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Hyperbolic Newt's Antics Highlight Desperate GOP

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted May 27, 2009 2:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – Newt Gingrich is back, and he’s here to stay. “It’s Gingrich time,” Paul Waldman writes for  the American Prospect. That’s not a good thing, for the Republicans or the country. “This is Newt's time again not only because there's a leadership vacuum in the GOP but because the Republicans are back in opposition, and nobody opposes quite like Newt,” Waldman writes. “He is a master of the contemptuous sneer.”

Gingrich is an attack dog with little to say. He’s “often described as a ‘man of ideas,’ though one seldom hears what those ‘ideas’ actually consist of,” Waldman writes. “But ideas are in such short supply in today's GOP that possessing the image of having them is nearly as good as actually having them.” And Gingrich can talk up a storm. “For Newt, hyperbole isn't merely a predilection or a tick, it's his fundamental mode of argumentation.”

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.   (AP Photo)
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.   (AP Photo)
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.   (AP Photo)
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Whom would a reporter rather call: some congressman who'll tell you that the president's latest policy initiative is unwise, or a guy guaranteed to say that it's the worst betrayal of America since Benedict Arnold? - Paul Waldman

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
LiberalJesus
May 28, 2009 11:23 AM CDT
Newt and the gop have no credibility, no ideas and no class. Unless people like clearsight start using their brains to think for themselves instead of letting the Newts and the Limps fill their heads, I do not see the gop being a vialble party anytime soon.
lindamae
May 28, 2009 6:21 AM CDT
You really need to visit Newt's web sites and read - carefully read what he says before you dismiss him. Remember, it was the Democratic congress which has been spending money like drunken sailors. They - NOT the President - makes the budget. Our only problem now, is that both the President and the democratic Congress are spending money our children will pay. We have borrowed 46 out of every dollar spent - or we've printed up more worthless bills - all because of Obama and Congress. Congress makes the budget and the President enacts it into law. Bush had refused to sign the Porky Omnibus Bill - which is why it was held over and went through Congress like bad food in your stomach. It was signed just as fast - no 5 day wait - and now our kids will pay the bill.
kokuaguy
May 27, 2009 10:53 AM CDT
SO, you think Newt will convince her to be his VP running mate, TC? More likely these two will eliminate one another and Huckabee and Jindahl will emerge. Possible?

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