Today’s Rasmussen poll appears to confirms what other surveys have been showing the past day and a half. Newt Gingrich is surging in South Carolina, and now holds a small lead on Mitt Romney:
Gingrich……33%
Romney……31%
Paul…………15%
Santorum….11%
Perry…………2%
Other…………1%
Not Sure…….6%
With just two days until South Carolina voters head to the polls, those numbers could still shift significantly the next 48-hours. As Jonathan wrote earlier, Gingrich will almost certainly get a boost from Rick Perry’s exit and endorsement.
The Marianne Gingrich interview airing on ABC tonight will also be a factor. Based on the clips ABC has teased out this morning, it could cause real problems for Newt as he and Santorum continue to face off for the evangelical conservatives vote. At the very least, the interview will shift Gingrich’s focus from playing offense against Romney and Santorum to playing defense against the comments from his ex-wife.
But there’s also the chance the interview could actually end up helping Gingrich. As Jonathan pointed out, the timing of its release, and the fact that his disgraceful behavior during his marriage to Marianne is considered “old news,” could raise charges of media bias from conservatives. If it looks like ABC is trying to influence the primary by airing the interview tonight, conservatives may end up rallying around Gingrich and dismissing his ex-wife’s claims.
This would be a mistake. The scandal with Gingrich is much more than just an affair. Voters should ask themselves what kind of person could treat his wife the way Gingrich did, and then go out and give public lectures on morality and family values without shame? This type of hypocrisy, the notion that there’s one set of rules for you and another for the rest of society, is the antithesis of what Americans have always sought from their politicians.
Sure enough, like clockwork as soon as Newt starts to show some life again and Romney starts to look beatable again, you start in with bashing Newt. I'm sure you are carrying water for Romney becasue you believe he is the "most conservative candidate that has a chance". However, don't you think you could have more influence by (a) promoting conservative positions and (b) drawing distinctions between republican candidate's posistions and Obama's, instead of tearing down anybody who is not Romney? That way all conservatives keep the focus on Obama's failings and how a conservative might do better – WHOEVER THAT IS! I for one don't yet know who I will vote for in the Georgia primary (if I still have a choice when we get to Georgia) but I do know it will not be Romney and, might be the best candidate that will help us move to a brokered convention. A pipe dream, I know, but it is starting to look like the best option right now. In the meantime I would suggest either (a) refrain from tearing down any candidate who appears competitive against Romney or (b) be honest and sign onto his campain.
But Alana, which president was not hypocritical? Maybe Reagan was less hypocritical than others. But FDR and JFK were quite hypocritical in various ways. And both had their affairs. Anyone remember JFK's Fiddle and Faddle? How about the White House swimming pool while Jacquie was away?
Sad to say, from what I am hearing, the Marianne Gingrich TV interview will probably help Newt in S. Carolina. But if people took the time to read the Sept. 2010 Esquire article, they'd understand why Marianne correctly believes Newt is unfit for office. I say this as a former constituent, campaigner, and hard core supporter of Newt's. There is something truly manic and self destructive going on here. Open your eyes, people!