Newt Gingrich's surge to the top of the Republican presidential field in South Carolina has some conservatives deeply worried. The first question being whether or not he is truly the anti-Romney candidate.
Gingrich is encouraging such views with his claims that he is “certainly more conservative” than the former Massachusetts governor.
During the New Hampshire primary campaign, the Manchester Union-Leader (New Hampshire's conservative and largest newspaper) added to the perception of a growing “Newt-mentum” to anoint Gingrich as the preferred conservative in the Republican presidential field. There are substantial reasons why thoughtful conservatives should think very carefully before accepting this premise.
There are major holes in Gingrich's conservative resume.
For example, Gingrich has been a huge supporter of Dr. Donald Berwick who recently resigned as President Barack Obama's director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees Obamacare. Obama had put Berwick there because of his professed love for Britain's socialized medicine. It could only become possible through a recess appointment to avoid Republicans who would have voted down confirmation.
Gingrich's enthusiasm for rationed health care may come as a shock to many on the right, but it is entirely consistent with his longtime zest for individual mandates in health care. In fact, in his book, “Winning the Future,” Gingrich said: “We need some significant changes to ensure that every American is insured, but we should make it clear that a 21st-century intelligent system requires everyone to participate in the insurance system.”
The former Speaker of the House frequently refers to the Contract with American that he helped write in 1994. But Newt's affinity for the trappings of power led him to undermine the momentum for fundamental change. This trait quickly put him at odds with many of the younger House members, whose advice Gingrich rarely sought.
Lately, Newt Gingrich has become the ultimate Washington insider he claims to detest. This can be seen in the $1.6 million he was paid to represent Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and his work with Rep. Nancy Pelosi on behalf of cap and trade. Such glaring facts make it difficult not to view Gingrich as an exemplar of Washington's professional Republican politicians who talk the talk, but often don't walk the walk once in office.
Newt has an answer for all these glaring fallacies no doubt. He is a great orator and superb debater. But will he persuade enough Republican voters many of whom watched in frustration as the Contract with American faded into political oblivion.
Florida now becomes the latest and biggest test of his popularity and its lasting appeal.
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