Thank You ABC & CNN

Gingrich holds clear lead in new South Carolina poll

By

Stephanie Condon

Topics

Campaign 2012

• 
  

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich may have pulled too far ahead in South Carolina for Mitt Romney to catch up, according to a poll of likely Republican voters in the Palmetto state released Friday.

The former speaker has the lead with 32 percent in a newClemson University poll, conducted January 18-19. Romney comes in second with 26 percent, while Rep. Ron Paul places third at 11 percent and former Sen. Rick Santorum places fourth with 9 percent. Twenty percent of voters remain undecided. The poll has a 4.73 percent margin of error.

In a separate poll released Thursday by American Research Group (ARG), Gingrich and Romney were essentially tied, 33 percent to 32 percent for the former Massachusetts governor.

The six-point difference between Gingrich and Romney in the Clemson poll may be too large for the former Massachusetts governor to make up before Saturday's primary -- even following the charge from Gingrich's former wife Marianne that Gingrich had asked her for an "open marriage." Gingrich has denied that charge.

"We expect a reaction by the electorate to the personal revelations about Gingrich to be registered on Saturday, however, we do not think it will be substantial enough to erase the lead Gingrich has over Romney," Clemson University political scientist Dave Woodard said in a statement.

After naming their preferred candidates, voters were asked what they liked most about that candidate. The two most popular answers were "he has honesty and integrity" and "his overall political ideology" -- suggesting that electability may not be voters' highest priority.

After Romney virtually tied for first in the Iowa caucuses and won the New Hampshire primaries, he appeared to be on his way to securing the nomination. Now, however, Gingrich is closing in both in South Carolina and nationally.

Gingrich on Obama Budget

Other that Romney, I see no Republican of credibility, who can speak up for those who were not rolled by the Obama machine. It is certainly neither Bobby Jindal or Sarah Palin. Things would have to get very bad for Newt to have a chance, but he still has some star power and understands how the politics of the Left works.  Both Romney and Gingrich have a far better understanding of the limitations of government and the workings of the American economy than the Obama Administration.

Gingrich Explains Our Economic Crisis

Gingrich at the Business Executives for National Security Forum

For two days, Drudge has been consumed by a silly misstatement by Hillary Clinton. That is the current level of  American political discourse. 

It occurs at a time which is the most dangerous in the past fifty years of American history. 

I doubt one percent of the US population will hear this speech by Newt Gingrich or know it ever took place. Of that one percent, few will be capable of affecting any change. 

Newt Gingrich, love him or loath him, is one of the most important voices in current American culture and security. You need to listen to this.

McCain or a Nightmare?

Gingrich applauds McCain while in Phoenix

May 16th, 2008
by Bob McClay/KTAR

Arizona senator John McCain got high praise today from one of the nation's top conservatives.

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich told a crowd of 800 people at the Arizona Biltmore that conservatives should rally around John McCain.

"If your choice is Senator Obama or Senator McCain or your choice is Senator Clinton or Senator McCain, I don't think any rational person who's conservative can do anything except try to help Senator McCain because the alternative is a nightmare," he said to applauds.

Gingrich said Obama has yet to express exactly what he stands for. He added conservatives will disagree with McCain about 20 percent of the time, but that he is still the best candidate for president.

Are You Elite or Ordinary?

Gingrich: immigration divides “elites” and ordinary citizens
By Bob Dart | Thursday, September 20, 2007, 02:51 PM The Border Line

The immigration issue delineates “one of the most fundamental dividing lines in American life” between the “elites” and ordinary citizens, Newt Gingrich said Thursday, in a breakfast with reporters.

The average American wants the borders tightly policed and those who cross illegally sent home, explained the former House Speaker from Georgia. The elites — whom he defined as the national media, Washington politicians and the political class of consultants and commentators — are in opposition.

“The average American is not for an anti-immigrant policy in this country,” said Gingrich.

But these ordinary citizens want immigrants to enter the country legally, become Americans when they get here, and become immersed in English classes, not enrolled in bilingual education, he said.

“The elites are not for assimilation,” said Gingrich. “They’re not going to enforce the borders.”

Average Americans have a “deep belief in English as the official language,” said Gingrich. “Elites” see this as an an “anathema.”

The “elites” believe the ordinary citizens are “rubes” and dismiss their opinions on immigration, Gingrich said. He said this attitude can be found in Bush administration as well as among liberal Democrats.

Gingrich Does Not Think It Is Too Hard to Lead