Gingrich or Romney? Who is better for Obama to go against???

[skip fox]

My son says Romney would be the harder opponent, but I think he would not be able to energize the base and many far-right voters might not turn out. I'm afraid of Gingrich's ability to change history (his own and America's) and appeal to most Republicans (and I think we're seeing that appeal become manifest).

Should I be worried about the polls that show Gingrich surging or happy?

[TheWraith]

1. Gingrich. He's more toxic, less liked, more likely to result in a landslide.

Including taking back the House.

[lacrew]

10. Rasmussen Has Done Polling

On Jan 9, it looked like:

53% believed Romney could beat Obama, vs 38% believed he couldn't.

34% believed Gingrich could beat Obama, vs 60% believed he couldn't.

I imagine the next poll will come out alot closer....but still show Romney ahead of Gingrich.

[TheWraith]

19. I don't believe either of them can.

Whether the public believes one person can beat another isn't a very interesting metric. I prefer to look at favorability numbers, among other things. But in general, I think it's unlikely that either of them is capable of winning against Obama.

[mike_c]

2. Newt will turn the ugliness up to eleven...

...that's what he does, it's really his only stock-in-trade politically, so while he's likely the more easily defeated of the two, he's also the one most likely to poison the well and do lasting damage to American political discourse. Of course, American political discourse is already pretty pathetic, so I don't really give a rat's buttocks one way or the other which republican the clown car eventually delivers to the nomination. I don't expect it will make much difference, in the end.

[onehandle]

3. Newt would guarantee us retaining the Senate, taking back the House, and an Obama second term.

Go Newt!

[immoderate]

13. That's what they call coattails!

--imm

[zipplewrath]

4. Either

This election will be about Obama, and what he's done and expected to do. It is insignificant who is running against him, because it doesn't change the story. The only real effect is if there is wide spread indecision. At that point you get into the "well, maybe we should try the other guy" situation an in that case, Romney is probably more dangerous because many independents will resist that line of reasoning if it is Newt.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Newt.

His past will do him in.

What flies in South Carolina doesn't resonate well with the average non-rabid voter

[Lady Freedom Returns]

6. Gingrich

We all know he will play the backlash game, and we all know how that game goes. That is why Obama can take him.

Romney on the other hand is a Rep. Mod. May have more appeal to the independent voters.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. Romney would probably whine less when he loses.

[truebrit71]

8. I was just about to ask the same question...

Part of me is thrilled that Toad, sorry, Newt slapped Mr Magic Undergarments down on Saturday because I think Obama would beat him by a country mile. But then talking to some relatives over the weekend, they have just as much disdain for Mittens as they do for Toady...

So I can't quite decide who would be the best one for Obama to run against...The ethically-challenged adulterous millionaire, or the plastic "i'll-say-whatever-gets-me-elected" multi-millionaire...??

Man the republicans voters are so fucked this year

[Motown_Johnny]

9. I would think Newt

The guy has more baggage than Samsonite


Also we can directly attack Reagan era policies since that is all he has to run on. Finally destroying the Reagan Myth would be helpful for passing more progressive polices in his second term.

[hifiguy]

11. The Gingrinch

He has a singular ability to repel middle-of-the-roaders. And besides, he's Newt fucking Gingrich, a fact even the dimmer bulbs will eventually remember. And he carries more personal baggage than a cruise ship.

[Nye Bevan]

12. Absolutely, unquestionably, Gingrich.

[gopiscrap]

14. Gingrich

it would be a landslide, but I don't think he'll get the nomination...the repub est. don't want him and they are masters at manipulating voting results...

[B Calm]

15. Democrats still remember dough boy Gingrich

waddling his fat ass over to the Senate after they impeached a Democrat President for getting a blow job.

I guarantee you a Gingrich nomination will bring out the democrats in droves!

[eissa]

16. Newt would be GREAT, but

I strongly doubt he'll get the nom. He'll do well in Florida, possibly win it like SC, but I don't see him getting any further than that. He may have won Virginia, but of course he fucked that up. In any case, I don't see him taking the northern states, and definitely not the west. So bring on Mitts and his "I was for it before I was against it" positions. This will be fun boys and girls.

[lsewpershad]

17. The grinch

is nasty. Hope the Prez [although able] will deal with the shit.

[Life Long Dem]

18. Sharpton just nailed it.

Newt is a street fighter coming at Romney with anything he has, while Romney is over there putting on his gloves to have this regulated match up. Newt has no such intention of fighting within any rules.