I'm calling it: Gingrich/Rice in 2012

[OldCannon]

I think the writing is on the wall here. In spite of many personal issues and some shady dealings, Newt has consistently come off as the sharp one in debates, and holds a lot of political savvy. He's got a LOT of personal baggage, but the fact that he's staying in the fight shows that he intends to win it now. I think his attitude has changed significantly from when he first started.

For VP - everybody knows Condi is interested, and I think it's no-brainer.

I must admit I have soft spots for Ron Paul and Gary Johnson, but my crystal ball says that Newt is the only one that can absolutely stomp Obama and throw him, his cronies, and his policies to the curb.

[Oldgringo]

That would work for me, you betcha'.

[RPB]

March 2012 Primaries are over a quarter of a year away; a long way off.

Newt wrote the forward for Rick's book ...

We'll see.

With the fast ups/downs due to various "Hey this happened 15 years ago" news items that pop up ... I'm not predicting until I at least see a fat lady on stage.... I may leave when she starts singing though .... not an opera fan ... Oprah either.

[Munk]

I have no problem with a Newt/Rice ticket. Where can I get a bumper sticker?

[The Annoyed Man]

For VP - everybody knows Condi is interested, and I think it's no-brainer.

Gingrich is rising in the polls for three simple and very good reasons: 1) he has been downright masterful in the debates; 2) he refuses to eat other republicans on stage for the satisfaction of liberal media; and 3) he reacts with appropriate disdain to idiotic questions from debate moderators who couch their questions as accusations against republicans.

In the last interview I saw of Condi Rice, a week or two ago, she expressed no further interest in public office. And frankly, although I have enormous respect for her capabilities, I think there are better choices.

I think that the VP slot is likely to be filled by one of the candidates already in the race. I don't know enough about this guy to say if I would approve of this choice or not, but I think that Gingrich might offer it to Rick Santorum. I think this for several reasons, not the least of which are that both Gingrich and Santorum are mavericks who emanate from the culture of Congress. They both know now the wheels turn. More importantly, Santorum was a Senator. As VP, he would preside over the Senate. He is already familiar with that "good old boy network." Also, Santorum is reliably, and more importantly, unapologetically conservative. And lastly.....if you will all recall from one of the first debates, the candidates were asked if they would pick one of the other candidates as VP and, if so, which one. Santorum said without hesitation that he would pick Newt Gingrich. The other candidates did not answer the question anywhere near so specifically. This tells me that there is some mutual admiration there, and that Gingrich and Santorum can probably work well together.

Edited to add: perhaps the best choice for a VPOTUS is someone who has already run for POTUS, since that is someone who is already interested in the job. There is a saying that if you want it too badly, you're probably not the person for the job, but that is simplistic. Consider the possibility that an intelligent person might not want it because they do not think of themselves as qualified for it. A good president must have confidence and humility in equal parts.

I've been watching the debates unfold. Some of Newt's "baggage" is lies told about him in the press, which his own family members have refuted. I also watched Newt talk the other day to a reporter about the meaning of his Catholic faith to him these days. Now, I am not Catholic, but I am a religious person, and what I saw was a man saying that he used to not take it so seriously, but that in his later years, he has found great comfort in it and that he regularly seeks solace in his faith. He did not sound at all preachy when he said it, and his face was relaxed and his expression was inward looking when he spoke about it. He may be a brilliant actor, but if he is, he had me completely convinced.

I want my next president to speak and act as if he is daily aware of being accountable to some higher spiritual calling, and to do so with humility—which all other things aside was one of the things I truly admired about George Bush....that he lived his faith while in office. For that to be true about Obama, Golf would have to have an IRS approved religious status.

[mamabearCali]

Gingrich/Rice Gingrich/Santorum----works for me. Let me know where to get the bumper sticker at.

[Medic624]

Gingrich/Rice Gingrich/Santorum----works for me. Let me know where to get the bumper sticker at.

DITTO.......

[OldCannon]

For VP - everybody knows Condi is interested, and I think it's no-brainer.

Gingrich is rising in the polls for three simple and very good reasons: 1) he has been downright masterful in the debates; 2) he refuses to eat other republicans on stage for the satisfaction of liberal media; and 3) he reacts with appropriate disdain to idiotic questions from debate moderators who couch their questions as accusations against republicans.

That's precisely my reasoning as well.

In the last interview I saw of Condi Rice, a week or two ago, she expressed no further interest in public office. And frankly, although I have enormous respect for her capabilities, I think there are better choices.

Possibly, but there's a few things in her favor:
1) Appeal to minorities and women. Yes, it's important. It would be groundbreaking as well if we had a new POTUS with a female VP. I'm not saying that's a reason AT ALL to vote for such a ticket, but, sadly, for some people, it is. I want those people to vote for "our side."
2) Condi has a LOT of political savvy and is whip smart. She knows how the wheels turn as well
3) Piano talent
[youtube][/youtube]

For the record, Santorum would not be my first choice, but I agree he would operate things well, and would say 100% fewer stupid things DAILY then the current VPOTUS.

I want my next president to speak and act as if he is daily aware of being accountable to some higher spiritual calling, and to do so with humility—which all other things aside was one of the things I truly admired about George Bush....that he lived his faith while in office. For that to be true about Obama, Golf would have to have an IRS approved religious status.

[The Annoyed Man]

For the record, Santorum would not be my first choice, but I agree he would operate things well, and would say 100% fewer stupid things DAILY then the current VPOTUS.

Well, this is why I said I'm not sure I would approve of his selection too. But when you compare him to Joe Biden.....heck even liberal reporters tend to view him as a train wreck in progress and wince every time he opens his mouth. I'm convinced that the main reason Obama picked Biden is so that we would all pray for Obama's continued good health.

[Dave2]

I'm convinced that the main reason Obama picked Biden is so that we would all pray for Obama's continued good health.

[hirundo82]

Gingrich/Rice Gingrich/Santorum----works for me. Let me know where to get the bumper sticker at.

Either of those tickets would guarantee Obama a second term. I, and I expect many other independents, would sit out the election rather than vote for either of those.

[The Annoyed Man]

Gingrich/Rice Gingrich/Santorum----works for me. Let me know where to get the bumper sticker at.

Either of those tickets would guarantee Obama a second term. I, and I expect many other independents, would sit out the election rather than vote for either of those.

You would rather see another Obama term than vote for the one candidate that has even a chance of beating him? Wow.

[tbrown]

Gingrich/Rice Gingrich/Santorum----works for me. Let me know where to get the bumper sticker at.

Either of those tickets would guarantee Obama a second term. I, and I expect many other independents, would sit out the election rather than vote for either of those.

You would rather see another Obama term than vote for the one candidate that has even a chance of beating him? Wow.

I understand that reaction to Romney, because he and Obama are both socialists, and Obama signed more pro gun bills. I don't understand that reaction to Gingrich except from false flag RINOs who want more socialism. Personally, I think Newt would make a better vp than potus but I like him a lot better than Mitt or Herman. I'm not thrilled with Santorum either for personal reasons but I would hold my nose and vote for Newt despite that choice of vp.

[mr surveyor]

how about Gingrich/Jindahl

[hirundo82]

Gingrich/Rice Gingrich/Santorum----works for me. Let me know where to get the bumper sticker at.

Either of those tickets would guarantee Obama a second term. I, and I expect many other independents, would sit out the election rather than vote for either of those.

You would rather see another Obama term than vote for the one candidate that has even a chance of beating him? Wow.

Voting for the lesser of two evils makes me feel dirty, and it lends legitimacy to a candidate I don't actually support. I voted third party in 2008, and if the Republicans don't nominate someone I can stand I'll do so again or not vote at all.

FWIW, I'm close to swearing off elections completely (at least federal) for the same reason--participation implies support of a system which I'm becoming convinced is completely out of control. Politicians have gamed the system to their advantage so much that we have a virtually permanent political overclass, where which party is in power makes virtually no difference--the system exists only to perpetuate itself.