Comments on: Newt throws his hat in the ring

By: Ronald Daniels

Ronald Daniels — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:51:39 +0000

I’d rather have President Newt, and RNC Chair Chip Saltsman.

By: shep1975

shep1975 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:11:46 +0000

Howard Dean became DNC Chairman because he was a successful candidate for Governor, and was re-elected, unlike Steele. Dean also figured out how to tap into the power of the Internet for both fundraising and grassroots organization. Dean brought new voters into the Democrat party and focused them or organization.

If Ron Paul hadn’t decided he wanted to take his ball and go home, he might have been the best contender.

By: shep1975

shep1975 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:06:12 +0000

Once again, I see all of you only meantioning people who look good on television, but no one with practical experience.

As Progressive Dem brought up, there are not ust the two Congressional Chambers to bring together on message, but the Governors as well.

Newt has shown that he likes air time, but so do the rest of the people mentioned. If you all want a talking head for a party chairman, we can keep Duncan there. He hasn’t done too bad on the air.

By: Progressive Dem

Progressive Dem — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:17:07 +0000

Three points (1) Is it likely RNC members from blue states will want Newt? (2) Are GOP governors going to hand over the party direction to someone with only Washington experience? (3) Can Newt get his required quota of national TV face time and still have enough time to build an effective 50 state strategy?

By: atlantaman

atlantaman — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:55:35 +0000

I’m a big fan of Newt’s, but agree with Icarus – he needs to grow a sack an put himself on the line. He sounds too much like Ross Perot, when asking the people to draft him.

By: Icarus

Icarus — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:51:49 +0000

Bobby Jindal needs to finish his reform of LA, so that he’ll have a real resume when its his time on the national stage. He needs to focus on being the governor that LA needs him to be. If he can do that for a few more years, he’ll have his chance at President. He doesn’t need to try to be the face of the RNC right now.

I personally would like the face of the Republican party to be someone associated with the contract with America, who actually honored the term limits and/or took a lead role in fiscal cuts.

Watts, John Kaisich, etc.

By: Three Jack

Three Jack — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:44:35 +0000

newt would be good as a strategist, but not the face of the party.

seems to me it’s time for a new, innovative leader like maybe bobby jindal, jc watts or paul ryan. any of those guys would send out a strong message about change coming to the gop.

By: Bill Simon

Bill Simon — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:40:33 +0000

Well, nobody asked me, but MY problem with Newt is that he is nearing the age when his current wife will reach that “throwaway age” that will enable Newt to pick-up a new relationship with some cutey-pie RNC intern and give us a repeat of defending yet another embarrassing incident from him.

And, DON’T think he won’t do it. He’s only done it…what?..twice before? nahhh..can’t happen again. He’s REALLY “faithful” this time.

By: Icarus

Icarus — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:24:23 +0000

I don’t have a problem with Newt, per se. He does have an amazing gift for nearing the achievement of greatness, and then shifting the spotlight to himself via a public, personal failure.

However, he does have the ability to focus the issues on our side, as well as craft a victory strategy to implement them when he chooses to stay focused.

My problem here is that saying you’ll accept a position isn’t the same as getting down and dirty to fight for it. It saves face for him if he loses, but makes it a lot less likely for him to win, as well as indicates to me that he may no longer be in true fighting form.

By: shep1975

shep1975 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:22:20 +0000

he sure has been a leading voice on energy policy.

By: bpolitical

bpolitical — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:19:58 +0000

Obviously, Newt has already been doing some political jockeying inside the RNC. Some are asking for him to stand up and announce his desire for the chairmanship publicly. That is exactly what he did today.

It will not be easy, but Newt Gingrich may be the right Conservative to lead, not just a political party, but a grassroots movement, in the rebuilding of a humbled and defeated GOP.

By: Icarus

Icarus — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:18:25 +0000

Haley’s still got 3 years left as Governor of Mississippi. I doubt he’ll be giving that up for a job he once had when our party was relevant.

By: shep1975

shep1975 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:17:21 +0000

I’d go for that, Bill.

By: Bill Simon

Bill Simon — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:14:45 +0000

Is Haley Barbour available? I’d take him over Newt.

By: shep1975

shep1975 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:11:54 +0000

yes, Steele won in a good year for the GOP and was out of office 4 years later.

did he turn his county Republican as chairman? Maryland sure isnt friendly GOP territory.

once again, politics is one of the only professions where you can fail and still be promoted.

by the way, GOPAC wasnt exactly dynamic in this election. it hasnt been since newt was involved. Show me real hard accomplishments for Steele or anyone else for that matter, that can compare to what newt did and I will give them a fair shake. (and sorry for any typos. It’s not easy typoing with thumbs.)

By: drjay

drjay — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:04:24 +0000

i actually had had steele would succeed mehlman instead of martinez and that other guy, duncan? splitting duty as head of the party…

By: drjay

drjay — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:02:32 +0000

shep, steele also has practical experience as a county chair and as the state chair of the maryland gop and was on a winning ticket in a state that doesn’t elect a whole heck of a lot of gop’s–i like newt, i really do, but moving forward i would agree w/ buzz that steele might be a more exciting, invigorating choice for a party recovering from a couple of defeats the last couple of years…

By: Vic

Vic — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:02:05 +0000

Shep, that was for Jason Pye. Anyone in politics now needs to have experience running Nationalized Insurance Companies and Banks.

By: Buzz Brockway

Buzz Brockway — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:57:04 +0000

So being Lt. Governor of Maryland and head of the Maryland GOP doesn’t count? Steele has done those things as well as heading GOPAC.

I have no personal animus toward Newt I just think he’s not the right man for the job. We need to look to the future, not the past.

By: shep1975

shep1975 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:52:01 +0000

Buzz, all good stuff for a talk radio host or a Fox News commentator, but Steele has never brought together the diverse factions of the gop and got all of them on the same message..

Icarus, most of these RNC members face some sort of election in their own states as well. they have to answer to a group of voters too.

Vic, I have no clue what you are talking about. I dont work in insurance.