the better for his bruises

[Yilaner]

A good win for Romney would reestablish him as the front-runner,
the better for his bruises.

Santorum needs a miracle like Iowa, but on time and bigger. He
needs a tumble from the top, leaving space for him to step in as
Newt without the baggage.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What does "the better for his bruises" mean here?

The phrase "as Newt without the baggage" also puzzles me.

[Cheryl]

Romney might gain political advantage from suffering a defeat (his
bruises). Perhaps people who thought he was arrogant will now support
him, since they think he has learned a lesson.

'Baggage' can refer to unpleasant or damaging things from the past. Newt
Gingrich has a lot of power and support, but some things from his past
are brought up against him, causing him to lose support. So Santorum
needs to have as much power and support as Gingrich, but without the
past (the baggage) that drags down Gingrich.


--
Cheryl

[Horace LaBadie]

In article
<659b4df3-17d1-4d7c...@sw7g2000pbc.googlegroups.com>,

Yilaner <yil...@gmail.com> wrote:

> A good win for Romney would reestablish him as the front-runner,
> the better for his bruises.
>
> Santorum needs a miracle like Iowa, but on time and bigger. He
> needs a tumble from the top, leaving space for him to step in as
> Newt without the baggage.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -
>
> What does "the better for his bruises" mean here?

Stronger after suffering setbacks and overcoming them. The bruises are
metaphorical battle scars.

What does not kill me makes me stronger. Friedrich Nietzsche

>
> The phrase "as Newt without the baggage" also puzzles me.

A very conservative politician, but without the long history of personal
and political scandals that Gingrich has acquired. Baggage is a common
metaphor for the experiences in a person's life that could prove
embarrassing, or which would call that person's judgment or honesty into
question.

[Mark Brader]

Horace LaBadie:

> What does not kill me makes me stronger. Friedrich Nietzsche

Not to mention Kelly Clarkson. :-)
--
Mark Brader, Toronto | "I said to myself, 'You're crazier than I am
m...@vex.net | if you believe that.'" --overheard

[Horace LaBadie]

In article <5pCdnQ2hJp7fj6nS...@vex.net>,

m...@vex.net (Mark Brader) wrote:

> Horace LaBadie:
> > What does not kill me makes me stronger. Friedrich Nietzsche
>
> Not to mention Kelly Clarkson. :-)

I think you mean, "Kill me now."