Wary Eye on Gingrich
While three new polls from Iowa released on Tuesday showed Newt Gingrich as the new frontrunner in that important state, Republicans in the Congress continued to send mixed signals about the idea of the former U.S. House Speaker being their party's standard bearer next November.
"That's the way Newt has always been; he's been a lightning rod," said Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, who called Gingrich a mentor and a friend.
But Chambliss admitted that when reporters are out of earshot, his colleagues are expressing misgivings about Gingrich.
"Some people love him, some people are completely turned off by him," said Chambliss with a smile, as we spoke just off the Senate floor.
"Newt's certainly done very well," Chambliss added, again refusing to endorse anyone, joining other GOP lawmakers in trying to stay on the fence.
Just down the hall by the elevators, Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) was fielding much the same question about the former Speaker.
"He's more tested than any of the others," said Kirk, as he predicted that Gingrich would go through a rough next week.
Kirk - who many expect will endorse Mitt Romney - wasn't giving anything away as he handicapped the GOP field.
"The great thing for the 'Anti-Romney' is the one who peaks last - is the one who won the lottery," said Kirk.
Not only did Gingrich have three good polls in Iowa, but also was well out in front in a new poll from South Carolina.
"It's changing every week," said Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, who told reporters that "it's between Romney and Gingrich right now."
"Certainly he's viable," DeMint said of Gingrich, who earlier this year got a verbal rebuke from Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina, but recently seems to have seen his fortunes change in the Palmetto State.
South Carolina votes on January 21, over two weeks after Iowa on January 3, which is followed by New Hampshire on January 10.
Still, even with Gingrich's surge in the polls, you can feel a reluctance among Republicans to get on board with him.
The ghosts of Gingrich's past are here in the hallways on the Capitol, and lawmakers feel that presence. But out in the grass roots, there's a lot of excitement for Gingrich.
It makes for a very interesting mix with 4 weeks until Iowa.
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33 comments Add your comment
Allies urge Romney to get tough as Gingrich rises – San Francisco Chronicle | Tanzania - iWooho.com
December 6th, 2011
5:01 pm
[...] decades, …Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney Fight for Votes, and Google SearchesABC News (blog)Wary Eye on GingrichAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Worthington backs RomneyToronto SunVanity Fair -Washington [...]
The Ghost of Gingrich's Past
December 6th, 2011
6:22 pm
Newt Gingrich’s Skeleton Closet
Mr. Family Values is amazingly similar to Bill Clinton – both are pot smoking, draft-dodging adulterers from poor Southern families.
Newt Gingrich was fined $300,000 at one time by the House of Representatives for ethics violations. He was originally charged with 84 ethics violations in this scandal.
Adultery:
Callista Bisek. Anne Manning. The unnamed “young volunteer”. Are we missing anyone?
Draft dodger
Dead-Beat Dad
Family Values? Pressing Wife for Divorce in the Hospital
House Banking Scandal: Newt Bounced 22 Checks
Book Deals: Murdoch’s $4.5 Million wasn’t the first
GOPAC sleaze: Taxpayer subsidies for his partisan campaign course.
Corporate reward: $2,500/month to Newt’s wife
REPUBLICANS THIS IS YOUR NEXT PRESIDENT?
Allies urge Romney to get tough as Gingrich rises – San Francisco Chronicle | Malaysia - iWooho.com
December 6th, 2011
6:29 pm
[...] decades, …Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney Fight for Votes, and Google SearchesABC News (blog)Wary Eye on GingrichAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Worthington backs RomneyToronto SunVanity Fair -Washington [...]
Brett
December 6th, 2011
6:33 pm
Brilliant guy and will be the next president. President Gingrich 2012!!!!!!! A guy who can fix the problems. Clinton had baggage as well but did quite good.
Jack
December 6th, 2011
6:41 pm
Lots of bloggers hit on Newt, but none say they’re going to vote for Obama.
Aquamaquisha
December 6th, 2011
7:00 pm
In the (unlikely) event that Newt is the GOP candidate a lot of people would just vote for the other guy. Now that Newt has positioned himself as Obama Lite by endorsing amnesty for illegal aliens there wouldn’t be all that much to differentiate them.
Libb In Cobb
December 6th, 2011
7:02 pm
If any Georgia voter likes a hypocritical, self-professed christian man, who has cheated on two wives, then Newt is your guy. This man has the moral fiber of a stray dog in heat and that is his private life only or not so private life. Then of course don’t forget the very significiant ethical issues he had while in Congress. Pefect, just perfect. Fotunately, this dirt bag is a Republican. Let’s not forget the reason that he cheated on one wife. ” I was so devoted to my job and country”. Pure PUKE!
tiger-uga
December 6th, 2011
7:05 pm
Take a minute, watch and learn!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=qtjfMjjce2Y
jconservative
December 6th, 2011
7:14 pm
Gingrich was elected to Congress in 1978 and has been in Washington since that date. Gingrich is the Ultimate Washington insider. 33 years in Washington, DC. 18 years in Congress, 15 years a K Street Lobbyist, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lobbyist, creator of the National Mandate for Insurance and advocate for Al Gore’s Global Warming initiative.
History proves Gingrich is the most liberal Republican in Washington in the last 30 plus years.
But today he calls himself a conservative and millions of suckers take the bait hook, line and sinker.
The Republican Party is a mere shadow of its former self.
Steve From Dalton
December 6th, 2011
8:02 pm
We are electing the guy The President not The Pope. FDR died in the arms of his mistress. It was common knowledge that JFK and LBJ fooled around. Not to mention the Clinton situation. Leaders cheating goes back to David and Bathsheba. Nothing new under the sun. The same people pointing fingers at Newt were the same ones defending Clinton.
Last Man Standing
December 6th, 2011
8:03 pm
Romney isn’t in the same league with Gingrich as it relates to an understanding of America, the Constitution and our place in history. Obama isn;t qualified to carry his jock strap.
Dems/libs want Romney as Obama’s competition, and they are joined by the old guard Republicans. The dems know Romney is the easier candidate for Obama to face, and the establishment Republicans fear criticism of Obama. Obama needs to be criticized and challenged.
I predict that if Gingrich is the candidate, Obama will dodge truly debating Gingrich in an open debate using only a time keeper. Obama knows he would be dead meat if he accepted such a challenge.
dabo
December 6th, 2011
8:06 pm
I heard Newt was dropping out of the race because he found a younger, better looking country to run for President!
Anyone is better than Obama
December 6th, 2011
8:11 pm
Love how the Democrats jump on here and smear Newt…
Seriously? Can’t believe you haven’t run Obama out of office yourselves. What a train wreck of a presidency.
Oh look! Unemployment is only 10% this month! Obama’s a genius!
Rahvi
December 6th, 2011
8:11 pm
There has never been a more loathsome, depicable Politcian to disgrace the nation than this pompous, obese, adulterous Charlatan. His breath taking arrogance, combined with a lying, nauseating hubris may play with the Tea Bag Bigots, Birthers, Klanners, Bible Thumping Hypocrites, and the rest of the putrid, wretched White Trash that makes up the Republican base. But on a bigger playing field, where this scumbag will be fully exposed, he will be rolled by President Obama.
Don
December 6th, 2011
8:20 pm
Please, Please, make Gingrich the nominee. Or Romney. Or Perry. What a cast of clowns!!! Or a confederacy of dunces.
double
December 6th, 2011
8:33 pm
DON’T POLLUTE-NO NEWT.
Howard
December 6th, 2011
8:47 pm
Not surprised of Sen. Chambliss comments. He is part of the problem in Washington. Newt as President would be bad for people like Sen. Chambliss. Other dinosaurs that need to go: Sen. John McCain, Sen. Susan Collins, just to name a few. That’s just on the Republicans. The White House Media Corp., Wolf Blitzer, for example have already picked Gov. Romney as the candidate. He can then be demonized for his ties to Wall Street. Newt has no ties there. There in lies the problem for the White House Media Corp.
Frank
December 6th, 2011
9:04 pm
rahvi (above), is a turd. He also has probably grown up eating turds. mmmmmmmmmm turds.
brad
December 6th, 2011
9:20 pm
And Frank, you’re just a typical conservative.
OutWithThemAll
December 6th, 2011
9:27 pm
Love how Newt put his election headquarters in Atlanta to appear an “outsider.” doesn’t he live in Virginia? That’s his lobby base, right?
Al Kigheeta
December 6th, 2011
9:33 pm
For those who wish America ill, Newt is the candidate of choice.
Al Kigheeta
December 6th, 2011
9:37 pm
The reason we’re pointing fingers at Newt is BECAUSE Newt was implicit in impeaching Clinton, Republikista fools!
You made character and morality a political weapon against Democrats…but refuse to apply it to your own candidates. That makes you lower than slug feces.
Serious Robuck
December 6th, 2011
9:52 pm
LMS, you’re smoking weed, old buddy. If Newt’s your nominee, Obama carries 45 states. Save this post, LMS. Stick me when I’m wrong!!
The Ghost of Gingrich's Past
December 6th, 2011
9:53 pm
@Anyone is better than Obama December 6th, 2011 8:11 pm – Love how the Democrats jump on here and smear Newt…Seriously? Can’t believe you haven’t run Obama out of office yourselves. What a train wreck of a presidency. Oh look! Unemployment is only 10% this month! Obama’s a genius!
______________________________
“YOU” people get on here and smear Obama.
If you can dish it you can take it! You don’t own squat so we have just as much right to EXPRESS our opinion like you do.
Get over yourself and stop thinking that “YOU” people can tell others what to say and do! You don’t own me and you don’t tell me what to do or say!
ANYONE IS BETTTTER THAN NEWT! My Jack Russell is better than Newt!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
double
December 6th, 2011
9:55 pm
rahvi eats pulse,and pulse only.
The Ghost of Gingrich's Past
December 6th, 2011
10:09 pm
@Steve From Dalton December 6th, 2011 8:02 pm – . The same people pointing fingers at Newt were the same ones defending Clinton.
**********************
We don’t give a rats behind who Newt scr*ws. He can scr*w a donut for all we care!
Anyone that would say the things he said about POOR CHILDREN has a special place in h*ll.
Newt has no morals and no integrity. Newt is power hungry. Newt is a hypocrite.
If you want to vote for Newt be my guest. But don’t give us that BS about smearing Newt’s good name.
Mr. Family Values is amazingly similar to Bill Clinton – both are pot smoking, draft-dodging adulterers.
Newt Gingrich was fined $300,000 at one time by the House of Representatives for ethics violations. He was originally charged with 84 ethics violations in this scandal.
Got paid by Freddie Mac
Adultery:
Callista Bisek. Anne Manning. The unnamed “young volunteer”. Are we missing anyone?
Draft dodger
Dead-Beat Dad
Family Values? Pressing Wife for Divorce in the Hospital
House Banking Scandal: Newt Bounced 22 Checks
Book Deals: Murdoch’s $4.5 Million wasn’t the first
GOPAC sleaze: Taxpayer subsidies for his partisan campaign course.
Corporate reward: $2,500/month to Newt’s wife
REPUBLICANS IS THIS YOUR NEXT PRESIDENT?
The Ghost of Gingrich's Past
December 6th, 2011
10:19 pm
@Frank December 6th, 2011 9:04 pm
@double December 6th, 2011 9:55 pm
@Steve From Dalton December 6th, 2011 8:02 pm
@Anyone is better than Obama December 6th, 2011 8:11 pm
THE TRUTH HURTS!
Iowans for Christian Leaders in Government attacked yo boy Newt and called him a hypocrite.
Most of the people who have worked with Newt are saying – “this guy cannot be president.”
The Democrats are WAITING FOR NEWT….bring it on!i
The Ghost of Gingrich's Past
December 6th, 2011
10:28 pm
“Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of a dog,
Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg, and howlet’s wing,–
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.”
Bubble bubble toil and trouble!
Allies urge Romney to get tough as Gingrich rises – San Francisco Chronicle | Singapore - iWooho.com
December 6th, 2011
10:44 pm
[...] decades, …Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney Fight for Votes, and Google SearchesABC News (blog)Wary Eye on GingrichAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Worthington backs RomneyToronto SunVanity Fair -Washington [...]
Ignore Peter King | BobGriggs.com
December 7th, 2011
9:04 am
[...] will tell you that someone like Gingrich can’t win… that he’s too much of a lightning rod. Why, tell me, would you want to elect someone who doesn’t have the motivation, the [...]
Nan
December 8th, 2011
6:03 am
Someone recently referred to Newt as a salamander. That sounds about right.
Pete
December 9th, 2011
10:00 am
Eye of Newt,and toe of Paul, wool of Herman,and tongue of Mitt,Gingrich fork,and Santorum sting, Bachmans leg,and Perry’s wing,- For a charm of powerful trouble. Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
kool$kat
December 9th, 2011
4:34 pm
Any of the Repub nominees will be better than Barry Hussein Obama. BHO is worse pres ever, worse even than Jimmeh Cottah. Not surprising that the two most anti-Israel presidents have been the least successful, if you know your Bible.
Obama has done nothing positive for the country. Not one thing. I challenge anyone to list one thing.