The More You Know Newt...

Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker
and would-be election thief

Can a politician have too much name recognition and publicity? Apparently, if the politician is pompous, self-serving, and generally dislikable, yes.

Based on increasingly negative polling trends, the best thing Newt Gingrich can do for his campaign is disappear from it.

As the Republican primary race has dragged on, Newt has had more than ample opportunity to share his vision for America (moon colony, anyone?), but the more he makes his case for the presidency, the further he gets from the Oval Office. Owing perhaps to the increased awareness of his role as spoiler at best, and election thief at worst, Gingrich's un-favorability rating has escalated from 58% in November, to 64% in February, to 71% by the first of April.

Gingrich should go into hiding now so that he might hold on to the embarrassing 21% favorability rating he has, which no doubt reflects the last of the far right-wing diehards who are still living the "Contract With America" dream from 1994.

Click the graphic to enlarge.

Related Posts: Bad Lip Reading With Newt

Newt Gingrich Can't Quit Because He Thinks Too Much of Himself

Photo: AP/ Jose Luis Magana

Imagine you're running for President of the United States of America.

After almost a full year of campaigning, you've won 2 of the 29 state primary contests, you've spent more cash than you raised, and you've admitted that it is mathematically impossible for you to amass the number of delegates needed to win your party's nomination.

What would you do?

Reasonable human beings would acknowledge that their ideas failed to adequately ignite the passions of voters, and that their campaign lacked the support and structure needed to win. Rational people would graciously step aside, and allow the electoral process to unfold naturally.

Pompous egomaniacal blowhards, however, would apparently take a different tact. They would forge ahead pointlessly, cutting their staff by one-third and reducing their campaign activity, while simultaneously shifting their focus to behind-the-scenes manipulation of the Republican political machine.

Newt Gingrich honestly believes he is one of a handful of politicians who can save America, one of the few who is smart enough, skilled enough, and tough enough to see us through the next four years. He thinks his answers are better than anyone else's, and what's more, he is likely stunned that the rest of us can't see that. Newt cares too darned much about this great nation of ours to let it fail, or so he thinks.

In light of Gingrich's ongoing delusions of grandeur, I think it's time for an intervention. I think it's time for Newt to take someone else's advice, for a change. The time has come for Newt to get a heavy dose of the truth, whether he likes it or not.

The reality is the former House Speaker is delusional and sad. He is an arrogant and egomaniacal man, who in the face of a fair and honest beatdown at the hands of Mitt Romney, is holding out hope against all odds that he can steal the Presidency of the United States. And when his efforts to cheat his way into the White House are unsuccessful, he will secretly wish us all a fast trip to Hell in a handbasket, and pity us for our ignorance in not recognizing him as our own best chance at survival. So be it.

Give it up, Newt. Your time has come and gone long ago, and no one wants to play with you. Pack up your toys and your bloated bag of big ideas, and just go home.

Santorum Wins South, Still Loses in Delegates

Photo: Reuters

After winning two Southern primaries yesterday, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum said in his victory speech, "We did it again!"

Yes you did, Senator. You scored a public relations victory and received the lion's share of mainstream media attention, but you actually managed to lose the delegate tally for the day.

Santorum did indeed sweep the South yesterday, winning both the Alabama and Mississippi primaries, but thanks to the fancy math of delegate apportionment in those states and two less publicized Pacific primary races, Mitt Romney actually extended his lead in the total delegate count.

Romney failed to win either Southern primary, but he finished just 3% behind Santorum in Mississippi and only 6% behind in Alabama. When delegates from those states are split among the candidates, and you add in delegates from late night results reported from contests in Hawaii and American Samoa, both handily won by Romney, the former Massachusetts Governor actually added about a half dozen more delegates to his total than Santorum did.

Santorum got the press and whatever campaign contribution boosts that might bring, but Romney won the day and moved closer to earning the nomination at the Republican convention this August. The frontrunner may have lost the 24-hour news cycle battle, but he won the delegate war, and in the end, Romney's strategy and organization will win out over Santorum's perceived conservative sincerity.

With Newt Gingrich playing spoiler and vowing to stay in the race until the end, and with Santorum "victory days" like Tuesday, it will only be a matter of weeks before Mitt Romney wins the Republican presidential primary race.

Top 5 Reasons Trump Didn't Endorse Gingrich

Donald Trump has endorsed Mitt Romney as the Republican candidate for the presidency, despite widespread rumors that he would support former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Trump's endorsement comes just days before this Saturday's Nevada caucus.

Here are the top 5 reasons behind Trump's decision NOT to endorse Gingrich:

    5. Sees Newt's moon colony as competition for Trump Towers-Las Vegas
    4. Has environmental concerns with Gingrich (Newt's wife – not biodegradable)
    3. Plans to pick up presidential hair tips from Romney
    2. Gingrich campaign already has a douchebag millionaire casino mogul

and...

    1. Shares Romney’s arrogant lack of concern for the “very poor"

Pundits don't expect Romney to fall too far in the polls in light of the Trump endorsement.

2012 - Most Important Election of Our Lifetime?

Winner of the actual "most
important election" of my lifetime

After a robust spanking in the Florida primary on Tuesday, Newt Gingrich took the stage to deliver his concession speech, and he told a crowd of supporters the 2012 election is the "most important election" of our lifetime.

Really? I don't think so, Newt.

As I recall, that's exactly how Democrats felt about the election in 2004, and we were right. Democrats desperately feared the impact of four more years of President Bush, and history has proven those fears to be justified.

We lost the 2004 election to GWB, and as a result: we saw our government continue to mismanage an illegal and unjust war, we exploded our national debt, we experienced a devastating housing bubble, and we saw the near collapse of our financial industry. All of this together resulted in the worst period of American economic recession in eight decades.

So is 2012 the most important election in our lifetimes? Nope. The 2004 election was and we blew it.

Fun Facts About Newt's $10 Million Dollar Man

1. Sheldon Adelson has made two donations totaling $10 million to Newt Gingrich's Super PAC.

2. According to Forbes, Adelson is the 8th richest man in America. He is also the self-proclaimed "richest Jew"in the world.

3. He made his fortune in the casino biz and he is the CEO of the Las Vegas Sands corporation.

Campaign finance experts indicate Adelson's individual contributions are among the largest in American history. Should we care? Hell yes.

I acknowledge the fact that there is likely no getting the money out of politics, but I don't accept that the first amendment protects the rights of individuals, corporations, and unions to make UNLIMITED donations in support of a single candidate. But, that's the law since the Supreme Court handed down a ruling known as "Citizens United" in January 2010.

This landmark judicial decision prohibits government from putting limitations on "independent" campaign spending, meaning people and corporations cannot dump their cash directly into a campaign's coffers, but they can contribute whatever they want to a candidate's Super PAC. Super PACs, which are legally unaffiliated with formal campaigns, often operate for the sole purpose of supporting a single candidate, and they are typically run by political operatives who are former employees of a candidate's campaign team.

The "Citizens United" ruling overturned decades of campaign finance law, and blew a giant hole in the structure that existed to ensure singular donors, individual or corporate, did not wield undue influence in the political process.

How Did Republicans Like Newt in 1998?

I'm not bashing Newt. I am simply sharing some useful and instructive headlines to remind people of the national news the House Speaker made thirteen years ago. Considering how divided and vitriolic the atmosphere is in Washington today, do we need a guy as President who had to quit the highest elective office he ever held because he couldn't maintain the support of his own party?

Find more fun Newt headlines here (all from one day in November 1998), courtesy of the Breaking Copy blog.

Turn of Phrase - Newt Says Spanish Is "Ghetto"

"We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English, so people learn the common language of the country, and so they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto."

- Newt Gingrich, in a 2007 speech to the National Federation of Republican Women that was captured on video.

This quote is nearly five years old, but with the Florida primary happening in less than a week and Hispanics making up more than 13% of registered voters and 23% of the total population in the state, Gingrich's words are extremely relevant.

When politicians, or any of the rest of us for that matter, make pronouncements like this, we expose something inherently real about how we see the world. Regardless of intent or motive, words like these reveal our core beliefs. Consequently, an apology for this kind of outright racism can only be seen as a disingenuous and desperate attempt at political recovery.

If you watch the clip, you'll see the original statement, as well as part of Newt's apology to the Hispanic community (in poorly spoken Spanish no less), and you can decide if this is the kind of man who represents the best America has to offer, someone who should be a legit contender for our highest office.

I Thought Republicans Liked Lower Tax Rates

I'm not happy that Mitt Romney's tax rate is lower than mine, but I'm thoroughly confused at why Newt Gingrich is climbing up Romney's ass about it. I'm even more confounded at how the whole thing isn't a giant plus for Romney with Republicans.

First, Mitt makes $20 million per year primarily from his financial investments. Don't Republicans love capitalism, unfettered success, and all that? I mean c'mon, it's not like Mitt is a community organizer or something.

Second, because he has the money and expertise to work the system, his tax rate is only 13.9%. This is far below the top tier tax rate of 35%, and only slightly higher than the average working class American rate. But hey, aren't Republicans the party that demands tax cuts for the top 1%? Don't most Republican flat-taxers argue for a uniform rate of around 15% anyway?

Third, under Mitt's proposed tax policy, his share of income taxes owed would be reduced by about 40%. BUT, under Newt's tax proposal, capital gains taxes would be eliminated completely and Mitt's tax burden would be nearly zero. Sounds fair, right? Isn't that how Republican economics are supposed to work?

Gingrich is trying to have it both ways. He's arguing for economic policies that further line the pockets of the 1%, while simultaneously slathering Mitt with a populist paintbrush to make him look even more like the one-tenth of one percenter that he is. Mitt may be a rich, out-of-touch, elitist, but Newt is an angry, hateful, and devious douche.

Turn of Phrase - Newt Tells the Truth

"I don't think I'm going to win."


- Newt Gingrich, demonstrating an amazing grasp of the obvious (and a surprising willingness to speak the truth) with respect to how he expects to finish in today's Iowa caucus.


Gingrich went on to blame the onslaught of Super Pac funded negative ads (which many would argue tell the truth about Newt) for his decline in the polls.


Related Post: Romney's Baggage Ads Annoy Newt 

Anti-Obama Zeal Fuels Romney Success

The number one priority for conservative Republicans has never been ensuring a presidential victory for Mitt Romney. Luckily for the front running candidate, ensuring the defeat of President Obama, the idea which does sit atop the Republican "to do" list, has proven to be just as beneficial for him.

After months of confrontation from candidates whose campaigns each eventually sped off a cliff with Wile E. Coyote certainty, it looked as though veteran politician Newt Gingrich might finally mount a challenge to Romney that had some staying power. Each of the other flavors-of-the-month fizzled as quickly as Republican voters actually got to know them, but with most of his dirty laundry having been aired years ago, Newt had the potential to present a different kind of opposition to Romney. Nonetheless, the latest polls out of Iowa now show Romney beginning to solidify and even increase his lead once again.

With other GOP candidates having squandered their opportunities, Newt capitalized on the ongoing lack of Romney enthusiasm and a few successful debate performances to boost his lackluster campaign. But now, with just a little help from a few negative ads that Romney is running, Republicans have been shaken back to their senses, remembering two critical details: (1) Newt is a relentless, uncooperative, and selfish dick. (2) Newt cannot beat Obama.

The first fact, regarding Newt's erectile personality, could be reluctantly ignored by a Republican electorate that is reaching "Ron Paul is for real" levels of desperation, but the second fact simply cannot be overlooked.

For right-wing Tea Party types, President Obama is (literally) Satan incarnate. Somehow, a President who headed off a second recession and brought steady economic progress, who facilitated undeniable improvements in job growth, who ended the Iraq war, who enabled our forces to kill dozens of top Al Qaeda leaders (including Osama), and who has led the nation differently (instead of just divisively) has become President Evil.

The defeat of Obama is paramount for far-right Republicans. If Newt can't beat him, then no matter how flip-floppy and closet-liberal he is, Mitt Romney will be the Republican candidate of choice by virtue of his stature as the most realistically electable.

Gingrich Excluded From Primary In Virginia

Newt Gingrich received a political lump of coal in his stocking on Christmas Eve, as the state of Virginia announced the former House Speaker failed to deliver the 10,000 verifiable signatures required to be included on the state's primary ballot.

Gingrich, who resides in Virginia, led all candidates in recent polling, but will be unable to earn delegates from the state.

Only Mitt Romney and Ron Paul met the state's requirements for inclusion in the primary, and as a result, they will be the only choices Republican voters in Virginia see on the March 6 ballot.

Gingrich campaign director Michael Krull gave us insight into what a Newt presidency might look like as he blamed the "failed system" in the state of Virginia for Gingrich's exclusion, rather than accepting responsibility for the campaign screw-up. This failure is also evidence of the kind of weakness and structure inherent in Gingrich's campaign that has so many Democrats excited about the possibility of an Obama-Gingrich general election in November.

Say what you will about Ron Paul as an eccentric and unelectable candidate, but the Texas Congressman managed to collect and submit the required signatures by the Virginia deadline. There is clearly both truth and relevance behind the assertions with which we are constantly barraged about Ron Paul's grassroots organization and "boots on the ground" capacity in states across the union.

Bad Lip Reading with Newt Gingrich

It's been a few weeks since we posted anything from the folks at Bad Lip Reading (BLR). They've just published the Newt Gingrich edition of their video gimmickry, and at the risk of Newt overload on the blog today, it's too funny not to share.

BLR videos work best when you are not familiar with the voice of the candidate, so I fully expected this one to be lame since we all know how Newt sounds. But as soon as I saw Newt say - "I will strip for wildflowers and a basket of peaches" - I knew it was going to be just fine.

Enjoy the Newt video here.

Romney's "Baggage" Ads Annoy Newt

I'm writing this post mostly because, like Mitt Romney, I'm interested in anything that will piss off Newt Gingrich. Romney and his Super Pac supporters have "gone negative" against Gingrich with their latest campaign ads in Iowa, and the former Speaker of the House has been whining non-stop about it.

From what I can ascertain, the former Speaker's complaints are not rooted in concerns over campaign ethics (Newt has no professional ethics legs to stand on), nor are there issues with making the campaign personal (Newt has no actual feelings to protect). Instead, Newt's opposition to Romney's negative media burst must stem from more practical concerns, like the ad campaign's effectiveness and Gingrich's declining poll numbers in Iowa.

Romney's response to Gingrich's vociferous objections to the negative ads is a simple that one I can support - Tough sh*t, Mr. Speaker.

I kind of enjoy the ads, but you can evaluate one of them for yourself. I give you "Baggage," starring Newt Gingrich.

(Oh yeah, gay people...no need to waste your time watching this ad. Mr. Gingrich has already provided your marching orders. Just vote for Obama.)

Newt Tells Gay Iowa Man to Vote for Obama

Photo: USA Today

A gay college professor in Iowa asked Newt Gingrich how he would engage the gay community if he were elected President.

Gingrich, who is not known for his tact, diplomacy, or internal editorial ability, simply told the man he should vote for President Obama.

It's astonishing to realize that Gingrich has so little regard for the GLBT community that he can simply dismiss gay voters. The underlying message his response sends to gay and lesbian people about what they could expect from a Gingrich presidency is clear - you aren't voting for me anyway, and I have no plans to support you or your causes.

On the plus side, his candor is refreshing and everyone knows where he stands.

Turn of Phrase - Huntsman Delivers Trump Smackdown

Rep. Candidate Jon Huntsman
Photo: Courtesy of AP

"This is exactly what's wrong with politics. It's show business over substance. I'm not going to kiss his ring and I'm not going to kiss any other part of his anatomy."

- Former Utah Governor Jon Hunstman, explaining his decision not to appear at a December 27 candidate's debate hosted by bad-hair egomaniac Donald Trump.

Newt Gingrich is the only candidate so far to accept the billionaire's invitation to debate. I'm willing to bet that there is so little participation that Trump has to either cancel the event or re-bill it as a "roundtable" or some such nonsense.

Republican Journalist Makes Common Sense Case for Romney or Hunstman

Photo: Mandel Ngana/Getty Images

Conservative journalist David Frum has such a clearheaded view of the Republican field of presidential candidates that I have to keep checking his Wikipedia page to make sure he's not a Democrat. Frum is indeed a Republican, and a Canadian-American as well, a heritage which I credit for the absence of foam at the corners of his mouth when he speaks about politics.

In a recent piece for the National Post, Frum argues that Republicans have only two reasonable choices in their field of primary contenders, if they want to have a realistic possibility at taking down President Obama next November.  According to Frum, "it's Romney, Huntsman, or bust."

Frum's rationale and the criteria he looks for in a candidate are admirable, and his description of the field of the candidates, with the exception of his near-endorsement of Rick Santorum, is totally on point. I'm linking the article which will be interesting to anyone who appreciates politics, but I am especially hopeful that my Republican friends (and family) will take a look.

Republicans - Frum is one of your own and he's spot on with his assessment of the choices you have in 2012. If you really want to take the White House back, and you want to be sure you install a qualified leader who can actually make good decisions and move the country forward, then pay close to attention to David Frum's advice.

Rise and Fall of the Anti-Romneys

Newt Gingrich

The anti-Romney shooting star pattern we have seen with Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Herman Cain has been so consistent that it's practically become a predictable scientific phenomenon.

I stumbled on this very clever interactive graph of polling data that demonstrates the trend perfectly.

The remaining question is whether Newt, the most recent contender in the Republican field to twinkle, has enough staying power to present a real challenge. I'm hoping he follows the pattern and flames out like the rest within a few weeks of his peak, so that former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman's star may finally have a chance to rise.  Given the opportunity, Huntsman will stand tall over the intellectual dwarfism of his peers and demonstrate what a legitimately qualified candidate actually looks like.

Of course, armed with only his incredibly relevant experience and his intellect and good sense, and in the absence of the non-stop foaming-at-the-mouth ideological rhetoric that seems essential to gaining the approval of the far right wing, I doubt Huntsman will garner enough support to pose a serious threat to Romney.

Here's wishing on a star...