Closing Arguments for Newt Gingrich

At the end of a trial, lawyers stand before a jury and plead the case for their clients, laying out all their best arguments as to why their client should be vindicated.  The American people and voters in the Republican party are the jury in this GOP nomination battle, and I am here today presenting  all the reasons why their final verdict should favor Newt Gingrich. Here is my summary of arguments that Newt Gingrich is the candidate best positioned to win the nomination for conservatives and beat Barack Obama in the fall.

We have four interesting candidates jockeying for position in this GOP nomination race: the Libertarian, the businessman, the family man, and the conservative warrior.  Let's look at the records of each to see who has what it takes to reign in an out-of-control government and clean up the mess in Washington, DC.

Ron Paul

The loudest voice in the fight to reign in government spending and strengthen our currency has been Ron Paul. His unwavering opposition to big government and the Federal Reserve is second to none.  He proposes we audit the Federal Reserve, return to the gold standard, and eliminate the IRS.  Many of his Libertarian views are now being adopted by others in the GOP.  The over-reach of the Obama administration has undoubtedly fueled the popularity of many of Paul's fiscally conservative positions; but, Paul is the least electable out of the remaining field of candidates because of his more extreme views that conflict with the platform of the Republican party.

A few reasons why Paul will not be chosen as the GOP nominee:

• Believes that the United States should cut off aid and support to Israel
• Opposes intervention in Iran to prevent the development of nuclear weapons
• Supports the legalization of illicit drugs
• Wants to cut the Department of Defense budget dramatically
• Does not support a federal role in the fight to end abortion
• Does not support a federal role in defining marriage as between one man and one woman.
• His delegate count and position in the polls make victory mathematically impossible

Mitt Romney

Many conservatives are skeptical of Mitt Romney.  Hailing from  liberal Massachusetts automatically raises suspicions in the minds of many conservative Republicans, but when coupled with Romney's less than conservative record as governor of Massachusetts,  his fluid positions on every conservative plank, and the unwavering support by GOP party establishment types, the cries to choose anybody but Romney have gotten louder.   News has recently come to light that Romney played a more direct role than was previously thought in the crafting of Obama-Care legislation. He urged Obama to include the individual mandate.  It appears the one candidate being championed by GOP party leadership has already ceded our biggest argument in the fall (Obama-Care), because Romney was complicit in it's crafting.  

A few reasons why Romney should not be chosen as the GOP nominee:

• Flip-flops on abortion, gay marriage, bailouts, guns, global warming
• Will not beat Obama in his home state of Massachusetts - behind double digits
• Nearly lost the state of his birth, Michigan, to Santorum in the primary
• Has reduced voter turnout in every precinct he has won in the GOP nomination battle
• Conservatives don't believe he is severely conservative
• Comes across as elitist and out-of-touch with working class voters
• Does not articulate the conservative message with conviction or effectiveness
• Plays right into the Democrat's argument that the GOP is only a party for the wealthy 
• Authored and signed into law Romney-Care, the blueprint for Obama-Care

Rick Santorum

When the nomination battle began this past summer, I doubt many believed that Rick Santorum would still be standing at this point.  His upset victory in Iowa stunned the establishment.  His slide in South Carolina, Florida and Nevada followed by decisive wins in Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota even more surprising... and he followed that with an impressive showing in Michigan.  His very strong social conservative credentials have endeared him to many conservatives, but there are lingering doubts about whether Santorum has what it takes to defeat Obama.  I am one who has those doubts. He's come under attack for his less-than-conservative fiscal voting record in the senate.  Some of his statements about women  in combat and woman in the workforce have come back to haunt him.

A few reasons why Santorum should not be chosen as the GOP nominee:

• Falls into the Democratic's trap by arguing unpopular social conservative positions
• Has said women should be banned from military combat
• Voted against 'Right to Work' and does not hold a conservative position on unions
• Supported increases in spending and raising of the debt limit (6 times) while in congress
• Endorsed Arlen Specter who went on to cast the deciding vote to pass Obama-Care
• Voted for ear-mark legislation and still defends his support of ear-marks.
• Lost his last bid for the Senate by a very large margin in 2006
• Does not provide the impassioned rhetoric or inspiration to rally the conservative base

Newt Gingrich

When I found out that Newt Gingrich was running for President, I must admit, I was absolutely giddy.  I've closely followed Gingrich over the years, and always thought he would make an excellent president.  His historic take-over of the U.S. House in the GOP Revolution of 1994 was one of the most exhilarating political victories I've witnessed in my lifetime.  He followed that with unprecedented work to bring to a vote and pass 9 of 10 planks in the Contract with America.  His ability to rally conservatives, remarkable. Stunning victories by the GOP nationwide at the state and local levels were orchestrated by Newt in the 90's.  I watch his passionate speeches routinely to educate myself about our history, government and conservatism.

Here is the short list of reasons why Gingrich is the best choice for the GOP:

• Has successfully governed with Democratic opposition
• Can articulate the conservative message with passion and clarity
• Is a visionary with bold ideas
• Passed Welfare Reform and convinced Clinton to sign it into law
• Is gifted at framing the debate with liberals
• Leads on Energy policy.  Has a plan to bring down the cost of Energy
• Has taken on the main-stream media, calling them out on dishonest journalism practices
• Produced balanced budgets and cut government spending
• Knows how DC politics works and has successfully navigated it.
• Is not beholden to the GOP party establishment
• Knows our religious heritage and is very effective in defending religious liberty
• Has a brilliant mind with a thorough knowledge of history, foreign and domestic policies
• Can deliver impassioned speeches that inspire voters and drive turnout
• Is the most effective debater and will crush Obama in the fall debates
• Is a strong defender of Israel.  Recognizes their sovereignty to defend themselves.
• Supports the 10th amendment, will return healthcare and education decisions to states.
• Can win the argument with Liberals; make the case to the American people.
• Has a very passionate network of grass-roots supporters that includes the Tea-Party

Newt is not a perfect man; he has personal baggage that some voters feel may derail his candidacy in the fall.  But Newt's personal foibles have been vetted again and again.  There is no evidence that Newt's  misdeeds are on-going.  And, when questions about his personal history were raised by John King, the moderator in the South Carolina  debate, GOP voters turned out in large numbers to support Newt and send a message to the mainstream media that voters are not interested in their attempts to personally destroy Newt Gingrich.  Newt has turned his life around and has put himself in the line of fire because he passionately believes America is in crisis and desperately needs his leadership.  I agree with Newt. 

Now is the time to choose.  Review the records of each candidate.  As Ronald Reagan said, "Don't be afraid to see what you see."  It is time to choose the conservative warrior who will go into Washington, D.C. to shake up the system, clean up the mess, and bring back better days for America.  Please join me in this new GOP Revolution.