Should Newt Gingrich Drop Out?
With only the primaries in South Carolina and his home state of Georgia as victories under his belt, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was hoping to execute a “southern strategy” of sorts by winning in Tuesday’s Alabama and Mississippi primaries and reviving his campaign. Former Sen. Rick Santorum defeated Gingrich in both states, where the delegates are awarded proportionally. Gingrich did come in second ahead of former Gov. Mitt Romney in Alabama and Mississippi’s popular vote. In a speech Tuesday night, Gingrich vowed to stay in the race until the Republican National Convention. However, critics suggest that it is time for him to bow out and let the right wing of the party coalesce behind Santorum, who fashions himself as the conservative alternative to Romney. Money may also make the decision for Gingrich. The super PAC that supports him has survived through the large donations by Las Vegas billionaire Sheldon Adelson, though Gingrich brags of the $2.50 “Newt gallon” donations supporters have made to his campaign. Should New Gingrich drop out? Here is the Debate Club’s take:
The Arguments
No — Newt Gingrich brings the race attention and enthusiasm, which will help the GOP in November
JAMIE CHANDLER, Professor at Hunter College Comment
Yes — Rick Santorum has earned the right for this to be a two-man race
FORD O'CONNELL, Republican Strategist, Conservative Activist, and Political Analyst Comment (1)
Yes — Best case scenario is that Gingrich might be able to play kingmaker at a deadlocked convention
MATTHEW DICKINSON, Professor at Middlebury College Comment
Yes — The best way for Gingrich to get revenge on Romney may be to step aside
RON BONJEAN, Former Chief of Staff for the Senate Republican Conference Comment
No — Gingrich's only shot is to force a floor fight in Tampa
DAVID CROCKETT, Author of 'Running Against the Grain: How Opposition Candidates Win Presidential Elections' Comment
No — Newt Gingrich has no self-interested reason to drop out just yet
LARA BROWN, Author of 'Jockeying for the American Presidency: The Political Opportunism of Aspirants' Comment
No — If Rick Santorum loses to Mitt Romney, it's his own fault, not Newt Gingrich's
KRYSTAL BALL, MSNBC Contributor and Former Democratic Nominee for Congress in the First District of Virginia Comment
No — The only way to stop a Romney nomination is for Gingrich to stay in the race
JUDSON PHILLIPS, Founder of Tea Party Nation Comment (8)
