I don't have a dog in this fight, but...

[SamIam]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Cool! So he is in good company. Did Newt also crank out a baby at the time and then deny it to the press? Or did he just divert campaign money to feed his whore? Oh, wait, that was the other guy. DID Newt squirt his DNA on the dress of his girl friend in the White House and disgrace the office of the president? Nope.

"A man's dreams should exceed his grasp, else what's a heaven for." So far, Newt has only managed to disgrace the office of Speaker to the House. He was the first speaker in the history of our nation who has been disciplined for ethical wrongdoing. Newt himself admitted that he gave the House ethics committee false information and that he had broken federal tax law through creative financing of a couple of his personal projects. For this, he was given a formal reprimand by the House and ordered to pay a $300,000 fine. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

You can have Newt. The people of the United States certainly don't need him.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by SamIam

"A man's dreams should exceed his grasp, else what's a heaven for." So far, Newt has only managed to disgrace the office of Speaker to the House. He was the first speaker in the history of our nation who has been disciplined for ethical wrongdoing. Newt himself admitted that he gave the House ethics committee false information and that he had broken federal tax law through creative financing of a couple of his personal projects. For this, he was given a formal reprimand by the House and ordered to pay a $300,000 fine. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

You can have Newt. The people of the United States certainly don't need him.

I still say that does not beat a sitting president shooting his DNA across a White House interns dress. He is a politician, they all have baggage.

[BigV]

I wonder if you're as hung up on sex as you appear to be, or if this is some kind of "fig leaf" for other objections, other prejudices.

[Clodfobble]

[Huntsman] has described himself as more spiritual than religious

[Lamplighter]

When Romney released his (sort of) first campaign ad, I posted it.
Perry should be here now too, as this is probably his dying gasp, swan song.

NY Times
RICHARD A. OPPEL Jr.
December 8, 2011

Perry’s Anti-Gay Rights Focus Is Divisive Even to Staff
OKATIE, S.C. — Gov. Rick Perry of Texas’ hard turn the past two days on gay issues,
in which he has suggested that gay rights are inconsistent with both American and Christian values,
has generated enormous criticism from lesbian and gay organizations and some religious groups,
and has even helped split Mr. Perry’s top campaign aides over a new ad.

In that campaign ad, released on Wednesday, Mr. Perry says
“you don’t need to be in the pew every Sunday” to know it is wrong
that gay men and lesbians openly serve in the military at a time
when there is no organized prayer in public schools.

Perry aides said neither the criticism of Mr. Obama nor the new ad
were intended to be anti-gay, nor were they coordinated;
they said that the ad had been in the works for weeks and that they
had no advance notice of the administration’s new policy.<snip>

Nearly three out of five respondents said that they support legal
recognition in one form or another for same-sex couples.
The poll found that 22 percent said same-sex couples should be allowed to marry,
while 36 percent said they supported civil unions.
Only 38 percent said they supported no legal recognition for same-sex couples,
though a majority of evangelical Christians responded that way.
.
So here is Perry's ad...


And besides all that:

Obama has not waged a war on religion, and somehow it is incredibly provincial
to pledge a fight against issues already settled by US Supreme Court decisions,
just to get current attention away from Romney, Paul, and Gingrich.

[ZenGum]

I've got to the "meh" point about all this crowd.

I hereby declare the 2011/12 Republican primary race to have jumped the shark.

[infinite monkey]

You are so right, zen. For the love of DOG what kind of nutjob is this guy? He gives me the wilkins.

Thanks for the vid, Lamp. Scarier than the scariest movies of all time.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

I've got to the "meh" point about all this crowd.

Who really hasn't. Since Christie said he wasn't running, they've all been pathetic. The base HATES Obama, but they have no valid alternative other than Huntsman and he can't even get out of single digits in the polls with a multiplier. Things are gonna be really weird for the next few years.

I suggest all the money both sides would have spent (read wasted) on the election go towards the debt/deficit.

[Griff]

I really don't get the misplaced hate. Obama has done next to nothing. His economic philosophy is wrong-headed but the out-come is just left of center. He does at least acknowledge that the spending spree has to stop which is a big admission for a Democrat. He has delivered no new gun laws and he is actually behind the country on gay marriage and drug policy.

Did you guys see Perry's anti-gay rant passed just passed Rebecca Black for most disliked youtube video of all time.

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by Griff

<snip>
Did you guys see Perry's anti-gay rant passed just passed Rebecca Black for most disliked youtube video of all time.

Now that is funny. His parents must be so proud.

[Lamplighter]

Tonight (Sat, 12/10/11) the GOP Debates will be aired on ABC.
This will probably be a turning point for several of the GOP candidates:

Rick Perry is still looking for a second chance to make a first impression,
but it's hard to un-ring a bell or un-see a "Strong" video ad, Oooops.

Santorum is scheduled for a "big announcement", and may follow Cain into suspended animation

Jon Huntsman was "forcibly" eliminated from the debate because the organizers
did not like his politics or poll numbers or something.... some called it "dis-invited"

Michele Bochmann will be Michelle Bochmann... maybe in her best white uniform.

Mitt Romney may be feeling it's time to sink or swim... shih teu or get off the pot.

Christian Science Monitor
Brad Knickerbocker
Dec10, 2011

As debate approaches, Republicans, conservatives target Newt Gingrich
As front-runner in the Republican presidential nominating race,
Newt Gingrich is a natural target for critics. At this point, it's mainly
conservatives and fellow Republicans questioning his character and leadership qualities.

And besides all that:

Ron Paul has released his "serial hypocrisy" ad


And, even the Palestinians dismayed by Gingrich remarks.
CBS News
Dec 10, 2011

(AP) JERUSALEM — A slew of Palestinian officials reacted with dismay
Saturday to Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich's statement
that the Palestinians are an "invented" people.

The Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad, demanded Gingrich "review history."

[ZenGum]

[Lamplighter]

For my part, this thread has been a bit of information,
but loaded with sarcasm and self-indulgent fun.
But after last evening's GOP debate, where I feel Romney slipped a few notches,
and Newt managed to hold his own, maybe it is time to look more seriously
at Gringrich's policies and intentions for his presidency.

When he was Speaker of the House, he and John Boehner formulated the 1994
"Contact With America", which Dem's renamed "Contract On America,
and the government was shut down twice.

My life experience is that people don't really change, and they do what they want to do.
For Gingrich, his campaign has again formulated a document named
"Century 21 - Contract With America"
As Dr Phil oft times says, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.

So, I urge everyone to read and pay attention to the NY Times Editorial,
and Gingrich's intentions for changing the structure of the US government.


NY Times
Editorial
December 10, 2011

Mr. Gingrich’s Attack on the Courts
--------

Here is Gingrich's presentation: - it downloads a pdf file.

21st Century
Contract with America
Bringing the Courts Back Under the Constitution

NEWT 2012 Position Paper Supporting
Item No. 9 of the 21st Century Contract with America:
---------

I have posted excerpts (here) from this Times Editorial and Gingrich's
Contract with America in the "The Proper Role and Scope of Government" thread.

[ZenGum]

Hey, Mitt! Bet ya ten grand you don't become president!

[Lamplighter]

Rick Perry's "STRONG" ad is YouTube's current "Most Disliked" with over 647k dislikes to 20k likes

Another GOP candidate, Fred Karger, that I had not even heard about before this, has made his contribution.



And besides all that:

Rick Perry's refusal to take a $10,000 bet from Mitt Romney may
have done more damage to Romney than Newt and Michelle put together.