PrintRepublicans might like Newt but the rest of America hates him
Perhaps "hate" is too strong a word. How about "dislikes intensely?"
Unlike Mitt Romney, who occasionally beats President Obama in general election poll match ups, Newt Gingrich trails far behind President Obama in every survey. But just how bad are Gingrich's unfavorable among the general public compared to Obama and Romney?
Not every poll releases their full results, so here are the most recent favorability results I could find for Obama, Romney, and Newt.
Fox News, 1/12-1/14:
Obama, fav/unfav, 51%/46%, +5
Romney, fav/unfav, 45%/38%, +7
Gingrich, fav/unfav, 27%/56%, -29
CBS/NYT, 1/12-1/17:
Obama, fav/unfav, 38%/45%, -7
Romney, fav/unfav, 21%/35%, -14
Gingrich, fav/unfav, 17%/49%, -32PPP, 1/13-1/17:
Obama, app/dis, 47%/50%, -3
Romney, fav/unfav, 35%/53%, -18
Gingrich, fav/unfav, 26%/60%, -34
Even a mentally challenged baboon can deduce that if Newt is going to run a competitive campaign, he is going to have to turn those numbers around. The right might not like it, but it is the very things they adore about Gingrich - his pugnaciousness, his combativeness -- that rubs most Americans the wrong way.
Might we see a kinder, gentler Newt in a national campaign. Not likely. I guess we'll have to see if Americans are willing to elect a president they don't much care for personally.
