dagblog - Comments for "Raging Newt"

I see how the populist

moat — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:46:45 +0000

I see how the populist element in the upsurge of support for Newt comes from him providing a convincing spectacle of rage to reflect the anger of party members. What I find more disturbing is the consensus amongst the GOP primary voters that Gingrich's willingness to punish is what makes him the best choice.

While Gingrich is an opportunist who latches on to whatever serves his immediate goals, he has always exhibited a consistent élan for naming his enemies and taking them down. A man for all seasons despite all evidence to the contrary.

His comments about the "WTC mosque" in NYC is a case in point. Comparing the project to having Nazis make monuments next to a Holocaust memorial is not just playing to a certain set of prejudices, it is a threat from a man who has followed through on threats before. He doesn't even need to raise his hand anymore.

I'm sure he does care about

Aunt Sam — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:47:50 +0000

In reply to Posturing for political

I'm sure he does care about his family, they are an extension of him. I should have clarified by defining my remarks to equate: General Populace.

And, sadly, I find him entertaining when he's skewing his cohorts.

Posturing for political

Elusive Trope — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:37:18 +0000

In reply to I would argue that the end

Posturing for political success would be applicable to every politician of any political stripe. It comes with the territory. Obama Newt FDR Reagan. The notion that he has only concern for any but himself is a psychological assessment. I wouldn't go as far as saying he absolutely no concern for others he cares about, but he does for all intents and purposes place himself at the top of the priority list.

The question that interests me is what is beneath the surface which creates the end result. It is all arm chair psychoanalysis. But that is what makes it fun entertainment.

Newt it seems is a more wounded animal than the others. It is what makes him so unpredictable and a threat to the establishment. He won't stay on script, as he is driven by his own internal (dysfunctional) impulses.

I would argue that the end

Aunt Sam — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:20:35 +0000

In reply to So, his pontificating is all

I would argue that the end result is the same, posturing for political survival (success). No true concern for any but himself.

So, his pontificating is all

Elusive Trope — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:59:41 +0000

In reply to While Romney can't do it, it

So, his pontificating is all political posturing, as any with a modicum of common sense can easily discern.

I would argue that it is not all political posturing. There is with all politicians, as with just about everyone else, psychological factors, emotional wounds, and dysfunctional frameworks. Of course, these all are on a spectrum and most people, including most politicians, are capable of functioning reasonably well.

Newt on the other hand is someone whose wounds and internal demons, whatever they are, rise to surface and interfere with his political goals.

The key point would be that much of what has hindered Newt's political career has been actions that would never had been developed in some strategy session.

There is some facet of Newt today where he has learned to channel who he is into a political asset and that does make him crazy like a fox.

While Romney can't do it, it

Aunt Sam — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:22:04 +0000

In reply to He was ranting, raging and

While Romney can't do it, it seems to me that if any wanted to take some of the hot air out of the ~~balloon~~ buffoon, they could ask Newt about his rage, since it's obvious most of what he portends to be 'enraged' about is not coming from his own angst.

He has (nor it appears, do any of the four horseman) no personal worries about finances (Tiffany expenditures could be concern?!?), quality healthcare access, housing, etc.

So, his pontificating is all political posturing, as any with a modicum of common sense can easily discern.

Yeah, Newt is crazy - like a ~~fox~~ scorpion (as in the frog and scorpion tale).

I heard one of the pundits

Elusive Trope — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:08:56 +0000

In reply to Newt is getting some help in

I heard one of the pundits after the SC election mention the I-4 corridor as a place where Newt might be able to do well because there has been some economic downturn in the area.

It is interesting that the union is targeting Mitt specifically. Maybe the just want to do their part to ensure it is a long dragged out election which can only help the Dems.

Newt is getting some help in

trkingmomoe — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:11:37 +0000

In reply to Raging Newt

Newt is getting some help in the Florida primary race from an unusual source. When Rick Scott shot down high speed rail from Tampa to Orlando, there was collective gasp of horror from the region known as the I-4 corridor. A region of moderate center voters that swing no matter what party they are regestered in. Rick Scott tanked in the poles right after that and to this day I have not found anyone who will admit voting for him. A service employees union is running a TV ad that morphs Mitt into Rick Scott. It is an very effective ad and really makes a point. I saw it for the first time today and it "wowed me." In Florida you have to carry the I-4 corridor in order to win even in the closed party primary. It is a winner take all state. The ad might just remind everyone not to forget what party Scott is from.

He was ranting, raging and

trkingmomoe — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:30:07 +0000

In reply to What most of those, who are

He was ranting, raging and having hissy fits back when C-span turned their camera on in the early 1980's. He had figured out that would get him noticed. The GOP bus did not have him in sight yet. The anger persona is something he does well for the camera...being nuts helps too.

I agree and your comment is a

Elusive Trope — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:51:21 +0000

In reply to What most of those, who are

I agree and your comment is a nice extension of this thought: his anger, even if not coming from the same place as the tea party folks, is genuine.

Can he sustain the facade of being the caring and 'I feel your pain' candidate for the masses (at least for the duration of the electoral process)? Don't know. Considering his base, most likely.

I think part of my argument is that he can easily sustain because he is genuinely in a perpetual rage - all he has to do is filter it through conservative talking points about the media, Obama, Mitt and his elite buddies.

As one pundit I quoted in another thread - Mitt and Newt are beginning to really hate each other. I would say they are already there, especially Newt - as much as he hate being thrown under the bus. It has become personal for him.

Given that Newt didn't actually come from a incredibly affluent family like Romney, there is also probably some class rage under the surface.

And he probably the nerd rage, too.

From PBS Frontline [emphasis mine]

Family moves to Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia. Newt enters Baker High School. He's a "little adult" -- smart, thick glasses, socially awkward. Not good at sports. Makes first close friend, Jim Tilton, and runs Tilton's successful campaign for student body president. Friends say Newt is already talking about his plans to become Speaker of the House. Vows to marry his geometry teacher, Jackie Battley.