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Pete Spiliakos is a columnist for First Things.

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Gingrich And The Media

From First Thoughts

 Wow.  The center-right media environment has turned toxic for Gingrich really quick.  Rush Limbaugh and National Review hit him hard on the same say.  I saw some of the 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM FOX News shows and both contained unfavorable references to Gingrich’s Bain Capital . . . . Continue Reading »

Tweet Attack

From First Thoughts

Love this Ramesh Ponnuru tweet about Gingrich’s attacks on Bain Capital and Romney “Gingrich’s behavior is frankly so outside the norm for a Republican, only a Kenyan anti-colonial mindset can explain it.”  Sweet. . . . . Continue Reading »

Gingrich Comeback?

From First Thoughts

I really hope Peter is right that I’m wrong about Gingrich’s chances for a comeback.  But . . . Gingrich had a mostly attractive performance on Saturday (especially when he went after the moderators - who deserved his scorn this time), and he nailed Romney on Sunday.  . . . . Continue Reading »

Romney And Electability

From First Thoughts

I missed this morning’s debate which is too bad because I guess there were some fireworks.  I ended up seeing the first ten minutes or so on YouTube and Santorum and especially Gingrich went after Romney’s supposed electability on the grounds that he wasn’t willing to run for . . . . Continue Reading »

Trying To Be Objective

From First Thoughts

1.  Is it just me, or are the debates hosted by ABC more annoying and worthless than those hosted by most other news outlets?  Though the CNBC debate was pretty bad too. 2.  Romney on Griswold vs. Connecticut:  I never saw any of the the National Lampoon’s Vacation . . . . Continue Reading »

Watching Santorum

From First Thoughts

So my two year old daughter and I watched most of a Santorum town hall event from New Hampshire (start them early I say.)  1.  He actually talks to people.  I’m sure he falls back on some pat phrases, but there is a sense that he is actually talking to his questioner. 2.  . . . . Continue Reading »

Unhappy Thoughts

From First Thoughts

1.  We’re probably doomed.  Well, not doomed, just looking at some tough probabilities.  If the latest employment report sets the pattern for the economy going into the next ten months (or even somewhat less), it would take a good Republican candidate running a good campaign to . . . . Continue Reading »

Grumpy Thoughts

From First Thoughts

1.  I’m not sure it is good policy, but Santorum’s policy of no corporate income taxes on manufacturers, might do him some good when added to the stuff about his biography, etc.  He might be able to rally a constituency for working class-oriented, right-leaning industrial . . . . Continue Reading »

And In Conclusion

From First Thoughts

Heck, I dunno.  There are more potential storylines that can come out of the order of Iowa finishes than I can keep track of.  Stories like do Perry or Gingrich finish fourth?  I don’t have the energy to keep up with most of them.  So I’m going to focus on whether . . . . Continue Reading »