Andy, I’m totally with you on this. I mention it in today’s — otherwise generally pro-Newt — Goldberg File:
Gingrich’s rage was well articulated, but it seemed canned to me. If he really believed that John King did one of the most despicable things imaginable, why did he rush up to King to congratulate him on a great job immediately after the debate?
Part of it is just me. When I lose my temper at someone, when I’m convinced they’ve done something bad — never mind close to the most despicable thing I can imagine — it stays with me. I suspect the same is true with Gingrich. So when he (and, I believe, Callista) ran over to do the post-game chit-chat, it struck me that the term “post-game” isn’t just an expression — it really was a game. I have to hope at least some of the people who gave Gingrich a standing ovation for his theatrical outrage recognize that.
(BTW, folks can sign up for all the NRO newsletters here).
Didn't see Newt do that at the end. When I read the G-File I wondered if he had a smile on his face? I'm with you, Jonah, and I hate to think it's a bad trait we share. Maybe it is. Then again, there is no such thing as a perfect human being.
It could very well be that Newt was p*ssed but doesn't hold it against them personally, which shows maturity on his part, which is a good thing. But he's got to know - you have to be an idiot to dismiss this - that the media can't stand (R)s and will do whatever it takes to shoot them down in flames. I don't know why any (R) would just brush this off lightly. If I were Jesse Jackson I'd say - uh, whhyyyah, the docility to, ah, the hostility?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePhony politician? You can't be serious, that's a myth.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDidn't see Newt do that at the end. When I read the G-File I wondered if he had a smile on his face? I'm with you, Jonah, and I hate to think it's a damnable trait we share. Maybe it is. Then again, there is no such thing as a perfect human being.
It could very well be that Newt was p*ssed but ultimately doesn't hold it against them personally, which shows maturity on his part, which is a good thing. But he's got to know - you have to be an idiot to dismiss this - that the media can't stand (R)s and will do whatever it takes to shoot them down in flames. I don't know why any (R) would just brush this off lightly, or try to be buddy-buddy nice to them. If I were Jesse Jackson I'd say - uh, whhyyyah the docility to, ah, the hostility?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe smartest man in the room (or universe) is just play acting for his intellectual inferiors (the voters)
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePundits do that all the time - have a horrid yelling fight over some topic, then giggle and coo the next minute - just watch Bob Beckel with the Five. It's all performance.
Also...Perry had great substance but was knocked out because he couldn't give good performances. Now Newt gives good performances and gets slammed for it.
It's almost as if the pundits paid to write stuff come up with things to write about even if they only partially feel it. As if it's a performance.
FYI - this is not a slam, it's acknowledgment of reality. We all do it to one degree or another.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt's all part of what is known as political theatre. When a politician wants to appear regal, he stands on high between two (pretend) Grecian columns. When a politician wants to appear incensed and aggrieved, he uses a (pretend) indignant tone and words like "despicable."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe really sad part is that there's no shortage of people - both on the left and the right - that devour it.
Like Obama before him, Gingrich knows EXACTLY what strings to tug on and he does it like a virtuoso.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'd say Newt Gingrich was as genuine in his outrage and surprise as John King was in his genuine interest in getting the truth out.
Both played to their respective audiences: John King to his masters at CNN and the left-wing media for whom destroying Republicans with marital scandals is the soup du jour; Newt Gingrinch to a GOP base that hates CNNMSNBCNYTCBSABC intensely and despises candidates who play a rigged game.
For a GOP base that is frankly fed up with apologizing for what it believes in, I think Newt came out ahead. John King of course will benefit from it as well. But for the press and Obama who desperately want to face Romney, I'd say John King and ABC have done more harm than good to the Democrats' cause.
As I've written before, what Romney needs is a really good scandalous assault launched at him by the Left. His support rose when Democrats and Republicans launched anti-capitalist attacks on him. It was his limp wristed defense of free markets that caused his poll decline. Huge missed opportunity for Mitt to go Newt Gingrich on his critics.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"For a GOP base that is frankly fed up with apologizing for what it believes in, I think Newt came out ahead."
The GOP believes in multiple adultery?
Glad to see you trotting out the moonbat Christine O'Donnell theory that what the media and Obama really fear is the candidate, Newt, trailing Obama by eleven, twelve points nationally, I was expecting that.
You can bank on one thing, nominating Newt would be the greatest gift you could give Obama and the Dems are sure of this themelsves. We've been through all this with Sharron Angle and O'Donnell and Palin and the Donald Trump flirtation earlier this year. You folks always think these blowhards and flakes are what America is thirsting for and you are always ludicrously wrong. But you never, ever learn.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGosh, you say that like I'm voting for Newt. Until 2 days ago, I was voting for Perry.
If you stopped dragging your knuckles on the ground for 5 seconds you'd notice that I agree with you. I remember writing months ago that Newt's perpetual think-ology is a mess for an executive (back when his staff quit).(External Link
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But you're so over-the-top ready to stab Newt in the eye with a fork, that you do not understand Newt is playing the GOP base like a violin.
And it's working.
Maybe it's just not the case that you are smart and everyone else is stoopit. Regardless, it is thoroughly enjoyable watching Newt drive people who hate him, particularly the mindless boosterism types who hang out on the Corner, absolutely bananas.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Methinks he doth protest too much."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf you had a debate performance like Newt's, woulnd't YOU thank the moderator too? It's like when Strahan thanked Farve for helping him get that sack record.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt's a phony. But he's done Romney (and all of us) a service in prepping him for Obama's attacks.Thanks, Newt. Now get lost.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYap. Contrast this with Sen. Rand Paul after the "Aqua Buddha" accusation by his opponent. When you are truly outraged, you can't shake the hand of the person who so offended you.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt grows all the more obvious.
Sideline opinion sellers are not leaders. They blow with winds, desperate to find acceptance. The so-called Conservatism they are peddling, is only designed to help their own status in a community and industry.
Even now, we see the most absurd hyping of Newt Gingrich yet again, the same who was selling leftwing "looting" garbage over the past few weeks.
There is nothing serious about the vivid contradictions the professional voices are producing, just a game to play along with others.
And all of it, is only going to further enable the Democratic Party yet again.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt's coming problem is that he has little to attract conservative voters beyond attacking the media, and not even that to attract independents. Is he faking it? Probably, yes, but he's a one-trick pony in any case, and this particular trick won't work in the general election.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou are usually pro-Newt, Jonah. It seems SC voters (and voters nationally judging by the latest Gallup poll) don't think this is important.
Actually politicians (as well as family members) do this all the time. They may be angry at what someone does here and yet be supporters of them there. In politics it often comes about by warmly receiving endorsements from former opponents who trashed you yesterday but are on your side today (like Huntsman).
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