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United States News Title: Newt in self-destruct mode Gingrich did not disappoint. With all the warmth and charm of a machete, he slashed his way to New Hampshire to carve slices, not only from Bain Capital, but also from capitalism. Displaying a recklessness and thoughtlessness that chilled even his own admirers, he put GOP orthodoxy on trial, shocked that businesses could fail, investments could be forfeited and capitalism could have a cost. To further his political ambitions, the man who had sat on a couch with then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) now jumped into bed with President Barack Obama. He made clear that he didn’t care who would be the leader of the free world if it couldn’t be him. Rarely has a campaign been so counterproductive. With his attack from the left, Gingrich did for Romney what he had not been able to do for himself: Distinguish Romney as the conservative. More important, Gingrich has begun to build the negatives into Romney’s stock price that Obama was saving for the general election. The more they are litigated now, the less shock value they’ll have later. Romney will face White House attacks with more antibodies and more practice. For these gifts, Romney owes Gingrich, who, in anger, picked up the wrong sword. Gingrich can leave the field disgraced and disqualified — but proud of two signal accomplishments: One, at a critical moment in campaign 2012, he helped determine the Republican nominee for president. Two, it wasn’t him. Gingrich’s attacks do cheer the White House. They see Romney’s open wounds and will give them little time to heal. TargetPoint’s Alex Gage and his National Dialogue Monitor track Internet buzz, often a leading indicator of ballot movement. Gage reports it turned slightly negative against Romney after his win in New Hampshire — because of the assaults on Bain Capital. Republicans should make no mistake: Though Romney will likely be able to credit Obama with thousands of lost jobs for every worker Romney could not save, similar assaults will play better with independents come November. Obama will take the debate to a different place: Would some of these businesses and jobs have survived if Romney had not pocketed millions? It can be argued that Romney’s weakness, not strength, has earned him this nomination. His inability to earn the GOP base’s affection kept too many conservatives in the field, fracturing his opposition. None had room to rise and challenge him, one-on-one. Could a reduced field have done Romney in? That interpretation would deny Romney credit for what is now unarguable: The unexpected winner of both Iowa and New Hampshire is a better candidate than in 2008 and has run a more disciplined effort. Campaigns don’t pick candidates, they make candidates. Then, they make presidents. There is no training for the job, no instruction manual. Instead, there is a long march through ungenerous territory. It leaves contenders leaner, more mature, with sharpened focus. Most candidates fall. A few pick themselves up. In the end, a rare number stand stronger. That’s how we know they are ready to sit alone in the Oval Office. The journey prepares them to lead. The process is brutal, but brilliant. Though candidates think their oratory and passion shapes voters, it is, in my experience, the opposite. The hands of millions of Americans take an unformed leader’s clay and shape it to form their president. They mold the vessel that will serve them. Then they harden it to hold their hopes and fears. For months, through the unrelenting pressure of this campaign, the steady, unflappable Romney has shown us what kind of president he would be. The man who was flexible has become solid. In a world coming apart at the seams, this election is not about hope and change. It is about strength and certainty. South Carolina is another test. Win or lose, Romney will emerge focused and stable. That’s what Americans are looking for. There isn’t another credible candidate left to win the nomination. Florida and the states beyond are his. You can consider this article: Gingrich's political obituary. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: buckeroo (#0)
It's not surprising that Gingrich has come unhinged and is attacking the very foundations of our economic system. Anyone who seriously proposed building space mirrors to shine light on the earth to facilitate nighttime driving doesn't have it all together. What is surprising is how Rick Perry has allowed himself to be dragged into Gingrich's nonsense. Both men have ruined their political careers, probably for good.
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