Newt Gingrich wins the endorsement of the New Hampshire Union Leader
It seems as if the big campaign news of the day is the fact that Newt Gingrich has earned the endorsement of the New Hampshire Union Leader.
I have to admit that I was surprised with the nationwide attention this endorsement has received, but I suppose it is warranted because the Union Leader is New Hampshire’s largest newspaper and it happens to be a conservative paper. And coupled with New Hampshire’s first in the nation primary status this endorsement carries added weight because all candidates strive to win this endorsement.
This is certainly a blow to Mitt Romney for he has tried to portray himself as a New Hampshire native to this state’s voters, and I am sure he was counting on this endorsement, but is was not to be.
Here is part of the Union Leader’s endorsement:
We don’t have to agree with them on every issue. We would rather back someone with whom we may sometimes disagree than one who tells us what he thinks we want to hear.
Newt Gingrich is by no means the perfect candidate. But Republican primary voters too often make the mistake of preferring an unattainable ideal to the best candidate who is actually running
That certainly is a backhanded compliment if ever there was one. What the Union Leader is saying is basically this: There are no great Republican candidates running for the presidency, they all are flawed but amongst those who are running Newt Gingrich is the best. It seems as if the paper is simply backing the candidate which they feel is the best among a weak class.
In an age where mainstream television and print media sees its influence dwindling as the alternative media gains strength, and as more people turn to the internet for their news, I wonder if this endorsement is the “huge get” that the media claims it is.
At the time of this endorsement Mitt Romney still holds a commanding lead over New Gingrich in New Hampshire by a margin of 41%-14% and Newt Gingrich is tied in the New Hampshire polls with Ron Paul so it will be interesting as we move forward to see if the Union Leader endorsement gives Newt Gingrich any type of bounce.
All I know at this point is that when the primary rolls around on January 10th I will not be voting for either Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich, but the largest voting block in New Hampshire is the Independent voters and it will be worth watching to see if this influences them in any way.
America's Watchtower 
Newt before Romney.. Newt before Cain… Cain before Paul… Perry is still on my personal faves list, and yeah, he HAS had problems, but flip-flops and accusations of sexual misbehavior haven’t happened…
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I would take Newt ahead of Romney and Cain at this point also. You are right about Perry, he doesn’t seem to flip flop so we know exactly where he stands.
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That’s a pretty strong endorsement coming out of NH. I was reading to get an endorsement from the union leader is equivalent to finding the golden ticket that grants you access to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Let’s face no matter how polished Mitt is, the conservative base just doesn’t want him to be their nominee.
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John, he is losing that polished look. I think that as much as we are being “told” who will be the front runner, we still remember John McCain being shoved at us and we are resisting that happening, again. We KNOW he was not the best candidate, but he was selected for us last time. I think we are in different times now, we do not have the option being wrong this time, too much is at stake!! I was suprised by Newt’s endorsement, as well. We have a ways to go, so alot can change in that length of time.
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I guess I am just surprised by how much weight a newspaper’s endorsement still has, but the UL is the biggest paper in New Hampshire and I am not surprised at how coveted the endorsement is by the candidates.
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bottom line in Newt vs Mitt:
– Obama would beat Newt
– Mitt would beat Obama
since neither is a perfect candidate, I’ll take the one who can win
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even if “the one who can win” is pretty much just the “R” version of the previous office holder?
I’d rather a 2nd term of obama..where the mask comes off and everyone can see exactly who he is…than a man that claims to be on my side but has a proven track record of stabbing gun owners like me in the back
my opinion is Romney won’t investigate Fast and Furious or ANYTHING the ATF has done..it’s a proven fact he thinks “assault” weapons bans, registering gun owners, and “donate to the sheriff’s re-election campaign” to get a concealed carry permit is just fine.
I’m a 3%er. honestly there isn’t a viable candidate out there that doesn’t think of our rights as bargaining chips.
and no, ron paul isn’t “viable”. anyone who would throw our allies to the wolves just to stand on a temporary moral high ground (if you think they’re just going to stop at Israel…) isn’t a man you’d want next to you in a foxhole.
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Now that is an interesting take on ROmney, I hope that Fast and Furious will be in the hands of a special investigator by that point so that this won’t be something we have to worry about.
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I’m not sure Mitt could beat Obama with Romneycare is his past. But Newt would destroy Obama in the debates so maybe he could beat Obama. It’s hard to say at this point.
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Newt. No thanks. Can’t believe he got this endorsement.
I agree with noah… Romney can beat Obama… Newt can’t.
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I am not sure Romney can beat Obama either.
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I’m not surprised at this endorsement. As John has already said, the conservative base does not want Mitt Romney as their nominee.
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I think that’s what it is too Larry, the paper was looking for someone besides Romney and Newt was the logical choice.
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I was so optimistic that we could turn this around. Romney and Gingrich– how depressing.
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Agendas are like opinions, everyone has one. The hard part is figuring out just what that agenda is. There are a lot of groups trying to influence what we think of the various candidates, so just listen to the candidates and not so much everyone else, or at least take it with a grain of salt. I don’t know what else a person can do.
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GP, I think we have to go with our gut feelings on this next election. You are correct, there are alot trying to influence us right now. I doubt we as a nation will be so gullible this time, do you? Honest elections have become things of the past as far as I am concerned.
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It is way too early to even wonder about 2012. Like judging a horse race after the first quarter mile. Ratings can and will change.
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