Gingrich Now Seeking a New Contract (with America)

The New York Sun ^ | 11/12/04 | LUIZA Ch. SAVAGE

[wagglebee]

WASHINGTON - Newt Gingrich is preparing to unfurl a new Contract with America.

The last time he did so, the ideas catapulted Republicans to a majority in the House for the first time in a half century. Now the former House speaker is plotting a way to keep conservatives in power "for a generation or more." Yet it is Democrats who are being urged to look to him for inspiration as they contemplate their future in the minority.

"A 21st Century Contract with America" is the subject of a book scheduled for release in January.

[wagglebee]

The book is to be a blueprint for "Phase Four" of the conservative revolution. The first phase, he said, was Ronald Reagan's "defining" conservatism. The second phase was the original Contract with America a decade ago and the election triumph that "created the majority." The third phase is the George W. Bush presidency, which has "deepened and reaffirmed the majority." The fourth phase of the revolution is to build up the Republican majority.

I personally think that Newt is lousy in a leadership position, but does an incredible job getting the Republican base fired up.

[Texas Eagle]

That's what I'm talkin bout.

[capebuffalo]

I think Newt and Cosby are on the same page about the the younger generation, particularly the minorities. They're the future of the country.

I watched Newt's GOPAC speech. He is calling it like it is.

I suggested they team up and get to work. It's the right time.

It would erode some of the, taken for granted base, that the Dem's drag out every 4 years.

[SERKIT]

While channel hopping this morning, I found a tape of Newt's speech to the GOPAC folks. He laid out the "4 phases" and some unique ideas regarding the failure of "outreach" and the future of "inclusion" as a strategy. In Illinois at least, it would help us to have a nationalized Repub strategy, common targets, common goals, etc. It would help us find local leadership that fits the national - dare I say - MANDATE. Newt is cool. I'd like to get him into Illinois and help clean house.

[dk/coro]

Newt Gingrich is an opportunistic fraud. He squandered his leadership role in the past; displays irrational judgment under pressure; and is totally unfit to lead ANY sanctioned movement is direct support of the GOP.

And, I have just started on this subject !!

[traviskicks]

"I personally think that Newt is lousy in a leadership position"
--

Do you mean politically? I think he would be great policy wise. I thought his 1994 sweep and subsequent changes was a monumental achievement. I have a lot of admiration for him. The only time I haven't thought highly of him was one time when he appeared on the 'tavis smiley show' and started agreeing with Tavis's criticism of Republicans and talking like a democrat.

I read his first book and will buy this one too. I think he is a great American.

[bigeasy_70118]

Newt is a visionary and much better as a Wizard of Oz type figure. He should never have been at the forefront of our movement.

[traviskicks]

oh and I LOVED his speech against the state department:


http://www.neoperspectives.com/gingrich.htm

[Cicero]

I'm certainly prepared to have a look at it. Newt was too shrill and negative to be a successful candidate for the presidency, but he certainly fired up the base, brought in the revolution, and prepared the way for the Bush presidency. It cost clinton almost $100 million in PR propaganda to demonize him, and in the end Newt helped out with some unfortunate compromises and behavior lapses.

But who knows, maybe he's back on track again. He deserves a listen.

[imintrouble]

I enjoy Speaker Gingrich every time I see him appear to give his opinion on a subject usually to do with politics.

His ability to think in easily understood terms must come from his work teaching students, because he never bores, nor does he pontificate, but tells it like it is and when he is done, there is little to argue with.

I don't know how he was as an active politician, but I would say he has find his "home" as an author and communicator, and an expert in many things political when he passes his information along to the general public in that easy rhythm he adopts.

He is an easy "listen" and I look forward to reading his new advice to the government members.

[Willie Green]

It's sad to see Newt grovel like this.
Everybody knows that the "third phase" was a complete denunciation of the conservative principles espoused in the much lauded "second phase".

[bikepacker67]

I watched Newt's GOPAC speech. He is calling it like it is.

That was great, wasn't it??!

J.C. Watts was also brilliant.

[bikepacker67]

Newt Gingrich is an opportunistic fraud. He squandered his leadership role in the past; displays irrational judgment under pressure; and is totally unfit to lead ANY sanctioned movement is direct support of the GOP.

I guess it's true, Opinions really are like a*******.

[orangelobster]

oh boy. I hope the republicans keep Newt's hands off the levers of power. I think the early '90's movement of the republicans happened at a grassroots level and swept upwards. Newt rode the wave and took too much credit for himself. He is an opportunist.

[wagglebee]

No, I do not mean politically.

I think that Newt's tone is to abrasive to be in a "front-line" leadership position. Some people are good at that and others aren't, Newt is better behind the scenes. (For what it's worth, I think the 'Rats will eventually find out that Hitlery is the exact same way.) The Speaker of the House NEEDS to have a cordial or at least civil working relationship with the President, regardless of political differences. I think that Newt brought too much of his personal animosity toward Klintoon into the 1995 budget stand-off and it blew up in his face big time.

I think it's better to let Newt "lay the foundation" and advise behind the scenes. He should let someone else be the frontline leader.

[Jim_Curtis]

Newt Gingrich is an opportunistic fraud. He squandered his leadership role in the past; displays irrational judgment under pressure; and is totally unfit to lead ANY sanctioned movement is direct support of the GOP. And, I have just started on this subject !!

I've heard Republicans trashing the Contract With America which was one of the most inspiring and influential political documents/strategies of the 20th century, and they usually can't tell you why they are trashing it or Gingrich.

I think the media instructed a lot of negativity about Newt on to the masses because they considered him dangerous to liberalism.

[Larry381]

This news has exciting possibilities of driving some of these lib fruitloops out of mourning and into the final stage of denial where they contemplate either suicide or a mass exodus to Canada & France. Wish I was a travel agent-business should be booming in the next few months.

Enjoy your Thankgiving liberals!

[kellynla]

Abolish the federal income tax!

[Reagan Man]

The Contract With America was a stroke of political genius. It culminated Newt's 15 year effort, from backbench bomb-throwing radical to architect of the GOP takeover of the Congress. Call Newt whatever you want. The facts speak for themselves. Conservatives have been in some pretty good hands over the last 25 years. It's not been a perfect endeavor, but Reagan, Limbaugh, Gingrich and Bush43 have advanced conservatism like no one else before them.

[nmh]

Can't wait to get the book.

Newt is good.