Tea Party debate could be Newt’s turnaround
By Brian Kirwin | Monday, September 12th, 2011 | PoliticsSitting in the Commodore Theater in Portsmouth, Virginia, I was surprised about how relatively little enthusiasm there was for folks like Michelle Bachmann or Ron Paul. Romney and Perry came off exceptionally poorly.
Herman Cain got some kudos. Santorum got some cheers when he remembered his social-conservative roots.
But Newt was superb.
Asked whether the other candidates are scaring off voters with their Social Security talk, Newt Gingrich said, “I’m not particularly worried about Gov. Perry and Gov. Romney frightening the American people when President Obama scares them every single day.”
It got by far the biggest cheer of the night.
When the moderator asked about oil companies having tax breaks and shouldn’t those be eliminated, Newt said “I thought for a second you were going to refer to General Electric, which has paid no taxes.”
“Doesn’t he realize that every green tax credit is a loophole?”
Newt hit his favorites. He balanced a budget. He “cheerfully opposes raising taxes.”
It really was a stellar night for him, and he needed one badly.
Romney and Perry duked each other early and often, quoting from each other’s books. CNN, having no interest in any Republican candidates doing well, set the debate up to dwell on Social Security and Medicare for the first 30 minutes. So, it was about Romneycare and Perry calling Social Security unconstitutional.
Perry defended tuition breaks for illegal immigration. Huntsman (doing nothing but taking up tv time here) got beat up for illegal immigration driver’s licenses.
A big issue was forced immunizations for HPV that Perry issued through executive order, and Bachmann nailed him for saying he did it for a drug company that was a big donor for him.
But we really spent very little time on the number one issue in America, getting our economy moving again.
That’s CNN’s fault.
Polling will show what happens to the field. If Bachmann was going to rebound, this would be when, and she did enough to give herself a chance again.
The only problem is will any of these bullets knock Rick Perry down to reality from his amazingly high early numbers. And was Romney too wounded to take advantage if that happens.
If Perry and Romney stumble coming out of this, and Bachmann doesn’t benefit, Newt now has a serious debate victory in my opinion to make this anyone’s race.
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The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.
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13 Responses to "Tea Party debate could be Newt’s turnaround"
My only comment, is that even if he won the debate..if winning debates helped you in the election we would have Alan Keyes as a past president.
If anyone surged in the polls it is more than likely Bachmann. She beat Perry with his record tha the room was loudest over the phone line connecting the Commodore to Florida when she nailed him a few times.
I will admit Newt looked like a contender tonight.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/63329.html
To compare Gingrich with Obama is to see the difference between a true political intellectual and a fake one. Having said that, like most intellectuals Gingrich can get carried away with his thoughts. On one day he is the impassioned conservative brimming with ideas while the next he is sitting on a couch with Nancy Pelosi endorsing man-made global hot seats and Dede Scozzafava.
BK raises an interesting point about Romney. It seems to me that Romney needs to respond to Perry by being the conservative business leader rather than attacking him like a leftist Democrat. If Romney starts to sound like the DNC that may finish him. The Repubs already have Huntsman in that role.
Sadly Ann Coulter is right again. Christie is the optimum candidate. He wasn’t smart boxing himself in like that on running. Ironically, his reelection in NJ is not even a sure thing given how leftist the place has become.
valentinus – nice job with this analysis:
I still have high hopes for Romney. Even though he may be characterized as an opportunist on some of his positions, he still managed to govern as a conservative in a state that veers far left. That’s no small order.
I personally feel the hammer tonight didn’t come from Newt’s very timely quips – he’s always been good at that and quips don’t govern. The hammer came from the “mom” who said that it’s not right to vaccinate little girls by executive fiat.
That one’s gonna leave a mark.
I see that point, JR. But walking around the room last night, people weren’t talking about Bachmann.
Brian, I was in the same room and Bachmann was a leader standing elbow to shoulder with Romney. Those two were the leaders of the debate. And with all due respects Santorum did not fare too bad but he ain’t winning.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/09/12/tea-party-debate-watch-video-of-the-best-moments.html
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/09/pair-portsmouth-put-questions-gop-candidates
If Newt made a comeback from his absolutely attrocious campaign roll out that would be political miracle.
He’s just looked old and in the way.
Newt would make one hell of a press secretary.
Turbo, I’d watch every single one!
JR says (and I don’t totally disagree) “I still have high hopes for Romney. Even though he may be characterized as an opportunist on some of his positions, he still managed to govern as a conservative in a state that veers far left. That’s no small order.”
Romney says “The government, of course, has a lot of mandates…. And my conservative friends say, “Well, we don’t have to have automobiles..”
Notice he didn’t say “my fellow conservatives” he said “conservative friends” just like his Democratic friends.
JR Is Romney totally tone deaf?? Or is he crazy smart running a McCain like campaign for the Republican nomination?
My guess is he’s playing it safe. Trying to be just aggressive enough with Perry to show he know’s he’s a competitor, but not trying to go over the top. He’s also trying to keep gaffe’s to a minimum as to not allow anyone else in the field to overcome him or – encourage another candidate to enter the race.
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