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Political analysts Kirsten Powers and Ed Rollins preview the GOP field as it enters the last four weeks of campaigning before the Iowa Caucus
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Gingrich's turn has the latest front runner in the GOP primaries may be short lived.
The Republican primaries have been wide open so far.
Former governor Mitt Romney started out in the lead then governor Rick Perry then businessman Herman can't even Michelle Bachmann was in the lead once.
Now former speaker Newt Gingrich has his turn each enjoyed it very brief tenure as the Republican front want -- And Gingrich should suffer a similar fate a brief tenure to Begin -- like this nation's government.
Gingrich has a debt problem earlier this campaign.
Spent lavishly on luxury jets racking up more than a million dollars in debt which has yet to be paid.
His fund raising efforts have lagged far behind the other candidates.
In the last quarter there are reports that speaker Gingrich raised four million dollars but that's still pails in comparison to the cash on hand enjoyed by his rivals.
But perhaps more troubling is the organization.
Or lack evidence sister of his campaign.
When he started his campaign several key members resigned because speaker Gingrich seemed more interested in selling books.
That and running for president.
And recently Gingrich's campaign missed deadlines to register his candidacy.
In Missouri and primaries in Ohio and Missouri.
Under current rules he cannot -- primary delegates and those two very key swing -- Does this look like a campaign that can really go the distance.
Who better to ask that my colleagues former Reagan and Huckabee campaign manager.
Ed Rollins and Daily Beast columnist and Fox News political analyst.
Kirsten Powers.
Welcome my friends had to you first get -- -- a fair picture.
-- of Gingrich's troubles -- absolutely I mean and and even more serious is.
New does not think he needs an organization thinks he got to the top of the -- By his own personality and that's that's a detriment I mean obviously candidates the most important element in this.
But a campaign is also very important.
Particularly on -- -- to a long protracted fight and certainly need to be prepared to go up against the Obama campaign machine that is running very effectively -- What what is it -- is that what is Newt Gingrich is.
Biggest problem.
When Newt Gingrich.
You know I.
I think having -- that is is that is really really his biggest problem has his second biggest problem is is his lack of organization and I think it's interesting if you look at an an -- can speak to this -- obviously much better than I can but if you look at Mike Huckabee which some people -- comparing Newt Gingrich.
To -- -- -- I don't think it's a very good comparison but.
In Iowa -- Huckabee did so while because yet so much support of the churches and right now the churches aren't really behind anybody so.
If for some reason the social conservatives in.
Iowa decide that they can -- -- hold their nose on that marital issues and those kind of things would rate based the people I'm talking to it sounds like that's sort of the direction that they're leaning.
And then the church is do get behind him then isn't it better positioned about right now and he opened his office they just hooked up their phones and Iowa.
But without getting too much in the weeds and because I know you've been through this isn't Iowa.
Really you know a state where you have to have an organization and the job is to physically get people to these caucuses and get them there.
To register the these views in a matter how popular you may be at the moment this can't be done without feet on the ground now it's set at 730.
And cold winter night January 3.
You know the track compared to my cut Mike Huckabee had a tremendous organization in Iowa he didn't have the resources to continue on -- monetary would have you.
But in Iowa you could go in the days before the the caucus there are hundreds and hundreds of people and they're working but but but to what kissed him -- saying Mike Huckabee was able to identify with the values.
Of evangelicals and Iowa.
How the heck can make the rich do that well that have to swallow hard and my sense -- what I hear and I actually this Mike Huckabee last week.
Most of his supporters -- kind of -- they're different places most of my support also most of my exporters and even -- -- -- a 100% of the evangelicals.
Who make up 60% of the voters at least the last cycle how.
How do you look at this as as a Democrat.
-- -- That neither Gingrich nor Romney can put a fire in the belly of the base.
And there is this continual search for someone other man.
-- ever happens to be the front runner at the moment -- can you remember seeing.
The front runner changed so much because the base is continually looking out for someone else.
Now this is very unusual for things to be so unsettled at this point and I know people think that they're very settled at Newt Gingrich is definitely going to be the one that.
We don't really know because it's been such a volatile.
Raise but I do I do think that it's -- -- Romney that anybody else I think Gingrich has the potential to get them fired up because he is this conservative I Klein.
Do you know we may know all the stuff about Newt Gingrich but -- remember him from.
You know 1994 took over the congress after forty years of democratic rule I mean he is very -- -- and I'm talking a lot of Iowa a lot of religious conservatives they feel like he's repentance he converted to catholicism he went out he met with James dobbs and a couple years ago.
You know I'm not buying it personally I -- and they seem to be buying.
Okay but but that there is also the other Newt Gingrich the one that's supported TARP the one that supported the stimulus programs the one that's in favor of cap and trade on the sat down with mrs.
Pelosi.
And actually said the government does have the power to compel you to buy health insurance.
There was no other side like this to Ronald Reagan there's -- other site like this.
To Mike Huckabee how could Gingrich with those views possibly capture the heart and soul of a conservative Republican primary voter in large them.
Eastman I don't know limelight for eleven years and I think to a certain extent everyone's gonna know what he is and -- -- is very short period of time he's gonna.
His opponents and his friends and allies from the old days are coming forth and telling the story equally as important.
He's been a polarizing figure he has people who adore him.
He is people who have -- hate and despise.
Many of the same party.
How about governor Romney in Iowa -- -- Is there are still an antipathy amongst evangelicals.
For a Mormon is that the issue.
This year as it was three years ago.
That is it to certain that that's a question I don't think we'll ever -- an answer to this because they say no.
And then you talk to other people if you talk to evangelical leaders they will say.
Look it's it's not the Mormon issue people are past that but out of analysts say while it's kind of this subterranean issue that nobody really wants to talk to about what they will stay there issue is.
Is that he's a -- -- they just they feel like he's been passionately on both sides of each issue.
-- doesn't have any kind of court whereas Gingrich has been all over the place -- -- and to certain extent we're he's dabbled in things that he is fundamentally.
I think they see him as a conservative -- I don't think I agree with that but it is saying that that that's how they -- them.
You have so much wisdom on this so we want somebody who's not a flip flop -- One -- someone is seriously in favor of small government one was somewhat someone who is seriously pro life who is socially.
Conservative who has a good organization.
And Iowa hold my talking about.
Like -- of that this.
You're part of -- Ron Paul -- -- -- absolutely.
Let's DNA at the end of the day Paul Paul could win this thing.
He's definitely going to be the second Kennedy I think any gonna go on you know he is tougher.
When he gets out of Iowa these -- but he's going to be and then as people going to be there all the way does does -- finishing first or second in Iowa.
Give you momentum or does it raise the bar the expectations are too high -- and for the next fight which is just a week later.
In New Hampshire.
-- whoever wins I look at some major Bob everybody's looking at them and I think that that did and that's what -- -- -- -- Hampshire what do you do in South Carolina.
What -- -- you know and I do agree I think Ron Paul is.
It's interesting how little people talk about it mean he is the guy who has the major organization has the fanatical supporters in Iowa.
And is -- a great position today you know -- first or second.
All right cures in Paris Ed Rollins it's a happy Friday with you guys have -- -- joining us.
