Posted on 01/08/2005 9:57:15 AM PST by Sub-Driver
AP Interview: Gingrich Criticizes Bush, Open to Presidential Run By Ron Fournier The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Newt Gingrich is taking steps toward a potential presidential bid in 2008 with a book criticizing President Bush's policies on Iraq and a tour of early campaign states.
The former House speaker who led Republicans to power a decade ago said he soon will visit Iowa and New Hampshire to promote his book, try to influence public policy and keep his political options alive.
"Anything seems possible," including a White House race, Gingrich told The Associated Press.
The quotable and controversial former Georgia congressman, who now runs a consulting firm in Washington, is promoting, "Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America." He seemed to welcome the thought that a book tour will increase speculation about his political aspirations.
"It never hurts to maximize opportunities. That's the American tradition," Gingrich said. "If I can influence the reporters and political activists in Iowa and New Hampshire, they will influence the candidates."
Asked if he might be a candidate himself, Gingrich said. "For an Army brat from Pennsylvania who became the only Georgia Republican in the House and the first Republican Speaker of the House in 40 years, anything seems possible. I don't think it's very likely. On the other hand, if I have an impact on public policy and do it in a way that is exciting and positive, why wouldn't I want to do that?"
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.tbo.com ...
My two cents.
If the GOP is stupid enough to run a RHINO we deserve to lose in 08, that's all I will say on the subject. Why vote for the fake when you can get the real deal ?
Newt has feet of clay and he knows it as well as we do. He is just selling his book which I probably won't read because I am not interested in more back benching about Pres Bush's handling of the war. It is not possible to know if any of the alternatives offered by critics would have been better or more effective had they been implemented during the course of the Iraq war. Newt has a great mind and I do not discount his past contributions to this country and the GOP, nor the potential he has for future accomplishments. I just do not see as electable for any major office.
the democrat abccbscnnnbcnprpbs and their newspapers would destroy newt, the way they did a decade ago.
They tried to destroy Bush in case you missed it.
I also feel that he let the media intimidate him over his book deal, and over his personal life. He should have kept his focus on cutting Welfare.
Thus, I do not consider him really a Conservative any more. And, I know, even when he seemed to be, he had a more liberal side on some issues. He never became a true Georgian--not that there have not been true Conservatives from Pennsylvania, also; just not as many.
All of that said, I am glad to see him and Scowcroft both opening a debate from the Republican side on Iraq. We need such a debate; not to disparage our young men, but to make sure we are not expending their heroism in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, I feel Newt, here, errs in the same direction as the President. They just differ on tactics. Or how else, shall we take his concluding comment in the subject article:
Had the president stuck with an Afghanistan-style postwar plan, his public approval rating would be sky-high "and the Arab world would be closer to democracy," Gingrich said. "But that is history now, and we must work our way out of it."
Democracy in the Third World, generally, does not work in any direction any American ought to seek for anyone else. Newt should be aware of this, as a student of history. (See Democracy In The Third World, Destructive Egalitarian Myth.)
William Flax
I bet Dan Quayle had as big a laugh over reading this headline as I did.
Poor Dan Quayle. He was treaty so shabbily by the administration and the American people. If he had just stayed in the Senate, the lineup may now be 56-44!
Did you know that the young Newt Gingrich in 1968 was a supporter of Nelson A. Rockefeller at the Republican Convention in Miami Beach?
What do you mean Newt left because of the MSM? He had to go because he was an unfaithful jerk several times over.
We don't tolerate such behavior.
This is all about Hillary wanting to do it again.
Newt would bring intelligent debate to the party, like I said, if it's Newt or Rudy, I'll vote for Newt.
Exactly, and God knows that McCain and Hagel have already filled that particular niche. Sheesh.
Amen.
Well it won't be either.
Don't be so sure about that. The GOP primaries will be interesting to say the least.
We need to start running guys that are qualified, and not worry so much about them being electable. It's the difference between Nixon and Reagan vs. Bush I and Bush II. Nixon and Reagan both were "contversial", but once elected they were excelllent leaders. Compare to Bush I and Bush II. Two candidates picked because of their electability. And they got elected. So what. What did we get out of it?
Gingrich is a born leader, with real conservative vision. He is the perfect candidate to run against Hilary, who will already be taking credit for all of his accomplishments on balancing the budget and elimintating the deficit. The deficit, the debt, the weak dollar: those will be the issues in 2008,.
I'm worried by 2008, Bush and his big spending RINO buddies in Congress will have ruined the image of Republicans being fiscally responsible for decades.
Newt is the our last hope, and he won't just be running on rhetoric. The man is a visionary and a leader. NO MORE MODERATES!
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