreciate where you’re coming from.
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The Obama government taking over GM and Chrysler, mainly for the benefit of the autoworkers union, was a complete disaster. Neither company is competitive in the marketplace. Tens of thousands of jobs were lost, factories closed, dealerships and brands expensively shut down in this bail-out; the companies could have done that by restructuring themselves. The poor management teams were replaced by govt. appointees: no business lessons were learned for the future. These companies had significant assets which would have attracted investors; jobs would not have disappeared overnight never to return. The union’s medical and pension obligations were paid by taxpayers and the UAW owns large chunks of both companies. The initial money Bush gave all 3 car-makers to keep the doors open in 2008-09 has been paid back; taxpayers will never get back the bail-out money back. Now GM is making unsalable, horrendously expensive electric cars at the Government’s whim, and Chrysler is trying to flog Mexican built Fiats. I can’t help but think the private sector could have handled this a lot better.
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Superb comment, absolutely superb.
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Sorry, but I disagree with several of the points made.
Ford, Chrysler and GM were ALL in trouble due to;
A) Unaffordable decade old,iron clad union pension agreements.
b) Too many vehicles without interchangeable chassis
c) Dreadful designs that the youth of today avoid.
d) A “Too Big to Fail” attitude that went right to the top.
Ford never recieved a govt bail out and its stock dropped to roughly $1 a share( I kick my ass that I didnt buy at THAT time
GM and Chrysler recieved govt bailouts because the US.,Canadian Ontario and Quebec govts were shitting their collective pants that all those 10′s of thousands of pensioners ( insert VOTERS here) would have nothing……. Think about it …….nothing. So all those screaming people would be on welfare?????? Which is better? Take a risk or let it all collapse. The govts took a huge risk. and it seems to have paid off.
GM has reduced its ridiculous amount of car styles by more than 50%and it’s probably regretting paying Fiat $1 Billion to break a sales agreement signed in the late 1990″s
Fiat took the $1 Billion that It recieved from GM and dumped it into Chrysler ……..Why? because they wanted back into the North American market with their “small car technology”. They now own 58% of Chrysler.
Google the “new” Dodge Dart coming to a Chrysler/Fiat dealership near you in 2012. The first north american car to get 40 mpg.
As for the Fiat engines being manufactured in Mexico.
Who cares. It puts Italian assembly line workers out on the street. I remember a Chrysler (Monza?) in the early 80′s that had a VW rabbit engine in it.
Its called globalization kids, get used to it or be left behind
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Hey, I think we pretty much agree on most things. How could car-makers ever win against unionized workers who fought to be laid-off so they could stay home and collect 90% of their pay? I think GM made too many virtually identical cars with different brand names on them. And considering Mr. Ford himself hired Mulally from Boeing to change his company’s “attitude at the top,” I expected GM to behave in a similar, grown-up fashion. I guess I resent Obama telling my government to “pay up or we close down the Canadian factories” more than you do. And I appreciated your lighter tone when when you mentioned cheap stock, but who wants to invest in a company when the government is likely to take it over? The common shareholders lost out.
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And the GM/Fiat deal: I thought it took GM 2 billion to get out of that! The Fiat put option which would have forced GM to buy the nearly broke Italian firm outright was a quite a mess and should have resulted in a complete change of command and direction in Detroit in 2005. But after paying through the nose to get out of it, 4 years later GM nearly gave Fiat their European operation for no money down! Thankfully, GM backed out and is now taking advantage of the small car expertise it has within it’s own company, like Ford is from theirs. Whether Chrysler is benefiting from Fiat’s “small car technology” is not clear yet..
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Surprisingly, those Mexican built Fiats are selling.
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From the business pages, last month:
” Fiat had high hopes for the 500, which was extensively re-engineered for the U.S. and went on sale here in March. The Italian automaker — now the corporate parent of Chrysler — had anticipated it would sell 50,000 Cinquecentos this year in the U.S. Instead, the little hatchback has sold only 17,444 units through November and will likely fall below 20,000 units, according to projections by Edmunds.com.”
“Sluggish Fiat 500 sales triggering layoffs at Chrysler engine plant.”
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That’s funny because I’m seeing them everywhere. I see more Fiats than I do new Camaros. They’re on par with a Mini, much cheaper than a Mini and MUCH CHEAPER TO FIX than a Mini!
Anyways, without the big automaker bailout, I’d be without a job.
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Camaros travel in packs here in Victoria. Anyway , honestly, I’m glad you still have a job, Tony!
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On the other hand, they’re at least making full-size (DTS) Cadillacs again.
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Restructuring may well have been a better answer – as I said before, I didn’t much like the idea of throwing more money at them.
Having said that, I don’t see why anyone should expect private sector stupidity (the kind the big three have been exhibiting for decades) to be any better than the government variety. It’s not like these guys have ever proven to be very good at learning business lessons before…
I suppose it’s possible that the big three are trying to make Electric cars and Mexican Fiats due to a government mandate – but this kind of behaviour looks more to me like the latest version of their “me-too” approach that passes for a “strategy”.
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Not to get too involved in the logistics of the Fiat deal but making the Fiats in Mexico is a good decision by them.
Besides the obvious economics of small car manufacturing being just not feasible in Canada or the US Fiat has always had a huge market in South America so building them between North and South America makes a lot of sense. Not to mention the fact that if the North American effort goes down the tank they still have South America that can be supplied from Mexico.
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True, just don’t tell me American jobs were saved by this takeover! And Honda, Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, KIA, Toyota, Volkswagen and Nissan have all found manufacturing very economically feasible in the non-union southern States. This was a UAW bailout.
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The UAW just needs to go away already. I’ve heard stories of people working for any of the Big Three and getting over $30 an hour to do mundane things like “insert tab A into slot B” aka putting the bezels on the gearshifter.
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The initial money Bush gave all 3 car-makers to keep the doors open in 2008-09
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Outside of maybe Cash for Clunkers I dont remember Ford taking any direct money from Bush in that period
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Yeah, you’re right: Ford declined the initial “cash assistance offer” and then the soon-to-follow bailout money, but took a $5.9 billion loan from the Energy Dept. in spring 2009, ostensibly to make factories more efficient. Then Clunkers came out that July.
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Speaking of Cash for Clunkers, so many people turned in rare cars like Syclones and Typhoons. WAAAAAAT.
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And an Aston Martin DB7!?
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good points….once again the far right is proving itself just as loony as the far left,,,as an aside,,,,kudos to the feds ( and PM Harper ) for extending the softwood lumber agreement hopefully bringing more investment to our troubled forest industry
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Well, kudos, yes for making the only deal they could. Was there another option that made sense? Of course not.
I think sometimes we are too laudatory of our govts when they do the right thing and the right thing is the only thing they can do!
But I agree with you, it’s the first thing I thought of when I heard about it. And then I gave it some more thought….
Cheers! Good to hear from you.
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Alex,Isn’t the “Tea Party” largely funded by the Koch Brothers, among other big Oil Barons? From the article I read these Koch Bros. are not very nice people.. And I wonder if the Coalition of Canadians are not, in part funded by the same people?
Cheers
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This is mythology. There is so much crap on the internet and published by “reputable” online press, that it’s no wonder the blogosphere is held with such contempt.
They may receive SOME funding from them, but not all. And the Coalition of Canadians doesn’t receive a penny from them.
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WHAT……You think the Koch Brothers are “mythological ???
Either you hit the scotch a little early today or you need a real good check-up!
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Doug–I realize you like the left, but you need to read properly.
1) I do not hit anything anymore except a heavy bag.
2) Their involvement in the Coalition of Canadians is mythology. They are part donors to the Tea Party through various organizations.
3) I’ve had two great check-ups thanks.
Perhaps before proffering such advice to me–and going off half-cocked, you not act as if you’re in desperate need of your own counsel…
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If you listen very carefully, you will hear the sound of a book-mark being erased from your site. I looked to you to supplement the pathetic journalism in BC, but your endorsement of Romney is pretty scary.
Maybe Limbaugh needs an understudy….
Later, Alex
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You won’t need to listen very carefully to hear me yelling, “GOOD RIDDANCE!!!”
What an asshole you are.
You fall all over yourself to laud me when I support causes which are on your agenda as a member of the far left, but when I endorse a moderate candidate, you come at me with drivel and lies that it takes me minutes to sift through and embarrass you with.
Toughy titty.
I not only don’t need readers like you, I don’t want them.
Join the rest of the witless, doctrinaire bottom feeders (on either political extreme–right or left) and FLOCK OFF.
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I believe both Newt and Mitt are puppets of the Murdoch machine and Obama is a captive too – there is little real democracy still remaining in the USA (not “left in the USA”).
It’s the same pattern as in Canada when Les Demarais control all of the candidates so it doesn’t matter who wins the outcome remains the same.
But yeah Newt is an extreme example – his quip that Tar Sands oil would be shipped through Vancouver is nonsense – doesn’t he know the basic geography?
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1) If you’ve watched Fox News in the last six months you’d know wrong you are. They clearly hate Romney. They’re coverage has been pathetic–instead shilling for Gingrich–corrupt and useless.
2) The Desmerais family boast France Chretien as daughter in law. They are well known to despise Stephen Harper. You need to get your facts straight.
3) Newt is a nit.
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1. Okay, you’re right that I don’t watch Fox and you’re correct that Relig Right activists in USA loathe and fear Mitt Romney and there’s no obvious proof yet that the Romneys are connected to the Murdochs but if you search “Ann Romney Abel Danger” you’ll find allegations that she is no angel and may even share some odious practises that Murdochs have been accused of – but yes it is mainly Calista Gingrich who has the direct Murdoch connections; I still believe that if Romney won that Murdochs machine would soon capture and control him.
2. Yes the Desmarais probably hate Harper but they keep it quiet and meanwhile maintain control of the government through the Privy Council, which Old Boys (and a few women) control more than Harper does (which also is how/why Gordon Campbell was installed in London). Harper took the Privy oath from Paul Martin even before Harper became PM and since then he has done nothing to harm the Desmarais empire, such as doing nothing to reveal and prosecute the corruption that took place in the Chretien era.
3. To be a bit fair to Newt, it is possible that some tarsands oil could be moved through Vancouver but the geography, technology and politics mean that it will never be a huge flow – though the old TMPL line could do more business with refineries around Anacortes, But the bigger flow of tarsands oil through B.C. will be westward towards China, if not by a risky pipeline to Kitimat then perhaps by rail cars to Prince Rupert – and Newt should know that if he dares to talk about it.
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If I was an American Voter, I would be ill with having to settle for the least harmful of awful choices. As it is, I am a BC voter, and the prospects for 2013 seem to put me in the same double bind. At least the US primary system thoroughly vets the leaders ahead of time so one knows just how awful the choices are!
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Well put!
The sad part about it is that the best qualified Republican would be Jeb Bush. But his name would work against him.
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As well it should.
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Oh really?!
So if one of my sisters steals, then the other three of us are thieves? If I commit murder, the three of them are killers?
Interesting logic. Next time I’m completely blitzed out of my mind (which won’t be anytime soon) I’ll come back and TRY to make sense of your logic.
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The gong shows we have going, both here and in the US, got me to thinking about the Coleridge phrase “suspension of disbelief” – how it fits politicians so well and how it just seems to get ever more impossible to do that!
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Agreed.
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Alex if it comes down to it, which would you prefer in the white house, Obama or Gingrich?
It seems the party preference for the next GOP leader is based on who can do best against Obama in a debate. While I agree Romney would be the best of a bad lot, Newt is a superior debater thus far. Anyone would be better than Obama as the next president. My dog would be better as president.
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I don’t disagree, in principle, but i just absolutely LOATHE both of them equally.
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I can understand why you loathe ol’ Newt so much (the guy is a pompous ass first and foremost) but aside from the fact Obama hasn’t really done much in office, why the hate for him?
I’m just curious. I think the reason Obama won was because people were so sick of G.W. Bush that they didn’t want another Republican president. I heard people were dancing and partying on the streets when it was announced Obama was the president-elect. In Seattle even.
By no means am I endorsing Obama, but maybe he’ll be like Jimmy Carter and accomplish stuff once he’s out of office…….?
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1) I dislike Gingrich because he’s a hypocrite and a fraud.
2) Carter is the worst President in American history and has accomplished nothing of value since leaving office. His anti-Semitic positions alone are most loathsome.
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“Nothing of value is since leaving office” is not entirely fair…
http://www.habitat.org/how/carter.aspx
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Marvelous! He joined someone else’s party and played the banjo. I’m overcome, someone, anyone, quick!
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1) Agreed, and let’s not forget blowtart.
2) Kinda agree with you there. A peanut farmer who won the Nobel Peace Price? I’m still not quite sure why he won, but whatever.
Left-field question for ya, AGT…. Carter or Obama?
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Obama.
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Thought so
I miss Clinton in office, actually, even though he “did not have sex with that woman”!
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Well, there’s a woman I didn’t have sex with either.
Amazing…
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Complete agreement (once again).
Gringrich would be the absoulte last thing America woul;d need as a leader. The Evangelical Movement in the United States is very opportunistic. While there are great people of course of any faith, with the Evangelicals I’ve seen and met, quite a few turned out to be hypocritical. They preach with brimstone, but in a few instances I’ve seen the Commandants take quite a beating with some.
Gringrich is a primary reason why politics and religion are not meant to be mixed. VanderZalm got into that, and let’s say you had to have been there at the riding level to see the mess that caused.
South Carolina is only one jurisdiction out of 52 (there are two others which are part of the process which are not states).
Many Americans I know have already grown tired of this clown show called the Primaries (I now quite a few from both sides, one is a Democrat who is a B.Sc. in pharmaceutical science).. They take envy when I tell them about our electoral process. But I tell them it’s not perfect.
They agree, the only large benfit to these primaries is the politial industry and making jobs for upstart overspeeded 20 to 30 somethings who don’t want to start off with a real job in the real world such as processing invoices or working the shop floor.
Religious orientation should never ever be any primary reason to select a candidate. The U.S. has alot of things to resolve, and none of them have to do with what page of the New Testament or Old Testament the potential President reads on Sunday morning.
If I were a U.S. citizen, my choice would be for Republican, Mitt Romney.
As for Fox News or media hating Romney, who cares? It’s the old saw as to whom it would be to lead the U.S. back to being a proud country.
Down there, across The Line is one miserable neighbour who needs to show pride once again.
Gringrich isn’t the one to do it.
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Very well put.
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Sadly, a lot of people are sheep, and the particular doctrine they follow will decide for them who to vote for. They don’t bother to do any research (c’mon, did people research Obama? No, they just wanted the Republicans out of office because of Dubya Bush) and they never will.
I personally can’t vote for someone who doesn’t stand up for reproductive rights and some of the anti-choice bills being introduced in places like Mississippi and Kansas quite frankly, sicken me. But that’s a whole other can of worms I don’t feel like opening right now.
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Your reply to Doug R just made my day. Well done. I agree with you that Romney is the guy they need south of the border.
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Thanks Murph. It’s not so much my opinion that I was defending as that’s self-explanatory.
But Doug was being a first class asshole. I don’t like berating anyone like that but he really deserved it. Honestly, classic of his ilk–unless I’m writing in support of only the left or what are perceived as left wing causes, then I’m a bad guy.
It’s just RIDICULOUS!
Thanks again, pal.
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Based on Newt’s baggage, it seems quite obvious to me that Obama would defeat him with little to no difficulty.
Obama has had fair opportunity to turn the U.S. economy around, yet (in my estimation anyway) it is still nose-diving and at a rapid pace.
Based on Romney’s business record and his apparent economic development prowess, it seems quite obvious to me that he provides the Republicans with their “only” hope of winning the upcoming presidential election.
I believe Romney will (easily) win the Republican nomination and that his battle with Obama will be commonly considered to be among the most entertaining battles for the U.S. presidency ever.
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From your keyboard to God’s ears.
But if Gingrich emerges victorious in Florida–you get all the votes there, Romney will have a tough time thereafter.
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I certainly agree with Jay on this one, Romney is the GOP’s best hope. Sadly though, I don’t think he has enough sway with the American people to pull it off. I also have wondered about something else. IF Obama is feeling that there may be something in Romney that resonates with the American people, and he could be in some jeopardy, watch for the announcement coming to a theatre near you: Joe Biden stepping down as VP, Hillary Clinton has accepted the nod from Obama. It would be a Democratic landslide never before seen.
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Wrong. Hillary would not make any difference at all. The electoral college is what counts. At the moment, the two parties are almost tied with the Republicans slightly ahead.
Her record as Secretary of State is spotty at best and she retains huge negatives.
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Am I the only one who thinks the electoral college should go the way of the dodo bird?
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Yes…
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Hahaha. Really?
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The more I read about this guy the more I think “Didn’t the BC Liberals just kick his half-brother out of the Premier’s office out only to replace him with his half-sister?”
In this era of the 24 hour news cycle, appearances trump ability every time and even Newt’s most ardent critics concede that he is the superior debater of the two and his message is better crafted. Jay’s comment about baggage would have applied 30 or 40 years ago but the expectations of North American voters have sunk to the point that what would have ruined a man back then is almost acceptable now.
Frankly, I think Hitler could beat Obama this time around precisely because of the U.S. economy and registering every illegal alien in the country and raising the dead in all the graveyards in Chicago won’t change that.
I was glad to see Romney finally get the message about his tax returns and I just hope it isn’t too late but if it is, America has weathered far worse storms. As you know, a few weeks is an eternity in politics and you never know what will happen but if Newt does take it I draw some comfort in the fact that we pretty much know everything there is to know about him whereas you can’t say the same thing about the incumbent.
I’d also add that I’m most impressed with the depth of knowledge I see here all the time, but particularly on this column. You do attract a far better and more informed class of reader.
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Newt is not electable, but Romney had better take to heart the statement his fellow Republicans are making by prolonging this process. Another McCain won’t cut it, and Mitt must do more than stay quiet and smile meekly. And if he can’t deal with Newt’s showboating now, how will he turn undecided voters against Obama’s ridiculous policies later? Anointing Romney now might be tidier, but Republicans must endure this process.
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I agree in principle. I don’t think anyone is looking for an anointing.
But that Newt Gingrich is even contending is an outrage for anyone with any kind of ethical standards.
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I think the problem with Romney is that the Republicans don’t feel any fire in his belly.
As much as many are sloughing off Obama as an incompetent who lucked into the White House because anyone with legitimate criticism of the guy were scared to express it for fear of being painted a racist (unfortunately the Dems MO this time around as well). Obama is a smart politician. He earned his political stripes in the sleazy political back alleys of Chicago and the fear is that in an alley fight Obama will make mincemeat out of the nice guy Romney.
Newt on the other hand is a mean fighter. Could be the Republicans need a mixture of the two and that is why they can’t decide on either.
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The Democrats haven’t the first clue how to deal with Romney. He’s successful and brash, at just the right times, and he’s very on top of the issues. So he’s not a great debater! Neither is Obama. Obama is an orator and a philosophe.
Romney is a pragmatist and a doer.
Who would you rather have running the economy when it’s about to tank–again???
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Romney would definitely do the better job but as you mentioned the Evangelicals might have thrown a monkey wrench into this with their thoughts of Mormonism. Seems like they trust a heartless cheater over someone who believes God was an American.
That said the road to the convention is a long one and Newt will probably put his foot in his mouth several times between now and then. It was interesting to see the last debate didn’t show have too many rah rah sessions from Newt when the moderator only allowed applause from the audience on commercial breaks.
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Here’s a perfect example…. Christine Gregoire. WA has gone downhill since Gary Locke left. Dino Rossi would have been a much better choice for governor, he wouldn’t have created legislation that may just drive WA’s biggest employer out of the state…….
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I’m very disappointed that Newt Gingrich won in South Carolina. His outrage when he was asked about the interview with his second wife was undoubtedly planned and an example of his acting ability. His second wife started an affair with Newt when he was married to his first wife, so I’m afraid she got a taste of her own medicine. For Newt Gingrich to seek to impeach Bill Clinton while he himself was having an affair is incredibly hypocritical. It’s interesting that very few congressmen support his candidacy. When he put together the Contract with America, he said the budget would be balanced in seven years because the number seven sounded mystical. What kind of policy planning is that? He’s a man who represents the worst of politicians- he’s dishonest, corrupt, hypocritical and arrogant. I’m no fan of President Obama, but I could never vote for Newt Gingrich. If those two were running, I’d have to vote for someone else. The good news is I think Mitt Romney will take Florida.
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Great comment. They’re in a dead heat. Not good.
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Ol’ Newt wanted to impeach Bill Clinton because he got caught.
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Hey Alex, thought you were going to spill something about BC Rail and/or Christy Clark very soon.
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Next Tuesday and all next week–trying to get lawyers to move quicker.
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“trying to get lawyers to move quicker”
A sure fire way to get a lawyer to move quicker is to open the window as a BC Ambulance and the fire department approach down Howe Street to the accident on Dunsmuir.
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LOL!
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Thanks for the heads-up Alex! I’ll be laying in more ‘supplies’ in eager anticipation.
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With pleasure…
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Hey ! Howe and Dunsmuir! Thats MY lawyer!
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Good guys, I’ve used them before…
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Timing is also important. Our blogging hero shouldn’t shoot all his ammo out prematurely and the heaviest artillery would rather be brought about right after the election date is officially announced (IMHO).
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I have several calendars that I’m working off. Just trust me…it’ll be worth the wait.
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I’ve known ifrom the day i came across this blog. You haven’t disappointed me yet. Waiting patiently for this kleptocracy go down the gutter in a ball of poisonous stink. Bless you!
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And yet I still get the same idiots sending me private notes telling me I’ve “done nothing” on BC Rail. It’s hysterically funny to me.
I very much appreciate your kind words.
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Your resources are limited while the Prom Queen’s kleptocracy has billions stolen from the taxpayers, plus quite a few individuals ready to sell their souls (if the have any) for less than 30 pieces of silver. Please, play wisely and peel them to the raw, stinky meat. Good luck!
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Thanks, will do.
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Newt Gingrich is an idiot. I’m not a huge fan of Mitt Romney either, but then again, I’ve stated before I don’t really follow American politics that closely.
Rick Santorum? He’ll lose even more voters if they ever figure out what his last name actually means on UrbanDictionary.com. When I first heard the name “Rick Santorum”, I fell off my chair laughing.
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One of the best things I’ve seen in regards to this is a photoshopped newspaper thats making the rounds of the internet, with the Headline of Gringrich Wins South Carolina, with a photo of Obama laughing his head off.
The GOP nomination has become a clowncar race, and they’ve done everything to sabotage the car of the one sane man in the race.
I don’t think we’ll agree on Obama so iI’ll leave that: My big worry with Romney is if he goes the 2008-McCain way where he veers from his moderate positions to try and win the nomination, which we’ve seen a bit of so far. Another Strike against newt would be that he has said he’d offer “Caribou Barbie” a major position. Imagine a Gingrich-Palin ticket. *shudder*
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Shudder–TWICE!
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Well, at least we don’t have to worry about Michelle Bachman any more.
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Primary of a feinting snake,
As his campaign feigns and fakes;
I of Newt, in towns of fog,
blind as a bat, with tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork can blind woman sting,
This lizard legs on hellish wing,
For his charm of powerful trouble,
GOP Hell doth boil and bubble
Double, double, toil and trouble;
GOP burns, a campaign stumbles
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Good Heavens! Our poet laureate returns!!!!
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Hi Alex,
I was struck by the press release of the Boston Bruins’ goaltender who declined the photo op at The White House. Whatever his deeper political beliefs, the declared dissatisfaction with all levels and sides of the government was poignant. Looking back on history’s most ruthless leaders who enjoyed popular support from an uninformed, self-interested, or generally fearful populace, I can see the parallels to today’s political situation in the US or even in BC. Whether it is the politicians or the media (such as in your last post on the CBC), how does one ever do an about-face or extract oneself from a situation when your public persona, career and livelihood have been predicated on the perpetuation of a certain ideology or truth? I remember an old-timer telling me how mortified he was to discover more about Hitler and the unfolding events of WWII. As a boy at the time, belonging to Hitler Youth had the appeal of joining the boy scouts with values of belonging, service, etc. The big ideas for me from this man’s life experience were how important education and information (from solid uncorrupted investigative journalism) are to democracy and how susceptible even the best people are to propaganda, spin, and vested interests of self and family. Individual choices and social choices (values and votes) can be so easily influenced and, whether sleepy, distracted, or truly toxic, group think occurs in a way that sets the stage for opportunists to exploit. I don’t believe in conspiracies’ but I do see many patterns, systems, and cycles … And there is great wisdom in the tired clichés that describe human life and history…
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All hail Tim Thomas! A marvelous individual, who clearly cares about his country!
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I really think the whole Newt being a debatemeister is a bit overblown.
Can he wipe the floor in a debate with a teleprompter-less Obama? Probably. But the truth is that Obama will either not agree to any debates or give one token one with a bunch of provisos that it will Newter Gingrich’s debating skills. After all most of the press are in Obama’s back pocket and any suggestions from him on modifying debate structures will have widespread support.
I saw one report a few weeks back that said W Bush had 8 debates and only won 2 but still was elected twice.
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That’s correct.
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Dubya won because most people are sheep.
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First I will begin by declaring that I am a bigot. Superstitious people turn my stomach. I am extremely uncomfortable with the thought of allowing anyone who believes in magical creatures to hold the office of POTUS. I am even more apprehensive of the notion that a Mormon could be president. Mitt Romney could be the reincarnation of George Washington but so long as he follows a man he believes is in communication with a god he will not earn my vote. This year, once again, I shall hold my nose as I vote for the incompetent that least offends my senses.
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And such is your right!
Romney would make the best president of the lot–for now.
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The only one that makes sense to me is old Ron Paul.
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Oh dear…
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I agree, he is the only offering any real cuts and he isnt a war monger.
While Mitt is certainly more diplomatic than Newt, I think policy wise they are almost identical.
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Mitt and Newt: I rest my case.
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