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February 19, 2005

Newt Gingrich is Running For President

***Sort of an exclusive. Must credit Ace. Because, you know, no one ever does.***

Watch John Fund's Political Diary column in the WSJ this Tuesday. He's sitting next to me now, and I asked him what he was working on. I begged him for a tease for his column, and he offered: "Newt Gingrich is running for President in 2008."

The man will not crack about how he's come to know this -- from Gingrich himself, from friends, from the formation of exploratory committees and the like -- and just keeps saying "You wanted a *tease.*" And he won't give me more than a tease, darn him.

But there you go. On Tuesday, Fund will report Gingrich is running for the Presidency.

posted by Ace at 03:39 PM

Comments

On behalf of Conservatives and Republicans everywhere, can I be the first on the "ABN" (Anyone but Newt) bandwagon?

Posted by: senatorphilabuster on February 19, 2005 04:40 PM

I suppose that, when "ABN" is effected, then it'll be o.k. to push Jeb or Laura or Condy! I doubt if Laura would be interested, but...

Posted by: Carlos on February 19, 2005 05:24 PM

I don't know... Newt is pretty cool by my book.

Posted by: Dave on February 19, 2005 05:27 PM

Well, Newt is conservative enough, you've got to admit that. He is, however, one of the most polarizing figures in politics. He is the anti-Hillary.

Posted by: RapidTransit on February 19, 2005 05:30 PM

Won't work. He's a brilliant man, the Contract With America was genius, but he's been too vilified.

I think this is primarily a vehicle to sell books, and maybe also is intended enhance his influence in the party, get him invited to speak, etc.

Posted by: TallDave on February 19, 2005 05:36 PM

Totally agree with TallDave. I think it's known that he is running but that it isn't to actually win.

Posted by: Karol on February 19, 2005 05:55 PM

i hope talldave and karol are wrong. newt would fracture the republican vote, especially if another "compassionate conservative" were running.

though i guess i'm assuming he'd run as an indepent a la ross perot.

could newt win the republican primary? i'd vote for him. i'd work for his campaign. just imagine a real conservative candidate for president. he'd energize (i hate that description) the right the way dean did the loony left.

Posted by: jb on February 19, 2005 06:43 PM

What journalist did that interview with Newt's parents? Where his mom was calling him 'Newtie' and the interviewer got her to say some embarrassing shit?
Whoever it was, that footage will be trotted out (and rehashed ad nauseum) the instant he announces he's interested in campaigning.

Posted by: lauraw on February 19, 2005 06:50 PM

I can see it now, Newt & Ann Coulter vs Hillary & Al Frankin.....

Condi has to be the next republican president. Not only is she smart and talented but the left will blow a PC gasket trying to figure out how to campaign against her.

Oh the irony; if the first woman and African American to be president was a republican.

Posted by: dredd on February 19, 2005 06:52 PM

I don't mind being the first one to unequivocally say that Newt would be my favorite for prez in 2008.

He's brilliant, and would tear Shrillary to shreds in debate and in the battle of ideas in general.

He's not vilified by the people who matter. The original Contract was precisely what needed to be said and enacted at the time, and the 21st Century version will be equally important.

Newt 4 Prez in 2008.

Posted by: James on February 19, 2005 06:56 PM

I read this post to my wife and she was excited, because she likes Newt. Then I asked her, "Newt or Condi?" She couldn't decide.

Posted by: Sobek on February 19, 2005 07:22 PM

He's not vilified by the people who matter.

Uh, the majority of Americans?

Seriously, come back to terra firma. Gingrich is political poison, and it's odd that anyone isn't able to grasp that. You sound like the Donks fawning over Howard Dean.

Posted by: Bill from INDC on February 19, 2005 08:38 PM

And did I mention that he has a ginormous pumpkin? In addition to the fact that he acted like an amorally with his ex-wife, tends to put his foot in his mouth with media soundbites, and has been "branded" by the press as an evil figure - he's got a freakishly large head.

And while part of me is kidding, another part of me also recognizes that the dim, undecided portions of American electorates tend to gravitate towards physical charisma. Scary big. And white. Head.

Posted by: Bill from INDC on February 19, 2005 08:43 PM

Scratch "like an " above. Typo.

Posted by: Bill from INDC on February 19, 2005 08:43 PM

Fund WAS 'teasing.'

Posted by: Ol' BC on February 19, 2005 09:04 PM

Laura W: That was Connie Chung. she got Newt's mom to admit he thought Hillary was a "bitch". That was also right after she smarted off to the OKC Federal Bldg. bomb responders, saying something like "Are you people ready for this?"--which came off as "Are you hicks capable of taking care of yourselves?"

The two incidents combined to move CBS to put CC out to pasture.

CONFIDENTIAL TO ACE: Close one, there!

Posted by: See-Dubya on February 19, 2005 09:08 PM

How about Haley Barbour?

No less conservative than Newt, just as good a talker, but with more charm and less baggage. Did a great job as RNC chairman; now governor. What's not to like?

Condi can wait till '16.

Posted by: Stumbo on February 19, 2005 09:49 PM

Speaking as a conservative from one of his former districts, I'll say that I wouldn't vote for him. He's been unfaithful to two of his three wives (maybe the third one is just an S.O., I don't know). His brilliance and energy can't overcome the blunt fact that he is false in his personal life, and so would likely be the same in the Presidency. One philanderer-in-chief within living memory is enough. Let him continue to write his historical novels and be a talking head.

Posted by: The Sanity Inspector on February 19, 2005 10:52 PM

I don't doubt the source, Newt will run. If you read his latest book, it basically lays out his campaign platform. As far as him being unfaithful, I haven't heard about it before, but if it's true I'll have to reconsider my support of him. He's the only true conservative worth voting for in '08.

Posted by: Konservative Jay on February 19, 2005 11:22 PM

See-Dubya,
I wonder how many regulars saw that.

Posted by: Sean M. on February 20, 2005 12:22 AM

Newt for President

Condi for VP

Posted by: Flap on February 20, 2005 12:58 AM

Sean M.--

My guess is none; either that or we are an incredibly discreet bunch. Not quite what I expected--I had envisioned something swarthier.

And I guess we should drop it.

PS "regulars"could possibly guess why I'm for Condi.

Posted by: See-Dubya on February 20, 2005 01:32 AM

Consider it dropped.

And I'm for Condi in spite of that. Go Bears!

Posted by: Sean M. on February 20, 2005 01:45 AM

He's a bit young, but South Carolina governor Mark Sanford would make the best Conservative President that I can imagine. He's shown a dedication to ending the legislature's spending sprees that make my head spin.

He was so angry about the spending at one point that he took two pigs on leashes into the legislative chamber and upbraided the Congressmen for being irresponsible!

The man's a firebrand and he's what we need.

Posted by: PlacidPundit on February 20, 2005 02:47 AM

he's been too vilified.

Nixon was even more vilified, and had even more baggage (You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore!), and even less charisma, yet he won two landslide. The Dems at the time were having lefty troubles, just like now.

And what's more, the media which hates him so has been gelded by its own stupidity. Anything they can do we can do better.

So it's not too fantastical to imagine Newt winning, and I'd be glad if he did. I've always liked Newt, and we could really use an idea man after eight years of Mr. Eloquence.

Posted by: Brian on February 20, 2005 09:46 AM

As far as him being unfaithful, I haven't heard about it before, but if it's true I'll have to reconsider my support of him.

He ditched his wife when she was in the hospital!

And what's more, the media which hates him so has been gelded by its own stupidity. Anything they can do we can do better.

Who is this we? I plan on taking Newt out like Old Yeller, same as sensible DEms should have done to Howard Dean. Ka-BLOW!

Read Joe Scarborough's book, Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day to understand Newt's weaknesses from and ideological and practical standpoint.

And don't forget the freakish melon.

Posted by: Bill from INDC on February 20, 2005 10:57 AM

Bill,

I've been reading that book. I'm not through yet but my opinion so far is that Newt is someone who tries to acomplish things through partisan strategy and fails miserably. It's not impossible to do--I think Bush is doing rather well with it--but Newt doesn't have what it takes.

Posted by: PlacidPundit on February 20, 2005 11:07 AM

Hey! Every time I blatantly steal from you, I give you credit for it.

Posted by: David Earney on February 20, 2005 02:16 PM

Bill--

He ditched his wife when she was in the hospital!

The way I heard it, he didn't so much ditch Jackie--which implies slinking out--as give her the "Welcome to Dumpsville" speech when she was recovering from surgery for cancer. He divorced his second wife, Marianne, after she was diagnosed with MS. Not a very inspiring track record.

But I agree with you, the real problem is the big head. Like Ted Kennedy on steroids.

Posted by: utron on February 20, 2005 03:29 PM

"O" NO ! ! ! !
Clinton had his "pizza girl" under the "oval desk"

Newt-ie will have his "office girl" bent over the "oval desk"

Posted by: HAWK on February 20, 2005 05:27 PM

I don't think Newt's likeable enough. He may be admirable for his forthrightness and his leadership, but if people don't like him--well, then you have John Kerry.

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Funniest thing I've read about the Virginia mess. Back when they were hustling the referendum through the assembly both Senators, Warner and Kaine, advised them to go slow and play by the rules. Louise Lucas said she respected them but didn't need advice from the "cuck chair" in the corner. The gerrymandering was overturned and Louise is heading for the big house. Edward G. Robinson voice "where's your cuck now?"
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I posted his post on twitter and it's gotten 25K views so far. Thanks, Smell the Glove

Chris
@chriswithans

"Ahhhhh ahh I put my career on the line for Louise Lucas and Jay Jones thinking they'd vault me into presidential contention and we ended up costing Democrats 20 House seats and unleashing a Reverse Dobbs ahhhhh ahhh"

Forgotten 80s Mystery Click That Sums Up the Democrat Communist Party Today
Something is wrong as I hold you near
Somebody else holds your heart, yeah
You turn to me with your icy tears
And then it's raining, feels like it's raining

TJM wonders about world building in stories, mostly The Hunger Games

"It's f**king f**ked."
-- reportedly a genuine comment offered by a "senior Labour source"
Correction: I wrote that Labour is losing 88% (now 87%) of the seats it is "defending." I think that's wrong. The right way to say it is the seats they are contesting -- that is, they don't necessarily already hold these seats, but they have put up a candidate to run for the seat. It's still very bad but not as bad as losing 87% of the seats they already held.

Basil the Great
@BasilTheGreat

🚨ED MILIBAND [a Minister in Starmer's government] SAYS KEIR STARMER WILL RESIGN AS PRIME MINISTER

He has reportedly reassured Labour MP's that Starmer will be resigning following the disastrous results tonight

It's over

"The end of the two party system in the UK" as first the Fake Conservatives and now Labour chooses political suicide rather than simply STOPPING THE INVASION
Incidentally, the only reason this didn't already happen in the US is because of the Very Bad Orange Man (who is right on 85% of all policy calls and extremely, existentially right on 15% of them)

No political party that is NOT also a doomsday religious cult would EVER choose a cataclysmic loss -- and possible extinction as a party -- to support a toxically unpopular favoritism of NON-CITIZEN ILLEGAL MIGRANTS over actual citizen voters.

Only a cult does this.

Now they've lost 84%.

Annunziata Rees-Mogg
@zatzi
If this continues Labour loses 2,148 seats tonight.

That is much worse than the worst case predictions I’ve seen.

Cataclysmic

Update: They've now lost 88% of the seats they're defending. As I mentioned earlier, I think I heard that London will not bail them out, as many of those Labour seats will probably flip to "Muslim Independent" or Green. Detroit's 5am vote will not save them.

Yup, Labour is losing 80% of its seats...

The British Patriot
@TheBritLad

🚨 BREAKING: Labour have lost 80% of all seats contested as of 2:25 AM.<
br> If this continues, Keir Starmer will be out of office next week.

Reform has surged and projected to pick up between 1700-2100 seats.

Wow, up to 1700-2100 seats. It's not incredible that this is happening. It's incredible that the Davos crowd is so absolutely determined to privilege Muslim "migrants" over the actual native population who elects them, no matter how loudly the natives scream that they want to be prioritized, that they will gladly self-extinguish as a party rather than simply representing the interests of their own voters. Astonishing.
Remember, when they call other people "cultists" -- they are the ones so imprisoned in their social reinforcement and discipline bubbles that they will choose political death rather than dare upset the Karen Enforcement Officers of their cult.
Update: Now they've lost 83% of the seats they were defending.

(((Dan Hodges)))
@DPJHodges

Reform are basically wiping Labour out in the North. It's not a defeat. It's not even a rout. Labour are simply ceasing to exist.

Nick Lowles
@lowles_nick

Tonight’s results are calamitous for Labour. Not just for Keir Starmer's leadership, but for the very future of the party

STARMERGEDDON: In early returns, Reform gains 135 seats, Labour loses 90, the Fake Conservatives lose 36 (and I didn't even know they could fall any further), the Lib Dems lose 4, and the Greens gain 6. Note that the only other party gaining seats is the Greens and they're only gaining a handful of seats.
Update: Reform now up 145, Labour down 98.
Labour projected to lose Wales -- where they've ruled for 27 years.
Fulton County Georgia just discovered 400 boxes of ballots for Labour
Update: REF +156, LAB -107, CON -45
Brutal: In four out of five council seats where Labour is defending, they've lost. 80%.
I'm sure it's not this simple, but Reform is straight taking Labour's and the "Conservatives'" seats. They've lost almost exactly what Reform gained. If understand this right (and warning, I probably don't), all of London's council seats are up for election, and Labour might lose hugely there, as their old voters abandon them for Reform, Muslim Indenpendents, and the Greens.
REF +190, LAB -134, CON -56.

Updates on the Labour collapse in council elections -- which wags are calling #Starmergeddon -- from Beege Welborne. There are about 5000 seats up for grabs, Labour is expected to lose 1,800, Reform will probably gain 1,580, up from... zero. So this would be more than that.
People claim that while Labour has adopted the Sharia Agenda to appeal to the million Muslims it allowed to migrate to the country, those voters are ditching Labour to vote for the Muslim Independent Party or the Greens. Delicious. This shadenfreude is going straight to my thighs.
Oh, and if Starmer loses about as badly as expected, Labour will toss him out of a window Braveheart style and replace him. He will announce he is resigning to spend more time with his Gay Ukrainian Male Prostitutes.

Media bias and senationalism are as old as, well, the media:

That was written by Denny O'Neill and illustrated by, get this, Frank Miller. Editor to the Stars Jim Shooter was in charge at the time.
I always thought the gag was original to the comic book, but in fact the "Threat or Menace" headline was a satirical joke about media bias and sensationalism for a long while. The Harvard Lampoon used it in a parody of Life magazine: "Flying Saucers: Threat or Menace?"

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