Gingrich Picks Up Endorsement From J.C. Watts

FOX News ^ | Dec 26, 2011 | Hannity | Mark Steyn, guest host

[Jim Robinson]

This is a rush transcript from "Hannity," December 26, 2011. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

MARK STEYN, GUEST HOST: It made all the campaign chaos. Newt Gingrich has picked up a much needed endorsement from former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts.

Here to explain why he's chosen to throw his support behind the former speaker is none other than the man himself, former Congressman J.C. Watts.

Welcome to the program. What's Newt got that the other guys don't have as far as you are concerned?

J.C. WATTS, FORMER OKLAHOMA CONGRESSMAN: Well, Mark, thanks for having me on this evening. Let me say that I appreciate your work.

STEYN: Likewise, thank you, Congressman.

WATTS: You know, Mark, I am long past looking for my president or my presidential nominee to be my savior or to be my pastor. I'm looking for someone that is prepared to do the heavy lifting to get us where we all want to be and I think where we need to be. You consider in Washington, around the country today we are talking about balanced budgets, paying down our national debt, getting the economy going, defending ourselves, activist judges.

Newt Gingrich did all those things when he was speaker.

We got tax relief. We got balanced budgets. We got, you know, job creation. We paid down our national debt. If you think about it, Mark, we haven't done that since he left. So I think he's been there, done that. I think he is lot more seasoned person today than he was 15 years ago. I know him well. He is a personal friend. He asked me for an endorsement. I chose to give it to him.

[Video at source link]

[Jim Robinson]

STEYN: Now you were part of the 1994 Gingrich revolution generation. A lot of the people who were with you in the House back then don't feel that way about the speaker and have come out on TV. There has been this general line out of Washington that those who know the speaker the best are the ones who are most vehemently opposed to his resurgence. You are not part of that crowd. Why do you think you feel differently from so many of your former colleagues?

WATTS: Well, Mark, you know, we live in a country that we can throw our support to whomever we want to throw our support to. I would caution all of us or I would remind all of us that any candidate that we support, they are going to be flawed.

I think when you look at Romney, I mean, I could show you deep flaws there. When you look at Perry, I can show you deep flaws. When you look at the gentleman Congressman Paul, I could show you deep flaws.

But when you talk about the track record, been there, done that, when you talk about balanced budgets, tax relief, paying down our national debt, Newt has done those things.

You know, Mark, when you are speaker of the House, you do make enemies. When you are in politics, you make enemies. I would much rather tick off, you know, Washington politicians than to disappoint the American people.

When you look at the results that Newt Gingrich got when he was speaker, he got results for the American people.

More: http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/2011/12/27/gingrich-picks-endorsement-jc-watts

[RockinRight]

Good endorsement.

[pgkdan]

After listening to JC Watts apologize for obama and jeremiah wright on Hannity’s show, ad nauseum, in 2008 his endorsement isn’t worth the toilet paper it should be written on.

[beaversmom]

I don’t know who he ended up voting for, but I believe he was seriously considering Obama. Like another overrated black person, Colin Powell, they put race over principles. I’m happy Gingrich got an endorsement, but I don’t have much respect for Watts.

[trisham]

Thanks, Jim. This is good news.

[ravinson]

I listened to JC Watts filling in for Hannity yesterday afternoon and endorsing and interviewing Newt. Watts is an amateur as a radio host and Newt seemed uninspired by JC’s weak endorsement and his embarrassing questions about Newt's cuddling up to Nancy Pelosi, the climate control freaks, and Fannie and Freddie.

[FryingPan101]

He didn’t have a good reason for voting for Obama either, which he did much to the chagrin of Hannity. But, you know, what’s a little philosophical difference between friends? He’s still a guest host and all is well with the world. We’re just stuck trying to vote out a president he helped vote in. But, you know.

[sheikdetailfeather]

Art Laffer was just on Cavuto and said he is sure Newt’s economic plan will be able to get America back on track and he likes what he sees. Will be endorsing him on Thursday.

[Nevadan]

re: “I am long past looking for my president or my presidential nominee to be my savior or to be my pastor. I’m looking for someone that is prepared to do the heavy lifting to get us where we all want to be and I think where we need to be. You consider in Washington, around the country today we are talking about balanced budgets, paying down our national debt, getting the economy going, defending ourselves, activist judges.

Newt Gingrich did all those things when he was speaker.”

I think J.C. is spot on with this. If you look also at the experience in dealing with a hostile press, congress, president, etc. - who has more experience among the top candidates than Newt? I liked what he did when he was Speaker - it was stuff he did after he left congress that aggravated me most. We would never have gotten any refomation of welfare had it not been for Newt’s leadership with the 94 congress.

As J.C. has pointed out, he did actually accomplish some things for the nation that was needed whether the “entitlement” group understood it or not. Newt also helped to stop HillaryCare early on in Clinton’s administration.

I was against Bill Clinton, not because he was a dirtbag in his personal life (which is was/is), but because of his left/wing politics. I am disgusted by some of Newt’s personal life, I question some of the stupid things he’s said (and who hasn’t said stupid stuff in one’s life?) since being Speaker, but if it comes down to Newt, or, God forbid, Romney or Ron Paul, then I’ve got to go with Newt.

[JakeS]

Now this is great news. I agree with JC’s evaluation. And I really want to see Newt debate the usurper.

[JakeS]

Now this is great news. I agree with JC’s evaluation. And I really want to see Newt debate the usurper.

[Nevadan]

re: “He didn’t have a good reason for voting for Obama either, which he did much to the chagrin of Hannity”

Do you have a link or some kind of documentation that Watts actually voted for Obama? I’ve done some searching and all I can find are some quotes that he didn’t want to be tied down on voting for anyone. Yes, he said some stupid stuff, even Armstrong Williams did the same, but I haven’t found anywhere that Watts openly said he actually voted for Obama.

[South40]

Art Laffer was just on Cavuto

I saw that. Unfortunately, Art Laffer also said this:

"Well nothing bothers me about Mitt Romney. I think he is a very fine man and I think his proposals would be fine and I think he would make a fine president. I just don't think he is as good as Newt Gingrich."

[Night Hides Not]

And I really want to see Newt debate the usurper.

I'm looking forward to Callista laying her "death glare" on Newt's enemies.

[Timber Rattler]

Do you have a link or some kind of documentation that Watts actually voted for Obama?

J.C. Watts: Don't count my vote for McCain

A Republican in King Obama's court; J.C. Watts celebrates too

[Nevadan]

re: “Do you have a link or some kind of documentation that Watts actually voted for Obama?
J.C. Watts: Don’t count my vote for McCain

A Republican in King Obama’s court; J.C. Watts celebrates too”

Ok, I’ve seen those two links/articles before, but nowhere did he actually say that he voted for Obama.

[FryingPan101]

No. I don’t have any documentation. I think he was on Hannity’s radio show at the time and Hannity was asking him why he was supporting Obama. But you’re right, I should have looked it up and I will. Thanks.

[magritte]

Is Watts serious about Obama?

“Well, no, I didn’t say that,” he told Sean Hannity on his national radio show today. “What I said in the article was that I was a free agent. No one should assume that J.C. Watts should vote one way.”

Read more: J.C. Watts: Don’t count my vote for McCain http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=67247#ixzz1hs5zZ9QC

[FryingPan101]

“;Is Watts serious about Obama?Well, no, I didn’t say that,” he told Sean Hannity on his national radio show today. “What I said in the article was that I was a free agent. No one should assume that J.C. Watts should vote one way.”

Read more: J.C. Watts: Don’t count my vote for McCain http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=67247#ixzz1hs5zZ9QC";

I just read this. It must be the show I was listening to. I either misunderstood or Sean was making a big deal of trying to change J.C.’s mind. I came away with the belief he was voting for Obama but I guess he didn’t really say that, did he?
Thanks.

[Logical me]

If Newt just does what he did as speaker he will have saved most of America. If you check his web site, if he can accomplish even half of what he suggests there will be no doubt that he will go down as one of the greatest Presidents America has ever had. Give up on the baggage, that's part of growing up. Everyone makes mistakes but I would value a person that has made mistakes , realize he made them, and changes than a Lillie white jackass that never learned anything.