Give up the ghost, Gingrich fans

No matter how many times I point out that Newt Gingrich, notwithstanding the seemingly impressively intelligent, seemingly conservative statements he emits from time to time, is (a) a worthless gasbag, and (b) not a conservative, there are always people who see him as the Great Conservative Hope.

Perhaps this will put the Gingrich delusion to rest once and for all. Read Michelle Malkin’s hard-hitting column on Dede Scozzafava, the upstate New York “moderate” (i.e. very liberal) Republican state assemblywoman who is the Republican nominee to fill a vacated congressional seat. She’s as far left as anyone in the GOP. She’s a supporter of much of the Obama program, including the stimulus, and has been warmly praised by leading Democrats. She is opposed by Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman, an actual conservative who if elected would caucus with the GOP. Scozzafava has been endorsed by the entire state and national Republican establishment. And the latest person to endorse her is Newt Gingrich.

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Phil M. writes:

With the Republican leadership and the party at large seemingly on the slippery slope toward liberalism, we should be referring to the party as a minor wing of the Democratic party. I know that the Republicans do field some serious conservatives, like Paul or Trancredo, however; should traditional conservatives be seriously considering a third party or as in the 19th Century America, a party to replace the obsolete Whig party? I was wondering if you had addressed that possibility and how it might come about?

LA replies:

Not in any meaningful way. But a new party is needed. The problem of course is that in America minor parties have very little influence. Only if there were a mass migration out of the Republican party, as happened to the Whig party in 1854 because a new issue had arisen that the Whigs were not equipped to handle, would there be an opening for a replacement.

October 19

Irwin Graulich writes:

I cannot figure out why Gingrich didn’t endorse the Conservative candidate. However, I still think that Newt is the only Republican as of today who can actually defeat Obama in 2012. Perhaps Gingrich is trying to position himself as a true moderate to get the independent and conservative Democrat votes. However, I am almost positive that once he governs, he will be conservative. I think Newt’s endorsement is totally strategic. To win, if you have to say you love Bill Clinton, then you say it.

I still like Gingrich. Unless someone new comes onto the political horizon, Obama will get a second term—which will be disastrous. I think Gingrich is the only hope right now.

October 24

LA writes:

At Politico, Oct.23:

Top Republicans jump ship in NY-23

Politico, by Andy Barr

Some of the most prominent names in national Republican Party politics are lining up against the GOP nominee in a key upstate New York House special election, the latest being former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who weighed in Friday. In endorsing Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman in the Nov. 3 contest, Santorum joined former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, and

A commenter at Lucianne.com:

Reply 6—Posted by: clw54, 10/23/2009 10:00:04 PM (No. 5968631)

I can understand that some Republicans are more moderate than others, but this woman is ridiculous. What the heck is Newt thinking? I’m thinking it’s time for him to step off the stage.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at October 17, 2009 10:32 AM | Send