Newt Gingrich May Have Done More For Mitt Romney’s Campaign Than Mitt Romney
In the Washington Post, Marc Theissen says that Romney should give Newt Gingrich a heart-felt “thank you” the next time the two meet.
In just a few days’ time, Gingrich has managed has to do something Romney has tried and failed to do for more than five years: rally conservatives behind Mitt Romney.
Rush Limbaugh has called Gingrich’s attacks on Romney’s record at Bain Capital “indefensible,” “sad,” “absurd,” and “the language of leftists like Michael Moore and Oliver Stone.” Club for Growth President Chris Chocola declared them “disgusting” and called on Gingrich to “apologize to Governor Romney.” The Wall Street Journal wrote that those like Gingrich attacking Romney’s business record “are embarrassing themselves” and “taking the Obama line.”
Voters in South Carolina appear to agree. At a candidates’ forum hosted by Mike Huckabee on Saturday, Gingrich was booed lustily when he tried to defend his Bain attacks. Hilton Head resident Donald Hare spoke for many when he was asked by the New York Times this weekend if he is supporting Romney and replied “I am now. What Newt did convinced me.” A new Insider Advantage poll this weekend shows Romney gaining ground with an 11-point lead. It appears the former speaker’s anti-capitalist attacks have only helped, not hurt, Romney’s campaign.
Gingrich’s, and to a lesser extent Rick Perry’s, decision to attack Romney over his time at Bain Capital is nothing short of bizarre. Romney has, in his background, a record of governance and policy positions that conservatives would find objectionable. But instead of talking about things conservatives find objectionable, Gingrich instead chose to highlight things liberals would find objectionable.
In a Republican nomination race, no less.
Gingrich’s strange choice, coming at a crucial point in the nomination process, may be looked back on as what put Romney past the tipping point toward the nomination.
Tags: election 2012, mitt romney, Newt Gingrich
