What’s Happening with Conservatives and the Tea Party

by Art Kelly

1.  The Gallup Poll confirmed that Newt Gingrich has become the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination.

Probably not by coincidence, Ron Paul has launched what the website Mediaite called "an absolutely brutal web ad" attacking Gingrich for "serial hypocrisy."

The 148-second ad is "set to an epic score, and sinister, grainy black-and-white photography. The production is slick, if a bit clichéd, but the overall effect is devastating."

It is possible Paul may have overplayed his hand, as there are some indications that Republican primary voters want attacks focused on President Obama, not other GOP candidates.

When Michele Bachmann launched a nasty attack on Rick Perry in one of the debates, her ratings in the polls immediately sunk. In aggressively condemning Perry, Bachmann revealed a dark side of her personality that voters had not seen before.  She may have damaged Perry, but hurt herself even more.

By contrast, Gingrich has dramatically risen in the polls by "taking the high road" and refusing to engage in fights with the other candidates.  The former Speaker of the House might "turn the other cheek" to Paul's vicious attack, leaving Paul looking mean. 

Up until now, Paul's sincere and well-articulated positions have influenced the thinking of the other candidates on both economic and foreign policy matters.  ConservativeHQ.com's Jeffrey Rendall recently said Paul was the most successful unsuccessful presidential candidate in history.

The Paul ad is available on the Mediaite website, as well as on the websites of National Public Radio and PJMedia.

2.  Sarah Palin has been named as "the Most Influential Conservative Woman in America" by Human Events.

The others in the top 10 are:

2.  Michele Bachmann
3.  Phyllis Schlafly
4.  Ann Coulter
5.  Michelle Malkin
6.  Bay Buchanan
7.  Marji Ross
8.  Cleta Mitchell
9.  Michelle Easton
10. Star Parker

An article in the Time for Choosing website explains the reasons for Palin's selection.

3.  In a front page article, the Washington Post reported that both Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate have attempted to pack hundreds of earmarks in bills, less than a year after congressional leaders declared a moratorium on the pork-barrel spending projects.

The Post said the Congressional Research Service found that earmark spending nearly tripled over a 15-year period, to $31.9 Billion in 2010, the year before the ban.

"I have heard too many appropriators say informally that they are very hopeful that we can get back to earmarking in the future with few restrictions," said Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), who is co-authoring a bill with Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) to permanently ban the pork-barrel projects. "That has come out of the mouths of Democrats and Republicans."

The Toomey--McCaskill bill to prohibit earmarks by law is S 1930.

4.  In CHQ's weekly presidential straw poll, Ron Paul set a new record while Herman Cain continued his downward spiral.

"Ron Paul jumped by 15 percent over last week, proving again that the grassroots are demanding a call for genuine fiscal discipline, and not just empty rhetoric," writes CHQ's Andrew Davis.

5.  Vote in this week's CHQ presidential straw poll!

With only a month left until the crucial Iowa caucuses, it's vitally important to let your voice be heard. Click here to show support for your favorite GOP candidate.

Click here for What’s Happening with Seniors Benefits.

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