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
JimInMT
January 21st, 2011
9:00 pm
Newt had his chance, way back in 1994, and he and his newbie cohorts BLEW IT by NOT keeping their promises. They “shape-shifted” their 100-days and 10 points that they SAID they would VOTE on in that time period into “we only promised to BRING UP the 10 points”. Liars. They will not get ANY vote from the hundreds of thousands of libertarian Constitutionalists, dozens of whom I know. We will not support anyone over the age of 55, though many of us be in our 60’s and 70’s. Especially those who tried AND FAILED to even TRY to restore our Constitutional Republic, with its LIMITATIONS of Federal powers, 15-20 years ago!!!!! Newt can go pound sand.
ab initio
January 21st, 2011
9:01 pm
If this story is anywhere near the truth, I am going to invest heavily in popcorn shares. The left alone will absolve any inherent risk in the investment within the first day.
jaypat
January 21st, 2011
9:01 pm
Has this blowhard not done enough harm for one lifetime? THe last time he had any power,he shut down the government over his petulant fantasies.
For the person above who is pleased that “he balanced the budget,” also know that there was a major decline in the economy that followed. It happens like this EVERY TIME. It’d be such a good idea for the public to learn how the monetary system actually works, but that probably ain’t going to happen anytime soon.
That’s a strong hint to the media that there is a major misunderstanding on the part of the public about the most important element in economics today: How we keep score, or the operation of the monetary system. http://moslereconomics.com/2009/12/10/7-deadly-innocent-frauds/
Mr. Delicious
January 21st, 2011
9:01 pm
Well…if it’s a choice between him or the socialist/facist/marxist/dictator who’s wiping his behind with the Constitution….I’ll take Newt.
Newt Gingrich reportedly tells Ga. Republicans he intends to run for president in 2012 – ajc.com | Real Time
January 21st, 2011
9:05 pm
[...] Gingrich reportedly tells Ga. Republicans he intends to run for president in 2012 – ajc.com Breaking news This entry was posted in Breaking News and tagged 2012, ajc.com, Gingrich, intends, Newt, [...]
divinegrace
January 21st, 2011
9:05 pm
I really can’t wait! Finally, someone who has a brain, and also common sense. He’s going to be fine. Just fine. Look at the ‘New Guard.’ What a joke? Look at how we’re all doing. Frankly, I don’t even really care
anymore. If Gingrich isn’t elected, I’ll be ok in every way. But, it’s going to be great to watch those fall that have chosen the latest loser. Samson Obama’s brother, cousin, or whatever he is, will be a one-term president. But, you never know. You’ll probably shoot yourselves in the foot a second time. I wouldn’t be surprised. (LOL)
NoMoreMrNiceGuy
January 21st, 2011
9:11 pm
ROFL ….. Yeah we want a cold fish that would divorce his wife on her death bed.
ComradeAnon
January 21st, 2011
9:13 pm
When has the serial adulterer NOT run for President?
philinnyc
January 21st, 2011
9:14 pm
Quick, someone tell Newt that if he comes out kissing Israel’s backside, he may as well forget about a Presidential run. The US is sick of sending billions in foreign aid to Israel only to have them manipulate our media and politicians.
Jake
January 21st, 2011
9:15 pm
@beth I graduated from UGA. Just to let you know, you shouldn’t end a sentence with a preposition. You’re a joke.
Noot Sucks
January 21st, 2011
9:16 pm
The most laughable thing I have ever heard.
Apparently Noot is high on viagra.
A Noot reality check:
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
Who Owns Him?
http://www.realchange.org/gingrich.htm
Who does this obvious sociopath think he is kidding?
divinegrace
January 21st, 2011
9:16 pm
I can just see libs sobbing because they’ve lost their jobs, houses, and lives. And it’s all because they chose another loser that tried to
spread the wealth!
Unfortunately, the wealth runs out. And their employers wipe them from the payroll. You just got to laugh!
There are plenty of diminutive libs on this site. That much is clear. They’d better start going to church. They need to go there for two reasons. One is that they’d better pray that Gingrich is elected so that they can hold on to what they have left. And the second is that if he isn’t elected, they’ll be right where they need to be, because only God can save them. That’ll be their only hope. I myself haven’t gone to church for 20 years. But, you just gotta laugh!
Tom in NY23
January 21st, 2011
9:16 pm
Hey newt, a real republican here. Remember Scozzafava? Remember Pelosi and the global warming commercial? I do. If you run it is because you want obama for a second term. There are too many of us who see you for what you are. If a progressive is going to lead this country off the tracks, I will do my best with my votes and my money to assure that it is a progressive with a D next to their name.
Crazy_Redneck
January 21st, 2011
9:18 pm
Dear Newt,
Please don’t. Rather than laughing my butt off at your feeble feigning of conservatism, I’d prefer to hear those to the right of yourself like Gov. Gary Johnson and Rep. Ron Paul.
In Liberty,
Crazy_Redneck
PS: Take those RINOs Pawlenty and Romney with you.
Inthiscorner
January 21st, 2011
9:18 pm
Actually I would like to see Herman Cain as Prez.
dennis
January 21st, 2011
9:19 pm
This would be as big of a mistake as electing Obama. He represents the old line DC folks. His contract with America was a joke. I don’t believe he would be ale to get the young voters to back him. I am a 60 year old conservitive and I would not vote for Newt. He may be able to work as an advisor but to run for the White House, I believe he would lose big time. If Newt runs who can I vote for? Maybe I will vote for NONE OF THE ABOVE!!!!!!!!
divinegrace
January 21st, 2011
9:21 pm
ComradeAnon is right! This has been going on since Julius Caesar, perhaps the greatest of the greatest. He was so succcessful that they killed the guy. He was prehaps the greatest adulterer of all time! Some of the folks on this site represent the weakness of America. That’s why we will be overtaken. We’ll have another bowing robot like we have now, in Samson Obama’s brother, cousin, or whatever he is.
Crazy_Redneck
January 21st, 2011
9:22 pm
Oh, and PS: I’d like to hear Herman Cain as well. Please don’t waste my time, Newty-boy.
Regards,
Crazy_Redneck
Give it up
January 21st, 2011
9:32 pm
Give it up you moldy old RINO!
Aunt Bee
January 21st, 2011
9:32 pm
“I worship the quicksand he walks in.”
- Art Buchwald
http://911essentials.com
Ranger_Ric
January 21st, 2011
9:36 pm
Sorry Newt, in case you have not noticed, we are throwing RINOs -out- of office, not electing them.
The blueblood GOP elite know that the high profile RINOs like Huckabee and Romney are simply not going to be accepted in 2012 so they are trying to slip in a stealth RINO like Newt in order to keep control of the party.
We are not going to accept a RINO you stinking GOP libs! If you don’t give us a real conservative candidate, we will choose our own. There will be no more Bush’s, no more Lugar’s and no more McCains… we have had it and you can either lead, follow or get out of the way! If you don’t, we will trample you.
amwiser
January 21st, 2011
9:38 pm
If he quits the CFR he might actually have a chance?
duh
January 21st, 2011
9:39 pm
too many ex wives to win GOP nomination.
duh
January 21st, 2011
9:39 pm
Too many ex wives to win the GOP nomination.
Htos1
January 21st, 2011
9:40 pm
No thanks,I wanta Tea Party candidate.
stumpCHUNKMAN
January 21st, 2011
9:51 pm
Newt is a skilled political strategist and a fairly consistent conservative overall, but I think there’s likely a bit too much baggage for him to have much of a real shot at the head of a ticket. People’s opinions on both sides are pretty strongly set already and if you like him at this point, you probably will always, likewise if you despise him now, not much is likely to change that.
At this point, I’d like to see Paul Ryan, Rick Santorum or Herman Cain make a push for it. A few governors like Jindal and Christie would get some pretty strong support but both said they have no desire for higher office yet as each feels they have unfinished business in their respective states.
I could see him being successful maybe in a support/adviser type of role, but likely not being the guy out front.
porchhound
January 21st, 2011
10:06 pm
Gingrich sold out the conservatives after the 2004 election and made sure the RNC defunded the incoming freshmen when they began holding his feet to the fire in 2005. He is GUTLESS and just another PROFESSORIAL PINHEAD like the one we have in office right now. He will NEVER get nominated. He went shaky during the 2005 attempt to defund NPR when he was attacked for killing BIG BIRD…this spineless moron couldn’t stand up to a stuffed bird!!!
rooster
January 21st, 2011
10:08 pm
tk harty @ 4:58 PM, I think you mean the conversation is moot, not mute.
Scott
January 21st, 2011
10:10 pm
There is no one more qualified and less electable than Newt, save perhaps Sarah Palin. I hope the Rep nominee has Newt has his or her principal domestic advisor… there could be none better.
Newt – you are unelectable, and I wish you weren’t.
Wayne
January 21st, 2011
10:14 pm
I like Newt’s conservative views, but I don’t like his lifestyle. He has too much personal, family baggage.I don’t think he would be able to win the Presidency. Why not pitch your tent in the camp and help us elect Mike Huckabee, Newt.He’s the man.
TreRosor
January 21st, 2011
10:14 pm
Newt, for the sake of the nation and whatever remains of your pride, decline to enter the 2012 presidential race. 1994 was your finest hour in politics.
As an historian yourself, you should be able to extrapolate how historians will reference you in the future. Somehow, “leader of the 90’s conservative resurgence” rings truer and kinder than “2012 washout candidate.” Besides, it will not consign you to join Paul Tsongas in obscure political history.
For the Newt supporters: Newt’s zenith was the Contract with America–let him be remembered for that. In the mean time, lend your support to a libertarian (or conservative candidate if you must) with a sound intellectual background and less baggage–like Ron Paul or Herman Cain. The libertarians and conservatives of the nation have superior options than dredging up former (and fallen) icons.
cookie
January 21st, 2011
10:15 pm
Newt, please run. We need an intelligent American for President.
Tony Greer
January 21st, 2011
10:16 pm
Get these old fart RINOs out of here ! We stuck with you jack-wagons in the ’90’s (YOU NEWT !!!) and you screwed us for power. Eff Off !!! Sarah Palin is who we want. NO MORE ESTABLISHMENT RINOs !!! You are part of the problem, Newt. TEA Party !
Ohiowordguy
January 21st, 2011
10:19 pm
It’s interesting to me all the “Republicans” on this board who are saying they won’t support Newt.
Have you forgotten the brilliance of the 1994 takeover of the House? (Which caused a savvy Bill Clinton to actually moderate.)
Have you ever actually *listened* to the man speak? He is a brilliant statesman who approaches politics from a historical perspective — and then offers relevant solutions to today’s problems. Mention any current political topic, and chances are that Newt can relate it to a similar period in American history.
You complain about him writing and promoting his books? How many books have YOU written? (I have written five, by the way.) This guy writes books about as often as most of you knuckle-draggers change sox (twice a year?). I have never, ever, heard before criticism of a politician because he writes books. Wow. Just wow.
What so many of the “Republicans” on this board are ignoring is this: THE PERFECT CANDIDATE DOES NOT EXIST!
Palin? Love her. Qualified? Heavy sigh…probably not. Yet. Huckabee? Please. Romney? Not conservative enough, has Obamacare-style baggage. Tommy Thompson? Too much RINO. Jeb Bush? Very qualified, but not gonna happen. Too much Bush baggage.
My point is, while you whiners sit on the sidelines calling in what plays NOT to run, the Dems will unify, and push Obama over the goal line in 2012.
I don’t like what Gingrich has (reportedly) done in his personal life. But we had a sitting president who was a known adulterer and who performed sex acts in the Oval Office, and got re-elected.
Please also remember that most of what you have heard about Gingrich has come from the left-wing, mainstream media — who hate him with a white-hot passion. Do you know the intricacies of Gingrich’s marriages? Really? Or do you know ONLY what you read or heard on TV? And what of Christian forgiveness, and “judge not?”
Conservatives must stop letting the left-wing media define us and our candidates. That is how we got McCain. Ugh. With the proper team behind him, Gingrich would kick Obama’s arse all over the electoral map. I wish he had run against him in 2008. If Mr. Newt gets in the race, I will back him 100 percent. I am very hopeful he gets in, and chooses Palin or West as veep.
I would pay money to see Gingrich debate the socialist union thug who currently occupies 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Run, Newt, Run!
Newt Gingrich tells Georgia GOP meeting he’ll run in 2012, spokesman backtracks « Essays and Miscellania
January 21st, 2011
10:20 pm
[...] Newt Gingrich tells Georgia GOP meeting he’ll run in 2012, spokesman backtracks Posted on January 22, 2011 by Joseph F. Clark Via MSNBC: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has told several prominent Republicans in his former state of Georgia that he intends to run for president in 2012, according to an online column Friday in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Gingrich told them that he plans to use Georgia as a base for his campaign and is looking for office space in Buckhead for a campaign headquarters, columnist Jim Galloway wrote in his Political Insider column. [...]
TreRosor
January 21st, 2011
10:21 pm
@Wayne:
Although Gov. Huckabee may appear to be a sound option for 2012, he is unelectable on a nationwide scale due to a few factors. Firstly, the 2008 campaign will be unceremoniously dragged to the surface to bite him (remember the anti-Mormon rhetoric against Romney?); that can be toxic in the ultra-PC world that has been created. Secondly, he’s on the Fox payroll. Again, I personally like Huckabee and Palin, but anyone who is regularly on a media conglomerate payroll frightens me just as someone currently chairing a mega-corporation would.
rooster
January 21st, 2011
10:24 pm
I’m not a particular Newt fan, but the divorce is probably not a disqualifier in and of itself. Reagan was divorced from the mother of two of his four children. No, what irks me about Newt is his ability to vacillate between a policy wonk (there’s no doubt as to his intelligence) and a social-issues demagogue (there’s also no doubt about his cynicism) based on his most recent assesment of the politcal climate.
The man
January 21st, 2011
10:26 pm
Our next President: Newt Gingrich. I can see him as Prez, I never did with that guy in office now.
Sam Jolley
January 21st, 2011
10:28 pm
Newt has the same character as John Edwards. None! It’s courage and conviction that counts in the next election. The era of Reagan will never be over. Don’t muddy the water with another RINO.
what a fine state of denial we live in
January 21st, 2011
10:31 pm
BY all means do run- I will love the opportunity to vote for whomever runs against you- you useless tool.
TreRosor
January 21st, 2011
10:31 pm
@Ohiowordguy
The issue of Newt’s intelligence is really a non-issue. It’s self-evident.
The underlying problems with a potential Newt candidacy certainly include his extramarital activities. Yes, it is easy for people to criticize and hold grudges. However, if Newt runs with the R attached to his name, he will be justifiably labeled as a hypocrite. The Republican party has portrayed itself as the party of morals and family values. Can you not conceive how his personal issues will prevent his election by the general public after the left’s smear campaigns? If you’re curious to see how this unfolds on a smaller scale, just look up or recall the story of the former Speaker Elect Bob Livingston.
Linda
January 21st, 2011
10:34 pm
Save your time and money Newt. If the best the Republican Party can do is washed up, been there/done that, had their chance and blew it politicians, they are in serious, serious trouble and don’t stand a chance of winning the Oval Office.
Sunny1
January 21st, 2011
10:37 pm
Please don’t waste your time or OUR’s. We dont need another stinkin’ RINO.Don’t do it. Don’t cost us a shot at President. Don’t be a fool to your ego. You have no chance! Go write another book. Go find another wife, but do enter the areana for President. please!
John
January 21st, 2011
10:38 pm
Wow isn’t he inspiring. What a joke.
Sunny1
January 21st, 2011
10:38 pm
SB don’t not do.
Lyn Mehrbach
January 21st, 2011
10:44 pm
Seriously, the God Fearing, Holier than thou Republicans are going to offer up this 3 time married, cheating sleaze ball? This guy was cheating on his 2nd wife while he was going after Clinton regarding Monica. Please……Oh wait, maybe he and Palin could run, then we’d have something to really laugh about.
Report: Newt Gingrich Intends To Run For President In 2012 | The State of the Union
January 21st, 2011
10:49 pm
[...] by Lori A. on January 21, 2011 Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich has told insiders that he plans to run for president in 2012, with Georgia as his base, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. [...]
our delusional Republicans
January 21st, 2011
10:54 pm
Thanks Newt.
Your self-delusion will guarantee four more years for Obama. And you think of yourself as a politician. Unless Palin gets there first and self-destructs even faster.
Our Republicans are rudderless, without a cogent plan or proactive steps to create one. All they can say is “no.”
And I’m ashamed I’m one of them.
John Bunion
January 21st, 2011
11:01 pm
Newt, I love to hear you spout off, but you are not the one to carry the party in 2012. You’re in fact a RINO and your marital baggage is way too heavy. Repubs, don’t give this guy a dime and tell those who pester you daily asking for money on the phone the same. Gingrich is as sleezy as Edwards and Clinton on the other side. A Romney/Bachman ticket is our only hope. Let Newt be a backroom advisor. He’d be good in the war room…….
Mark451
January 21st, 2011
11:05 pm
Thank God it’s not up to Georgian voters who are next president will be. Georgia voted for Deal as Gov enough said. I am truly in the South where people are still divided by race entirely. It’s true Democrats and Repubs didn’t have much of a choice but Deal? What the H#ll is up w/the South. No matter how corrupt or incompetent u are as long as you aren’t a Democrat sign me up. What’s so funny is that these politicians do not represent the middle class or poor (really none do that much) but they eat them up in the South as if they’re representing their interests. Wow! Our educational system is truly bankrupt!