Captain's Quarters -

Maybe a 2012 run against a Hill reelection effort looks more promising than a 2008 run in what looks like a Democrat year. Besides, polls suggest he gets maybe 7 to 10% in primary match ups. Why look like an also ran.

NEXT: It's Fred Thompson's turn.'

As to Mike Huckabee, he just took an anti-Bush stance; just when the news coming out of Iraq is at its most positive.

IntaPundit is also flagging the article I saw this morning, over at Lucianne.

Perhaps, the biggest mistakes candidates can make these days, is assuming they have "what to leverage."

When, it's more than likely that the SWAMP is drying up.

Which is what swamps, including media swamps, tend to do. Just in case you thought Katie Couric represented fishermen who could tackle mainstream matters; they're actually no longer even hip deep in the mud.

Pandering, isn't selling, either.

While these are just the breaks of the game.

Oh, and even though I think Hillary makes the absolutely worst possible choice for the BOnkeys; it does seem President Bush IS, in fact, giving her extra-credits.

I guess he wants to see her run against GUiliani?

Does it make a difference? Well, it's like that Box of Wheaties. When Bush tells ya he's eating a certain brand? Maybe, it carries influence?

Are you into the Brand of Champions?

Well, at least I recall the Wheaties ad. While I was never much impressed with those boxes of "food."

Still, I'm following the news. ANd, today, discovered if you want to know how the terrorists got shattered, you could read the Internet Anthropologist's blog.

Being informed, beats propaganda, all of the time.

And, the field ahead for presidential nominees? Well, it's narrowing.

Newt, it seems, went out with a pirate's map; but couldn't find the trunk full of $30-million. Did Soros not return his calls?

By the way. One poster commenting about Newt's fall of the presidential hopeful's list, suggested he could replace the Bertinelli gal, as a poster for Jenny Craig. Win-win. Since it seems he's packed on the poundage.

One way to clear the air with a spray can; when people go ahead and assume Hillary is a shoo-in ... is to remember what happened to LBJ.

And, strange as it seems, LBJ had more stature than Hillary. Even if you go into the senate, and compare "senate sway."

Here. I'll help you out. LBJ, in the senate, grabbed men by their short-hairs. Most cooperated with him. PERIOD. If you open Hillary's hands? She doesn't even have Bubba's short-hairs locked, inside.

And, for Bubba, this whole thing is a farce. That gives him limelight. Since at her venues, he's the ticket; who brings them in.

You think Bubba wants to be the "first lady?"

I doubt that. I doubt that one, big time.

But he's not gonna give up the limelight. Something he wouldn't be getting, now, as an ex-president; if Hillary just stuck to being the junior senator from NY.

Oh, well. The media story is one that smells of death. It seems they get their material from Media Matters. (How did I learn this? I took Day Trader's advice, and linked to the U-Tube clip.)

So far? I haven't seen the lying liars even getting to first base.

But the Internet, like Matt Drudge, himself; gains the reputation(s), as the "go to site."

You expect the media to share its awards? Sorry. That's not gonna happen, either. But it no longer matters.

Who cares about legality, this is politics after all. Vote Newt in 2008!

He will be positioned as this century's Teddy Roosevelt.

With all respect ----In a pig's ear. He has as much chance of winning the Presidency as I have. Which is precisely zero.
In addition to being polarizing in the extreme he is abrasive and 'unlikeable'. I would in fact bet that his 'unlikeability factor' is almost off the political scale.

Comparing Gingrich to Teddy. How could you ?

2008, 2012, 2016, 2032 ---- makes no difference whatsoever. He is unelectable. If he is the best or even an option for the Republican future, someone should volunteer for the lights, turning off of, duty.

Now.

I have to agree with much of what Ms. Carol Herman writes.

She is a fine poster and interesting.

My disappointment with Mr. Gingrich has disappeared, as I believe he has done the best thing for his Country, his Party, and himself.

I wish him the best, and hope he gets behind a fine Candidate for the GOP now.

He could help the top three, Rudy, Romney, Fred, with some fine insight, and help our Country as well.

Teddy R is too high a goal in my book Mr. Captain.

For that Legend - Hero is out of mortal reach.

But I wish Mr. Gingrich the best in the attempt.

Do I get this right? Ed expects the Republicans to lose next year or is expecting Newt to run a third party race when a Republican holds the White House?

Inquiring minds want to know......

I feel that Newt can do and is doing more for the party right where he is. He can say what he wants with the hypocrites and leftist RINOs being able to do anything to his career. While I do not always agree with the man, I think he fills the role of elder statesman for the party quite well.

Newt the new Bull Moose?

Nope. The "independent" run will go to Ron Paul. He'll even get fewer votes than the perenial Ralph Nader.

While the next to jump off, for lack of support, could be McCain? He's pretty short of the support he thought he had in 2000.

As is Algore.

Lots of retreads.

As to Newt, his latest discovery? He didn't come anywhere near the $30-million. It must be very disappointing to buy a pirate's map, and find out it was printed on toilet paper.

As to the "Age of Newt," there are enough memories to go around.

IF Newt didn't quit before he got started? He's just be another Fred Thompson, right now.

And, Tom DeLay would be writing another book.

When is Ronnie Earle's block gonna get knocked off, in court?

I would like for Mr Gingrich to reclaim his status in the House or the Senate. Well respected, intelligent, concerned for the well being of the conservive, small government, movement. He could easily be a major mover and shaker for the next 30 years. Ronnie would be proud.
Why do we let the Teddy's and the John Conyer's dictate to us like we do? When Rep's had a chance they backed away from leadership.
Newt could be the man to take the fight to them.

The entire pledge exercise was intended to set so high a bar to his entry that people would finally stop asking him when he would announce his candidacy.

Color me unimpressed, if that is indeed what he was aiming for.

Maybe it's just me. Maybe it's just that I'm not a politician, and that I don't need to weasel word everything to keep my options open. And maybe I belong to a generation 50 years older than I am, given the way I was raised.

To me the words yes and no mean things and are unequivocable. As in Yes, I'm running for the Presidency or No, I'm not running for the Presidency or even I'm not sure yet, I'm considering my options, but I will give you a more definite answer by the end of September.

To my way thinking, Newtie shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the switches of power. Ever.

But that's just me...

Newt has one of the most brilliant Conservative minds there is.
He knows what to do, how to get things done, from every topic from the economy to the border. Butt...(you knew it was coming)
He has that 80/20 thing going.
80% of the time he is brilliant and everything he says you totally agree with.
But... 20% of the time he is either appeasing some dem or making a statement that is just totally off the wall. And most people here know exactly what I mean.
That is Newt! We love him but President no thanks.
Rodguy911

I am more disappointed in Fred Thompson than in any of the other candidates. As far as I'm concerned he let slip through his fingers a dandy
run... Perhaps there is still a way he can win the nomination but I really doubt it.

I'm glad Newt dropped out. Too much going against him for my money.

I'm holding the door open for Guiliani --
unless he stumbles more times than allowed. Like, any more of these stupid nonsense phone calls when he is supposed to be speaking .. what's the man thinking?

"Look for Newt in 2012. He will have his national constituency, a bipartisan reputation, and a record of providing practical solutions over vitriol. He will be positioned as this century's Teddy Roosevelt."

oh really? I don't think so. I'm not giving up on 08. Rudy has more than a puncher's chance.

I actually think Fred Thompson is very sick.

He's experienced as a politician. When his name came forward, people spoke of his red truck. And, how in his senatorial bid, he tore the Bonkey's a "new one."

From this old campaigner, what I expected, here, has been side-lined. And, I wouldn't be surprised it's health issues.

Which has been my fear that it could happen to Rudy.

I'm not at all thrilled with Mitt. Wouldn't touch a massa2shits candidate. Nor do I think he can gain national stature. Dukakis didn't.

I also think there are changes in the wind. The kids of men who got to DC, who'd be lots more comfortable wearing prom dresses to work; are hardly likely, ahead, to pass Internet muster.

And, the Internet IS a player!

That's why Newt's out.

That's why McPain should'a quit, but won't.

And, Huckabee today just shot himself in the foot; choosing to go after Bush; when Hillary is still up there, swearing she's a candidate.

Believe what you want.

Frank Rich just took a pot shot at her. (Per Drudge, but the link didn't work.) Just the headline is out there.

Though I would agree, if the Bonkeys have the problem; and the president has been more than "halpful" to Hillary; by sharing military news ... He probably wants to keep her propped up for as long as he can.

Bush is not one to discard cards.

He just plays his hand, slowly.

There's still lots of stuff up ahead.

In other words? Can Israel just go and sit on secrets? For years? Assad gets a "free pass?" In whose imagination?

THe Ahma-dinner-jacket ... in need of the cleaners; isn't on terra firma, either. Not with the messes that were blown up in the syrian desert. Not by a long shot.

We just don't know what gives.

We also don't know "how" electronics can be "bleeped out" of commission ... But there seems to be some tools of the trade ... that gets in the ways arabs have ... when they're working with wires.

Still, that stuff explodes in Lebanon.

What's the deal?

And, if what was printed, today, on a number of blogs, Bush won the intricate war on terror, by breaking A-Q's network into bits and pieces.

All. Done. Without. Headlines.

Well, that's not on par with Ronald Reagan saying the soviets lost, "without us firing a shot."

Because all that happened, then, is that the wacky academics, and the creeps with jobs at State, didn't know what was really going on!

Yes. You can confuse diplomatic-pants-dancing, with important stuff.

While I am willing to guess: The LACKING OF FACTS to Media Matters, just means they're busy doing propaganda. And, burying the swamp.

Just you wait and see. See today's college kids, and yesterday's college kids, growing old, and then having to explain to their children, why ... in a free country ... with public education ... they strapped themselves to outrageous debt?

Heck, they didn't even buy a set of wheels.

He who is void of virtuous attachments in private life is, or very soon will be, void of all regard for his country. There is seldom an instance of a man guilty of betraying his country, who had not before lost the feeling of moral obligations in his private connections.
- Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams - He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man...The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people.

Samuel Adams - It is a very great mistake to imagine that the object of loyalty is the authority and interest of one individual man, however dignified by the applause or enriched by the success of popular actions.

Samuel Butler - Authority intoxicates, And makes mere sots of magistrates; The fumes of it invade the brain, And make men giddy, proud and vain.

John Adams - Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.

John Adams - In politics the middle way is none at all.

Henry Clay - Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.

Patrick Henry - ...Virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone that renders us invincible. These are the tactics we should study. If we lose these, we are conquered, fallen indeed...so long as our manners and principles remain sound, there is no danger.

Patrick Henry - Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental
principles.

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.
- George Washington

Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.
- George Washington

We ought to be persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained.
- George Washington

In his address of 19 September 1796, given as he prepared to leave office, President George Washington spoke about the importance of morality to the country's well-being: Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.... And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.... Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue?

Newt is just another BAIT & SWITCH Republican.

Posted by dougf | September 29, 2007 3:26 PM

He will be positioned as this century's Teddy Roosevelt.

With all respect ----In a pig's ear.
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AMEN!

With all greatest respect, "I knew Teddy Roosevelt, Sir. Teddy ROOSEVELT was a FRIEND of mine!...And NEWT is NO TEDDY ROOSEVELT!!!"

However, knowing hte Captain, perhaps he is so euphoric these days over the delightful blessing of his wife's recent successful surgery, he is a little giddy, lovely lovely man that he is.

But Newt could only bear a STRONG resemblance to ONE Teddy in the universe - TOADY CHAPPAQUIDDICK KENNEDY. It would clearly be the REPUBLICAN BILL CLINTON, all over again!

When they hold the "MUST VOTE FOR HIM BECAUSE OF HILLARY" card over our heads, all I can say is, WHO'S THE CARROT! WHO'S THE STICK!

Captain,

I also feel that it is very possible that some candidates could have given Newt the hint that he might be on the short list of VP candidates, which could very well be part of the reason for his decision.

Newt must know that the media's effective demonization of him has made him a somewhat unattractive candidate as President, but as we all know such scrutiny is not as powerful toward a VP. Sure they have done the same thing to Dick Cheney, but does anyone really care? He is not the President, after all.

Newt is perhaps the most visionary of all the Politicians who considered running, but his voice is not silenced. He is correct about the status of conservatism and how it's loss of favor in the Bush Admin. has been part of the problem. I think his point has been made and registered.

Expect Newt to be a very effective impetus behind some of the Republican campain message going into the 2008 race. Time will tell.

Newt never stood by his principles when he was a Republican.

TR? Wow what a stretch. If Newt was a man of his times like TR, he'd recognize true leadership would require him to step up to the plate. Nope, he's pulling the perfect Conservative move, posture, complain and doooooo NOTHING. Man, must be nice.

When I was growing up in the 70's Newt was running for Congress, then won. I mention this because I've seen Newt's political career pretty close up. As a repbulican voting libertarian (Hey the world's a dangerous place), Newt's a slimeball. He's bright, and I guess there are not enough bright people in the republican party anymore who aren't as stained personally as Newt. And god knows, it always works out real well when so called conservative republicans are exposed as...normal people with personal problems. No, then we get the spectacle of headlines. So I guess there's a place for him in the "debates" of the future. You know the debates of not whether the government should be completely entwined with our every single day decisons. Not that, no, the debate on how much treasure can be extracted from each citizen (In according the their ability to pay!!!), to buy votes (Always a loser for the republican party) to ensure MY (Whichever cheap political hack) next election.

Slim threads. I guess you could make a comparison between Teddy Roosevelt and Newt, by saying both men are credentialed republicans.

Then? You could point to genitalia. And, you'd find the same species.

After that? Hanging by threads.

But there is one:

Teddy got upset at "doing" the presidential job;

he said it was so tough he wasn't responsible for Alice. (His daughter, Alice. Not the German word meaning "nothing else," as in "Dus is alice.")

Okay. Then Teddy said he was leaving the presidency to go on a safari. And, he was "leaving it in the good hands of Taft." Taft's performance angered Teddy. WHo kept getting correspondence while in africa. He probably even heard that Teddy (as fat as our current Teddy model), got stuck in the bathtub. Too fat to get out.

Teddy wanted another shot. But the GOP wouldn't let him run, again! So to louse up the works, Teddy ran as a Bull Moose. (He lost. And, the label seems to have died with him.)

Newt's a loser, too. Handed a monumental victory in 1994, by republican standards; he shit it all away!

How? Read Tom DeLay's book. It's spelled out for ya.