Newt Gingrich disqualified

[Zostrianos]

Some good news in the US elections (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16328178): Newt Gingrich, the most rabidly far-right and fanatical of the republican candidates (who called for Julian Assange to be assassinated), has been disqualified from the primary presidential ballot, after failing to submit enough signatures. In typical right-wing fashion (it's always someone else's fault:rolleyes:), he put the blame on the electoral system and vowed to pursue an aggressive campaign nonetheless.

Newt Gingrich, one of the leading US Republican presidential candidates, has said Virginia's electoral system is flawed, after failing to qualify for the primary ballot in his home state.
Virginia party officials say he did not submit the required 10,000 signatures to appear on the 6 March ballot.
Mr Gingrich's team vowed to pursue an "aggressive write-in campaign" - although Virginia does not permit this.
Gingrich critics say the setback shows serious lack of organisation.
Four other presidential Republican candidates - including Texas Governor Rick Perry - failed to qualify for the Virginia ballot.
Only ex-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, another leading candidate, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul qualified.
The Gingrich campaign submitted 11,050 signatures, but the state party later said that a review showed he did not have enough verified papers.
The campaign's director, Michael Krull, replied by saying: "Only a failed system excludes four out of the six major candidates seeking access to the ballot.
"Voters deserve the right to vote for any top contender, especially leading candidates.
Mr Krull added: "We will work with the Republican Party of Virginia to pursue an aggressive write-in campaign to make sure that all the voters of Virginia are able to vote for the candidate of their choice."
It remains unclear how Mr Gingrich - a former House of Representatives speaker - intends to do this as Virginia does not allow write-ins in primary ballots.
A write-in candidate is a contender whose name does not appear on the ballot, but for whom voters may vote nonetheless by writing in that person's name.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

This is hilarious and shows that his extreme values aren't all too popular in his home state.

[Zostrianos]

When you're too far right for the Republican party, you know you have a serious problem.:laugh:
This is like when Faux News fired Glenn Beck because he was too extreme...it's surprising that even right wing nutjobs draw the line somewhere :rolleyes:

[NewLeft]

When you're too far right for the Republican party, you know you have a serious problem.:laugh:
This is like when Faux News fired Glenn Beck because he was too extreme...it's surprising that even right wing nutjobs draw the line somewhere :rolleyes:

NAH BRAH, Glenn Beck will argue that he's too progressive for the republicans.

[Skammunist]

Can anyone explain the situation a little more? Does this mean that Newt is absolutely disqualified from the entire presidential race, or does this mean that he is still in? What is the significance of the Virginia primaries?

[Agathor]

Just Virginia, I believe.

[Tovarisch]

I got really excited at first, but then I saw that it was just in Virginia

At least it is some progress...

[Veovis]

It's a Festivus miracle!

[Zostrianos]

Fuck, I thought this would kill his chances for the final race :(:cursing:

[Skammunist]

Well even if it is just the state of Virginia it is still a good thing. Virginia has 15 votes in the electoral college, which is quite a bit.

[stageleft]

As much of a disappointment as Obama has been (not that I expected him to be a revolutionary or anything), I'm actually hoping that the Republicans pick the most hard-right bat-shit crazy candidate possible. Since it's the centrists that swing elections here (damnit), the more loopy the Republican, the better Obama's chances of victory are. Obama isn't my first choice by far, but IMHO, he's MUCH better than and wacko the Republicans put forth.

I'll be able to vote in the next election, BTW. I'm thinking I will vote Democrat, not that I agree with their policies 100%, but that they have the best chance of beating those reactionary nutbags. I would vote for some communist/socialist party, but I think that any communists in Texas were probably murdered in the McCarthy Witch Hunts.

[bcbm]

Newt Gingrich, the most rabidly far-right and fanatical of the republican candidates

more so than bachmann or santorum (heh)? even perry? gingrich strikes me as more of an opportunist than a fanatic

[Zostrianos]

more so than bachmann or santorum (heh)? even perry? gingrich strikes me as more of an opportunist than a fanatic

Those are pretty bad, but Gingrich has been the most extremist of all of them, at least publicly (calling for Julian Assange's assassination, saying child labour laws are stupid, mocking Occupy protesters, consorting with ultra fundamentalists (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzFEt6NrC0g&feature=plcp&context=C3d29c62UDOEgsToPDskJ75dWAxrLnCeuoPU1rmFxj )...) - I don't know if he's just talking shit because he wants to appeal to the ultra-right, or he actually means it, but either way he looks like the most dangerous of the bunch.

[bcbm]

Those are pretty bad, but Gingrich has been the most extremist of all of them, at least publicly (calling for Julian Assange's assassination, saying child labour laws are stupid, mocking Occupy protesters, consorting with ultra fundamentalists (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzFEt6NrC0g&feature=plcp&context=C3d29c62UDOEgsToPDskJ75dWAxrLnCeuoPU1rmFxj )...) - I don't know if he's just talking shit because he wants to appeal to the ultra-right, or he actually means it, but either way he looks like the most dangerous of the bunch.

i think hes an opportunist trying to appeal to the 'anyone but romney' crowd, aiming low for appeal, which is a pretty typical thing... perry did it in this election, mccain did it in the last off the top of my head. gingrich has danced around any number of political positions over the years i don't think he is particularly dangerous. on the off chance he did get elected it would just be another typical presidential term by the bush/clinton/bush/obama standard where nothing really changes

[Franz Fanonipants]

he's the only candidate who doesn't want to murder mexican babies summarily to prevent BORDER INSECURITY

including obama.

e: which is p. funny considering that imaginary palestinians shit he was pushing.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I dunno, Gingrich submitted an idea one for an installation in space/the atmosphere of giant mirrors to reflect the light off the Moon and end the need for street lights. Seems like the kind of bold leadership 'murika needs in these trying times.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Also, Newt is an establishment hack, he isn't one of the ideologues (although I really question how much of their own crap some of the candidates believe). He says outrageous things sometimes, but I think that's mostly to play up to the lunatic wing of the Republican Party which, while not all of the party's base or even a majority, has a disproportionate amount of influence in it's political process.

[KR]

Those are pretty bad, but Gingrich has been the most extremist of all of them, at least publicly (calling for Julian Assange's assassination, saying child labour laws are stupid, mocking Occupy protesters, I don't know if he's just talking shit because he wants to appeal to the ultra-right, or he actually means it, but either way he looks like the most dangerous of the bunch.
Child labour laws are dumb, but for different reasons.

[Ocean Seal]

This just goes to show that elections aren't anything more than a distraction from real politics.