10 points about Romney, Newt and the primaries

The wind is blowing in too many directions for me to even bother to guess the outcome of the Republican primaries any more, other than to make the bold prediction that, under no circumstances, will Ron Paul be the winner.

As to the Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney battle, here are some facts to be taken into account:

1. Nobody outside his immediate family actually likes Mitt Romney.

2. Rick Santorum stands no chance.

3. Ron Paul is crazy. I'm not sure how that's relevant to these points, but I'm talking about all the other remaining Republican candidates and I didn't want him to feel left out.

4. Mitt has a lot of money, but he isn't going to be able to spend it in every state the way he had in Florida to smear Gingrich.

5. So far, including the Florida results, only 5% of the total delegates to the Republican convention have been allocated.

6. Mitt Romney is an uncharismatic stiff that makes Al Gore seem like a rock star by comparison.

7. If Santorum gives up his hopeless campaign, the bulk of his support would likely go to Gingrich.

8. If Santorum doesn't give up his hopeless campaign before the convention, he can turn his delegates over to Gingrich then.

9. Mitt has the GOP establishment behind him, but those Tea Party people punch above their weight in party activism and most of them are in the Gingrich camp.

10. Super Tuesday looms large and Gingrich will do well in a lot of those states.


Even though the primary battle between Gingrich and Romney seems to be exposing lots of dirty Republican linen, the benefit from the process is that it's giving the candidates an opportunity to be able to respond to attacks now instead of when the Democrats bring them up in the fall Presidential campaign. That dirt is also getting the American public familiar with the attack points, so the November election may rest less on what the Democrats say about the Republicans than how Americans feel about Obama's handling of the economy and America's place in the world.

Chuck Norris endorsement pays off big - Gingrich wins South Carolina Primary

Never underestimate the power of Chuck Norris!

Well, maybe Newt's recent debate performances helped a little.

The closer you look at Ron Paul, the more he looks like a racist, incompetent, incoherent idiot

Ron Paul's basic defense against charges of racism and extremism is that things that went out under his name aren't his fault because he is incompetent.

And the guy wants to be President of the United States of America!? If the Republicans nominate Paul, they don't deserved to win a Presidential election for the next 20 years.

I predict Gingrich will emerge as the nominee, but the fact that Paul is leading in the polls in Iowa is either a scary indication of the state of affairs in Iowa or suggests that polls are worthless. 

From The New York Times:

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Newt Gingrich turned his fire on Representative Ron Paul of Texas on Friday, saying that his Republican opponent had to answer for political and investment newsletters that included racist, anti-gay and anti-Israel passages that Mr. Paul has disavowed.

Mr. Gingrich also sharply criticized Mr. Paul for what he said were his isolationist views on foreign policy. The pointed comments suggested a new dynamic in the presidential primary race, with Mr. Paul as a new and enticing target. His fortunes have risen in Iowa, scrambling the field as some polls suggest that Mr. Paul could pull off a victory in the caucuses on Jan. 3. But in recent days, he has come under increasing scrutiny for offensive passages in newsletters that bore his name, although he has denied writing or approving them. 

“These things are really nasty, and he didn’t know about it?” Mr. Gingrich said to reporters after a town-hall-style meeting here. 

At the same time, Mr. Gingrich refrained from criticizing Mitt Romney, with whom he has frequently sparred, calling him, at worst, “a Massachusetts moderate.” 

Speaking to a large and enthusiastic crowd outside the Blue Marlin restaurant here on a warm and sunny day, Mr. Gingrich mainly framed his candidacy in opposition to President Obama. But he strongly criticized Mr. Paul’s foreign policy positions. Mr. Paul’s criticism of American military involvement overseas is at odds with the views of many Republican voters who may otherwise be attracted to his strong antigovernment message. 

“The only person I know who is for a weaker military than Barack Obama is Ron Paul,” Mr. Gingrich said.

Here's Ron Paul comparing Iran's nukes to the USSR and saying we shouldn't worry about Iran having them. Here's a little tip for you, Dr. Paulooka, the Soviets, for all their many flaws, did not try to die in the name of Lenin so they go to paradise and get 72 virgins.




h/t American Power