So I ask you, would you pay $2500 to get a picture with Gingrich? Do you think Gingrich is over if he doesn't get anymore money? Do you think Gingrich is already over? Is Santorum the "conservative choice?"
Monday, February 13, 2012
It's not about the money, money, money... but it is.
After promising that he would stay until the end, Newt Gingrich has begun running out of money for his campaign. After a defeat by Romney in Nevada and three states to Santorum, Gingrich is now trying to convince many of his supporters that he still has a chance of winning. His new strategy is to focus all of his energy on "Super Tuesday" saying that that is his time to shine. In the mean time, however, people should pay up. This coming week, Gingrich will be trying to fund raise in California. For $500, you can have breakfast with him. For $2500, you can have a sip of champagne and have 1 picture. Even Rick Perry tried to get some of his wealthy supporters to help Gingrich. I don't know about the rest of you, but I find it ridiculous that people would actually pay absorbent amounts of money to eat a piece of dry steak and soggy salad with a candidate. All you really get in the end is a photo-op to prove to your friends that you actually met said candidate.
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7 comments:
Newt just doesn't know how to quit.
Newt sustained his campaign during its infancy with the help of billionare casino owner Sheldon Adelson. Adelson, who donated $11 million to Gingrich's super PAC (Winning Our Future), has halted any further donations of money to Gingrich's cause. Without Adelson, Gingrich's campaign will quickly sink into oblivion. With Santorum still in the game, Newt does not control the conservative zealots, and thus his campaign strategy of "not being Mitt Romney" is thus far invalid.
Gingrich is in a position much like America was in 1776. Until March 6, he does not need to win nor lead in polls (nor can he). However, he does need to stay relevant until Super Tuesday. Therefore, since almost no one can compete with Romney's funds, any change Gingrich has of rebounding in the polls is minimal. He just needs to last.
And Dustan, I believe you are premature in dismissing the quality of Newt's food. If anyone can make a steak, it's a Republican.
Gingrich keeps saying that the money race isn’t everything, but even though he isn’t completely wrong, money is definably essential in the candidate’s campaign. One of the things that Romney has over Gingrich is the large amount of campaign money. Gingrich will never surpass Romney when it comes to money and it seems like money follows momentum which Gingrich does not have. This is seen by Santorum who raised $3 million in three days after winning the three contests last week. Even with Rick Perry’s help I find that fundraising for Gingrich will be difficult. With only one win (South Carolina) under his belt, Gingrich needs to be the big winner in Super Tuesday so that he can prove his supporters his worth every penny. He isn’t over yet; all he needs is a big win on Super Tuesday to prove that he is competitive enough to stay in the race
Honestly, I find this rather ridiculous as well. Even if Gingrich does raise enough money to continue his campaign through this method (which seems highly unlikely), staging photo shoots for every big spender who comes his way hardly seems like a way to gain support. Looking ahead, if, after some strange turn of events, he did become the Republican presidential candidate, this fund-raising idea could easily be used against him, showing how he gives favors to the wealthy and exploits himself and his image for cash. I doubt he'll win anyone's respect after this, and, as it so often plays out, a loss of respect equals a loss in votes.
While I personally wouldn't pay those amounts of money to have breakfast and/or pictures with Newt Gingrich, I do recognize the political tactics behind these ideas. Selling dinner seats or pictures has definitely been done before by other candidates, and I'm sure there are people who would be more than willing to pay to dine and pose with Gingrich. I don't know if Gingrich's run for the presidency is over yet, but I do believe this strategy will gain him some money.
Newt's popularity tanked as soon as he started saying he agreed with Ron Paul on auditing the fed. Either way, I could care less for Newt. I just can't respect a man who campains by collecting $60,000 per speech and charging $500 for breakfast. Other candidates did meet ups for free.
Newt needs to leave the race already. He lost when he started. Someone who just has an eye for money shouldn't be president in the first place.
It's easy for us liberal teens to dismiss nearly every claim by Gingrich simply because he is Gingrich, but we must keep in mind that he has won the hearts of many - if not the majority - of Republicans; in other words, he is a "people person." Gingrich is traditionally known to be a powerful debater, consistently performing better than his fellow contenders. We can't deny that Gingrich has the experience - and he is certainly using that to the advantage of his public image. Nevertheless, his lack of organization and inability to raise adequate funds for his campaign ultimately point to his demise, and although he may hang around a little longer, it's pretty clear at this point that it's no money, no chance.
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