Gut Check's Fantasy Politics: Newt Gingrich vs. Barack Obama
One year ago this week, Newt Gingrich won the South Carolina primary, blunting Mitt Romney's momentum and challenging the Palmetto State's perfect, modern day prediction of picking the GOP nominee.
When we arrived in South Carolina for the key CNN debate, we fully expected Texas Gov. Rick Perry to take the stage. We and everyone else was wrong and it capped off an intense 24 hours of political upheaval that resulted in a narrowing of the GOP field, symbolized by the removal Perry's podium from the debate set.
We were also greeted by proud South Carolinians holding banners declaring: "We pick presidents" - a nod to their track record at anointing the chosen one.
So, in fantasy politics tradition, let's say South Carolina got it right. That Gingrich's momentum after an influx of money and strong debate performances translated into him securing the GOP nomination.
Could Gingrich have defeated President Barack Obama? Would the former House speaker have been able to do better than Romney in making inroads among growing demographics?
Share your thoughts in the comments and we will use the best in today's Political Gut Check. You can also share via email (gutcheck@cnn.com), on Facebook or on Twitter (@GutCheckCNN).
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Newt would not have been able to restrain himself. His hyperbolic insults would have sunk the good ship Gingrich.
Gods plan is perfect! No need to guess!
He characterized himself as "Cheerful" and so he would maintain that for sure as I have never seen him venomous in his claims anywhere. Must have missed it if in case he did show that.
Newt gringrich you have your hands full when it come to obama, an put your mouth where your money is.you old bag of white ants. Obama is black an your are white colors colors. You cant touch obama
Name. American
The most ultimate comment I have ever read. There is no need to post any other comments lest to pay homage to God and Name. American.
Newt was absolutely the "statesman" in the Republican field. With a checkered past in his political and married life, he was shot down by the extremists, who didn't accept his behavior in his personal life. That is how radical the party has become. The country accepts someone like Clinton, who was having affairs inside the oval office itself, and rejects Gingrich, for leaving his first marriage, and seeking another.
Gingrich would have made mince meat out of Obama in debate. He is an extremely sharp and capable person. He is also a moderate, and would have done the right thing for the country.
Would he have won? No ones knows.......as it is clear the voters voted for Obama just so that the country could not say "he failed", and for no other reason, than they did not want their "black President" to be a failure. It was strictly "political correctness", and nothing else.
Newt is like an empty suit that could have not been able to save the Republicans. He has the political experience but doesn't know how to use it to his advantage. He failed to recognize his position in life and stay above the party politics and say or do the right thing for the country. Country first Newt.
I don't think that Gingrich could moblize enough people for him to get elected. That was one of the advantages that Obama had in 2012. He didn't have to fight a primary and waste money fighting others in his party. Besides, with the problems that he has had in the past. There would people who wouldn't vote for Gingrich, but would vote for some other conservative or other party instead.