Newt and the Sarah Palin Effect

In 2008, John McCain rarely went anywhere without Sarah Palin. Most of their campaign stops were as a tandem. Why? Because without Palin, McCain's crowds would have been drastically reduced in size and in energy. Palin's energy brought crowds, yes, but it also brought the full force of the mainstream media.

Fast forward to 2012. Newt seems to be drawing the crowds that Palin drew in 2008 and McRomney seems to be about as inspiring as the 2008 nominee. Newt, like Palin, has also come under the full fledged attacks from the media while Romney desperately needs the support they appear to be willing to give him.

Via New York Times:

As Republican presidential candidates duke it out down here in Florida, the most visible measure of how they are doing is the crowd count.

And by that very simple measure, Newt Gingrich is crushing his opposition.

At an event Tuesday afternoon, more than 1,500 people showed up to rally for Mr. Gingrich. Later that evening, he stood before as many as 5,000 people, all applauding his surge toward the Republican nomination. And then on Wednesday, another 4,000 people.

Contrast that to Mitt Romney, who, according to polls, is roughly tied with Mr. Gingrich in the state. He, too, has been traveling around Florida in an effort to recover the momentum he had after a big win in New Hampshire.

Mr. Romney has not had a crowd with more than a couple hundred people since he arrived in the Sunshine State.

Unlike McCain, Newt has another entity gunning for him - his own party's establishment.

If Newt takes Florida, it will be monumental in light of the onslaught he is having to face. He will also need another home run of a debate performance tonight.

h/t Free Republic