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Ear to the Ground

Why Newt Now?

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Posted on Dec 9, 2011
Gage Skidmore (CC-BY-SA)

Although it’s still early in the presidential campaign season, this go-round has already brought some surprises, especially from the GOP. We’ve seen Rick Perry’s debate debacle and the end of the Cain Train, but Newt Gingrich’s unlikely rise also befuddles many politicos. So what, indeed, is up with that?  —KA

AP via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

“I can’t decipher what’s going on,” said Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., one the tea party’s best-known first-term lawmakers.

“I’ve had a little trouble figuring it out, too,” said Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, one of Congress’ most conservative members.

Fueling the perplexity are three independent polls of Iowa Republicans, who will hold their caucus Jan. 3. They show Gingrich leading, with Romney and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas battling for second, and four others trailing.

Republican elected officials and strategists offer an array of theories, with varying degrees of confidence.

One school holds that Gingrich articulates conservative positions so forcefully that he attracts hard-right voters willing to overlook his record of inconsistencies and foibles. While many people see Gingrich as a consummate Washington insider—making $1.6 million advising Freddie Mac, for instance—his sharply anti-Washington rhetoric and unorthodox views convince others that he’s willing to buck the system and make needed changes.

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By ironboltbruce, December 17, 2011 at 8:07 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Arrest Allen West! Use NaSI SARs to charge Allen West and your U.S. Representative and Senators who voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA: S.1867/H.R.1540) with “Seditious Conspiracy” under U.S. Code Title 18 Part I Chapter 115 Section 2384. Details here: http://AmerikanReich.com

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By Jim Yell, December 10, 2011 at 8:54 am Link to this comment
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For those who like conspiracy, could ask, “Are the Republican’s really serious or is this crazy episode designed to scare the fish into the Obama net, by making any rational choice come down only to Obama the Investment Bankers Friend?”

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By radicalfemme, December 10, 2011 at 6:44 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Why Newt now????  They are scrapping the bottom of the barrel that’s why!!!  They dislike Mitt so much and sanity they will take Newt over him.

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Outraged's avatar

By Outraged, December 10, 2011 at 1:07 am Link to this comment

My bad…. my comment, “You wet a LONG, LONG, LONG stick with gas and then….throw it on the pile AND RUN LIKE HELL!”

Should read:

“You wet a LONG, LONG, LONG stick with gas, LIGHT IT and then….throw it on the pile…. AND RUN LIKE HELL!

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By Outraged, December 10, 2011 at 12:33 am Link to this comment

Somehow they’re confused…... really…..LOL

Why ANY self-respecting redneck KNOWS that if you spray gasoline all over the fuckin’ pile, you DON’T (under any circumstances LIGHT IT WITH A MATCH, dumbass)!

You wet a LONG, LONG, LONG stick with gas and then….throw it on the pile AND RUN LIKE HELL!

What a bunch of fuckin’ morons…... they deserve what they get.

Re:Blueokie

Your comment: “As I understand it this article is saying that people, who couldn’t find their ass with both hands and a map, are confused.”

Yeah, “that’s the way it is” or (and again I find myself invoking “the ol’ man” more commonly known as my Dad) who liked to say, “they can’t find their ass from a hole in the ground.”  And even though this never made quite logical sense to me, IT MADE PERFECT SENSE.

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By Blueokie, December 9, 2011 at 10:42 pm Link to this comment

As I understand it this article is saying that people, who couldn’t find their ass with both hands and a map, are confused.  Is it just me, or did I miss something?

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By john crandell, December 9, 2011 at 9:58 pm Link to this comment

Just two words: Newt Gangrene.

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By Wildeye, December 9, 2011 at 8:23 pm Link to this comment

It’s not hard to figure out. Republicans aren’t for Newt, they’re against Romney.

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