Debate thoughts: Is Newt Gingrich really running for president?
Having watched Newt Gingrich in several debates now I find myself asking this question: is Newt Gingrich really running for president? I know it seems like an odd question and I do not mean it in a negative way, as I shall try to explain.
In his very first debate Newt Gingrich made a comment about while he thought that it was critical that a Republican beats Barack Obama in 2012 that the goal should be much bigger than this. He mentioned that Republicans also needed to win enough Senate seats to repeal Obamacare, and while he is exactly right about this I found it to be an odd statement coming from someone running for president because he should be focused on his own campaign. He seemed to have a bigger picture in mind, and this led me to start asking the question I wrote above because it appeared as if he was promoting the whole party instead of promoting his own ideas.
And then in his second debate he used the podium to attack the media several times; while last night he attacked the moderator by stating that all of the candidates on the stage were great candidates who would make a better president than Barack Obama. He also stated that he was not interested in playing the media’s divide and conquer game with the Republican party because he believes it is part of an attempt to turn Republicans against each other thusly ensuring the re-election of Barack Obama by running a damaged candidate against him.
I have had the feeling for awhile now that Newt Gingrich knows that he has no shot at winning the nomination, so why is he still in the race? Because he is not really running for president. I know how absurd this sounds; why would a man who knows he cannot win the nomination stay in the race because he isn’t really running for president anyway?
Let me explain: Newt Gingrich knows that he is not going to win the nomination, but he knows that he can still play a vital role in this debate. Newt Gingrich is staying in the race because he sees–and is promoting–the bigger picture. I believe that Newt Gingrich is staying in this race because he is playing the role of the attack dog.
While the other candidates rightly promote themselves and their ideas Newt Gingrich is using the stage to fight for the party as a whole while trying to shed light on media bias. In my opinion this is a vital role and in the end it could prove to be very successful, not for his personal political gain, but for the gain of the Republican party in general and thusly for America–and if he does happen to win the nomination he would consider it a bonus.
I have my issues with Newt Gingrich, but he is a very smart and well spoken man and I have to believe that he though this through and come to the conclusion that he is still a valuable spokesman for the party and intends to use this opportunity to advance conservative ideals.
This is just an idea that I have had in my head for awhile now and I may be totally off base here. What do you think? Am I misreading Newt, or might I just be onto something?
America's Watchtower 
I think you’re reading Gingrich correctly. He knows he can’t win so he has resigned himself to playing the statesman. He can do much good in that role, in my opinion.
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It seems that way to me, and I think this is an important role that could help the Republican candidate against Obama.
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Newt Gingrich is the most qualified in the line up to be the CEO of AMERICA,but needs support for his run. Two debates,two wins.Stay tuned I think much more from Newt Gingrich is coming.
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He does do very well in the debate so maybe he will gain some momentum as we move forward.
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I think you have Newt nailed down. This is still very early to have a decision on our final candidate if we are to compare it to past elections. The MSM wants us to think that it is down to two. I hope we do not fall for this. In other words, I for one, hope it is not Perry or Romney. Perry is a really scary dude for me, and I think that as more is revealed, the bloom may fade. I do not believe he is what he appears to be.
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The media wants to pick our candidate for us by promoting those who they feel will be less offensive to them if they win. They did this with McCain and they are doing it again. We must not fall for this again.
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I thought he already dropped out (again) until I saw him on the stage. Maybe he is writing another book??
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He didn’t drop out, but his whole staff did.
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I think your assessment of Newt is pretty accurate. Maybe he is in it to keep the other candidates in line and to stop the moderators from taking over. Some of the moderators are a bunch of “disturbers” that want to instigate a good fight or argument on stage for sheer delight. If they can have the in-fighting going on, the really important questions will not have time to be asked. Anyway, it seems like that is how the debates are going, keep them taking cheap shots at each other for the entertainment value, then they can say negative comments about the candidates. This way it appears that the candidates really are not serious about the important stuff.
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It seems to me that Newt is more interested in keeping the moderators in line so that they will not bloody the eventual nominee, and I think that this is a vital role.
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Newt, love him or hate him he is not electable. Too establishment entrenched which will turn off Tea Party voters. I am not sure why he does what he does but I do not think he is serious.
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I agree; the Tea Party rejects the establishment regardless of party and Newt is an establishment Republican. In my opinion this alone probably make him unelectable in the primary.
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I think he is doing this more for a book sales campaign. Seems out there. But that was mentioned months ago. Thats why the majority of his staff left earlier this year. They were upset regarding his tour and was not doing the right things campaigning. Just a thought
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