Much has been said about how well Newt Gingrich would do in televised debates with Barack Obama. However, most of the accolades come from observers in the conservative camp. Moderates and independents who do not share Gingrich’s views are not as impressed by his quick and witty sound bite retorts. The candidate also has more baggage than either Romney or Paul, and I guess we still need to include Santorum.
But the real reason the Republican Party is not behind Gingrich for the nomination is none of the above. The prime reason is the general public doesn’t favor Gingrich over Obama and the Republican Party wants to win.
These polls gathered by The Washington Examiner tell the story. The comparisons between Gingrich and Romney are stark.
Fox News, 1/12-1/14:
Obama, fav/unfav, 51%/46%, +5
Romney, fav/unfav, 45%/38%, +7
Gingrich, fav/unfav, 27%/56%, -29
CBS/NYT, 1/12-1/17:
Obama, fav/unfav, 38%/45%, -7
Romney, fav/unfav, 21%/35%, -14
Gingrich, fav/unfav, 17%/49%, -32
PPP, 1/13-1/17:
Obama, app/dis, 47%/50%, -3
Romney, fav/unfav, 35%/53%, -18
Gingrich, fav/unfav, 26%/60%, -34
RANDOM THOTS 