Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Newt says Trump is in a Slump

USA Today:  "Let me just say flatly, I am totally for John McCain, who is a great war hero and a terrific human being, who has worked very hard for veterans. And I’m totally for Paul Ryan, who is the heart of the House Republican Party and probably the most problem-solving leader we’ve had in the Congress on the Republican side in the last 20 years," Gingrich said in an interview with Fox Business Network Wednesday. "So I think somewhat what Trump has done is just very self-destructive."

Gingrich said Trump’s behavior needs to shift to that of a general election candidate.

"Trump is still behaving like as though it was the primaries and there were 17 candidates. He has not made the transition to being the potential president of the United States, which is a much tougher league," the former House speaker said.

But Gingrich doesn’t think this week will put the nail in the coffin for Trump. Rather, he likened it to a slump once experienced by legendary NFL quarterback Joe Montana.

Gingrich said Montana had a “stretch during his career where he kept throwing interceptions; and for about half a season, it looked like he wasn’t Joe Montana anymore. And then he figured out what he was doing, and he changed. Trump, Trump is in that kind of a slump.”

"He's thrown a series of interceptions in the last week that really do not bode well for the campaign," Gingrich continued.

58 comments:

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...


I did find it amusing that Trump mirrored back Paul Ryan's own prior words on the non-endorsement.

Ryan did, however, eventually come around and endorse. So while amusing, Trump has bigger issues to deal with right now.

Chip Ahoy said...

Pffft.

Everybody, EVERYBODY has a prescription and proscription for Trump. Everyone.

When they're not telling him what he must do, what he must not do, they're biting at his ankles like barkity-ass Chihuahuas, a word impossible to spell without competent help.

Does he have to fundamentally change?
Is his continuing this way unconscionable?
Is this your presentiment?
Does Trump continuing this way cause antipathy?
Will concentrating on primaries and not being distracted show conscientiousness?
Is not heeding this advice dysfunctional?
Should this change in Trump's approach be candid?
Will it be a real challenge?
Will any of this do anything about eliminating good-time in prison
What will be the incentive of this initiative?
How will efforts be mobilized?
Are you passionate about this?
And finally, does it really show vision?
Should all this be done actively?
Is the Trump approach too permissive?

ricpic said...

Another Republican falling all over himself to do Hillary's bidding.

edutcher said...

I am totally for John McCain, who is a great war hero and a terrific human being, who has worked very hard for veterans. And I’m totally for Paul Ryan, who is the heart of the House Republican Party and probably the most problem-solving leader we’ve had in the Congress on the Republican side in the last 20 years

Why Newt was not picked.

Somebody also resurrected that pic of him sitting on a sofa with Pelosi.

AllenS said...

If McCain has worked so hard for veterans, why is the Veterans Administration such a fucking mess?

edutcher said...

Diana West begs to differ, DNC put a Sharia supremacist center stage.

Chip Ahoy said...

Looking at all these dude with Trump on the golf course, I just now noticed, why do some people have such long golf clubs?

In skiing the people with short skis (170s) cut punk moguls. They're impossible for long skis and so must be somewhat ignored, that is, skied no matter where or how the edge slices, just cut through them or by them or nick them whatever, go over them, but it's impossible to follow them.

In golf I imagine that puts the ball well in front of the person. Or their poor little T-Rex arms haven't sufficient leverage for a proper powerful stroke. They use long clubs for leverage that a strong golfer doesn't need. That is my guess.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

Okay, the reminder of Newt and Nancy on that sofa just made me throw up a little in my mouth.

Yeah, lots of people who want to see Trump beat Hillary have advice for him on how to do it. Granted, much of this advice is probably worthless.

But Chip and Ed, would you agree things on Team Trump could be better? I do not want to see Trump turn into a John McCain or Mitt Romney, that is a guarantee loss and would be boring as hell to boot. But I am not sure he can win with how he he's handling the general election. It is a different dynamic. And he does have a media that has turned markedly more hostile now that he is the nominee (well all knew that would happen).

Unlike the #NeverTrump critics and Hillary Followers, I suspect Trump is very quick study on what works with the media. The Joe Montana analogy in a general sense is probably fitting (although isn't Tom Brady still friends with Trump). Or maybe he could be like Russell Wilson, who can run to get out of trouble when the O line falls apart.

The Dude said...

Newt, Toady, whatevs...

edutcher said...

AllenS said...

If McCain has worked so hard for veterans, why is the Veterans Administration such a fucking mess?

Because that would have meant slapping the hand of his friends across the aisle in the Democrat party.

I don't have to tell you that Junior was the first to jump on the bandwagon when his pal, Senator Lurch, whose Vietnam experience is seared, seared into him, engineered a deal so a relative could open a branch of one of the New York banks in 'Nam in exchange for closing down any ongoing search for POWs. Along with several other laws Junior was instrumental in enacting to hush up any info about POWs.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

"I like Paul... [but} I’m just not quite there yet."

edutcher said...

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

But Chip and Ed, would you agree things on Team Trump could be better?

Any operation can be improved, but a lot of the "advice" seems to be concerned with keeping the media happy.

Being cautious is not what's going to win this. recognizing a threat just might.

YMMV

ricpic said...

I used to play golf and in my experience the driver was much much harder to control than, say, a three wood. And it was all a matter of the length of the driver. Not really an issue for a 6 footer but for us shrimps much much better to stick to the #2 or #3 woods or even the #1 iron for distance and control. What's the good of an extra 50 yards if the giant hook or slice at the end puts you in the deep rough?

Trooper York said...

Paul Ryan is just getting back what he gave. His endorsement was half hearted at best and he continually tries to undermine Trump every chance he gets.

Paul Ryan and John McCain are the problem. Not just Hillary. Newt doesn't get that. That's why he was passed over. So he is pissed just like Fatty Arbuckle. This is Newts passive aggressive way to get back at him.

It is all bullshit. Events will drive this election. As ed has pointed out almost all of them will be in Trumps favor. A terrorist attack by a refugee. A crime spree by a Black Lives Matters savage. More assassinations of cops. A continuing downturn in the economy. More leaked emails. They are all sure to happen before the election.

You know what would be just about the only thing that could help Hillary. A brave Muslim American ratting out or attacking a terrorist to save American lives. What's that you say? That's never happened? Ok then.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Everybody, EVERYBODY has a prescription and proscription for Trump. Everyone.

Running for president has been done a certain way for, don't know, hundreds of years. How do we know there is no other way until some one tries?

GOP is so timid, that's why people gravitated to Trump to begin with.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Not to mention how the gig of running a campaign, should Trump win, could be reinvented, leaving a bunch of know it all experts in the lurch.

ricpic said...

"GOP is so timid..."

BINGO!

Sometimes I almost give up on Lem and then he goes and says something pithy. No, not pissy, PITHY!

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

ed, do not think I want Trump to lay back on the media. I want him to kick them in the balls, except most of them don't have balls, because they are duplicitous palace eunuchs. But I want to see him kick away at the media and Hillary (who may have Bill's balls now).

And Troop is right about Newt.

And while I find Trump tweaking Ryan to be funny, the proof of whether all of this works or not will be in November. So long as Crooked Clinton crashes.

ndspinelli said...

Yes events should be a big factor in determining the winner. But, if you're distracted you miss the opportunity to capitalize. The MSM want this ransom shit to go away. It will if Trump doesn't get smart and stop chasing squirrels.

ndspinelli said...

There was a special prosecutor in Iran/Contra. It won't happen but that's what should be said by Trump and ALL Republicans. That guy Cotton seems to understand this.

ndspinelli said...

Obama just commuted the sentence of 214 inmates. LAW AND ORDER. HAMMER Obama on this. Obama has commuted and pardoned more Federal prisoners than Carter to W COMBINED!! Hire people to track down ALL these prisoners Obama has pardoned. You know they have raped, killed, etc. since their release. Willie Horton Obama/Hillary/Holder/Lynch.

ndspinelli said...

214 commutations in one day is a record.

edutcher said...

Lem said...

Not to mention how the gig of running a campaign, should Trump win, could be reinvented, leaving a bunch of know it all experts in the lurch.

You just nailed it big time. Hillary has outspent Trump 15 - 1 and she's still basically even.

If Trump wins, the old way of campaign war chests and consultants and TV ad buys and acres of hangers on goes the way of half hour black & white private eye shows.

He and the firm of Manafort, Lewandowski, Scavino, Stone, & Ivanka (clothing optional) will have reinvented politics in ways we can't even imagine once the wonks start chewing the data.

This will put the big party donors out of business.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

I want him to kick them in the balls, except most of them don't have balls

There's an art to it, to be sure. Knowing when you've made the point and going on to something else, making telling points, hitting bread & butter issues, always keeping the enemy on the defensive.

April, as an example, doesn't get that; she wants screeching invective castigating their very being. That rarely sells. People have to be told why it's in their interest to be rid of these people if they haven't already made up their minds.

Sometimes you really do need the light touch. Get them laughing at them can do more good than anything else.

ndspinelli said...

Bubba is the alpha of the group

Alphas don't need to rape women. The women want to fall into their arms.

PS I see where Pissy wants McConnell and Ryan to join him in something like the old Republicans for Johnson thing back in '64. If they do it, their lives in politics are over.

bagoh20 said...

We're screwed.

ndspinelli said...

ed, You are ruled by emotion and allow emotion to influence everything you say. Breathe..breathe. Bubba is the alpha in that photo. I hate Bubba. Alpha's are sometimes sociopaths like Bubba. Should I track down your girlfriend for you? I don't want to butt heads w/ you my man. Breathe!

edutcher said...

No, he's not. Willie, if you think about him, is rather pathetic.

Patrick said...

Basically even? You must have missed they later poll from Fox.

Fixed, huh?

Trooper York said...

The polls do not take into account the Johnson or Stein factor. They present a binary choice which is not the true choice. I think a lot of people hate either Trump or Clinton and don't want to vote for either. So they will "protest" vote for Johnson or Stein. The Bernie bros and the Nevertrumpers. I just think they will take a lot more votes from Hillary than from Trump.

William said...

Trump is a rank amateur. He says stupid things. Yet there he is, atop the pile. Did he achieve success in spite of or because of the stupid things he says?.........He gets lots of unsolicited advice from the pros. His very existence must drive them crazy........I remember reading a P.G. Wodehouse story about an industrialist who took up golf. He didn't know there was a risk of slicing and hooking and the perils of downhill lies. He broke par the first time out and pronounced the game boring and rather silly. The other golfers hated, truly hated him.......I would be more comfortable with either Pence or even Kaine in the Oval Office, but there's Trump, the only remaining impediment to Hillary's achievement of world domination.

edutcher said...

Patrick said...

Basically even? You must have missed they later poll from Fox.

Fixed, huh?


The Fox poll is always a joke.

Take a look at the LA Times poll, hotshot. Frightening.

Who's right?

Maybe they're all lying. Now there's a scary thought. No bandwagon effect. No battlespace prep.

Nothing to do but wait till November. In any case, all the Whigs got winnowed out, so we understand your sour grapes.

edutcher said...

William, as I said to Lem, a Trump victory means literally thousands of people will have to find real work and all those donors won't have the juice the love so much.

edutcher said...

We've hit this before, but I want to hear Patrick say it means nothing.

Trump rally - 8000, Hildabeast wake - 200.

Methadras said...

More demoralization news coming out of the MSM and trickling to the talking head mouth pieces from both sides for dissemination. When are people going to stop falling for it?

rcocean said...

Trump owes Ryan and McCain jack shit. Both these guys should have done what is normal for a Republican office holder, you swallow your doubts, you put on your team blazer, and you support "our guy".

But neither of these jack asses could do it. Because their REAL team is TEAM DC.

So Trump played it exactly right. He's not a loser like Gingrich, who'll lick anyone's Dick if it gets him somewhere.

rcocean said...

"It is all bullshit. Events will drive this election."

Look, I never thought trump would get this far. I never thought the same party that nominated Romney, Dole and McCain would have the brains or the guts to go with trump.

And I still think the USA is stuck on stupid and will vote for Hillary. There are too many dumb asses who think "wow, I'm doing OK RIGHT NOW, so why change?" These kind of people can't see past tomorrow, let alone 2 or 4 years down the road. Throw in the well-to-do, "I've got mine Jack, screw you" types and Yellow Dog Democrats and I don't think Trump has a chance.

But I've been wrong before about trump.

Patrick said...

Remember all the massive crowds Romney had the week before the election? People standing in parking lots, tons of excitement. Meant nothing.

Look, I think Trump would do a barely better job than Clinton. I'll probably vote for him, although that's by no means settled. But this Trump Can Do No Wrong B.S. is ridiculous, and cult like. Its very off putting except to those already decided in favor of Trump. No one sane wants to be associated with a cult or anything remotely like it. You need to read being Breitbart. Include it in your reading, but if you limit yourself to they and Drudge, you're going to be very surprised at how much Trump's antics about the people he needs to convince.

Plus,I know you guys aren't conservatives, but it would be nice, just for once to hear Trump say anything about a limited government.

And, Trump I'd not going to build a wall, even if he is elected.

Trooper York said...

Trump is not Joe Montana.

He is Conrad Dobler.

Trooper York said...

We are not conservatives of the Paul Ryan variety. Who want limited government as long as it services his masters.

We are nationalists. Who want America First. Last. Always.

Patrick said...

Ugh, phone. Read beyond Breitbart, Trumps antics annoy...

Patrick said...

The one True Trump. Who is at least as full of it as Ryan. Easy to be A back bencher, bitching about those who deviate from the one true faith.

edutcher said...

Patrick said...

Remember all the massive crowds Romney had the week before the election? People standing in parking lots, tons of excitement. Meant nothing.

No, it meant your boy, Pissy, had to crank up the vote fraud machine to win, and it was the only way he could win.

Trumps antics annoy...

Only people who haven't got the guts to fight back.

Trooper York said...

Trump is not Joe Montana.

He is Conrad Dobler.


The meanest man in professional football. Interesting insight.

We are not conservatives of the Paul Ryan variety.

At this point, Ryan is no Conservative of no variety.

It's like the 60s when the Demos went hard Left, but kept calling themselves Liberal.

Hell, the last Liberal in this country was Hubert Humphrey and he list in '68.

Patrick said...

Who is "Pissy?"

edutcher said...

You're a bright boy. Think about it.

ndspinelli said...

Has April gone transgender and now Patrick? When ed uses "Choom or Pissy" he means Obama, Patrick. The "One True Ted" is Cruz. You can't tell the players w/o a program.

rcocean said...

"Has April gone transgender and now Patrick?"

Could be. Trump derangement syndrome does that.

edutcher said...

Not hard if you think about it.

Patrick said...

For Christ sakes, Nick I've been posting as Patrick for years. Almost always the same avatars. Here and Althouse, though less often in recent years.

Yeah, I did figure out that Pissy is Obama. I'd live for ed to show me any comment I've ever made any where that would less a rational person to believe Obama is "my guy." What is it, I think Trump is running a dumb campaign by taking his eye off the the ball, so I'm with Obama?

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

Patrick, I find it frustrating too when if I say any criticism, it eventually gets twisted into #NeverTrump BS. Trump has a gift and a curse and the trick will be making the gift give enough so he out votes Hillary (who sucks but has the media and a corrupt vote gathering system to help back her). So Trump really can't afford to be making the mistakes he is making.

Guildofcannonballs said...

"and probably the most problem-solving leader we’ve had in the Congress on the Republican side in the last 20 years"

When you define the problem as "funding the Left's agenda so as to not get crucified in the press after the starving-youngster photos are looped/cycled until post-brainwash doubt fades" Ryan has been terrific.

If the problem is regulation discrimination, selective enforcement by bureaucrats with a guilty mind intending war by other means, for now, denial of liberty, trillions in wasted welfare debt helping only cronies, forced anti-Republican propaganda in schools and media and entertainment, mitigating effective military leaders, and abusing the purse power like Bill a Lolita girl, well the only problem is YOU (alone freak) think there is a problem.

edutcher said...

The NeverTrumpers can't take it when the carping comes back on them.

PS Looks like the Demos are getting a little concerned about Trump being willing to contest what might turn out to be a stolen election.

Best news they could give me. One reason I gravitated to trump is, if the election was stolen like last time, he wouldn't be a "gentleman" about it.

Patrick said...

Exactly. I guess the betas are sensitive and protective of their alpha! (I kid, I kid!). Seriously, though, there are a lot of us who are not "never trump" who can be convinced to vote for him. I understand some people think Trump is no better than HRC, but it is on him to convince them he is better. This crap he's doing distracts from his message, or what should be his message: HRC is corrupt, has poor judgment and no record of accomplishment. All the time he spends whining about attacks from people like Khan our Cruz distract and make him look thin skinned. He was close to even when he focused on HRC. He lost focus and is getting beaten badly.

ndspinelli said...

Patrick, I was being sarcastic about you being April. She is the one that butts heads w/ edutcher and has been gone of late. And to answer your question. Yes, in ed's mind, if you do anything but genuflect in front of Trump, then you're w/ Pissy. Ed is willing to give you some Koolaid to help you w/ your doubts.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

ed, granted it has been one bad week, and a lot can happen between now an November (the Clinton Eastwood endorsement is good news) and as you noted continued bad news just undermines the legacy of Obama (and Clinton), but Trump cannot afford more cycles like this.

Ed,wouldn't your time be better spent trying to encourage people to support Trump rather than acting as a mini blogger Never Trumper inquisition.

edutcher said...

Are you serious?

This is nothing. Stuff like this happens all the time in campaigns. A lot of people won't even begin to make up their minds until the debates (if there are any).

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

Ed,wouldn't your time be better spent trying to encourage people to support Trump rather than acting as a mini blogger Never Trumper inquisition.

Inquisition?

How do you react when somebody does more than disagree with you? And that's really all I do. You take the media way too much to heart and you want Trump not to get them mad. Can't happen if he's going to win.

Besides, didn't I give your blogroll a shout out?

Patrick said...

Got it, Nick. I know April dislikes Trump. I read this blog a lot, but don't comment much, and somehow missed the "Pissy" moniker for the Prez. I have to admit, it's pretty apt more often than not.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

How do you react when somebody does more than disagree with you? And that's really all I do. You take the media way too much to heart and you want Trump not to get them mad. Can't happen if he's going to win.

I did not realize you were actually Corey Lewandowski. Bravo.

Trump is NOT winning this week. I will give you that the debates will be critical, but Trump should not underestimate Crooked Hillary in the debates (especially since those moderators will be probably 100% trying to help her). He can't afford to not win this battle for the 'undecided" voters in these swing states. Plus remember that advice from Hugh Hewitt for republicans fighting democrats, you have to win big enough so they can't cheat.

And you need to work on reading comprehension and stop misrepresenting what I have said. I never said Trump shouldn't get mad. You misrepresent me and a lot of other commentators all the time. Why do you constantly do that? Seriously, do you think that helps your position? What I have said is Trump needs to focus his attacks on Crooked Hillary and her Crooked Media Cronies. Of course he should get mad. What he shouldn't do is waste time punching down.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

And ed,

Do not assume that if I mention bad news about Trump I am in panic about his chances.

I am being realistic, not panicked. I know Trump can still win this thing, but I am concerned if he keeps going as he is going he might not. You apparently (I do not want to put words in your mouth) think he is on the right track and the current course will bring him victory. If that is your position, I disagree.

Rush was interesting this morning. He is amazed on how the entire Washington establishment (Dem, Republican, Media, Consultant Class) are all focused on Trump and trying to destroy him now. It is pretty amazing this Tsunami of criticism (to borrow one of those Japanese words) directed on Trump.

I suspect Trump will survive it and the race will continue on. I still think what Trump needs to do is blast back at Hillary and the Media primarily. Trump needs to stay on message, keep on the attack and put them on the defensive.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

ed, I know you have been critical in the past about Reynolds, but now you can add Green to your list.