I read a very interesting article this last weekend (forget where) that was with President Clinton - who as it turns out - finds Newt to be a very bright man who does a lot of thinking about what is going on in the country.

He was very complimentary about Newt - not that he was endorsing him or anything like that - but he pointed out that he'd said months ago that at some point Newt would surge in the polls.

I found it interesting that President Clinton had such respect for Newt.

Honestly, I'm not very impressed with any GOP candidates this time around. Any sex positive person would NEVER want Santorum to get in.

I wouldn't vote for either.

I haven't registered to vote yet

There are a lot of people who claim to be 'Independent' but few actually are. Most are predominantly Democratic or Republican leaning voters that are fiscally conservative but socially liberal. Neither party ever nominate such a candidate - so the supposed independent voters have to decide in any given election whether fiscal or social issues are the most important.

Newt is a bright guy, but so was Jimmy C. Bright guys are not often leaders. I would give Newt the vote because he engineered, then lead a Republican take over of the House with his Contract for America. That is a big accomplishment for a legislator.

Although I prefer a strong former Governor, if Newt gets the nomination, I'll probably vote for him.

Neither gets my vote. Bring back Clinton.

i don't vote for people who hate me (or, at least, i vote for the person who hates me least)

nor do i vote for people who only have the economic interests of the most wealthy in mind when they think of economic prosperity

so in other words, i will be voting for obama

The Republican candidates are ridiculous. They have (had?) a very good shot at the presidency if they just had one semi-decent candidate. A few of the better/viable ones aren't even allowed entry into the debates.

Gingrich has more than just baggage IMO: He was basically run out of congress thanks in part to some fairly serious ethics charges, and has since been running some pretty shady businesses.

Anyway, does it really matter who's president? Congress is broken. Fix campaign finance. Fix the filibuster.

First time voter for Obama in '08. Not sure I'll vote in '12, unless I feel the need to vote against some horrible people.

gingrich has the potential to win the nomination, perhaps the best chance of any frontrunner yet (if for no other reason than it's so close to the iowa caucus) but we've seen this show before. Newt could easily fall in a debate, or a media moment because of his ideas or because of some stupid thing he's said. There's also the matter of organization, money and drive. has newt been fundraising like gangbusters since gaining this lead in the polls, or has he been slacking?

On one other note, to all the people not voting, thanks. Now my vote will matter even more. Have fun having my will exerted over yours through the electoral process. That was snarky I know, but I've never understood the idiocy of not voting, i you detest politics and politicians, why abandon the one voice you have in the process? "Yes I hate McDonalds, but refuse to stop eating there, or use my stock to complain at the stockholders meeting. 'm just going to whine about it, while making things easier for them."