Desperation

A few weeks ago, my family returned from a road trip.  A major portion of our drive took us through Wyoming.  As we drove along the empty and long stretch of highway, we passed a lowly billboard that caught my attention.  It was an outdated billboard predicting that the last day of the world was "May 21, 2011."  (I'll bet the customer who purchased that billboard wishes now that they hadn't paid for a full year of advertising).  

As I read this morning's headlines and read that Newt Gingrich has declared what he refers to as an "Armageddon-like" media assault on Mitt Romney in South Carolina, I thought of that billboard.  I wondered if Gingrich has lost touch and become desperate in his fight for his cause. Will anyone listen?  Will he be left alone appearing extreme and out-of-touch?

Gingrich told CNN's Piers Morgan, "This is going to be Armageddon--they are going to come in here with everything they've got, every surrogate, every ad, every negative attack.  At the same time, we'll be drawing a sharp contrast between a Georgia Reagan conservative and a Massachusetts moderate..."

Does he really think that attacking Mitt Romney's career and successes at Bain Capital will help his cause?  

Conservatives have long been proponents of free enterprise and capitalism arguing that it is at the heart of what has made America a prosperous nation and world leader.  Conservatives believe that government regulation on businesses stifles growth and limits potential.

Capitalism + Prosperity + The American Dream + The Conservative cause go hand in hand.

Ironically, his efforts have now rallied many conservatives behind none other than, Mitt Romney--conservatives who have otherwise been silent on their support of Romney.   Conservatives like Rush Limbaugh have called these attacks on capitalism "disgusting" and "indefensible." Other conservatives like Rudy Guilliani, Laura Ingram and Sean Hannity--although have not endorsed Romney--have said that these latest attacks are an attack on capitalism itself and are contrary to the principles of the conservative party.

Even rivals Rick Santorum and Jon Huntsman are now saying that the attacks on Bain Capital are disingenuous and only fuel the left.  Santorum said, "It is bad enough for Barack Obama to blame folks in business for causing problems in this country.  It's one other thing for Republicans to join him."

Distinguishing oneself from an opponent is important.  Contrasting experience and differentiating is effective.  But this latest campaign strategy from Newt Gingrich is going too far.  It has become destructive and counterproductive.

He is no longer selling his vision for America.  In the midst of his ads, we have forgotten why we should consider a "Gingrich Presidency." His message has been muddied with what appears to be a bitter hatred for Romney.  It is toxic and I hope it won't work.

Gingrich is no longer a voice for the conservative cause.  He is now a voice piece for Obama's anti-capitalistic rhetoric.  If he keeps this up, Gingrich will find himself all alone with a message that doesn't resonate.  He will be like the owner of that billboard in Wyoming, ignored, with a message that seems extreme and out-of-touch.

One thing is clear, Gingrich will have achieved his "Armageddon," however the only person left standing will be a victorious Barack Obama on November 6th.

America is better than this.  We need a leader who can get America back on the path to prosperity.  We need someone who understands the economy, understands what makes businesses successful and can effectively rally our divided leaders to find compromises to their deeply opposing ideology.  I am sorry to say Mr. Gingrich, but this time around, you are not that leader--Mitt Romney is.

Now more than ever, America needs Mitt Romney.