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 ...
I love newt, but Sanford is my top choice a the moment too.
I was visiting the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception during an Easter vacation in DC.
The Newt was sitting by himself in the basement cafeteria. I thought it was strange that a non-Catholic would be hanging out at the National Shrine. A bit of Googling later turned up the fact that the Newt was dating some sweet young thing who sang in the Choir.
The guy sends my cringe-o-meter to tilt every time he appears on FOX.
I haven't a clue as to his religious stance...however, he apparently has voted the proper way on abortion (No, no and no again) and scores high marks on gun rights legislation. However, it is his fiscal rectitude which is really needed. I suspect he would cause a lot of politicians to squeal in pain. Good.
Regards, Ivan
We would have the "Reagan Democrat" phenomenon all over again.
Precisely. And were I someone like Karl Rove, I would emphasise Governor Sanford's freshness and rectitude as opposed to Hillary's tiredness and chicanery. She is a soft target if the proper approach can be taken.
Regards, Ivan
Newt is an incredibly gifted politician. Even with the moral problem, I think he could be President were it not for one major problem - his personal mannerisms when he talks. He puts on an air that many people won't stomach. It will never happen.
Newt! Stop smoking that stuff! Now sit down and behave yourself.
First Hillary vs. Gingrich in the hate bowl.
I hate to disapoint you but the next president will be George Allen from VA.
Wrong time, wrong approach and wrong man. Gingrich could have been an ongoing national leader; however, he ran into woman trouble and has never recovered.
Gee, and Newt thinks I'd vote for him?
I know people have a soft spot for him since he was a part of the '94 revolution.
I have no such sensibilities. I wasn't a conservative in '94, I appreciate what he did THEN, but last time I heard Newt speak he was praising Hillary.
I don't trust him and the above was pure trash. To suggest the President and his administration were more interested in winning an election than in winning the WOT is inexcusable from Newt. If he wants to play to the MSM, he can, I won't be following him.
Newt has made null and void any consideration I might have had in voting for him when trashing the President's war policy during that war. Not only giving aid to people such as DUmmies and others, but our enemies in the field. Just SHUT UP Newt.
Winning The Future: A 21st Century Contract with America
by Newt Gingrich
Publisher: Regnery Publishing, Inc. (January 10, 2005)
Amazon.com Sales Rank in Books: #2,130
Barnes & Noble Sales Rank: 6,975
No disrespect to Mr. Allen, who has a good record, but he's no Mark Sanford.
We'll see.
Regards, Ivan
I lost all my previously considerable admiration and respect for Gingrich when he left Washington under a thoroughly justified cloud.
From all the available information, he appears to have begun his affair with Callista Bisek, the relationship which eventually brought him down, about the time of the 1994 election or a little before. In June of 1995 this was reported as gossip in "Vanity Fair" magazine, a highly pro-Clinton rag. After Gingrich was outed the New York Post carried a column by a former Republican staffer telling of one or more conversations with DemonRat colleagues where they said they weren't too afraid of Gingrich because they thought they had enough reliable dirt to blackmail him.
Starting in June of 1995 and continuing through the end of his first term Clinton ran a series of highly effective and nearly libelous attack ads against Gingrich and the Republican Congress. THE PUBBIES, WITH GINGRICH'S SUPPORT, NEVER ANSWERED THOSE ADS. Indeed, they didn't even answer them when the AFL-CIO put together a doctored ad that purported to show Gingrich saying Medicare would "die on the vine."
From all of this it's pretty clear that the Clintons got the accurate dirt on Gingrich some time in early 1995 and blackmailed him with it for the remainder of his term as Speaker. That meant we never counter attacked their ad campaign that (1) allowed Clinton to be reelected and (2)prevented enactment of much of the Contract with America. In other words, Gingrich betrayed the Republican party to keep his immoral conduct from being exposed.
Indeed, he still seems to be shilling for the DemonRats in some ways. The prime example is an interview he gave on Fox News during the election where he partially criticized the Swiftvets, saying people shouldn't pay much attention to their attack on Kerry's combat record, but should concern themselves with what Kerry did after retiring to the United States. That showed he didn't even understand how important the attack on Kerry's combat record was, since that bogus record was what Kerry used to cover all of his traitorous conduct. The attacks on Kerry's conduct could only be effective once he'd been stripped of his false patina of a "war hero."
All of this means Gingrich has become fundamentally untrustworthy due to his own immoral conduct and bad judgment, should not be relied on, and definitely should not get the nomination.
Newt knows he has no chance. This will simply raise his profile, speakers fees, and other sources of income.
I have great respect for Newt as an intellectual conservative, but as others have said, his time as a national leader is long past.
Those who can get elected? Let's start with Bill Owens (Colorado) and George Allen (Virginia). Condi is not a politician, so she will go back to the private sector. Rudi is a good man, but a RINO. McCain is smart enough to know that the MSM will turn on him and produce all kinds of "scandals" should he get the nomination (which is unlikely anyway). Maybe, Newt sees an opening, but it is a very small one.
That was his first wife. The second divorced him because of his adulterous affair with Callista Bisek. Morally, he and Clinton are in a contest to see who can dive deepest into the vilest cesspool.
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