Gingrich on NY-23: Conservatives have every right to be angry at me
posted at 9:42 pm on November 4, 2009 by Allahpundit
People are buzzing about this online but I’m not sure why. “I regret deeply that she was chosen,” he says of Scozzafava in an apparent reversal of his prior support. Except it’s not a reversal: He admitted to Andrew Wilkow way back on October 21 that she’s not the person he would have nominated. His endorsement was always strategic, to support Republican leaders at the local level and dissuade third-party challenges next year.
Why Republicans in a district where there’s no primary should defer to party leaders instead of rallying behind their preferred candidate is a question left unanswered, but that may be because it’s unasked. Ah well.
Blowback
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The great seller of books speaks.
Spathi on November 4, 2009 at 9:43 PM
At this point that’s probably a better approach than the ‘I told you Hoffman would cost us a seat’.
BadgerHawk on November 4, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Hey, when the man’s right, he’s right.
Hawkins1701 on November 4, 2009 at 9:44 PM
He’s trying the mea culpa but this was a little too much. He’s lost quite a bit of clout over this and he’ll have to work very hard to ever get it back.
JoeinTX on November 4, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Good post.
The question now is what value are the endorsements at all? If the endorsement is reflexive party-line, then what impact is it going to have at all? Newt, regardless, appears to me to have minimized himself. He didn’t own the bad call – he blamed it on procedure thus meaning his personal endorsements have no value of themselves. I don’t hate Newt or anything, but he did himself no favors.
Spirit of 1776 on November 4, 2009 at 9:46 PM
That could be a good thing.
the_nile on November 4, 2009 at 9:47 PM
“She would have sucked. She was a terrible candidate….but I can”t help myself. I’m like Pavlov’s dog. If I see an NRCC endorsed (R) by a candidates name I begin to salivate and bark. You have every right to be mad at me. It’s the damn (R). Not my fault…but you can be mad at me.”
Spider79 on November 4, 2009 at 9:47 PM
I lost my trust of the old guards.
I’ll take my chances to the new ones.
TheAlamos on November 4, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Gee, Newt, it’s not that we’re angry with you.
We just don’t trust your sorry ass anymore, that’s all.
pilamaye on November 4, 2009 at 9:48 PM
he forgot to say that….
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 9:49 PM
meh
John the Libertarian on November 4, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Eh, he’ll get in a tiff with some high-profile Democrat, the base will rush to his side, and all will be forgiven. If even the most intense Republicans could stand by McCain in 2008 – and for all the talk of holding one’s nose and voting for the lesser of two evils, there was a lot of defense of the guy – surely Gingrich can be forgiven eventually.
Siobhan on November 4, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Newt isn’t the enemy and treating him like one isn’t going to help defeat them.
notagool on November 4, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Gingrich is OK. He gets it. He’s a good politician and a good conservative.
jaime on November 4, 2009 at 9:52 PM
The great thing about our system is that these districts are like little laboratories that can be used to generalize to larger, different areas. The post-mortem results (as John Cornyn notes) suggest that we don’t do that crap again.
The same can be said for Obamacare. Inflicting a one-size fits all program upon the USA is stupid because what works in NY23 doesn’t work in FL 12 or WY 18. Each of these little mistakes end up working out, more get made, but we make progress. We’re human.
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Too little, too late. I will always respect Newt for his earlier efforts and some of his ideas over the years, but the last few years there have been too many of these missteps. Appearing with Pelosi and then later Sharpton tears it for me forever. No trust there anymore.
echosyst on November 4, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Right on the fact your were WRONG Newt.
Time to retire.. here let me show you the door..
upinak on November 4, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Time and time again, the American people smell the rats, try to warn the politicans, the politicians demean and ignor
the people, everything blows up, and the politicians spin their way through the muck.
This clearly fits the definition of insanity…
…No more…
katy on November 4, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Too little, too late. The old guard of the GOP is no longer viable. It’s time to get out of the way or be forced out. Either way, lifers have to go.
madmonkphotog on November 4, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Alright Newtie boy, I forgives ya. Now get back in the game and don’t do that crap again next year.
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 9:53 PM
You.. my friend are part of the problem!!!
katy on November 4, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Thats one h*llavu template,giving the voter a candidate
that won`t be elected from its own base,
meanwhile,its a losing formula!!
And,in the past,like McCain,I hope this strategy stops!!
canopfor on November 4, 2009 at 9:54 PM
It was answered last night.
YYZ on November 4, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Newt and the rest of the Repubs-for-convenience-or-cover are absolutely the enemy, and the sooner we get that message out, the better. Dumping the socialists only to put a bunch of libs in power will destroy this country. If this year has taught me anything, it’s that we have one chance to protect this country. One. And it’s slim.
LibTired on November 4, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Big mistake, Newt. Sometimes it is better to keep your mouth shut than to jump in and endorse someone you knew was not a conservative or a Republican. Judgment and leadership…?
d1carter on November 4, 2009 at 9:56 PM
I’d love to see Steele tackle this one.
jhffmn on November 4, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Speaking of RINO`s!!
http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=9348
canopfor on November 4, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Newt Gingrich helped bring a conservative led coalition of Republicans out of the wilderness to retake the House for the first time in decades. He made a strategic mistake in this particular case. He’s now admitted that. Thanks.
Loxodonta on November 4, 2009 at 9:57 PM
No freakin’ way. This forgive and forget CRAP is why we’re so screwed.
Time to put out foot down and demand NEW BLOOD!
NEW BLOOD!!!!!
NEW BLOOD!!!
These frauds have worked the system in this way for decades knowing they could spin their way out only to gt back in the game for personal gain.
NO MORE!!!
THE GAME HAS CHANGED FOR THE OLD GUARD!
katy on November 4, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Newt is done. This latest fiasco is the most recent of many so called “gaffes”.
From his palling around with Pelosi on global warming and Sharpton on “education” to this latest fiasco in NY23, where his sanctimonious finger wagging to conservatives reminded many of a Democrat holding a town hall, Gingrich is starting to epitomize the disconnect of the elites, he’s done.
elduende on November 4, 2009 at 9:58 PM
I remember when Newt was a conservative, now he’s just a party hack. F him and the other RINOs…
jwp1964 on November 4, 2009 at 9:59 PM
I hear ya katy, i hear ya. chillax yo.
You’re right, we need guys like Bob McDonnell on the front and others. Newtie still serves a purpose and he can learn a lesson, and i really think he learned one here. Don’t throw Newtie out with the bathwater. I’m fo sho not defending him, but he sure can still wax the floor or something.
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I have a whacky idea. Why not work to elect conservative Republicans?
johnboy on November 4, 2009 at 10:00 PM
“. . . a traitor is worse than an open enemy.”
–George Benjamin Woods
fronclynne on November 4, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Good one! LOL
jaime on November 4, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I have a whacky idea. Why not work to elect conservative Republicans?
johnboy on November 4, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Hot Damn Johnboy! Load up the truck we’re headin’ into Richmond. That there’s a damn fine idea you’ve got.
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 10:01 PM
I don’t think it’s a huge deal, but then again, Newt’s not a major player for 2012. So there was no death blow to be dealt, in my opinion.
PhoenixUniversal on November 4, 2009 at 10:01 PM
If Mr. Gingrich cannot tell a Democrat — either closet or actual — from a moderate Republican, why should rank-and-file Republicans trust his judgment as to the best way forward for the party?
Rovin on November 4, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Newt took a bad position, and then maintained it for far far too long.
Scozz was a traitor.
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Why does Newt keep bringing up this line about supporting Dede to deny Nancy Pelosi a vote as speaker? The Dems in the house currently have a 80 seat advantage, so Dede’s vote would have never changed anything… where she would have hurt us is in supporting liberal legislation and giving the Dems the cover of ‘bi-partisanship.”
LibertarianRepublican on November 4, 2009 at 10:02 PM
That may well be true, depending on which problem you’re referring to.
jaime on November 4, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Tonight, Newt is a helluva lot weaker (not that he had that much horsepower anyway). He’s still useful, weak but useful. Kinda like the kid in the neighborhood that can help pick up firewood but never really carries any. He just needs to start taking marching orders rather than giving them.
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 10:03 PM
No doubt he’d ask to borrow Obama’s socialist mop..
Newt is a progressive wolf in
redsheeps clothing.katy on November 4, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Newt-ered.
ElectricPhase on November 4, 2009 at 10:04 PM
ElectricPhase on November 4, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Winner.
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 10:04 PM
As he screwed up …what more can he say?
I like that he admitted it.
CWforFreedom on November 4, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Fify
CWforFreedom on November 4, 2009 at 10:05 PM
And he has yet another grandiosely titled web site. I forgot what the latest one is called.
Django on November 4, 2009 at 10:05 PM
“In retrospect, maybe I shouldn’t have asked you guys to open the gate for that giant wooden horse.”
LibTired on November 4, 2009 at 10:05 PM
The soft and squishy, second chances type. The type that does the same thing over and over expecting a different result….. you know… insanity.
katy on November 4, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Hannity had two interviews with Gingrich today on the radio and TV. After hearing/watching them I am actually more angry with Hannity than Newt. Hannity proved himself to be a complete wimp. For all his bluster about how “conservative” he is and how we need “bold colors and not pastels” in the party, he threw nothing but softballs to Gingrich. It was like he was walking on eggshells not wanting to offend Gingrich. Gingrich for his part conceded that Scozzafava was not a good candidate, but held his ground on how conservatives have to be more of a “big tent” party. Hannity would not confront that issue with Gingrich and gingerly tip-toed around it. Sickening.
KickandSwimMom on November 4, 2009 at 10:06 PM
If he can man up and ask for forgiveness, then it should be given. Withold it and it merely makes ya bitter.
Forgiven.
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Hey Newster…
Isn’t it amazing that something as small as a mouth can ruin a presidential campaign for a whole body?
owlpellets on November 4, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Well, when you think about it, Newt’s candidate won.
TXUS on November 4, 2009 at 10:06 PM
KickandSwimMom on November 4, 2009 at 10:06 PM
ditto. I knew Sean was pissed with NG, but has too much respect for him to cross him on this issue. NG made Sean look bad because every week, like clockwork–every Tuesday maybe, Sean interviews him and they go on and on and on about conservatism, 1994, Reagan, bold colors and yada yada. It’s like a broken record—then this Scozz hits the fan and Sean’s holding the bag while Newt lets him swing in the breeze.
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins were lonely?
Rovin on November 4, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Given Newt’s history of following a spinning moral compass, we shouldn’t be surprised he screwed us.
David in ATL on November 4, 2009 at 10:09 PM
BINGO! Now why can’t Newt get that?
sarahpalinfan99 on November 4, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Me? Really? I never knew. Thanks for pointing it out. I’ll watch my step!
jaime on November 4, 2009 at 10:09 PM
He never asked for forgiveness. I have no problem forgiving someone who is repentent. But it does not mean they have the right to resume their status after the fact.
Consequences my friend. We all must live by them.
EvenEspecially politicians.katy on November 4, 2009 at 10:10 PM
No problem. I’ll bill you later.
katy on November 4, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Sorry Newt. You’re off target and out of phase. You have other things to apologize for. Who can forget yourself and Nan Pelosi hand in hand? When will you apologize for this: (link)
or this: (link2)
Sir, you violated our trust and lost all your cred’s. Step aside, please. Darvin Dowdy
Darvin Dowdy on November 4, 2009 at 10:11 PM
How’s that couch with Nancy Pelosi feeling Newt…?
Why don’t you take your “I should have checked first” explaination, and your “Green Economy” and shove it up your a%s?
Seven Percent Solution on November 4, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Yeah, I wasn’t around during the 1994 midterms either.
But, seriously: Newt sold conservatives down the river and he’s been trying to play, “Oh, baby, you know I would never mean hurt you, I just got a little mad. I can’t control myself sometimes. Please take me back. You’re all I got, baby!” since about 2003. Well, you suckers can go back you your black eyes and your lonely nights with Newt. I won’t have any part of any party that he has any say in.
fronclynne on November 4, 2009 at 10:12 PM
I like people who are accountable.
AnninCA on November 4, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Who TF vetted Miss Piggy? What was the GOP justification for giving her so much campaign money? The GOP was scammed, like a bunch of naive idiots. The GOP must learn not to fund anyone but real conservatives. Otherwise, their money will be used against them.
BottomLine5 on November 4, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Is there anybody he won’t beg validation from?
Its not bad enough he sacrifices his and our dignity to appease liberals in vain, he has to insult our dignity by straddling the cactus to beg his way back into our good graces too?
Obviously, a big brain does not not in any way guarantee strength of character, even pragmatism isn’t as pathetic as Republican elites are.
Speakup on November 4, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Jeremiah 13:23
fronclynne on November 4, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Newton, 44% + 5% = 51% = Victory
So, if Pelosi has anyone to thank, it’s you and your party hack ilk.
Terry_Dyne on November 4, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Agreed. Forgiven. Now shut up Newtie, and get your RINO a$$ out of here. Thank you.
swede7 on November 4, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Personally, I thought the vitriol being dumped on Gingrich was a bit too personal, and a bit over the top.
After if Gen Petraeus can forgive the trooper who shot him in the chest (not the US Army I remember), then I can ignore Gingrich’s (one) mistake. Another one of equal magnitude would be too much for me to tolerate.
I’m all for giving everyone a second chance but I want to see an honest effort to improve.
4th, 9th, and 42nd requests for second chances are pretty much ignored.
Skandia Recluse on November 4, 2009 at 10:18 PM
heh
katy on November 4, 2009 at 10:18 PM
I don’t know. The mea culpa’s okay, but he’s always fuzzing things up for his own benefit to promote himself more than anything else. The 11 county chairmen did not vote unanimously for Scuzzafava. A couple on one of the four regional board meetings wanted her and it isn’t clear who it was or how she got the nod.
It’s just stuff like that, and the fact that he had no clue about Scuzzafava’s credentials and record that makes me think he operates on the seat of the pants system. How many times do these “national leaders” need to be burned before they put into place a checking system, either personally in the case of Newt, for the benefit of his personal reputation or professionally, like Steele (RNC), Sessions, Boehner, Harrison (all NRCC) for the benefit of their organizations? They’ve all got staff don’t they? Newt’s got people working for him doesn’t he?
Sheesh. It’s like they are all a bunch of amateurs.
Dusty on November 4, 2009 at 10:19 PM
You both make the same point in somewhat different ways. But it’s a good one. I think he agreed that he should have gotten involved earlier and looked deeper into it.
jaime on November 4, 2009 at 10:19 PM
er — 49%
Lord, it’s late.
Terry_Dyne on November 4, 2009 at 10:19 PM
“She clearly proved in the last few days that she was in no way a loyal Republican.”
============================================================
Question is,how many more ‘Double Agents’ are already in
the Republican Party,as an example besides Scozzafava,the
defection of Arlen Spectre!!
canopfor on November 4, 2009 at 10:19 PM
We all knew that Newt was worthless once he started going on about “man-made global warming.”
July 10 on November 4, 2009 at 10:19 PM
What the hell is a strategic endorsement? Is it:
“I stand behind this woman who doesn’t support a single conservative value because I want to support the GOP leaders who nominated her and want to fend off anybody challenging her in the future.”
What kind of an endorsement is that? You are supposed to believe in the product you endorse. In theory it just isn’t the piles of money that motivates sports stars for wearing a particular shoe or drink a particular brand of vitamin-fortified swampwater. When it comes to political endorsements, the idea is supposed to be that you endorse those candidates who stand for the same things you do.
The problem here was the product (Scuzzy) sucked and Newt opted to lecture the outraged electorate about how stupid they were in not understanding the strategy. The only reason he is out there now is because he’s done huge damage to his own brand by supporting a pro-labor, pro-murder, pro-sodomy leftist.
Yes, the process was flawed and there is something to be said for political strategy but you should at least look at the product before you agree to put your name on it.
highhopes on November 4, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Kind of hard to bash him now that he has assumed the prostate position.
MB4 on November 4, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Remember when Newt gave Sarah advice on like 5 things to do? Yeah, I think Newt is the one that needs advice
deidre on November 4, 2009 at 10:21 PM
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 10:08 PM
I’m having a hard time sympathizing with Hannity though. It is so clear that Newt only cares about growing the party numbers. He could give a rat’s ass about practicing conservative principles (fiscal or social). If Sean can’t stand up and let Gingrich know that the lack of practicing conservatism is how the GOP got to where it is, then he should just shut-up and let someone like Michelle Malkin do the talking. She would have set Gingrich straight!
KickandSwimMom on November 4, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Henke’s comments on the race were interesting. Rush really hurt Hoffman. Perhaps he needs to apologize, too.
AnninCA on November 4, 2009 at 10:22 PM
++
LibTired on November 4, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Yes, notice how many times he sheds light on his past accomplishments and praises his own achievements all throught his mea culpa!
blah blah blah…
katy on November 4, 2009 at 10:23 PM
He is a party first kinda guy and principles are only for books and speeches.
joedoe on November 4, 2009 at 10:24 PM
I forgot about that. While he’s down on his knees doing mea culpas he might as well get that in there too. It will save him another trip down on his knees later.
MB4 on November 4, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Newt looks great with his tail between his legs and his hat in his hand! :-D
SouthernGent on November 4, 2009 at 10:25 PM
I’ll never forget what he said when he said that people in Minn. or some state needed to keep their nose out of the N.Y. business in so many words,they didn’t know what they were talking about.What arrogance,you have been inside Washington too long buddy.We do not trust you.How did it feel being screwed by big dede?
ohiobabe on November 4, 2009 at 10:26 PM
[AnninCA on November 4, 2009 at 10:22 PM]
Where’s that, Ann. I forget where he posts now.
Dusty on November 4, 2009 at 10:27 PM
There is something uncomfortably passive with Newt’s apology “I regret deeply that she was chosen,” not, I regret that I chose to support her. He never seems to come out and say “I made a mistake.
And I hate to nitpick, but he doesn’t say “conservatives have a right to be angry at me”. There are two key words missing.
RINO in Name Only on November 4, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Everyone thinks it’s RINOs. It’s not. It’s career politicians. They must die.
“Shoot them…..shoot them both.”
Coronagold on November 4, 2009 at 10:31 PM
If Sean can’t stand up and let Gingrich know that the lack of practicing conservatism is how the GOP got to where it is, then he should just shut-up and let someone like Michelle Malkin do the talking. She would have set Gingrich straight!
KickandSwimMom on November 4, 2009 at 10:22 PM
//
Sean and Newt are joined at the hip,on his radio show it seemed that sean was almost apologetic for asking him tough questions.Get over it sean,newt is finished I hope.
ohiobabe on November 4, 2009 at 10:33 PM
He’s almost as cute as The Mad Hatter
I’m just not sure that he can be as persuasive though.
Cheshire Cat on November 4, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Newt’s one of the good guys.
I get the vibe he’s more into selling his books but,
I hope he got a message here.
rickyricardo on November 4, 2009 at 10:34 PM
It’s the top story on Click it
AnninCA on November 4, 2009 at 10:36 PM
I am not ready to throw Newt under the bus yet but I do want to throw him off the couch.
Put a leash on him and he can bark for us.
Geochelone on November 4, 2009 at 10:38 PM
[katy on November 4, 2009 at 10:23 PM]
Yeah, it’s annoying, but only because he’s wrong and needs to backtrack so often. I don’t mind someone tootin’ their own own horn all the time if they’re successful but when that success is at tripping over their own feet, well, it’s annoying.
Dusty on November 4, 2009 at 10:38 PM
I’m sure we’ll all be back on Newt’s side sooner or later, but still, the next time he endorses anybody, we’ll want to look the person over very very closely and double-check everything Newt says about him.
Aitch748 on November 4, 2009 at 10:39 PM
It’s the top story on Click it
[AnninCA on November 4, 2009 at 10:36 PM]
I hate being a pest. What’s Click it?
Dusty on November 4, 2009 at 10:40 PM
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