Conservatives Are Being Played, Perry And Gingrich Are Right
Sometimes the stupidity out here gets too much to take. This is one of those times. What is going on between Gingrich and Romney has nothing to do with a battle for, or over capitalism.
Mitt Romney is depicted as a financier “more ruthless than Wall Street” and a son of privilege responsible for laying off thousands of workers in a 28-minute film bankrolled by supporters of Newt Gingrich set to be released tomorrow in South Carolina.
Romney is not simply a capitalist, what he is is a corporatist. And it's that insulation that would allow him to bankrupt a steel mill, walk away from its pension obligations, pocketing millions and leaving taxpayers on the hook to bail it out. And that's the bullshit he and much of the GOP is selling as capitalism today in defending Romney.
Enter Newt Gingrich, who, duh, already said who (one of) his favorite President(s) was, hellooo??
And what was one of Roosevelt's big accomplishments? It is in that same spirit that Gingrich and Perry are railing against what, at times and in cases, became a form of predatory capitalism fueled by Wall Street speculation. Now here's where it gets complicated.
While in office, Roosevelt became a "trust buster" by forcing the great railroad combination in the Northwest to break apart. As President, Roosevelt saw himself a representative of all the people, including farmers, laborers, white collar workers, and businessmen. Roosevelt therefore was focused on bringing big business under stronger regulation so that he could effectively serve all the people he represented. He sought to regulate, rather than dissolve, most trusts. Efforts continued over the next several years, to reduce the control of "big business" over the U.S. economy and workers. Earlier Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890 to maintain economic liberty, and to eliminate restraints on trade and competition. This act came into play during Roosevelt's trust busting activities.
Simply dismissing Roosevelt as a Progressive in this case doesn't cut it, because Romney, a corporatist, is far more Progressive politically, than Theodore Roosevelt ever was. That doesn't mean I agree with everything Roosevelt did, by the way.
But the GOP establishment – and some useful idiots with no depth of understanding of what's actually going on – are picking up the mantle of it's an attack on capitalism. No it's not. This is as much a discussion about values and priorities, as it is about commerce. Romney didn't build plants, or a manufacturing base. He sold those things off and most of the jobs he created, if many at all – he's lying about that – were part-time, minimum wage jobs without benefits.
Don't believe me, check with Business Insider.
Point being, if you think a Mitt Romney is going to re-set this country back to the age of Roosevelt in terms of conservatism versus progressivism, he's not. What we'll get is simply more contemporary progressive big government. Meanwhile, Newt and Perry are both more Constitutionally grounded than is Romney, in those terms. Hence, they are both the more conservative choice over Romney.
But because parts of the base have been conditioned to respond to buzz words like dog whistles, many are running around spouting nonsense about some manufactured war on capitalism that doesn't even exist. That is total bullshit. And if the GOP thinks that, especially in these times, it can rely on its current corporatist elite to win an election when many a working man is pissed off, if not un-employed, it's crazy.
Todd Palin laid this out in his endorsement of Gingrich. The traditions being debated here – or that should be debated – are far more complex than simply throwing buzzwords like capitalism and Leftist around. And people had better take time to try and understand them if there's going to be a future for anything like conservatism in America. Because if we go the way of corporatist Mitt Romney, we're not going to get anything but more big government and politically progressive decision-making out of Washington, whether we beat Obama, or not.
For the record, Gingrich is the most conservative candidate who can beat Obama, Todd Palin thinks. “Newt is a proven reformer” who’s “not afraid to fight for the working man.” No, he’s not speaking for his wife. And yes, he’s glad she decided not to run.
Dan, thoughtful post. Curious what your response to the argument that venture capitalists typically go after risky investments, often companies that are already in trouble and would have lost everything anyhow? At worst they keep people in jobs longer than they would have in the first place.
There is a mixed bag there, NB. I’m not suggesting every transaction Bain undertook was destructive but they do appear to have engaged in a fair amount of what might be called “corporate raiding.” Most troubling of all for me was their willingness to leave taxpayers on the hook for some obligations, while insulating and pocketing their own profits. That’s corporate greed, not ethical capitalism.
Great post. I’m definitely not a Romney fan, but I’d like to hear the answer to Neocon Blonde’s question too.
And, if we do unfortunately end up with Romney, how do we then get him elected? Because even he would be better than Obama.
You mean when Newt endorsed Dede Scozzafava? Or when Newt was cuddling with Nancy Pelosi on that couch? Or when Newt suggested cap and trade was a good idea? Or when Newt denounced Paul Ryan? I could go on.
I am not thrilled with Mitt. I worry about him in the general. I worry about his conservative commitment. But Newt’s collapse over the last few weeks was not just magical bad luck. Newt reminded people what a dick he is. Newt has to take some responsibility for voters rejecting him.
If he can pull it around and show he is a better man than Romney, I suppose he could win. But his performance in NH sucked and if he keeps this up he won’t make it to Florida.
I’m a Perry fan so I’m not the one to defend Newt on those accounts, EBL.
I wish Perry the best and wish he caught fire. I like the guy. He is smart enough to have the common sense to do the right thing. Mitt is probably smarter than Newt, but the two of them lack common sense (although Mitt at least seems more personally disciplined than Newt). Since Perry seems pretty much out of it, the only hope left is Santorum. I doubt Santorum can beat Romney, but the longer he is in the race, the better it is for conservative positions. That is not much hope, but unfortunately that is where we are right now.
But for a cheer up, here is Debbie Wasserman Schultz on the outcomes today: http://evilbloggerlady.blogspot.com/2012/01/dnc-chair-debbie-wasserman-schultz.html
“Anti capitalist” or “against the free market” is the same as hysterically babbling RACIST! or SEXIST! or DaSTUPID!
Romney has seen what works, his followers recognize what works, and they are doing what works.
Cut off debate, b(u)y any means necessary.
Since Newt did his damage against the Democrats soooo long ago (in America’s collective mind) now he is, naturally, a terrorist/socialist.
“TITLE : Nuking Newt
SOURCE: National Review v46 D 31 ’94
The magazine publisher is the copyright holder of this article and it is reproduced with permission . Further reproduction of this article in violation of the copyright is prohibited .
NEW YORK, DECEMBER 1
At a recent gathering of my peers, no small achievement, one observer volunteered that he had never, “including Nixon,” seen so concentrated a battery of derogation as has been fired in the past three weeks on Newt Gingrich.”
I cannot believe we’re even having this conversation. Did I inadvertently hit the wrong key and end up on the Huffington Post? We have cities like Detroit left desolate by Democrat “corporate looters” posing as politicians, we have people paying the Federal Government from the time they get up in the morning and take a piss till the time they turn their expensive new mandated lightbulbs off and go to sleep, only to wake up a few hours later to discover their kids and grandchildren owe even more money than they did when they went to sleep. I now realize that some on the right have caught a form of “Bush syndrome” and “Palin syndrome”. Unlike the other two syndromes which cause the infected person to relentlessly attack from their own established beliefs regardless of the circumstances this new strain called “Romney syndrome” causes normally prudent and thinking conservative people to actually lose their common sense and adopt ideas from the Left only when dealing with Romney, not other candidates.
I just saw Perry on Hannity (I missed it earlier). Damn, Perry sounds like a good Democrat. I get he is on the ropes, but pandering for votes in SC with this trash talk is not going to turn things around. He comes off desperate. Perry is damaging himself with this stuff. There is plenty to trash Mitt without stooping to argue like a Democrat.
Maybe more people will vote for the “not Romneys” when the “not Romneys” get serious about pointing out what’s wrong with Romney.
“Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, and Jon Huntsman have all followed suit, bashing Romney’s venture-capitalist past at Bain Capital with Occupy Wall Street-style zeal” http://michellemalkin.com/2012/01/10/romney-and-mccain-the-gop-frenemies-club/
Michelle Malkin is 100% right.
There is a right way and wrong way to attack Romney. Her piece is scathing about Mitt Romney, but she has nothing but contempt for Gingrich, Perry and Huntsman. Michelle Malkin shows the right way. Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, and Jon Huntsman show the wrong way.
Jim DeMint is predicting that Romney is going to win SC. It’s over. I don’t like it; I’m depressed. But in Nov, I will “lie back and think of England” and vote for Mittens; just to stop Obama.
America as you thought you knew it and thought it could be, died on Nov 4, 2008. After the historic 2010 election, today’s Republican power brokers said eff you very much to the Tea Party. They said we don’t really want to rein in Obama. After he’s done growing an even bigger gov’t, we’ll get our turn having all that power and all that money to dole out, so get lost conservatives. And, we’re going to keep nominating the next guy in line.
Nothing has changed because they won’t let it. The political class is completely corrupt and too many Americans are still asleep.
I will vote Republican. I am sad for my country and fear for my children’s future. We will only be screwed more slowly. But I will not stay home on the day our first Marxist, America hating, POS president stands to be re-elected.
Newt Gingrich did say, many times, that Roosevelt was his favorite president of the 20th century, but he didn’t say Theodore.
It was the OTHER Roosevelt, FDR, who Gingrich preferred over Reagan, Theodore, etc.
http://nation.foxnews.com/newt-gingrich/2011/12/13/newt-fdr-greatest-president-20th-century
May I suggest reloading and working on your marksmanship.
It is over.
Not that it matters much in one sense what a politician says in a political speech but I think we should all listen to Romney’s speech after the NH victory. If that’s a “RINO” that has every intention of betraying us conservatives he sure is putting his ass out on the line on everything. This was no George H.W. Bush “read my lips” speech. Democrats say anthing to get elected but we hold our candidates to their promises and if they don’t deliver we kick them out and mock them. That is the Romney that many conservatives in Massachusetts saw behind the iron curtain of liberal politicians that stopped him at every turn. He’s a man unleashed from the bonds that restrict him in trying to win elections. He truly believes he’s going to be the nominee and he’ll get better every day. Wait and see. That guy is another Reagan waiting for his chance once and for all.
The election is fixed. And the establishment gop is proud of it.
New b.s. same as the old b.s.
Wake up stooges.
Mitt Romney is no Ronald Reagan. He is one of these RINO’s. It is going to be race for Romney to lose in November. Romney doesn’t know how to fix and turn the economy around. He is just like another former Pres. George HW Bush and he will raise high taxes to put Americans out of work. Also, Romney is not for abortion and he is for the gays in the military. Romney has told many lies about the issues what he stand for. Gingrich and Perry were right about Romney and Bain Captial. Romney need to do some more explaining about his work at Bain Captial in Boston. The company has put other companies out of work like KB Toys. I have a friend used to work for KB Toys and he lost his job in Maryland when he was transferred from NC in 2001. KB Toys went out of business a year ago. Romney still will not release his income tax. We need a Republican President who is “pro-life” to live in the White House. Not Romney! I have watch Ron Paul’s speech last night and he is right about our freedom and the US Constitution.
Newt says he is a Theodore Roosevelt Republican several times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5l2xpwyJbE
Agreed in full, Newt is just throwing cold water on the job creation claims (more pious baloney lol)
Job creation for the better good was hardly a priority for Bain… compare that to Ronald Reagan’s
principled desire to bring better to all through the fruits of freedom, fair play, and opportunity.
Luntz was talking about this with Hannity last night. Capitalism was a term of derision invented by the communists. What we should be defending, and which has better numbers according to Luntz, is the term Free Markets. With that in mind, did Romney’s investing further the cause of free markets or was it corporate raiding/looting.
Politics is about language and we lose if we defend a system which the majority of people consider corrupted.
And what, pray tell, business experience does Newt have? He’s spent his life being a teacher, serving in Congress, then writing books and being a pundit. What Romney was involved in was a bit more complicated than simply buying failing companies and shuttering them after pulling a big profit. Bain provided capital investment for many companies that became huge successes, such as Staples. Some failed. They also took a stake in risky businesses in an attempt to get them going, and that didn’t always work out.
Newt’s background is to use taxpayer money to back companies in a politically motivated manner, such as with ethanol subsidies. The money for his Romney attack ads comes from a billionaire who made his money in the casino business. Casinos seem rather predatory, do they not? The house always wins.
Dan:
I gotta say, I’m impressed. You’re making what I think is a doomed argument on your side of the aisle, but it’s a good one.
FYI, if you need ammo, this goes to Perry more than Gingrich, but I think it’s true.
Perry’s populism actually draws on a very long (like over 100 years) tradition of Texas populism. One of the big reasons Texas didn’t get hammered in the housing crash is anti-corporatist/banking STATE legislation going back to the left-populist days of the Great Depression, and earlier. It might be a little uncomfortable for him to say “Back in our left-wing days, Texas passed some banking laws that helped us in the financial crisis, but I’m glad we did!” but that’s in effect what he (and you) are arguing.
Bill C, how do you feel about Luntz being caught on tape bashing Michele Bachmann, referring to her as Glenn Close of Fatal Attraction, and saying that Rick Perry was G. W. Bush without the intellect? When he realized he was being recorded, he got all pissy with the guy recording him and told the guy “you and your suit need to leave.” and that he was having a “private” conversation, which was in the lobby of a public building, no less.
Or maybe you don’t realize that Luntz was the guy the Republicans hired to held sell Freddie and Fannie to the American public when the Bush administration was trying to get them audited? Yeah, Luntz works for the good of the nation, right?
Part of the corruption of our free markets has been the transfer of risk, while privatizing profit. Fannie Freddie made bad loans, and transferred the risk of junk loans via bundling them into AAA bonds.
Big banks transferred risk via bailouts. Goldman Sachs transferred risk to clients by selling housing loans that they were shorting. Most of this deception is fraudulent.
Bain seemed to transfer risk to the company, while taking huge fees. They leveraged up and either won on fees, even if they broke the company in the process.
Even for troubled companies heading for bankruptcy, it appears Bain was able to strip out assets and leave other creditors short. So in those cases, MAYBE the jobs would have been lost anyway, but the initial investors (risk takers) would have gotten more of their capital back in the bankruptcy.
“Corporate raiders” were looking for asset rich companies to mine, more than save. And they play “hard ball”, probably meaning bribing (in some form) the decision making fiduciaries to act in their own interest, against the interest of bond holders or employees.
There is more to it than “they would have failed anyway … Mitt was just trying to help”.
“Bill C, how do you feel about Luntz being caught on tape bashing Michele Bachmann, referring to her as Glenn Close of Fatal Attraction, and saying that Rick Perry was G. W. Bush without the intellect? When he realized he was being recorded, he got all pissy with the guy recording him and told the guy “you and your suit need to leave.” and that he was having a “private” conversation, which was in the lobby of a public building, no less.
Or maybe you don’t realize that Luntz was the guy the Republicans hired to held sell Freddie and Fannie to the American public when the Bush administration was trying to get them audited? Yeah, Luntz works for the good of the nation, right?”
Zane, I don’t think Luntz works for the good of the nation but I do think his polling/surveys are very good and they get to what the public is thinking about a particular topic. BTW, Bachmann came across as nuts. Perry has done nothing to dispel the notion he is not smart. Those are images that have, for better or worse, have stuck to the candidates.
Dan, I could not agree more. Many of the comments illustrate your point about useful idiots not taking time and effort to think this one through. That must be done to pierce the veils of ignorance and fear that hide the various facts in our current situation. It’s not being done. Malkin’s not doing it. There is a corporatist/elitist element of the republican party that hides behind capitalist and conservative rhetoric to do really nasty, harmful and even malicious things to individuals, groups and the nation herself. Hyper-selfish, beyond arrogant even. They are the republican counterpart of the democratic left/progressive. The latter want power and sex, the former want money and seclusion. Neither wants to serve the nation or her citizens and lands. Thank you for shining light on this situation!
Dammit. I hate to agree with you. I really do. But when you’re right, you’re right, Dan. Great post.
I’m not familiar enough with the history of Bain Capital to point to any specific abuses. I do generally agree with your description of the warped version of capitalism which dominates America. We’re getting close to a fascist collusion of the largest corporations and financiers with the government.
Still who should be making the clear distinction between free market capitalism and corporatism if not the “conservative” candidates attacking the corporatists? The fact is Dan you’re making excuses for Newt and Perry that they don’t make themselves. Perry doubled down and Newt back peddles a bit but neither clarify the point you and I agree on. Why do you think they agree with us if they’re incapable of explaining themselves?
I see this episode as pure populist pandering. With all Newt’s criticisms of the OWS crowd he could have taken a moment to point out the very real thievery that inspired the movement. Not a word. The rotten collusion of the corporatists was below Newt’s & Perry’s radar until they got desperate about taking down Mitt. They’re dead to me. If one of them insists on the arrest of the financiers and regulators who have colluded to rob the American taxpayer then I’ll maybe buy your story. Until then I think you’re the one “being played”. Your aversion to the wretched Romney is causing you to see virtue that doesn’t exist in Newt & Rick’s attacks.
Philippe: Youre right. Well see whos going to be fonetrunnrr. I wish Palin was in, but dont know.Thanks for commenting!