The Curious Conservative Civil War
By Larry Johnson on January 27, 2012 at 2:06 PM in Current Affairs
Are you a “conservative?” If so, help us out here and explain just what that is. Newt Gingrich is furiously trying to make the case that he is a Washington outsider and a true blue conservative. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney, who has never served in Washington is being portrayed by Gingrich supporters as the consummate Washington Insider. That is the pathetic state of what passes for conservatism these days. Let’s be clear about one thing–Gingrich has grown rich based on his Washington experience and ties. If he had not been Speaker of the House he would not have the clout he has.
Then there are the repeated “grandiose” comments by Newt that raise real questions about his support of so-called conservatives. He did harshly criticize Ronald Reagan and his policies in the 1980s. The quotes are what the quotes are. Newt sat with Nancy Pelosi and pressed the need to do something about global warming aka climate change. Newt trashed Paul Ryan’s visionary plan to get entitlement spending under control.
My point? For conservatives to bitch that Mitt Romney is a pretender and that Newt is the real deal is just delusional and crazy. How about a little intellectual consistency?
Is Mitt Romney a conservative? Well, if his past support of Paul Tsongas is the litmus test, no. Did he pander to moderates in Massachusetts in order to get elected Governor? Yes. Mitt does not have a record of being a bed rock ideological conservative. However, in terms of his fiscal policies? He has been conservative. He is not reflexively thinking about expanding government programs and increasing Federal spending. That is a big contrast with Newt.
Given all this I am thoroughly impressed by the parade of arch-conservatives like Ann Coulter, Elliot Abrams, R. Emmet Tyrell and others who are trashing Newt. For those who have not been in the Washington DC Republican political circles over the last 30 years it is difficult for you to appreciate how toxic and dysfunctional Newt is. Newt has done an amazing job of reinventing himself as a rebel outsider, but that is a pure lie. Many of Newt’s political enemies, especially those who are conservatives, remember how he sold out conservatives at critical junctures. They remember how Newt would do anything to advance the cause and career of Newt. Those are the traits that have fired up many conservatives to speak out about the dangers of Newt.
Not looking good for Newt, especially after his debacle in the debate last night. The Business Insider reports:
Romney managed to sound both more conservative in the substance of his immigration plan, and more temperate about the issue overall.
Later, Gingrich was invited to attack Romney’s wealth. He tried to say that Romney had made money from investments in mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, so Newt’s involvement isn’t so different.
Big mistake.
Romney pointed out that Gingrich had a similar portfolio but that owning a mutual fund that invests in them is different from consulting and shilling for them. In other words, I may indirectly own a little Freddie Mac. But Freddie Mac leased you.
Romney looked in command the whole time. Gingrich looked tired.
Halfway through the debate, Gingrich almost tried to retreat into his old tactic of calling for a truce among the candidates.
It was a pathetic showing for Gingrich. Romney was more righteously indignant and in command. Santorum was more conservative. And Ron Paul was delivering better one-liners.
I voted early in Florida and voted for Romney. I registered as a Republican in December so I could vote in the primary. Several friends who are Republican also voted early and voted for Romney. I don’t know a single person who voted early for Gingrich (I’m sure there are some). My point? Romney as a pretty size-able lead in the early voting.
My Florida friends who live in various parts of the state are keeping me posted on what they are seeing and hearing on TV and radio. Here’s my buddy in the Sarasota/Tampa area reporting on the latest ads:
They have a couple of new ones out. One shows multiple images of Newt saying I made a mistake on whatever, then I made a mistake on this, I made a mistake on that etc. it ends with haven’t we had enough mistakes.
The second one shows Newt saying I worked with Ronald Reagan and then say he has dropped his name in over 50 situations while Reagan only mentions Newt once in his memoirs and then only to say he rejected Newt’s ideas as being detrimental to the US.
It looks like Romney’s ads are about 85-90% negative against Newt. Newt is about 50-50% negative against Romney and 50% positive (like I created over 11 million jobs in the 90’s etc.). I think most folks are getting very tired over the negative ads and want to know the candidates’ stance on the issues and how they would attack the nation’s problems. Actually Newt’s positive ads look very good and if I didn’t know what type of person he is and what happened in the early 90’s I would think Newt has a very strong message and is quite attractive.
Newt still may have a chance to pull of an upset but it looks increasingly unlikely. If Newt wins the Republicans are in real trouble. They don’t have a viable, tested alternative to Romney and Newt cannot win a national election. He has too much baggage. We will have a clearer picture next Tuesday. I just wonder what will be left of the so-called conservative base.
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