Gingrich's opinion about the Supreme Court on Face the Nation

Click here for the full episode of Sunday's (12/18/11) Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer
Source: CBS

In the first half of this episode, Newt Gingrich explains to Face the Nation's host Bob Schieffer why the judiciary branch isn't as important as the others and he responds to some comments from his rival Mitt Romney. First, Romney has gotten the support of The Des Moines Register, and Schieffer asked Gingrich how he feels about this. Gingrich responded with something along the lines of him not being worried about it because that is a liberal newspaper, and he is happy with being supported by a conservative newspaper because that clearly shows he is conservative. The next issue that was discussed was the importance of the Supreme Court. Gingrich is the only recent candidate that doesn't think the judiciary branch should have an equal say. He thinks that it's more of a 2 out of 3 system. If the President and Congress agree on something then the Supreme Court doesn't really have a say, and vice versa. Gingrich believes that the Supreme Court shouldn't really set the law of the land, especially in cases like Dred Scott. Lincoln clearly opposed the court's decision and didn't want slavery for the whole country. Another example Gingrich gave was when the 9th Circuit Court didn't want "one nation under God" to be in the Pledge of Allegiance, Gingrich thought it was way too extreme. Gingrich doesn't want to secular-ize the U.S. completely.

I think that Gingrich has a point, but at the same time I don't think a person trying to get nominated should say something so outrageous. The voters might dislike his views because all Americans have been raised knowing that the Supreme Court is very important. It is admirable though that Gingrich has a strong opinion and sticks to it. That is a positive trait, but I don't think he should be the president...

Romney gains South Carolina's support!

Click here for the article, "Mitt Romney tries to build momentum with Nikki Haley endorsement" by Philip Rucker
Source: The Washington Post


Mitt Romney is trying really hard to beat out Newt Gingrich in the polls. He getting there by gaining governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley's endorsement. This is the most critical period for the candidates. Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry toured around Iowa, while Romney visited South Carolina. Gingrich has been eyeing SC for a while and was even in the lead, but with Haley's support Romney might beat out Gingrich. This move shows that Romney if fighting for this nomination. I think this is a very positive thing, and maybe some undecided voters will notice this. Haley said that she's backing up Romney because he's grown a lot politically since 2008, she also added, "He’s no longer a candidate that’s trying to win. He’s already a leader that knows what he wants to do the first day he gets into office.” That statement means a lot if Romney wants to become president! Voters can definitely be influenced by what Gov. Haley said about Romney. Rucker, the author of this article, presents all the information while staying fully neutral which can be very hard sometimes. 


I think that this article talked more about the advertising part of the campaign as opposed to what the candidates will do for the people of the United States. I wish the article talked more about what what Romney's plans if he does get elected.

Is Gingrich Sexist?

Click here for the article, "Opinion: Does Newt Gingrich have a woman problem? With Michele Bachmann, yes" by Melinda Henneberger
Source: The Washington Post

Michele Bachmann and Newt Gingrich got into a heated argument during the last GOP debate. It all started with a comment from Gingrich saying that Bachmann doesn't have her facts straight. When Bachmann defended herself, Gingrich ignored it and mouthed to the audience "Don't pay any attention; she's a little slow." Bachmann doesn't actually have many facts wrong, Rick Perry has many more inaccurate statements, yet Gingrich didn't pick on him. Is this because Bachmann is a woman? Maybe. I think it is, just like when Rick Lazio attacked Hillary Rodham Clinton. Especially since these are Republicans, they are pretty conservative and they might think the traditional role of a president is played by a man. Henneberger tried to keep this article info-packed and objective, but since she is a woman I feel that she took Bachmann's side. At the same time, the author gives a lot of information to back up why Bachmann shouldn't be invaded like this, so it sounds fair.


This entire "woman problem" of Gingrich's may bring his votes down by taking away many votes cast by females. It doesn't help that he's had three wives. During a mock-caucus in a high school classroom, Gingrich didn't receive any votes from the girls. It's not that intense in actual polls, but his female count is lower than other candidates'. Not only women are noticing this, some men congratulated Bachmann on standing up for herself. They said that when Gingrich “...attacks Michele Bachmann, [he] sort of speaks in a different tone and is far more condescending to Michele Bachmann than he is the men on the stage.’’ I didn't know that Gingrich was so hostile towards Bachmann, and I'll definitely take that into consideration when weighing the pros and cons of each candidate. This may sound mean, but hopefully he'll go down in the polls!

Ron Paul: the Next President? Maybe...

Click here for the article, "Ron Paul Draws Big Crowds and Many Undecided Voters in Iowa" by Jason M. Volack
Source: ABC News

Ron Paul has been overlooked, but recently that is changing. Ron Paul isn't the traditional republican, he's a libertarian. He's also a great public speaker according to many students that have heard him speak at several universities and colleges around Iowa. The thing that most attracts people to Ron Paul is that he says it like it is. He doesn't try to win people over by saying what they want to hear. I admire that. The author of this article says that if Paul keeps this kind of fan base up then he might beat Romney out of second place (currently they are tied).


I think the people of America would benefit from a president like Ron Paul. We need someone real. Even though Paul is being criticized for his foreign policy plan, I actually like it. The U.S. needs to stop helping other countries! I'm tired of this country always trying to mediate problems between other countries. I think it's that country's problem to work out, not America's, we are also just a country with our own problems to work out. If I were to participate in the primaries, I would definitely vote for Ron Paul, and even if it ends up being Obama versus Paul, I would also vote for Paul. His views inspire me. I'm sure other people feel this way too, especially young adults. I know a lot of my friends like Ron Paul. But unfortunately, there are a ton of very conservative or very liberal voters that will not vote for Ron Paul.


The author seems to be on Ron Paul's side, as opposed to the other GOP candidates. Volack likes what Paul has to say, and I feel like he wants Paul to win over more people. That is also something that I want.

Ending the war on religion may start other wars...

Click here for the article, "Perry Ad Focuses on Gays and Christianity" by Richard A. Oppel, Jr.
Source: NY Times


Rick Perry's new campaign ad may offend many people, because it definitely has offended me. The opening sentence is, "I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a Christian, but you don’t need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there’s something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school." Does Rick Perry really think this will get him elected? Even though many of the voters in the Iowa caucus are Christian, this view of the war on religion that Perry has is not shared by many other Americans. It's clear that Perry is against Obama when it comes to gay rights and religion, but in my opinion he could be more diplomatic with his words. There are so many homosexuals in the United States, and with this ad Perry lost their vote. Perry also lost votes from people with a view like mine. My view is that even though I am Catholic and I find it weird when people say "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas," I would never compare such a trivial matter to open gays in the military. I am pro-gay rights. I do not want everyone to have this Rick Perry-ized opinion of Christians now, we all don't think like that. Perry later adds that he believes faith will make America strong again, I don't think religion is the problem at all. America is a melting pot of all cultures, races, and religions. Rick Perry can't change everyone's, or even a majority's,  beliefs overnight with his ad.


The author of the article was more for the liberal side, even though the article seems pretty neutral. The more liberal side came out when the author used a quote from R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans' executive director, "Governor Perry is running to be commander-in-chief, not theocrat-in-chief." This statement sums up my thoughts about the ad.


Click here for the controversial ad!