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Subscribe to RSSRepublican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich once led his rivals for the nomination in polls. Today, he's millions in debt and describing Mitt Romney as "far and away the most likely" GOP nominee.
Running for president "turned out to be much harder than I thought it would be," he said Sunday.
"I do think there's a desire for a more idea-oriented Republican Party, but that doesn't translate necessarily to being able to take on the Romney machine," Gingrich told "Fox News Sunday" in a reflective interview.
After his Jan. 21 victory in the South Carolina primary, the former House Speaker said the Florida primary he lost in the following days turned into a "real brawl." He said Romney did a good job building a substantial machine, adding he has no regrets.
"Unfortunately, our guys tried to match Romney," Gingrich said of the Florida match-up. "It turned out, we didn't have anything like his capacity to raise money."
Gingrich said he has a little less than $4.5 million in campaign debt, and he's operating on a shoestring budget.
Despite Gingrich's acknowledgment of what appears to be his inevitable defeat, the former House speaker Gingrich isn't ready to drop out. Gingrich wants to influence the party's platform, which is a statement of principles on the issues. He's interested in promoting increased domestic oil production and personal Social Security savings accounts.
But, if Romney secures the nomination, Gingrich said he'll campaign for him.
"I hit him as hard as I could. He hit me as hard as he could. It turned out he had more things to hit with than I did. And, that's part of the business. He's done the fundraising side brilliantly," Gingrich said.
Gingrich has had a campaign full of ups and downs. Just weeks after entering the race last year, his campaign imploded. Months later, in the weeks before the Iowa caucuses, he surged. He came in behind Romney and Rick Santorum in Iowa, but won South Carolina. He had several losses before winning his home state of Georgia. He had hoped to carry the momentum of that win to other contests in the South, so far unsuccessfully.
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Stay in the race Newt, take as many votes away from Romney as you can.
If he cannot deal with RUNNING for president, how can he actually BE a president?? Running is the easy part: throw some crap out there like $2.50/gal gas prices, colony on the moon, etc. and hope it sticks. Unfortunately for Gingrich (and fortunately for us) it did not stick.
I can hardly wait for Romney to explain to us Working Class Americans why Romney thinks the Ryan Plan is so "marvelous", besides the fact that Romney will say anything he thinks anybody wants to hear, and aside of the fact that the Ryan Plan was written to benefit ONLY the Top 1% wealthiest in this Country (of which Romney himself is a "1%er") and lays the full weight of the entire National Debt on the backs of Working Americans.
Why, Mr. Romney, is it ok to lay all this debt on Working Americans, and NONE on the 1% wealthiest who are most able to handle that large amount of debt.
How long Mr. Romney have you been robbing the middle class?
Obama / Biden 2012
Please stay in the race Newt. I want some of that $2.50 a gallon gas you promised and my own vacation spot on the moon.
To the moon Callista!
I'd be interested in a future (very brief, abbreviated) story about the real behind the scenes of Newt's campaign. Primarily, did he ever really believe his own crap about it being the media's fault? Did he actually believe his outrageous campaign promises? Is he really as delusional about himself as he comes across?
....or was it all a facade?
In the spirit of 'do crazy people realize they are crazy,' I wonder if Newt is able to digest the fact that, no matter how much he likes himself, most people don't like him. Thats why he is last in the polls, not Romney's fundraising abilities.
After the bankruptcy of Newt inc. last week, Willard will come in, take over Newt, seize his pension and assets, sell what is left and dump Newt penniless on the street with nothing but a canceled Tiffany's credit card.
Let's hope (in this case), Mitt outsources ALL Newt, Inc. jobs to China. Let Newt learn Chinese.
Wonder if Jane Jetson will give the windbag a taste of his own medicine and leave him?
When Newt said we need to nominate a "true conservative" like him or Santorum, he really only meant Him, not Santorum.
Because he couldn't see past himself being the one, another moderate is likely to get the nomination. Same thing happened in 2008, but this time Romney MIGHT be a little more conservative than McCain.
As a conservative, I considered Newt, Romney, and Santorum and picked the most electible, most conservative. That is Santorum.
you consider the nutjob positions of Santorum to be reasonable?
No wonder the GOP is in trouble.
Ironic, since Santorum thinks that Obama is the most electable
well, at least he is right on THAT.
It is going to be one hell of a debate between Mitt "etch-a-sketch" Romney and Obama.
What part of shellacking did you not understand? You got the worst defeat in over 70 years and you haven't moved off the socialist agenda one bit.
Those who ignore 2010 are doomed to repeat it.
Ya but people despise social conservatism and its backasswordness. If we ran more on fiscal conservatism we would do a lot better.
TO: Detroit-Storm who wrote:
If nothing else, at least Santorum is right about that, President Obama is a waaay better choice for the job than that "Jobs Cremator" Mitt "1%er" Romney!
Obama / Biden 2012
TO: Valhalla Phil who wrote:
Republicans themselves have "buyers' remorse" for voting in those teabagging nutjobs who campaigned on JOBS JOBS JOBS but have yet to create even ONE "Job", other than their own!
We never voted for them in the first place, and there is NO CHANCE of us voting for them now.
What, exactly, have the teabaggers done since they arrived at the House of Representatives other than sign on with Grover Nordquist, and support the Ryan Plan which lays the full load of the national debt on the backs of Working Americans.
Obama / Biden 2012
Those voting for Newt and Santorum don't translate in to the moderate votes Mittney will need to win a general election . . .
Both Newt and Santorum both need to throw in the towel. Newt definitely needs to get a "real" job to help pay for wife #3's (?) jewelry and helmet hair do. But the bright side is that the longer these 2 guys stay in it helps keep their party divided.
@American Girl, What do you mean the teabagpeps did manage to get themselves voted in and now have great pay, great benefits for themselves and family and fabulous retirement with lots and lots of vacation!
TO: Allison-467021 who wrote:
Correct. Including that evil socialist "lifetime Cadillac Insurance Plan" that Republicans just CAN'T STAND the thought of the American People having, now the GOP Teabagging "JOBS JOBS JOBS" liars have for themselves.
Obama / Biden 2012
@American Girl, maybe you and I will hit the next mega millions or maybe you and I are related to some of those repub/baggers & should also have benefits that the average American doesn't/will never have and don't want us to have.
Holy CRAP!!!! Why isn't MSN on THIS???
tdarkcabal.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-7-2012-white-hats-report-39.html#comment-form
(please copy/paste - clickable links not working)
the internet equivalent of "pull my finger"...
TO: Detroit-Storm who wrote:
LOL!
Translation: Romney's billionaire friends beat my billionaire friends.
pretty much. That and romney isnt bat@!$%# insane......oh wait. He ALSO believes in fairy tale creatures, like angels and gods.
As does 95% of the worlds population. Supposedly your messiah is a Christian, do you understand what that means?
Valhalla ---I agree with you Obama has strange Christian beliefs--Talking snakes and all that but he is still the only Adult in the Political room.
I havent seen a single religious person who DIDNT have strange beliefs.
Christians are just the most familiar to me, and they believe in zombies, as it clearly states in their bible (Matthew 27:51-54 if you are curious).
Obama just doesnt wear his religion on his sleeve like the current "three stooges" of the GOP do.
And Valhalla, 95% of the world believes in SOME FORM of a god. those gods are generally mutually exclusive, and have wildly varying characteristics, meaning that they believe in completely different gods. To simply say that 95% of the world believes in a god is a tiny bit misleading, even though its technically true.
Gingrich's bugaboo has always been putting his foot in his mouth all the way up to his knee. He did it in a big way at least twice in his campaign, pissing off huge factions of conservatives AND moderates.
He is a brilliant man and is responsible for "Clinton's balance budget" so he would have been a great president but you can't get there by being an arrogant A-hole who alienates two thirds of the republican base. His fate was sealed the moment he first shot off his mouth.
Valhalla Phil
hahahaha, this is the funniest statement I have read in a while. This is up there with Gingrich's claim that he helped Reagan end the cold war.
90% of the budget was balanced before the Balanced Budget Act was ever passed (before Gingrich became the Speaker)
No Republicans voted for the Omnibus Act of 1993 which resulted in revenues going through the roof.
The first two budgets that were created when Gingrich was speaker – for fiscal 1996 and 1997 – did not balance.
By the way, why is this "briliant man" facing bankrupcy? he cannot even balance his budget - or at least without writing rubber checks. You made me laugh with your silly comment.
TO: Valhalla Phil who wrote:
LOL! Dumbest claim coming from Republicans yet! Especially since they had control after Clinton left office and promptly crashed the entire United States Economy, AND Newt's gone Bankrupt!
NOW Republicans want to falsely claim that it was when Democrats where in the White House that "Republicans" did THEIR best work! Sickeningly false.
Republicans have been doomed to failure for more than 30 years and haven't learned a darn thing yet!
Obama / Biden 2012
Obamanomics has been a disaster.
TO: Peter17 who wrote:
Outside of the fact that Republicans have been either trained or brainwashed to say that, President Obama has certainly been at least 1,000 times better than Republicans who were the ones who crashed the entire United States Economy in the first place, and have done absolutely NOTHING but worked against America and the American People to STALL our Recovery for their own political gain!
Obama / Biden 2012 The ONLY Intelligent Choice!
DragonLiesALot
Given that he inherited 2 wars, debt, deficit, high unemplyment, financial meltdown, housing market disaster, recession in the rest of the world that affects us (since we do not live in a bubble), the US economy is recovering. Yes, it is a slow process but anyone who expect miracles in 3 years is just plain delusional.
By the way, Gingrich cannot balance his books, Romney's record in Massachusetts is a pure disaster, and Santorum is acts like he escaped from sanatorium. Perry's record in TX is just laughable, and so are his debates (blames it on painkillers), the 9-9-9 dude is just a joke - he's 999 plan was debunked by all economists except Joe the Plumber, Bachmann is another joke - the Welfare Queen. Yes, the Republicans came up with some real "winners" by the Charlie Sheen definition.
I can only imagine what could be ig one of the Republican president - wanna-bes got their hands on this country.
Gingrich is "a stupid man's idea of what a smart person sounds like." In other words, a dull windbag.
Fatty Wifeswapper a brilliant man? Your comment validates that ole Newt is what a stupid person thinks a smart person sounds like!
bayllie- Great post you said it all for me!
Obama / Biden 2012
Nay.
So Gink, if ETCH-A-SKETCH is gop's corporate puppets' selection, WHY NOT BOTH YOU & SANTORUM DO SOMETHING FOR THE 99% American People? No, do TWO THINGS!
Donate your CAMPAIGN MONEY straight to charity, not to a "non- profit organization" but directly to charity by your own hands! Wouldn't that be something! The other thing we, the 99% American People would like to have you do is VOTE STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC! Give something back to us from your corrupt capitalistic corporations!
Yeah TR Rose---That would make them too much like followers of Christ instead of Born again Christians! Ain t gonna happen.
This Gingrich is one smart, on top things kind of guy....no wonder he was once a member of the GOP Leadership team...
Only thing he's been "on top of" lately has been Jane Jetson and possibly wifey #4
Detroit--Stop creating disgusting visual pictures.
not Detroit's fault that gingrich cant stop @!$%#ing people other than his wife. He HAS been @!$%#ing the american public since 1994, after all.
Dragon--you seem to have conveniently forgotten the previous seven months of jobs creation--Stop hoping for America to fail--Mitch OConnell is doing that for you.
Not so anonymous-- I use my real name--Notice you did not address the previous seven months and Mitch OConnell s statement.
If the unemployment issues had come from this president, i would agree. However, since Obama has done more to CREATE jobs than the republicans have done in the past 10 years, this is going to be a cake walk.
Not only that, but the religious fundies that fill the ranks of the GOP will NEVER elect a mormon, just like they wouldnt elect a muslim. (honestly, anyone who votes for or against someone on primarily religious grounds is a @!$%#ing moron anyway.)
Back to my Zeus tribe where generosity and compassion in politics is not a dirty word. Buy Rite-aid Symbol RAD and Pfizer Symbol PFE you will make some money
Gingrich's company go bankrupt and yet he wanted to run America. lol -- actually, Gingrich will go on with the race because he still has sheep to shear -- there's money to be made!!!
Stay in the race Newt. Screw that backstabbing, flip-flopping, say anything to get your vote Reversible Mittens Romney!
Just spend some of your "moon colony" money Newt, or pawn a few of Calista's trinkets.
Mitt Romney is a Bishop of the Mormon Church. For some reason this info has been held back until now. I guess it doesn't matter now.
Yeah that's pretty much political poison. He needs to keep playing that down.
If Gingrich is still around , it's out of spite and the the possibility of some additional sales for his book/video/lecture scam operation. His campaign money has been cut off. Dry old Romney will lead the right to the next election. Won't be pretty but it was never going to be with that collection of political deadbeats running for the nomination. Obama has been handed the election in November I think.
WOW! The newt finally came to the same conclusion the rest of us knew weeks ago. He just takes a little longer than most to read the writing on the wall.
Ah come on let Newt stay and play, he knows if he stays at home with his 6th or 7th wife, girlfriend well whatever she is, well he can't have no fun. Also it would piss off Leno & Letterman. I like Newt, he truely tell us what Santorum and Romney are really like. WORTHLESS...So get out and vote and don't vote for the 2 WORTHLESS ones...
bunch of hipocrits ; first you're against them , and then you're for them ; how high will all this bull menure fly ???
I want to know were MSNBCs article is on the racist comments of Rev Wright over the weekend? You know the man that Obama listened to for 20 years.
Oh wait my bad that would show that Obama is a radical.....MSNBC can't have any of that!
ROMNEY IS NOT A LIKABLE GUY , that filthy rich crook has no personality !!!!! ; he is just a pair of dirty jeans , filled with jealousy for president Obama. no matter how much money he has , he cannot buy class. which is something he doesn't possess at 65 yrs. old , and never will !!!!!!! WONDER WHAT THE CLOSET KLANSMAN , THINK ABOUT THE CLOSET POLYGAMIST ???? TWEET THAT GRASSY BRAIN ZOMBIE !!!!!!!!!
The newt will do anything to get a political office - He tried running, then he tried the Samson play (if you can't win, pull the house down and destroy it all), now he is licking Romney's boots to try and get a VP or other position. If that doesn't play, he will hold his breath till he turns blue, lie on his back and kick as hard as he can - whatever it takes. Please, everyone, send him and his plastic bimbo "wife" back to the recycle bin.
I don't like Romney, but anything to get the imperial Obama out of control - and Newt is the one candidate that I would have to think about whether to vote for him or Obama. Terrible thing to contemplate!
Even if you have your mind made up, it never hurts to listen :-)
Please take 2 minutes to watch this. It just might be the most important message of all time.
It's called "The Nail"
youtu.be/Ee6pEGch1QU
(please copy/paste, clickable link doesn't work)
ProudAmericanFirst - what exactly are you proud of? our ability to not provide medical care for all of our citizens? The rampant ignorance that befuddles our population due to our piss poor educational system? Maybe the high crime rates? or the fact that our last president drained the economy of most of its ability to function properly? or our spending more than half our national budget on military spending while leaving many citizens out in the cold? Maybe its our push to deny rights to people based on a lifestyle? Or our ability to @!$%# over the middle class by shipping many of our jobs to other countries?
I am GLAD to be american, but not so proud these days. Maybe when there is something worth being proud about, i will be.
It is funny to me that he thinks he is 'still in' when just about everyone else knew all along he 'wasn't in'.
his ego wont let him quit. He still thinks he is the best candidate, he just thinks the rest of the voting party are stupid and cant see his "greatness".
You dont just lose the massive narcissism that newt has displayed throughout this cluster@!$%# of a primary.