Is it too late for Newt to get his announcement annulled?

[(vikm)]

This can't be too encouraging. One of the little side polls at CNN on the main page today asks, "Who would be more likely to get your vote for president in 2012?" (the two choices are Obama and Newt)

It's kind of a bloodbath at this point. 70% to 30% in favor of Obama. Certainly not surprised Obama wins handily but I wouldn't have guessed there'd be such a distance between them. That's at least a 10 point difference more than I'd have guessed based on the number of Republicans that generally vote party over candidate.

[Mac1337]

Someone should answer the question who is Obama?

[Grace62]

Newt is all about the individual mandate. How is this guy gonna sell himself to the Tea Party? His islamaphobia/liberal media/anti-union stuff won't be enough, I don't think.

"...A simple newspaper archive search bears this out. At an Alegent Health event in Omaha in 2008, Gingrich said it was "fundamentally immoral" for a person to go without coverage, show up at an emergency room and demand free care.

During the keynote address to the Greater Detroit Area Health Council's annual Health Trends Conference in April 2006, Gingrich said he would require Americans earning above a certain income level to buy health insurance or post a bond, the Detroit Free Press reported.

In a June 2007 op-ed in the Des Moines Register, Gingrich wrote, "Personal responsibility extends to the purchase of health insurance. Citizens should not be able to cheat their neighbors by not buying insurance, particularly when they can afford it, and expect others to pay for their care when they need it." An "individual mandate," he added, should be applied "when the larger health-care system has been fundamentally changed."

And in several of his many policy and politics-focused books, Gingrich offered much the same.

In 2008's "Real Change," he wrote, "Finally, we should insist that everyone above a certain level buy coverage (or, if they are opposed to insurance, post a bond). Meanwhile, we should provide tax credits or subsidize private insurance for the poor."

In 2005's "Winning the Future," he expanded on the idea in more detail: "You have the right to be part of the lowest-cost insurance pool and you have a responsibility to buy insurance. ... We need some significant changes to ensure that every American is insured, but we should make it clear that a 21st Century Intelligent System requires everyone to participate in the insurance system.""

Newt more supportive of individual mandate than Romney

[(vikm)]

I just sometimes wonder about these "Exploratory Committees". Do they even really do anything other than tell a candidate if there are enough people out there that are willing to throw their money away via a donation? The really can't come back with findings that show there's a good chance a candidate could get elected in many cases. Personally, I'd feel guilty taking money from people for what amounts to an ego boost.

[Grace62]

Since this is how Newt's been making his living since the 90's, I don't think he feels too guilty about "taking money from people for what amounts to an ego boost."
I'm kind of glad to have him in the mix. He is significantly more knowledgeable on issues than most of the rest of the field, and it's at least bearable to listen to him debate. As the more serious candidates emerge, Romney will stick his head out more too.

[Black]

Dakota wrote:
Someone should answer the question who is Obama?

Funny, before this I was thinking that 70% of Americans have probably never heard of Newt Gingrich.

[decay]

she turned me into a Newt!




( i got better... )