Newt Gingrich likes Hillary

[Ahimsa]

WASHINGTON, May 12 - What do Newt Gingrich and Hillary Rodham Clinton want from each other?

In the 1990’s, these two rivals stood on nearly opposite ends of the political spectrum; he led the assault on the Clinton presidency and helped derail the ambitious health care plan she championed.

Hillary Rodham Clinton and Newt Gingrich at a press conference on Wednesday. They have become a political odd couple lately.

But oddly enough, something has changed since then, and it has people talking.

Mr. Gingrich, the former House speaker, has been working alongside the former first lady on a number of issues, and even appeared with her at a press conference on Wednesday to promote - of all things - health-care legislation.

But more puzzling than that, Mr. Gingrich has been talking up Mrs. Clinton’s presidential prospects in 2008, to the chagrin of conservative loyalists who once regarded him as a heroic figure. Last month, he even suggested she might capture the presidency, saying “any Republican who thinks she’s going to be easy to beat has a total amnesia about the history of the Clintons.”

 

[jlw]

“any Republican who thinks she’s going to be easy to beat has a total amnesia about the history of the Clintons.”

Any republican who trusts Hillary Clinton…“has a total amnesia about the history of the Clintons.”

 

[Brad]

NYT article. They take Newt’s comment regarding not taking the enemy seriously enough as meaning he likes the enemy.

 

[BLB_Oregon]

Ahimsa:

But more puzzling than that, Mr. Gingrich has been talking up Mrs. Clinton’s presidential prospects in 2008, to the chagrin of conservative loyalists who once regarded him as a heroic figure. Last month, he even suggested she might capture the presidency, saying “any Republican who thinks she’s going to be easy to beat has a total amnesia about the history of the Clintons.”

Before you think Mr. Gingrich disloyal to his party, remember that Mrs. Clinton is most definitely not talking up any plan she has to run for the White House.

My thinking is that she and her husband have both correctly noted that she would not survive the 2008 race as a three-year front-runner. Nobody can! Haven’t you noticed that? The President is a lame duck, but nobody is running for his office! You’d think he was the Pope.

I believe it is in the best interests of the Republican party to get as many of the Democratic contenders into the ring as possible, as soon as possible and as often as possible. Point out every move that looks like it would improve their chances at achieving that seat of power.

On the same note, the Republicans should all look lovingly at the President and disavow the possibility that any of them might entertain thoughts of taking his place.

Any distortion can become a truth in this country, if repeated often enough and for long enough. Likewise, accomplishments, virtues, and boring truths are taken for granted with the repeating, losing all power to inspire.

Let no one without a very large and generous check book know you’re running for President of the United States of America, until the last possible moment. Do as much good as you can, as quietly as you can, so you may add humility and a down-to-earth work ethic to your resume. Then you can hope to get the press coverage and popular attention that can actually help you when it really counts.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Before you think Mr. Gingrich disloyal to his party, remember that Mrs. Clinton is most definitely not talking up any plan she has to run for the White House.

No. She has an ego trip larger than Ross Perot’s and would not be caught publicly, requiring her supporters to talk her up. I wonder what she has on Newt?

Maybe Newt secretly thinks he can beat her?

Alan

 

[space_ghost]

jlw:

Any republican who trusts Hillary Clinton…“has a total amnesia about the history of the Clintons.”

…I guess you could say that about the Bush’s and Regans too…

 

[jlw]

space ghost:

…I guess you could say that about the Bush’s and Regans too…

…And the Mclintocks and the McCoys…

 

[Digitonomy]

BLB_Oregon:

My thinking is that she and her husband have both correctly noted that she would not survive the 2008 race as a three-year front-runner. Nobody can! Haven’t you noticed that?

Wasn’t Bush the front-runner for a good long time before the 2000 race?

As for why Hillary and Newt are cozying up, the rest of the article provides a bit of speculation, which I think is largely correct. Yes, they agree on some points, apparently defense and a couple social issues. Hillary is using her association with Newt to shore up her reputation as a moderate, who can deal with both sides of the aisle. Newt is basking in the spotlight that is always trained on Hillary, in order to get face time and bolster his possible run for the presidency. Finally, although the article didn’t suggest this, networking is usually a wise move. Should one of them become president, don’t be surprised if a cabinet appointment or similar high-profile post is granted to the other.

 

[BLB_Oregon]

Digitonomy:

Wasn’t Bush the front-runner for a good long time before the 2000 race?

As for why Hillary and Newt are cozying up, the rest of the article provides a bit of speculation, which I think is largely correct. Yes, they agree on some points, apparently defense and a couple social issues. Hillary is using her association with Newt to shore up her reputation as a moderate, who can deal with both sides of the aisle. Newt is basking in the spotlight that is always trained on Hillary, in order to get face time and bolster his possible run for the presidency. Finally, although the article didn’t suggest this, networking is usually a wise move. Should one of them become president, don’t be surprised if a cabinet appointment or similar high-profile post is granted to the other.

He wasn’t working in Washington and even though he was an obvious choice, he didn’t declare so early. Even with his dad’s rolodex and running against Al Gore for crying out loud, he only won by the hair of his teeth.

If Mrs. Clinton wants to be President, she needs to stay way out of the limelight for as long as possible and hope that the other Democrats fail to gain steam. Far better for her, particularly with the accusations of ambition that surround her, if it appears she was asked to the dance.

 

[jlw]

BLB_Oregon:

He wasn’t working in Washington and even though he was an obvious choice, he didn’t declare so early. Even with his dad’s rolodex and running against Al Gore for crying out loud, he only won by the hair of his teeth.

If Mrs. Clinton wants to be President, she needs to stay way out of the limelight for as long as possible and hope that the other Democrats fail to gain steam. Far better for her, particularly with the accusations of ambition that surround her, if it appears she was asked to the dance.

Just to check in, Al Gore SHOULD have won, given the “peacetime” and roaring economy, but he was a LOUSY condescending stretching-the-truth candidate tied to a LOUSE of a man (serving as president).

Oh, and speaking of staying out of the limelight until the last minute…

Jeb Bush.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Digitonomy:

As for why Hillary and Newt are cozying up,

Oh, are Hillary and Bill fighting again?

Alan

 

[rsagebrush]

So there is a Big Difference between the Republicans and the Democrats other than talk?

 

[AlanFromWichita]

rsagebrush:

So there is a Big Difference between the Republicans and the Democrats other than talk?

Yes. At any given moment on any given issue, my side has trash that doesn’t stink, and the opposing side is yucky scum.

Alan