Newtmentum! New Hampshire Union Leader Endorses Gingrich

New Hampshire's leading conservative newspaper throws in for Not Romney Newt.

America is at a crucial crossroads. It is not going to be enough to merely replace Barack Obama next year. We are in critical need of the innovative, forward-looking strategy and positive leadership that Gingrich has shown he is capable of providing.

He did so with the Contract with America. He did it in bringing in the first Republican House in 40 years and by forging balanced budgets and even a surplus despite the political challenge of dealing with a Democratic President. A lot of candidates say they're going to improve Washington. Newt Gingrich has actually done that, and in this race he offers the best shot of doing it again.

...

Newt Gingrich is by no means the perfect candidate. But Republican primary voters too often make the mistake of preferring an unattainable ideal to the best candidate who is actually running. In this incredibly important election, that candidate is Newt Gingrich. He has the experience, the leadership qualities and the vision to lead this country in these trying times. He is worthy of your support on January 10.

Personally I've never seen any evidence that a newspaper's endorsement moves a lot, or actually any, votes. The Union Leader's mixed endorsement record testifies to that. The real benefit to Newt is that today and for the next couple of days there will be a ton of media and blog stories about the endorsement. That's going to be a lot of free "earned" media for him.

Another benefit...Romney didn't get the endorsement. Mitt is a lot like Hillary 4 years ago, he's the inevitable candidate. That's a great position to be in right up until the moment you aren't inevitable and then you're done. Obviously a newspaper endorsement isn't the same as losing Iowa but it's a dent in the "It's going to be Mitt" argument.

Related enough: Via Byron York, Rick Perry lands the endorsement of Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Arpaio is well known as an illegal immigration hardliner, which has been a problem spot for Perry since his "you don't have a heart" debate line about opponents of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.

Perry and Arpaio will campaign together next week in New Hampshire.

posted by DrewM. at 10:29 AM

| Access Comments