Author Topic: What do you think of Newt Gringrich? (Read 2279 times)

drewtam · « **on:** December 17, 2006, 06:31:09 PM »

I saw him on "Meet the Press" tonight, I was fairly impressed. I wasn't old enough to be interested in politics in '94 (12yrs ago and I am 24 now).

He 'seems' so much more honest than any politician I've heard. I might not always agree with him, but I love the brute clarity and honesty with which he speaks.

For those who have experience of those days, what do you think of him?

Drew

HankB · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2006, 03:28:12 AM »

I find that on issues he is a clear, cogent, and thoughtful speaker, with whom I agree more often than not. As one of the architects of the GOP's "Contract with America" which led to the GOP congressional landslide of 1994, he did a great deal to minimize the damage caused by Bill Clinton.

He's been very articulate in getting to the real reasons of international efforts like the ICC and Kyoto Accords, and had explained in some detail why both would be bad for the USA.

On the other hand, abandoning his gravely ill wife is a stain on his personal character, and is probably enough to keep him from winning the nomination.

Ron · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2006, 04:29:35 AM »

HankB pretty well summed it up. He is damaged goods.
Good guy to have on your team though.

Leatherneck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2006, 06:10:00 AM »

Sadly, I agree. I would vote for him; but "they" probably would not.

TC

Jamisjockey · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2006, 06:48:59 AM »

Quote from: HankB on December 18, 2006, 02:28:12 AM

I find that on issues he is a clear, cogent, and thoughtful speaker, with whom I agree more often than not. As one of the architects of the GOP's "Contract with America" which led to the GOP congressional landslide of 1994, he did a great deal to minimize the damage caused by Bill Clinton.

He's been very articulate in getting to the real reasons of international efforts like the ICC and Kyoto Accords, and had explained in some detail why both would be bad for the USA.

On the other hand, abandoning his gravely ill wife is a stain on his personal character, and is probably enough to keep him from winning the nomination.

More of a tradional conservative than the Neocons, which means other than socially I agree with many of his views on Gubmn't, taxes, spending, and economy.....
+1 damaged goods.

Sylvilagus Aquaticus · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2006, 07:21:09 AM »

Yeah, I agree with y'all. He's not perceived as being as wild-eyed as say, Tancredo, who I personally kinda like, but I'm afraid his ship has probably sailed as far as higher public office beyond what he's already achieved. However, a Rice/Gingrich ticket could be interesting to say the least.

Regards,
Rabbit.

The Rabbi · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2006, 08:44:14 AM »

Anyone considering him should read his new book, which is clearly aimed at a presidential run. Yes, he makes all the right noises. He was drummed out for doing something that pales in comparison to everything since. I'd probably vote for him over a bunch of other people.
I also wish people would stop mentioning Condoleeza Rice. She won't run and if she did it would be a disaster. Think Colin Powell. Think Wesley Clark. Both touted (by their respective pundits) as the greatest thing until they actually had to be in public under scrutiny.
I'd be interested in Haley Barbour or Jim Inhofe.

Headless Thompson Gunner · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2006, 08:51:41 AM »

Newt's a good politician to have in your corner. The bulk of the personal malignment cast upon Newt was political character assasination. He committed the ultimate political crime: he was succesful in advancing a conservative agenda.

Yeah, his personal life is a little sketchy, but I can overlook issues with ex-wives. There's no way for us to know whether she deserved better treatment than she got, or not. It's entirely possible that Newt's cold shoulder was an act of charity compared to the way she treated him. Spats with ex-spouses are rarely what they appear from the outside.

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2006, 09:20:50 AM »

Quote

Spats with ex-spouses are rarely what they appear from the outside.

Amen, brother.

Brad

280plus · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2006, 09:24:32 AM »

Who names their kid "Newt" rolleyes

roo_ster · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2006, 09:33:44 AM »

Funny little bit of trivia making the political rounds:
Of all the declared & potential Republican candidates, the only one to have had only one wife is the mormon (Mitt Romney).

As to Newt, I think he is a terrific principled conservative who may be damaged goods due to his marital past. But, if Newt is toast because of his marital past, then Rudy "Cross-dressing, gungrabbing, gay-agenda-lip-servicing, nasty-divorcing" Giuliani is toast, too.

Standing Wolf · « **Reply #11 on:** December 18, 2006, 11:11:02 AM »

From what I've seen so far, it appears I'll be voting Libertarian again.

I've squandered my vote far too many times on the lesser of two evils.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2006, 11:20:17 AM »

So, you'll settle for a third evil? rolleyes

gunsmith · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2006, 12:54:18 PM »

the lefty crowd that mindlessly hates GW hates Newt just as much, they seem to like ghoulianni and mcclib...(this worries me) the MSM like ghoilianni and mcclib like them too (barf).

I think we all register Dem and get Bill Richards in the White House.

I would vote for Newt , I just don't think he'll make it

Monkeyleg · « **Reply #14 on:** December 18, 2006, 01:06:37 PM »

Newt is smart enough to know that he can't win. I suspect he's trying to help Republicans formulate new ideas, just as he did in 1994.

Mannlicher · « **Reply #15 on:** December 18, 2006, 03:17:35 PM »

I have liked newt for many years. He would be a great president.

drewtam · « **Reply #16 on:** December 18, 2006, 03:21:31 PM »

He said in the interview that if there are no clear 'winner' candidates for the repubs by Sept, then he will run.

He seems like the kind of guy that could motivate the republican base, and thats where the win is at.
Would you vote for him?

Drew

Waitone · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2006, 07:10:49 AM »

It would be interesting to see him run. Political campaigns are focused on sound bites and bumper stickers. Logical, reasoned, thoughtful discussion and debate is his means of communication while the media likes 4 second sound bites, infantile analysis, and horse race reportage.

Either the media will give Newt a haircut or he will simply destroy the prevailing media coverage. Both can't win.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2006, 07:23:01 AM »

Quote from: drewtam on December 18, 2006, 02:21:31 PM

He seems like the kind of guy that could motivate the republican base, and thats where the win is at.
Would you vote for him?

I might vote for someone else in the primary, but if he's the nominee, I'll vote for him and encourage others to do the same.

Ron · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2006, 08:09:20 AM »

Quote

but if he's the nominee, I'll vote for him and encourage others to do the same.

Me too, in case that wasn't clear from my earlier post.

grampster · « **Reply #20 on:** December 19, 2006, 02:44:21 PM »

Newt is an historian. Probably one of the best of our time. He is one of the few national figures who's intellectual understanding of the American experiment and the dream for the future is cogent. He is one of a few with a vision for America. He is one of the finest speakers around and no one would be able to hold a candle to him in a debate. I wouldn't be surprised that he took on the marriage issue as well as the phony castigation he received regarding his book deal head on and put it to rest early. I think he knows that the country is sick and tired of the political hatchet jobs that have been going on for several years. He needs to preach the vision and never get off that track. He needs to not engage in a pissing contest with the Democrat candidate. Let the Dems take the low road. That is what they do best, it seems, when it comes to lusting for power.

If he puts together a new contract with America, he can ride that very well and not even engage the democrats at all. Ignore them and push his vision. Clinton captured the White House by convincing people he was the New Democrat. Newt can capture it by convincing people he is the Old Republican, a Theodore Roosevelt republican.

roo_ster · « **Reply #21 on:** December 20, 2006, 02:17:59 AM »

Quote from: fistful on December 18, 2006, 10:20:17 AM

So, you'll settle for a third evil? rolleyes

Hey, the LP is pure as the driven snow, never having been tainted by actually having to govern.

Get some LPs in a position of power and I bet their high-handed ways in persuit of Libertopia will put the Reps & Dems to shame.

News:

Author Topic: What do you think of Newt Gringrich? (Read 2279 times)

Ron

Ron