Next to Gingrich’s petulant posturing, Romney looked like a grown-up…In losing in the most undignified manner possible, Gingrich made Romney shine. And for that, Romney owes Gingrich his gratitude.The Atlantic’s Molly Ball • Arguing that Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum’s prolonged candidacies did, in one sense, benefit Mitt Romney. “By behaving childishly and running totally amateurish campaigns, they made Romney look good,” she writes. There is something to be said for this; however, whether the “I’m not as bad as the other guys!” effect will stick with Romney through the general election seems like an iffy proposition. If anything, their campaigns made Romney look good coming out of the primary, but we’re doubtful that effect will last too long once President Obama’s campaign, which will likely be top-notch, becomes the object of comparison. source (via • follow)
Newt Gingrich may not make the ballot in Utah, after the check for his $500 ballot fee bounced. Utah Elections Director Mark Thomas confirmed that, after receiving the candidate’s paperwork and check in March, the state was recently contacted by the bank to notify them of the bounce. The state has apparently made multiple attempts to contact Gingrich, and have now given the candidate an April 20th deadline for the payment. Should they not hear from Gingrich in the next 8 days, he’ll be removed from the ballot. (Photo by Don Irvine Photos) source
Visit newt.org to review my conservative record and join us as we bring these values to Tampa. We know well that only a conservative can protect life, defend the constitution, restore jobs and growth and return to a balanced budget.Newt Gingrich • In a statement reaching out to former supporters of Rick Santorum’s campaign, as the candidate prepares for the final leg of primary season. With several media outlets reporting that the campaign has considerable debt, and lacks the resources necessary for Newt to travel or run campaign ads, many are confused as to why the former Speaker of the House is still in the race. Newt’s explanation? “I am committed to staying in this race all the way to Tampa,” he said, “so that the conservative movement has a real choice.” source (via • follow)
I wanted a brokered convention. That was one of my goals.Michael Steele • Discussing his role in the length of the current GOP primary season, and his thought process for scheduling primary contests during his time as chairman of the Republican National Committee. Steele has come under fire recently for creating a primary season that, by many accounts, appears to be benefiting President Obama far more than the Republican Party. Steele stuck by his decision-making, arguing that the longer primary season could re-engage Republican voters in states that have been largely ignored in previous contests. source (via • follow)
Could the primaries in Mississippi and Alabama be the beginning of the end for the social conservatives? Polls show a resurging Newt Gingrich could potentially upset rivals Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney in two key upcoming primaries. If Gingrich loses in Mississippi and Alabama he’d likely have to drop out, greatly increasing Santorum’s chances against Mitt Romney. But if he wins, Gingrich and Santorum would continue to compete for the social conservative vote, potentially tanking either candidate’s chance of upsetting current front-runner Mitt Romney.(photo via Politico) source
» Why? Well, these statements in opposition to placing female soldiers on the front lines of battle may have had something to do with it. Or maybe it’s his opposition to abortion, or his opposition to contraception. Santorum may be aware of this deficit he faces: As Molly Ball at The Atlantic notes, “Santorum began his speech by thanking his mother, his wife, and his eldest daughter at length, emphasizing their professional bona fides. He seemed to be implicitly going out of his way to assure women he took a modern view of their place in the workplace and role in society.”
![Ron Paul hasn’t attacked Romney once during the debates
Ron and Mitt, bosom buddies: A lot has been made of the mysterious affinity between Ron Paul and Mitt Romney. In addition Romney offering his private jet for Paul’s use, many note that, despite sharing almost none of the same policy positions, the two rarely go after each other during debates. ThinkProgress analyzed the forums, and its findings seem to confirm this: During the 20 Republican forums, Paul hasn’t attacked Romney once. We’d like to learn more about their methodology before drawing any hard conclusions from this (what counts as an “attack?”); we’re also curious as to why candidates like Jon Huntsman and Herman Cain weren’t included in the analysis [Edit: Herman Cain is actually represented on the chart; thanks to robajob for pointing that out]. Nevertheless, it is a rather odd phenomena, with explanations ranging from “they’re just friends” to “Romney promised Ron Paul’s son the VP slot” (which seems rather far-fetched, but not altogether impossible). It’s nice to have some numbers to back up the observation, and it’ll be interesting to see how the two handle Virginia’s primary, where they’re the only two candidates on the ballot. [many thanks to ThinkProgress, both for the analysis and the image] source
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Ron and Mitt, bosom buddies: A lot has been made of the mysterious affinity between Ron Paul and Mitt Romney. In addition Romney offering his private jet for Paul’s use, many note that, despite sharing almost none of the same policy positions, the two rarely go after each other during debates. ThinkProgress analyzed the forums, and its findings seem to confirm this: During the 20 Republican forums, Paul hasn’t attacked Romney once. We’d like to learn more about their methodology before drawing any hard conclusions from this (what counts as an “attack?”); we’re also curious as to why candidates like Jon Huntsman and Herman Cain weren’t included in the analysis [Edit: Herman Cain is actually represented on the chart; thanks to robajob for pointing that out]. Nevertheless, it is a rather odd phenomena, with explanations ranging from “they’re just friends” to “Romney promised Ron Paul’s son the VP slot” (which seems rather far-fetched, but not altogether impossible). It’s nice to have some numbers to back up the observation, and it’ll be interesting to see how the two handle Virginia’s primary, where they’re the only two candidates on the ballot. [many thanks to ThinkProgress, both for the analysis and the image] source
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer endorses Mitt Romney for president: Brewer, whose profile grew significantly as a result of her stances on immigration, says that she likes Mitt’s business background and says that the race will effectively be over after Super Tuesday. Arizona’s primary is Tuesday. (photo by Gage Skidmore) source
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I would define Newt’s head space as: ‘Now, this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.’David Lane • A conservative leader close to Gingrich. This quote is actually from before the primary, and Lane’s prediction was born out in Gingrich’s speech tonight, wherein the former Speaker pledged to plow forward despite having lost Florida tonight. The article’s author, Alexander Burns, adds that “Gingrich has made a career out of upending conventional wisdom and ignoring the establishment view that he should go to the corner and shut up.” A long, protracted primary probably won’t be any help to the eventual nominee, but it’ll sure be fun for political nerds like us. source (via • follow)
Time is not Newt Gingrich’s friend, because the more time he has, the more he talks.George Will on “This Week”• Regarding the hazardous effects of Newt Gingrich’s prolonged loquacity. Will was reacting in part to Gingrich’s allegation, made earlier on the same show, that Mitt Romney is a “maniacal liar.” Just last month, Gingrich had pledged to run “a positive campaign focused on our country’s future;” guess that’s easy to say when you’re the frontrunner. source (via • follow)
As John King is in the middle of a question about Gingrich’s ex wife, the former House Speaker’s rage slowly builds, until suddenly, a crazed look strikes his face. He leaps into action, barreling forward through podium and charging across the stage. The former Representative from Georgia leaps off the podium, pulls a switchblade from his sock in whilst mid-air, and plunges the knife into John King’s chest. As the audience sits in stunned silence, he picks up the fallen moderator’s mic, wipes the sweat off his brow, and says, “The King is dead.” The crowd goes wild, and Gingrich goes on to win South Carolina by 30 points.
In response to a question about SOPA, Paul mentions that he was the first Republican to side with a group of Democrats in opposing the bill, thus bringing up a pragmatic argument about the wisdom of nominating a candidate who can build coalitions.
More debate coverage: ShortFormBlog | DC Decoder
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