Tuesday, October 27, 2009

And I’m thinking of Running for King of Denmark

Newt Gingrich claims to be mulling over a presidential bid in 2012.

Meh. I don’t see it. His endorsement of Scozzawhatza in NY-23 has caused conservatives a fair amount of consternation, and he has some personal history that doesn’t seem very appealing (or at least, which can be played as unappealing). He’s a bright guy in many ways, and an articulate speaker, but some people just seem to have a genetic predisposition for unelectability at the presidential level. I’d be interested in hearing readers’ views.

Besides, he’s potentially dangerous. It says rat cheer in the Wikipedia that “Many newts produce toxins in their skin secretions as a defense mechanism against predators.” Although I suppose that could be helpful in a tough debate.

P.S. Yo, Mikael! Don’t worry, buddy. I’m not really running for king of Denmark. They won't let me bring my guns.

17 comments:

SwampWoman said...

Count me not impressed. Too much personal baggage.

kc said...

'Fraid so, Swampie. Used to listen to his history lessons on radio and was MUCH impressed. Did his ego get in the way? It does, even in lesser humans...

Paco, you cain't go to Denmark, even if they would make you king - we need you here to rally troops and defend the honour of Occupied Northern Virginia!

JeffS said...

As SwampWoman says, too much personal baggage.

Not to mention, there's a difference between being an elected representative and President. I don't think Newt has the ability to be a good President. Heck, he can't convince most folks he's a good conservative.

SwampWoman said...

Don't get me wrong, though. I will vote for *almost* anybody running against Obama, up to and including (doh, never thought I'd say this....ever) Hillary.

SwampWoman said...

The Congresscritters and Senators voting for this huge spending agenda can eff off, too. I'm not voting for them for anything except inmate of the year.

Frumley Brooks, Esq.,Conservative Pundit said...

Packers, old chum, I must disagree. From Newt's principled decision to divorce his cancer-stricken wife on her hospital bed, to his authorship of the Contract with America and his visionary decision to tear it up and throw it in the base's collective face the minute they gave him the power to enforce it, to his steadfast, consistent stand on global warming and working with Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrich has embodied every ideal the GOP should espouse...

Paco said...

Frumley, old top! I see you're still shooting for that editor's position at the Daily Beast.

Bob Belvedere said...

Newt Gingrich claims to be mulling over a presidential bid in 2012.

Excuse me while I nail my own head to the floor. [hammering] I feel better now...One might say that Newt is the James Otis of the conservative revival. In 1993 and 1994, he led the conservative charge to retake control of the Congress, and he won. But like Founder Otis, he went full-on mad shortly thereafter. Mr. Otis was a brilliant thinker and speaker who fought British tyrannies in the 1760's with strength and vigor, but his eccentricities were well under control. At some point however, they came to the forefront as did his ego, and he went mad. The same has happened to Newt. Thank you Mr. Gingrich for your service in the early 1990's; you served your country well. But now, you have stayed too long on the scene and you have let your ego become monstrous in size and in effect. For the love of God, go!

Isophorone said...

I think Newt is a very intelligent guy who then goes on to lose arguments with himself. Maybe he's not a real good candidate for 2012, but in fairness, he does have a whole lot of good ideas and we shouldn't stop listening to him.

RebeccaH said...

Nope. Never will vote for Gingrich for a whole truckload of reasons.

Anonymous said...

Paco, why would you want Denmark? You're already King of Occupied Northern Virginia. Oh, I know the sweaters, fish, and that little mermaid are inticing, but all that can't compare to Occupied Northern Virginia, Good ol' USA. You aren't trying to expand your kingdom are you, Sire?

As for Newt. Forgetaboutit. Been there done that. Newt isn't the Conservative we knew. He should stop riding his own tails.

Deborah Leigh

Anonymous said...

Newt's 15 minutes...Contract with America and according to Wiki, he didn't even write the damn thing.

The Contract with America was a document released by the United States Republican Party during the 1994 Congressional election campaign. Written by Larry Hunter who was aided by Newt Gingrich, Robert Walker, Richard Armey, Bill Paxon, Tom DeLay, John Boehner and Jim Nussle, la-la-la-la-la.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_with_America

galloic:

Actually, I prefer a Chateauneuf du Pape 2005, thank you.

cac said...

Actually Paco, I believe the Scandinavians are fairly sensible about guns, their nanny state social welfare model notwithstanding. Not of course as much as you Seppo types but from Australia one can only look on in envy.

Paco said...

cac: Vell, if yew say so.

Bob: Great history lesson. I'll have to read up on that guy.

Isophorone: I agree; he still has much of interest to say (especially when he sticks to history).

Deborah: I could never do Denmark. Too cold in the winter.

Carol said...

Sorry, I've purged Newt.

Brett L said...

Honestly, I've had to refrain from hitting the publish button on 3 or 4 previous attempts because I get too worked up. So I'll just say that I cannot imagine a situation in which I vote for Newt for president in 2012, and that I will actively work to prevent such a situation from arising by campaigning for and giving money to some other candidate.

wv: barmat - what Newt's candidacy would look like.

Paco said...

Brett: Don't hold back!