Feb. 17, 2007

GOP Blast From The Past Polling Well

Newt Gingrich Could Be Well Situated To Woo Highly Prized Conservative Voters

  • Gingrich's rise to congressional leadership paralleled the Reagan Administration — a time when conservatives made their mark on GOP presidential nominees. Here he's shown at a rally for his signature

    Gingrich's rise to congressional leadership paralleled the Reagan Administration — a time when conservatives made their mark on GOP presidential nominees. Here he's shown at a rally for his signature "Contract for America" plan.  (CBS)

(CBS)  It’s official. This week, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani joined a growing field — including Arizona Senator John McCain — seeking the Republican Party nomination for president.

And a CBS news poll shows Giuliani with a wide lead. In a head-to-head race with McCain, Republicans favor Giuliani by nearly a 2 to 1 margin with Giuliani getting 50 percent to McCain’s 29 percent.

Most surprising, Giuliani also solidly beats McCain among conservatives.

“There's this really strong image of Giuliani in that first 24 hours in terms of 9/11,” says David Winston, a Republican pollster.

Winston thinks Giuliani’s performance in that crisis may overcome conservative opposition to his moderate positions on issues such as gun control and abortion.

But Giuliani shouldn't count on support from conservatives, such as Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group.

“I think he's going to have absolutely no chance,” says Perkins. “There are certain threshold issues of being pro-life and supporting the sanctity of human life, then you're not going to get the support of social conservatives.”

Conservatives also have doubts about McCain for his moderate positions on immigration and gun control. And they question Romney’s commitment to the anti-abortion cause.

While most of the media spotlight on the GOP has focused on McCain, Giuliani and Romney, there's a face from the GOP's glory days who may appeal to even more social conservatives: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Gingrich says it's too early to announce. But, when his name is added to polls, he immediately becomes a strong contender.

“He's finishing in third place, and when you look at some specific states, he actually finishes second in many of those states,” says Winston.

Gingrich's rise to congressional leadership paralleled the Reagan Administration — a time when conservatives made their mark on GOP presidential nominees. They're not about to quit in 2008.

© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Add a Comment See all 45 Comments
by ldcastellow-2009 February 20, 2007 1:49 PM EST
Well lets just hope that Micheal Savage runs. He has made the comment that he will put in for the race. Not sure though if he is serious. However, he would make a great contribution to the debates. He is one of few people with power and say that believes in what a majority of American's do. Border, Language, and Culture which as we all know is under attack from the left and our enemies within and outside the US. So lets hope he runs and wins. Maybe then we can have our country back. As of now there is no one willing to save America, only those willing to weaken it a little at a time. Only difference is the Democrat Party wants America as a 3rd World Country more quickly. Republicans are just being weak letting it happen. So just pray for a true conservative who will stand up for us like Michael Savage.
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by mitywhity February 19, 2007 10:36 PM EST
Unfortunately, the GOP has no one that can appeal to cons as the libs have in Hillary for motivating the voter base. Unfortunaetly, there is no Libertarian candidate that can rise up.
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by mitywhity February 19, 2007 10:33 PM EST
At least this guy is articulate, clear and not educated above his intelligence. Bush may be an educated man, but his verbal IQ is almost nil.
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by zoroastor February 19, 2007 6:31 PM EST
Well, you're half right GunOwnerDan. Republicans are destroying this country.
I think the GOP should nominate Satan, just to test I theory of mine. I bet that most Republicans would vote for him over the Democrat.
With VERY few exceptions, it doesn't matter whom they nominate - they are bound to be short-sighted, self-centered, stingy, mean-spirited, elitist crooks who will p!$$ on our collective heads and smile while they tell us it's raining.
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by bluestardad February 19, 2007 5:11 PM EST
Email your senators and representatives tell them your views! http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_in
formation/senators_cfm.cfm or http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
Reply to this comment
by bluestardad February 19, 2007 3:55 PM EST
GUYS YOU GOTTA READ THIS!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm


The Elite Minyan group - you mean for a minimum of only $100,000 dollars
a year I too can shape world policy? Tell me more!

I especially like the bit about enjoying "the exclusivity you deserve."

This thing borders on parody, but alas, unfortunately it is all too real.
Reply to this comment
by rharrin1 February 19, 2007 1:36 PM EST
Newt more baggage than anyone else that is running.

Janem

He is is your right wing conservative isn't he?
Reply to this comment
by bluestardad February 19, 2007 11:37 AM EST
You may have noticed the coming surge of American public opinion against using our military to promote the agenda of other Countries! American people are learning it is ok to disagree with a President who is friends of Saudi Arabia and who gives them special treatment on the world stage at the expense of American lives. For years no one would say anything against promoting the Israeli agenda for fear of being labeled an anti-Semitist but now America is learning it is also acceptable to disagree with Israeli promoters like AIPAC members, Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and William Kristol of the Weekly Standard who would gladly sell thousands of American soldiers lives to promote Israeli interest! Now these same policies and neocons are pushing our soldiers toward another war in Iran. American military is made to protect American interest not fight proxy wars in the interest of other countries! American blood and treasure should be spent only in American interest! The Current Vice President of the United States felt the need to jump on a plane on a moments notice and fly to Saudi Arabia at the beckon call of the house of Saudi. He showed the world by his actions who his true masters were! As for the Rest of us Americans, The Statue of Liberty Stands in New York Harbor and is not Kneeling in the desert of the Middle East!
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by bluestardad February 19, 2007 11:25 AM EST
Navy Sailors as Infantrymen
There are right now Navy Seamen being used in the role of Combat Infantrymen in Iraq because the Marines and Army are stretched so thin. These Seamen get a rush thru Small Unit training program and are given a rifle and are integrated into combat arms maneuver units.
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by gunownerdan February 19, 2007 11:05 AM EST
Democrats and republicans are destroying America.
Bring back the Bill Of Rights!!!
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by j0hnwi11iams February 19, 2007 5:26 AM EST
I can't wait for the clips of Giuliani creaming over GW Bush. Bush is the bow of the Titanic. Whoever follows is the stern. Blub blub blub.
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by j0hnwi11iams February 19, 2007 5:05 AM EST
FRAUD bless America
Reply to this comment
by j0hnwi11iams February 19, 2007 5:04 AM EST
In FRAUD we trust.
Reply to this comment
by j0hnwi11iams February 19, 2007 5:04 AM EST
One Nation, under FRAUD.

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by bellal-2009 February 18, 2007 11:16 PM EST
the soon to be poor man squeezed by his poor decisions of his adjustable rate mortgage and the terrible housing market. Posted by bbbbbfan at 01:07 PM : Feb 18, 2007

Sweetie, you've obviously never seen high interest rates or a terrible housing market. This isn't it.
Reply to this comment
by observantx February 18, 2007 9:34 PM EST
newt Gingrich has one edearing quality; He is always wrong.

Case in point.
He wants to restrict everyones's Constitutional given right to privacy and free speech. He stated "the rules have changed" Excuse me, who changed the rules??. In a recent speech he stated that we need to be much more compliant to the White House vision that all Americans march in formation to whatever El Grande Georgio proclaims.

Sorry dude.

We true Americans get really pissed when soomeone says we should just shut up and obey.

That's WW2 Germany. We will not tolerate that here.
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by scott4261 February 18, 2007 7:11 PM EST
REPUBLICANS ARE DONE FOR 08 STICK A FORK IN THEM!
Posted by bluestardad at 02:07 PM : Feb 18, 2007
Rudy beats Hill by 10 points.....
Posted by b48151 at 03:28 P

----------------------

Rudy will not be the Republican nominee and Hillary will not be the Democratic nominee. So this is really an exercise in futility.
Reply to this comment
by wogerwabbit February 18, 2007 7:00 PM EST
I think the problem with a lot of so called "conservatives", is they have no idea what the truth is or what a conservative is.

These repugnant Republicans keep insisting that terrorism and Iraq are the same thing. The truth is, there were no terrorists of note in Iraq before we invaded and destroyed their country. The war is a lie that they all want to believe in because they simply cannot accept the fact that they are wrong and the Dems were right.

Contrary to preceptions5's perception, the Republicans are still the radical right and are still drinking Bush's cool aid. And, I truly believe that it has nothing to do with what some of them feel to be right or wrong, but is just politics... not wanting to appear to have been wrong in the first place.

They treat the American people like we're a bunch of morons and sow their hate with bitter criticism of everything that's not lock stepping to their tune is only making it worse for them.

I think their biggest mistake is equating not supporting this disastrous war with not supporting our troops. It is entirely possible to support our troops while not supporting our incompetent leaders... and that's what this is all about. The Republicans have shown themselves to be unworthy... and now they must atone for their lack of judgment. And, pinning their hopes on a criminal like Gingrich is a stark testimony to their continued insanity.
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by bluestardad February 18, 2007 5:07 PM EST
REPUBLICANS ARE DONE FOR 08 STICK A FORK IN THEM!
Reply to this comment
by fascistusa February 18, 2007 4:25 PM EST
bbbbfan:

YOU are Luke Skywalker.

Take up arms. Revolt. Our Government is out of control.

TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY FROM THIS FASCIST REGIME!!!
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