Newt Gingrich tells Georgia Republicans he’ll be a candidate in ‘12
In the last 24 hours, former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich has touched base with several prominent Republicans in his former home state, telling them that he intends to make a run for president in 2012 using Georgia as his base – and that he already has his eye on office space in Buckhead for a campaign headquarters.
Former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich
Gingrich met on Thursday with Nathan Deal, whom Gingrich endorsed during a critical phase of last year’s Republican primary for governor.
House Speaker David Ralston introduced Gingrich Thursday night at a downtown Atlanta affair hosted by the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce.
The visits and conversations – some face-to-face, others on the phone — appear to be an attempt by Gingrich to revive his old campaign network and lock down as much support as possible in a state won by Republican Mike Huckabee in the 2008 presidential primary.
A spokeswoman for Johnny Isakson said Gingrich called the U.S. senator earlier this month – adding that Gingrich was not definite about his plans in that conversation. In an interview on Friday, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss said he had not talked to Gingrich yet, but that the former U.S. House speaker had asked for an appointment in the near future. “He said, ‘I need a significant amount of your time,’” Chambliss said.
Gingrich, 67, is registered to vote in Virginia, and has a Virginia driver’s license. But he spent most of his adult life in Georgia, and from 1979 until 1999 — the last three years as speaker — Gingrich was a congressman from metro Atlanta.
Gingrich most recent visit here was clearly an attempt to lock down as much support as possible in a state won by Republican Mike Huckabee in the 2008 presidential primary. In a meeting with reporters, Gingrich emphasized his Georgia roots.
“My offices are here. My grandchildren are here. I’m here regularly,” Gingrich said at a Thursday news conference at his Center for Health Transformation in suburban Atlanta. “I helped create the modern Republican Party in Georgia starting in 1960. I have a certain fondness for being back in Atlanta.”
Perhaps more important, fundraising for Gingrich’s American Solutions organization is conducted out of Atlanta.
However, Rick Tyler, a spokesman for Gingrich, contacted Friday, said the former House speaker’s schedule for deciding on a 2012 presidential run had not changed. “His plans are to decide on whether to create an exploratory committee in late February, and make a decision about his candidacy in March,” Tyler said.
But Tyler said that Atlanta shouldn’t be ruled out as a headquarters – should Gingrich join the presidential contest.
For Gingrich, the key question is whether or not he can recreate an enthusiastic political base in Georgia more than a decade after he left it. There is no guarantee. Take, for instance, Saxby Chambliss. In a session with reporters, the U.S. senator said:
“Newt is my friend. He’s been a mentor, in some respects, since he was speaker when I got elected [to Congress].”
“But it’s a different world right now, and we’ve got to make sure that whoever the nominee is , that he can win in November. That’s the goal of every Republican right now. John Thune[, the U.S. senator from South Dakota,] is a very close friend. He’s talked to me about his potential campaign.
“I’m going to keep my powder dry.”
While Chambliss said he would pay good money to watch a debate between Gingrich and President Barack Obama, and has several strong points — his communication skills, and his familiarity with both fiscal issues and health care. But Chambliss has questions about Gingrich’s viability:
“Newt hasn’t said this to me, but he’s obviously aware of all the negative aspects of the campaign. And I’d be curious to hear from him why he thinks he can win in spite of that.
“In presidential campaigns now, you have to do something in Iowa. You may not have to win Iowa, but you’ve got to make a good showing in Iowa. Then you’ve either got to win or make a good showing in New Hampshire – if you don’t win Iowa.
Then if you don’t win New Hampshire or Iowa, you’ve got to win South Carolina. Can Newt do that?”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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577 comments Add your comment
Tkay
January 22nd, 2011
7:56 pm
I don’t agree with everything Gingrich does but he would make a good president. There are few men more knowledgable of the constitution.
glimmer
January 22nd, 2011
8:02 pm
Oh for crying out loud! Who the hell wants this washup?
Joseph Williams
January 22nd, 2011
8:10 pm
I really like you Newt! Don’t run for President. I have no party affiliation. We need new blood, not a bunch of old folk faces. I will not vote for all the well knowns, old faces, regardless of party.Give of someone with a real will to govern.
Richard Carpenter
January 22nd, 2011
8:19 pm
I want to hear Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul debate. The Republicans will have to confront Ron Paul’s issues if they expect to beat Obama. We are spending ourselves into poverty trying to police the world. THAT is how Obama can win unless we come up with an answer. We can’t ask poor people to sacrifice so Iraq and Afghanistan can have democracy.
Golden Eagle
January 22nd, 2011
8:25 pm
He still thinks the mid 90’s GOP victory was all about the Contract with America? Really! This guy did more to damage the GOP than anyone in the last 20 years. His arrogance measures right up there with the Reed and Pelosi! Go sit with Nancy there Mr Newt and you can both cuddle up to Cap and Trade! Write a few more books and stay out of the primary! Let Kasich, Christie, Romney, and Rubio run the show.
Norb Leahy
January 22nd, 2011
8:25 pm
Newt Gingrich is the best candidate. Read his Position on Issues on his website. His comments are brief, clear and more conservative than any other candidate. He is the only candidate with the judgement, wisdom, knowledge and experience to lead us out of bankruptcy Newt spent the last 15 years developing solutions we now need to implement. Next read Senator John Thune’s Position on Issues. He would be a worthy VP.
Al
January 22nd, 2011
8:27 pm
The 2012 election is looking scary. I’m a conservative, and I wish Gingrich didn’t have all the baggage, because is more than qualified. He’s just unelectable, though.
And, I have to say, it’s extra hard to find a Republican candidate, because the biased mainstream media will tear apart any GOP candidate as much as it can, so any contender needs to be triple-vetted.
And yes, there is a left-wing bias in the mainstream media, I work in the industry and see it too often to deny.
Ken Stepp
January 22nd, 2011
8:39 pm
Is this a joke or some trick? He’s not a viable candidate. He has past his time. I’m a conservative but not a Newt fan. Lets run someone that loves America more than power.
PhatMat
January 22nd, 2011
8:39 pm
Here come the RINOs – Gingrich, Romney…who’s next? Remember – Gingrich believes in global warming and was an original supporter of a carbon tax scheme. So called “conservatives” virtually non-distinguishable from Democrats. Hasn’t the Republican leadership learned from Nov 2010 yet? I guess we’ll have to teach them again.
Nunforme THANKS
January 22nd, 2011
8:44 pm
He needs to go back to the old days when he was handing out NWO books on the steps to the Captitol Bldg. A Baptist turned Catholic…That’s only part of the story that should create some concern.
Mike
January 22nd, 2011
8:46 pm
Newt is a well respected republican I think he has some RINO in him like Mc Cain his time has passed . Newt can do more for the Party by not running.
Rayman
January 22nd, 2011
8:54 pm
Plain and simple-HERMAN CAIN!!!!!!!!!!
Matt Cvetic
January 22nd, 2011
9:05 pm
Dear Newt, There are better Republicans than you. There are better Conservatives than you. There are better men than you. Please do us all a favor — take your global warming BS and your moderate Republican endorsements and go hide until after the elections. People like you working for us makes our opponents’ jobs a lot easier.
forty8
January 22nd, 2011
9:25 pm
so if im gettin the jist of most of the comments on here , IE; serial adulterer etc etc he should win by a landslide as all the democrat libs would vote for him in droves , it would be like Billy Clinton running for a 3rd term only better because Newt actually has workable ideas to move the country back to work again , unlike the current liberal experiment we have in the oval orifice now , but i digress
gussier
January 22nd, 2011
9:31 pm
mute AND moot. newt needs to retire. no way no how should he run for this office. doomsday complete for gop and a guarantee win for O-2 if he does.
Donna
January 22nd, 2011
9:32 pm
I like Mike … Mike Huckabee 2012.
Venjeana
January 22nd, 2011
9:43 pm
He should not run. I will not forget that he cheated on his wife. We need people with integrity.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
January 22nd, 2011
10:02 pm
Gingrich isn’t even a man, nor is any who think he is.
Tom Byrne
January 22nd, 2011
10:12 pm
A Romney/Gingrich ticket would be a winner. Romney has the executive experience and Gingrich the legislative experience; a great combination. By the way, if more of our leaders understood what the Tofflers were writing about from the beginning we wouldn’t be in such a mess.
A full-employment economy (realistically 6%) is required to maintain our American way of life, and these two have the best chance of making that happen.
Mac
January 22nd, 2011
10:16 pm
Would love to see Newt debate Obama. It would be like a teacher instructing a naive young child.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
January 22nd, 2011
10:43 pm
A pair of draft-dodgers: Romney/Gingrich
George
January 22nd, 2011
10:56 pm
Jindhal / Palin, a winning combination. Brains and looks.
Ron
January 22nd, 2011
10:57 pm
The republican party is fractured. There is no unity among republicans. We cannot win in 2012 if we run Newt, Mitt, Sarah, Guilani, Huckabee or any of the other names I have heard mentioned, The Democrats are unified behind their agenda and Obama is their flag bearer. We need a winning agenda and a flag bearer with good credentials and no skeletons in the closet. We have until the convention in Tampa to get an agenda and a short list of good flag bearers. If we don’t get on the ball we will have to put up with Obama and his crowd until Jan, 2017.
Fidlin1
January 22nd, 2011
11:06 pm
Newt Gingrich was the best choice in 2008 but it just didn’t happen. Hopefully he gets the chance next time.
Nobody has more experience and knowledge with domestic and foreign issues than Newt. Constitutionally he will represent the American people as they should and deserve to be if we’re ever going to get our economy moving again.
AllenMontana
January 22nd, 2011
11:20 pm
About time we someone qualified for the job. Get fired up Republicans. Your welcome America!!!
FREE tea
January 22nd, 2011
11:42 pm
WHILE an effective lobbyist for biz-nihilist and globalism with its
genocidal long term aims —BUT, Gingrich has ABSOLUTELY NO PLACE representing ‘conservative values’ for America.
He’s NOT ONLY a open, mercenary, serial adulterer, but a prime mover
of the NAU and NAFTA franchise slum meltdown, rabid RED China enabling, and,
perhaps most piercingly creepy, a fierce advocate for mass micro-chipping and other flagrantly eugenist projects.
——————STEER CLEAR!!!!
Edward
January 22nd, 2011
11:48 pm
Which Newt are we getting, the uber conservitive that ran the House or, the new global warming i’ll do a comercial for Al the sky is falling gore? Newt if your going to run as a centrist republican you will never be as well liked as President Bush, I do not think the nation is in the mood to guess every day which it will be, we are sick of back stabing politicians that lie to us. I think people on both sides could agree to that.
Alexis
January 23rd, 2011
12:05 am
As a conservative, I will never vote for this man, not even for dog-catcher. When I learned of how he treated his wife who was very ill, the mere sight of him disgusts me! I don’t want a person like this representing me or my country! Newt, your actions speak louder than words. Get lost!
Sharp1958
January 23rd, 2011
12:12 am
Old re-treads are not going to work. As a former supporter of his, the more I learn about hime the less I like. How about a Ron Paul/Rand Paul ticket?
Thank God not from georgia
January 23rd, 2011
12:25 am
Thank God the true sentiment of Republican idealism is not from Georgia. Had you dolts, during any part of your lives, been farther than the nearest county lines you would see that Newt is a visionary with a brilliant political mind no matched by many from any side of the arena. You can sit here and complain because you don’t know any better (as blatantly apodictic from your poor grammar) or you can throw your support to a candidate far superior to any other one that has come along to express presidential ambitions. While you’re at your local bar bumming drinks from the working folk you should actually pay attention to the TV when he makes appearances and gives lectures/speeches. Perhaps realize his politics and learn how they will be implemented for the betterment of our future and those of our children, and so-on.
He was politically neutralized after he paid his ex-wife their settlement AND left office, because of what he did…did your boy Clinton do as much?…I thought not. The fact is the general public are now willing to dismiss such petty and jejune ordeals in order to save our nation, and furthermore the world from economic collapse…and the reclamation of our freedoms that have been abrogated by the ruling class progressives.
Read his material, read ALL the candidates’ material…get your mind straight, and make a well-founded decision based on reality and NOT just your unfounded views that your heard from your friends at the beauty shop as y’all watched the view…seriously!
Gary Van Ryswyk
January 23rd, 2011
12:27 am
I would vote for Newt Gingrich with all of his flaws over bama any day.
He knows the history of the US and even knows that there are not 57 states like “the one” thinks.
I believe he could provide a genuine birth certificate before he applied for the job.
He has worked on establishing viable solutions to many of America’s problems.
He would drill here and drill now for oil instead of shutting down all off shore drilling
He would also pursue nuclear ,solar,wind and other energy sources in the US to make us more energy selff sufficient.
He would provide a viable alternative to the unconstitutional obamacare.
He would be a strong president when it comes to international affairs.
He can think on his feet and deliver a speech without relying on a teleprompter and would not be afraid to stand up for his positions with no hesitation.
He could make “the one” look like a child in a debate and would not be able to be pushed around.
He knows the constituion and what the founders of our country meant when they wrote it.
He would defend the rights of the people of the Us.
He would be pummeled by the left leaning main street media but would respond with superior intellect in a calm, knowledgeable and timely manner.
He would be able to explain in common priciples what he was doing and why he was doing it.
He would be an open minded president and truly transparent.
I believe he would listen to “we the People”
jacob miller
January 23rd, 2011
12:28 am
He is the most intelligent and WISE politician presently LIVING – GO NEWT 2010..!!!
Bill
January 23rd, 2011
12:34 am
Isn’t it sad that the same old well-entrenched, bought and paid for losers don’t know when to go away? It’s not worth voting for President anymore. If they’re a final candidate, they’ve been vetted to do the bidding of the elites. We’ve seen this game played out since Reagan.
FREE tea
January 23rd, 2011
12:37 am
—A new HUAC/Nuremberg Tribunal to look into crimes against
this republic and humanity at large committed by the capstone
‘charitable’ foundations, NGO’s et al —NOW!
GINGRICH is one of them.
BEWARE
BEWARE
BEWARE
Jack McCumber
January 23rd, 2011
1:17 am
Great. If you put Sarah on the ticket as VP you will win in a landslide. You can kill O on the issues, and Sarah will call a spade.
derdagian1
January 23rd, 2011
1:19 am
Mitt can cut some dead weight from the government, but Newt can cut it better. I’ll be voting for Newt.
GrandInquisitors
January 23rd, 2011
1:43 am
Ah yes – The father of the kiddie credit. We sure do need more of that.
rbblum
January 23rd, 2011
2:04 am
Newt should be astronomically rock solid on the campaign trail . . . elevating the 2012 presidential race to an honorable, cogent, and coherent level of debate.
Newt Gingrich Has Reportedly Made A Decision about 2012 and the Presidency « White House 2012
January 23rd, 2011
2:21 am
[...] [...]
Jay
January 23rd, 2011
3:01 am
Never forget when he sat on that couch with Pelosi and spewed out that global warming climate change BS for an advertisement. This guy is a fair weather opportunist. I don’t trust him anymore after that.
Jeremy
January 23rd, 2011
3:25 am
A message from the center- there are two Republicans in the field who will probably be president someday, Chris Christie and Marco Rubio. And as we all know, they’re steering way clear of a 2012 run. It’s not because they “still have work to do in their current posts”, it’s because they know that Barack Obama is absolutely, positively undefeatable for reelection. For God’s sake he’s at 50% approval with 10% unemployment, and between the $1 billion he’s about to spend, the ever increasing Latino electorate, and the fact that conservatives will never get behind anyone moderate enough to pull the independents, i’ts a no brainer. So run, Newt. Run Palin and Romney. Run Pence, Santorum and Pawlenty. It doesn’t really matter. The current president will be a two-term president. Sorry Repubs, but you can write it down.
Carl_irving
January 23rd, 2011
4:19 am
I like newt he has a handle on all of the fiscal issues and most all of the other issues….I don”t want four more years of nobama & blackie O do you?
myrtle
January 23rd, 2011
6:43 am
what on earth for would he even be considering entering the race? he has nothing to contribute but spin and half truths. talks out of both sides of his mouth.
Aaron
January 23rd, 2011
7:06 am
Lifelong Republican here. Although Newt got smeared pretty badly from ‘94-99 by the left wing media times are different now.
I prefer Newt to anybody else who i’ve heard might run with the possible exception of Chris Christie or Mitch Daniels.
Crap I Don’t Care About 01.22.11 | MillerFrost
January 23rd, 2011
7:22 am
[...] Speaking of which… Newt is also in. Mommy, make it [...]
Last Man Standing
January 23rd, 2011
8:04 am
When pondering the possible candidacy of Gingrich, one factor must be weighed. In all probability, Peanut Carter has made it highly unlikely that any Georgian will EVER be elected to the Presidency again. Just another thing for which to thank that pompous, egotistic, dictator-loving idiot from Plains.
jennifer
January 23rd, 2011
9:01 am
NO NEWT. WE need young and viable candidates. We have seen the NEWT show.
Sac
January 23rd, 2011
9:50 am
This qualifies as ‘news’?!?!?!
Somnolence
January 23rd, 2011
10:13 am
The only no-brainer is the one conservative candidate who will say “On day one of my presidency I will abolish the abomination known as Obamacare. Count on it!” Is Gingrich really that person, with all his compromises of the past, or do we need a teeth-gritting, no holds barred conservative Truman type with the salt to compliment the action. When I say Truman I’m talking about gruff, blunt disposition, not advocacy of liberal policies. I truly believe Palin, Jim Demint, Herman Cain, and perhaps (?) only a few others fit that bill.
James C
January 23rd, 2011
10:17 am
Newt is the most knowledgeable and experienced candidate running and that includes Barack Obama. I think people need to listen to what the man has to say and what his vision is for our country. Because when I listen to him speak he is very impressive. Don’t dismiss somebody simply because he is older. He would make a great president.