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No, not the Senators themselves–the campaign finance reform legislation that those two Senators co-authored.? I happen to agree with Newt and commend him for calling McCain out on this during a speech to first amendment rights supporters here in New Hampshire.
November 28th, 2006 at 5:21 pm
That’s very bold. I like. If only Newt didn’t have both the 90’s stigma and personal skeletons…
November 28th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Since when did Newt become a proponet of free speech? Oh yeah, when he realized he could make a few extra bucks by it.
November 28th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Nathan,
When was Newt ever against free speech legislation? Can you back up that claim that he only recently supports first amendments rights?
Good for Newt calling things like they are. Gimme some more of that straight talk.
November 28th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Anyone else get the feeling that during the primary debates Newt is gonna be gunning for McCain, who will probably take the bait. Both have combustible personalities and dont’s seem to get along. Gingrich in the race helps Romney (Newt likes him), I dont know what it does to Rudy (he is intensely partison, making him less of a target) and kills McCain. Newt, while he wont win, will constantly be reminding the conservative voter that McCain has fraternized with the enemy one too many times. The last thing McCain needs is an irreverent Newt jumping on him at every turn and inciting the base.
November 28th, 2006 at 7:00 pm
Oh, I admire straight talk, and Newt can certainly do that, but do you honestly believe any person should be able to donate as much as they want to the DNC or RNC? Is he for repealing FECA too? And won’t he potentially split the more conservative voters with Romney? I do think that McCain will be the early target of other candidates, even though Rudy has maintained a small lead in the party.
November 28th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
I think you are in the right of it, John R. McCain has a great deal of baggage respecting the base, and there are plenty of folks who will not tire of reminding people of it.
November 28th, 2006 at 7:16 pm
Nathan,
In Rudy and Mitt, you have two very competent executive types who know how to get things done. McCain has never ran anything larger than his Senate office. They also are known for checking their selfish interests for the good of the party. Can the same be said about McCain?
With McCain’s reputation of being a maverick, his well-known mean streak, and his inexperience running things, I don’t want him anywhere near the Oval Office where he can have a free rein in so many things. So let’s hope he IS an early target.
As to if Newt will split the conservatives with Mitt, remember he has said he will announce in Sept ‘07 if he runs. I seriously doubt he would run if Mitt has the conservative vote sewn up.
November 28th, 2006 at 8:06 pm
the attack of McCain/Feingold is to question how the bill was written and it works.
November 28th, 2006 at 10:11 pm
marK,
What executive experience did JFK have prior to beating Nixon in 1960? Jimmy Carter was governor of Georgia prior to being elected and we all know how that turned out. And let’s be honest, GWB hasn’t been a particularly effective President, despite running one of the biggest states in the country. So, while executive experience certainly helps, it is not the sole determining factor in deciding a nominee.
Also, with the entries of Brownback, Hunter and Huckabee (has he officially declared yet?), it seems that they think there is quite a bit of room to Romney’s right.
November 28th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
LJ,
With regards to W running one of the biggest states in the country, I’ve heard it often said that the Texas governorship is one of the less demanding governorships in the country, due to the way it is structured. I’m not an expert on this though…
November 28th, 2006 at 10:36 pm
murphy,
I’ve heard that too, but I suppose running a weak governorship would still be deemed more experience than running a Senate office. Despite the fact that McCain is managing a staff of several dozen across the country now…
November 28th, 2006 at 10:54 pm
Oh, agreed. I was just being a nit-picker about the “bigger state” = “bigger governor” theory.
And I had never considered career campaigning as appropriate executive and managerial experience. McCain is certainly leading the pack in that regard, good point.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:40 am
It’s not going to be enough to help Gingrich, but I think this issue will ultimately kill McCain’s chances. Also, despite his claims to the contrary, no one believes that he’s really pro-life, and there’s no way a pro-choice or perceived pro-choice candidate is going to be a real contender once voters begin to learn about the candidates who aren’t as well-known.
February 8th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
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