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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Newt Gingrich shows real leadership and wins latest Republican debate

Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 03:17 AM

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Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich revealed a compassionate conservative side in the Republican presidential debate last night that could well propel him to the nomination.

While the rest of the field seem frozen in clichés and well worn extreme formulas, Gingrich stepped up to the plate with a compassionate defense of immigration that could well resound with thinking Republicans.

Gingrich is not ready as Romney is to play the platitudes game.

Everyone suspects that the inner Romney is somehow far less right wing than he is appearing in these debates.

The overwhelming sense is of someone inauthentic and the Republic grassroots are correct in perceiving that.

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Gingrich on the other hand, whether the issue is social security reform or immigration, is prepared to step up to the plate with real proposals.

That’s called leadership and it’s why Gingrich has suddenly burst to the front of the pack in the Republican field.

His answers on immigration was sincere and to the point.

Despite the well-worn clichés you cannot deport 11 million undocumented from the US.

It would take a federal government operation that would use up billions if not trillions trying to achieve it.

Gingrich’s solution is to allow those with deep roots in the country to stay here and to take all other cases on a case-by-case basis.

It is nuanced policy that reflects the reality of the situation out there.

It was also brave at a time of deep anti-immigrant sentiment in the GOP for Gingrich to speak out on the issue.

The others immediately rounded on him, but unlike Perry who appears a straw man, Gingrich has real intellectual heft, which was shown on this occasion.

I’m beginning to think he might just win the GOP nomination.

Here's a clip from the debate:

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BrianGoss | Nov 27, 2011, 12:54 PM EST

Don't be swayed, Gingrich is one of the main reasons the United States is in the type of trouble politically and financially it is in now. As for his recent conversion to the Catholic faith, does it count if you become Catholic to marry the "other" woman? It wasn't from any soul searching or reflection, it was to be married in a church. I know that is being judgmental, but isn't that close to becoming Jewish for the jokes?

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maloney | Nov 24, 2011, 12:06 AM EST

Thank you Niall for your honest blog. So refreshing from a liberal. Most of the commenters here should take a lesson from you. But then again telling the truth has always been a problem for a liberal. I notice no shortage of name calling though. Yes georgie, Newt is now a fish eater.

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GeorgeDillon | Nov 23, 2011, 04:00 PM EST

PhlutiePhan: Gingrich became a Catholic recently? Are you sure? In that case I will have to review my membership of the Church. I barely was able to swallow the war criminal Tony Blair being admitted into my church. Blair should have been accepted on condition that he did penance for the rest of his lousy life. But I don't think I can take the Slimy One joining also.

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GeorgeDillon | Nov 23, 2011, 03:56 PM EST

allentown: Good poont. The bosses' spokesmen want unlimited immigration, so that they can have an unlimited labor pool. Gingrich is a skunk, let's examine the moral fiber of this man, if we can find any. Ask his ex-wives (are they still alive?).

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jamthecat | Nov 23, 2011, 03:33 PM EST

Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Niall, you slay me. You really should do stand-up. Maybe Paul Krugman will let you add his description of Newt to your act -- that he's "what a stupid man thinks an intelligent man sounds like."

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adrienrain | Nov 23, 2011, 03:00 PM EST

Newt wants poor children to earn their education by replacing adult janitors, and hates our protective child labor laws. So I guess the kids in those orphanages he wants to replace welfare with can work for their keep too! What a lovely man! I can't wait till the kids are back in the mines and mills and out of our hair.

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EphraimKibbey | Nov 23, 2011, 01:59 PM EST

Don't forget how quickly he took back his description of Ryan's budget as right wing social engineering. How long do you think it will take for him to throw his "Humanitarian" stance on children of illegal immigrants under the bus? That position sank Perry just a few months ago. Newt, like Romney and Perry, flutter in the winds that are the GOP reactionary right. They will say anything to get approval even when it is an obvious lie like Romney's new ad and Perry's old one.

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allentown | Nov 23, 2011, 01:51 PM EST

Niall is still trying to secure a pathway to citizenship for the illegal Irish in this country. Gingrich has always had this belief that you can't deport 11,000,000 to 20,000,000 illegal aliens. Niall and Gingrich are saying in effect: "To hell with our unemployed countrymen, let the illegal aliens keep the jobs". However, who wants to deport them. The majority of Americans want to take away the opportunity for the illegal aliens to work in the USA and let them deport themselves. The ones who are here for crime and welfare will never leave and will have to be be deported.

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cillowen | Nov 23, 2011, 11:53 AM EST

a dumpy fatso - a historian who gets nice piece of change for his wisdom. another us experimentation is due the sheep if niall be right winger.

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redhand32 | Nov 23, 2011, 11:53 AM EST

Right on JamesMartin. The Newt is actually a (slimy) salamander. He's the "savior" of the "angry white guy." Pickup truck, gun rack, Fox "News" on speed dial, Bible, working 3 minimum wage jobs or unemployed, can't afford health insurance but loves billionaires, ...

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JamesMartin | Nov 23, 2011, 11:40 AM EST

I always thought a Newt was a dirty slimey little salamander. Newt Gingrich wanted to rake Bill Clinton over the coals on the sex deal. Yet, here's a guy who dumped his first wife on her death bed for another woman for another woman and then dumped that woman during an unfortunate time she was going through and married another. FYI one of the latter women was connected to his office. What a real stand up guy. Guess a Newt is not just a salamander, but a guy whom is also dirty and slimey. GOD help the USA!

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Monsoonman | Nov 23, 2011, 10:53 AM EST

Well said Niall: Newt Gingrich is the giant on that stage and would be the giant on the stage if Obama was on it in a debate. He has the experience necessary to lead this country out of the mess that it's in and knows how to work with the other party to get things done. The moment Gingrich got elected president the stock markets would rise and the economy would improve because business leaders around the country and world would know America put an adult back into the White House.

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CitizenWhy | Nov 23, 2011, 10:36 AM EST

Like Obama, Gingrinch has no executive experience and would be lost as President, like Obama. Glibness is not a good indication of leadership.

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johhnyb | Nov 23, 2011, 10:05 AM EST

It seems like only yesterday that you were slagging Gingrich. Oh wait, it was only yesterday.

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PhlutiePhan | Nov 23, 2011, 10:04 AM EST

There is no doubt that he is the best candidate in the Republican field. However, his nomination would be a disster for the Republican Party. His image among women is deservedly terrible. Recent information about a 1.6 million dollar retainer from Freddic Mac is a "slap in the face". I met the guy at a book signing. He is extremely personable and intelligent. However, this appears to be a well constructed veneer. He recently became a Catholic and with it a legitimate third marriage in the eyes of the Church.

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