Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College and former Republican operative from 1984-1991, told TPM that Newt Gingrich’s anti-media narrative helped him win the South Carolina primary tonight.
“Never underestimate how much Republican primary voters hate the media,” Pitney emailed. “During the past week, they perceived Newt as taking unfair hits from Juan Williams, John King, and Brian Ross. So by the end of the week, his implicit slogan was: ‘Vote for me and give the finger to the media!’ The South Carolina results were one big finger.”
Pitney adds that Mitt Romney remains the favorite. But, he argues, Gingrich could potentially turn things around if he overcomes questions about his speakership and if Romney’s tax-return issues continue to dog him.
