Lincoln-Douglas Debates

The Newt Gingrich-Jon Huntsman “Lincoln-Douglas” Debate In New Hampshire: A Big Yawn!

Ronald Leave a comment

Yesterday, Newt Gingrich and Jon Huntsman had a Lincoln-Douglas style debate at St. Anselm College In New Hampshire.

It was supposed to be a major moment for Jon Huntsman, and instead, it turned out to be a major yawn!

The two men, both admittedly bright and intelligent, were very respectful and generous in compliments toward the other.

Both demonstrated a knowledge of foreign affairs greater than any of the other GOP Presidential candidates in the nomination race.

But no major breakthroughs were accomplished by Huntsman, a major disappointment, as this event was billed by his camp as a major turning point in the campaign, which it most certainly was not!

There is no question of Huntsman’s outstanding attributes, but it seems clear that he should look to 2016, having gained exposure this time, but not making so far any major headway.

The odds of Huntsman winning New Hampshire, and becoming a major challenge to Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich now seems remote!

The Bizarre Ending Of The Herman Cain Presidential Campaign

Ronald 1 Comment

Herman Cain has “suspended” his Presidential campaign, while conceding nothing about the sexual harassment and long term liaison charges lodged against him.

He has invoked God and patriotism, the usual way that Republicans go when they are out to protect their rear flank!

He was able to convince his wife to be there on the platform in Georgia, cheering him on with every sentence of his statement, and proving to be an embarrassment to womanhood that she would be so willing to subjugate herself for her “man”, when in her heart of hearts, she has to know that she is married to a liar, a cheater, an egotist, a braggart, a “windbag”, who has no substance, knows nothing about any topic in public affairs, and is totally unqualified to be anything more than a motivational speaker, since one can always find a gullible audience to be mesmerized by the power of good speech delivery, no matter what propaganda or bull is promoted in the speaking before such an audience!

This man calls himself a “common man” because of his difficult childhood, but he has forgotten what being in poor circumstances means, as he has joined a party that only cares about the wealthy, and having had the good fortune to gain wealth through corporate connections over the years, he is now quite wealthy, and cares not a whit about those he has left behind!

Herman Cain is only about Herman Cain, and his new website is just another way to enrich himself, and satisfy his craving for constant attention and a sense of having power and influence!

And one can be assured that he has not learned from his nightmare last month of accusations from various women, and that he will engage again and again in inappropriate behavior with women, while his wife acts like a “Stepford Wife”, an embarrassment to herself and all women who have any sense of propriety and self esteem, and would throw overboard a cheating adulterer as Herman Cain is!

Herman Cain also said that he would endorse a candidate for President, and it is clear that he will back his good “friend”, Newt Gingrich, since the two men get along well, and actually participated in a Lincoln-Douglas style debate in the past month, one that made very little news!

Certainly, Cain will not back Mitt Romney, who he indirectly referred to, when he said a “common man” without money or a Harvard pedigree as he is, can still become a success.

He will not back Rick Perry, who he accused a month ago of spreading the rumors about sexual harassment, although he had no evidence that he ever presented to prove that was so!

Cain has little association with Jon Huntsman, Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann or Ron Paul, so Gingrich will “benefit” from the endorsement, if that endorsement means anything!

In any case, with Herman Cain suspending his race, one can say “Good Riddance”, unless maybe Herman Cain decides with his new website to form a third party movement, further complicating the Presidential race!

A Lincoln-Douglas Style Debate In New Hampshire: Newt Gingrich Vs. Jon Huntsman Later In December!

Ronald 2 Comments

A very interesting two man debate will be occurring later in December in New Hampshire, with the opponents being former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, first in most public opinion polls right now, and former Utah Governor and Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman, running last or close to last in most polls.

It would seem that there would be no purpose to such a debate for Gingrich, who fancies himself as a great debater, a brilliant intellectual, and boasts that the odds are great that he will be the GOP nominee for President.

But Gingrich will have a tough competitor in Jon Huntsman, who is superior in his knowledge on foreign policy over any other GOP candidate, and has a strong record of CONSISTENCY in his views on domestic matters. He is certainly the long term “dark horse” in the GOP race, hoping to emerge in New Hampshire and go on to Florida and beyond.

This author has been saying for a long time that Huntsman is the only truly viable candidate for the Republican Party, so this is his chance to shine and excel, and make Gingrich, the boaster, the braggart, the “windbag”, look bad!

This is of more value than the eight way debates that have been going on, and the whole concept of a Lincoln-Douglas debate is thrilling in so many ways!

And note that Mitt Romney has refused a Gingrich offer for a similar debate! And for sure, Romney would refuse a similar two way debate with Jon Huntsman!

What A Newt Gingrich Presidency Would Bring: A Wish For The “Good Old Days”

Ronald Leave a comment

With Newt Gingrich, the former House Speaker, suddenly rising to first place in the polls, he has become the new “Flavor of the Month” in the Republican Presidential race.

The question is will Newt Gingrich be able to sustain his first place position, overcome the odds, and become the 45th President of the United States, and what kind of President would he make?

What are his positives?

1. He is very intelligent, very articulate, speaks with assertiveness and a certain level of charisma surrounds him.
2. He has great debating ability, and would never be boring in a presidential race against a primary opponent or the President.
3. He would be more exciting to follow as a candidate for the White House than Mitt Romney, his likely major opponent for the nomination.

What are his negatives?

1. He is highly undisciplined and comes across as an egotistical, self promoter who loves the sound of his own voice.
2. He has a history of being a “flame thrower”, with reckless accusations, and utilizing character assassination and innuendo and distortions against his opponents.
3. He is seen as highly unethical in his dealings, as a “typical” politician of the worst kind, and of course, has the worst “family values” of any of the GOP candidates, all the others being only married once, not three times as he is.

If Gingrich were to end up as the Republican Presidential nominee against Barack Obama, it would cause the following scenario:

1. It would bring about a series of grand debates on the level of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, a discussion of grand ideas and concepts, fascinating to watch.
2. It would lead to the nastiest campaign in American history, as far as advertising and false accusations by both sides, since Gingrich has no limits to what he would claim about Obama, so the President would have to return the favor, with plenty of ammunition available against Gingrich.
3. It would lead to a great divide that already exists among the American people becoming wider, not more narrow, a regrettable situation.

What if Gingrich won, although it seems unlikely that would occur?

1. It would lead to an ideas oriented Presidency with a very strong, assertive executive branch, no lessening of the power of the office, and in fact, much more power would be likely.
2. It would cause a further splintering of the American political system, as Gingrich would not work to unite, and the political rhetoric would be at an all time high on both sides of the political divide.
3. It would lead to more high level corruption and scandals than at any time since the Presidency of Richard Nixon, and even, depending on the circumstances, a move to impeach President Gingrich if the Democrats controlled the Congress.
4. It would lead to likely warfare with Iran, Pakistan, North Korea and Venezuela, and growing tension between our nation and China and Russia, as Gingrich has no sense of tact in diplomacy, and would stir up tensions and confrontations, as he would cause animosities and fear that would be likely to lead to a much more dangerous world.
5. The economy would not improve, and the likelihood of abuse of civil liberties in the name of security would be likely, as Gingrich would advocate action against what he would call ‘radical, leftist elements”.

If the above is not convincing enough to make people realize the dangers of a Gingrich nomination and election to the Presidency, then we may look back on the present difficulties in five years, and wish for the “good old days”!

Will Newt Gingrich Become The “Anti Romney” Conservative Alternative?

Ronald Leave a comment

So the “Flavor of the Month” is rapidly losing support in the Republican Party!

With a woman coming out today with a statement that Herman Cain made inappropriate sexual advances toward her, the fourth such woman, and this one willing to show her face, we will soon see the rapid decline of Herman Cain as a Presidential candidate, no great loss, as he had proved to be inadequate in his preparation, and ill informed on one issue after another, and with a crazy 9-9-9 tax plan that would raise taxes on the middle class and help the rich avoid taxes more than now!

With Herman Cain on the decline, after Rick Perry last month and Michele Bachmann the month before, now it looks more likely that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich might become the new “Anti Romney” conservative alternative for the Republican Presidential nomination.

Gingrich has the intelligence, the knowledge, the skills that are needed, no doubt, to run for the Presidency. He is a very skilled debater who would make a confrontation between himself and President Barack Obama the best Presidential debates ever, since the Lincoln Douglas Senate debates in Illinois in 1858!

What he lacks is discipline, control of his rhetoric and personal behavior, and an absolutely horrific record of scandal, poor ethics, and low morals as Speaker, and in his personal life, having had three marriages and two divorces, and a reputation as a womanizer par excellence!

GIngrich has always been one of the nastiest campaigners around, and has made some of the most outrageous statements and issued some of the most disgraceful personal attacks on President Obama. He has no shame, and seems to be immune to anything but his own ambitions and desires.

The thought of a Gingrich Presidency is to imagine someone who would be more hostile to the press and more controversial in the Presidency than anyone we have ever had. It would be damaging to the institution of the Presidency, and lower the reputation historically of that office!

This shows the sad state of the Republican Party, that Mitt Romney is unable to move beyond 25 percent in any poll, and the reality that conservatives do not want him, and are looking high and low for any alternative to the former Massachusetts Governor.

So with rising public opinion poll support, expect Newt Gingrich to become the new “Flavor of the Month” for November!