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
KZGuy
January 22nd, 2011
8:45 am
Please go away Newt. I don’t care where. You have more baggage than Kate Gosslin and her kids. Besides cheating on his wives (at least two of them) didn’t he establish a PAC that would buy thousands of his books so they would become best sellers? No morals no ethics. Newt needs to shut up.
Rich
January 22nd, 2011
8:49 am
@ KZGuy – If that is true about his own PAC buying his own books…This guy is scummier than I had first thought…What a jag! Clinton ran circles around him when he was speaker anyway…Kind of like how foreign leaders are running circles around our current resident of the White House.
debbie
January 22nd, 2011
8:52 am
he has my vote
AJC « Sister Toldjah
January 22nd, 2011
8:53 am
[...] Report: Newt Gingrich tells Georgia Republicans he’ll be a candidate in ‘12 [...]
Atlprofguy
January 22nd, 2011
8:54 am
Haha run newt run….waste your money and others….
I don’t think a guy who failed to pass his “contract with America”, failednto pass term limits, which he ran on! Of course there is the issue of past adultery, and then his second wife’s writings (which cost her a job as the librarian of congress (Marianne?)
Yeah newtie in an age of Internet trash that is bake to be dug up on you…brother you got nothin’ and no chance! And I am a republican! Hahaha
And lose some weight!
Sorely Frickey
January 22nd, 2011
8:56 am
How many of you would let someone work on your car who had no more experience with automobiles than you have with running political campaigns? Then why are you … Oh, wait, maybe I get it. If the guy hid behind a bush while fixing your car, THAT would be acceptable, because you wouldn’t know who he was. Whew! For a minute there I was worried that the majority of posters might be losers or even lunatics who should be locked away in a Connect-the-Dots jail cell or TV room.
Paul
January 22nd, 2011
9:00 am
I support NEWT for President
Lebek
January 22nd, 2011
9:02 am
Gingrich – Palin ticket, a scary thought indeed.
Perspective
January 22nd, 2011
9:03 am
Staunch conservative here..and no way would you get my vote, Gingrich. You are part of what destroyed the Repub party, and if there was any doubt, that lovely dual ad with you and Pelosi sealed the deal. No more “reaching across the aisle”. We are done with that, you can’t deal with the devil, and you have proved that is your style. I would rather let Obama keep the job, as much as I can’t stand him, because I know he will always be a socialist trying to become a Marxist,..you I can’t trust.
Paul
January 22nd, 2011
9:04 am
We need a little old guard here. I’d vote for him support him and he has the experience and brain power to do a great job. He has great ideas too. Why don’t you just listen too him? He has strong support in the SOUTH and you need the south.
Hawkeye
January 22nd, 2011
9:06 am
Go T-Paw! http://www.iowansforpawlenty.com
Perspective
January 22nd, 2011
9:08 am
ON top of the political hypocrisy he has shown over the last 10 years…I had forgotten about the marital hypocrisy!! Don’t bother, Newt, we don’t want the likes of you in the White House, you would just pull a Perot on anyone who would be good at the job. Conservatives, ( most of us, now) would rather have the destruction of our country owned by the rightful owners, Democrats, than give Dems cover with your as President going along with them, like Bush did with Kennedy and a Dem congress, and McCain with Feingold etc.
No, we are done with RINOs..go away.
clint
January 22nd, 2011
9:09 am
Good for Newt! He is one of the most informed, most competent, most educated, most intelligent, and most conservative Americans alive today. He has red blood in his veins. I can’t think of another individual I’d rather vote for! There is probably no one who is more qualified to be president in these uncertain times. I agree with Chambliss, in debates, Newt would chew up Obama and spit him out. It would be a sight to see Newt confound Obama, who is unqualified and incompetent.
Perspective
January 22nd, 2011
9:16 am
Hmmm..just scrolled through all the comments..Newt, you better read them yourself, because we, the real Republicans, are tired of RINOS like you, and you will not only not get elected, you will be despised like Perot is for bringing triangulating the vote against a good person/good candidate.
Give it up, Newt, we don’t want a rehash of what you’ve already done. We want real conservatives, and you simply aren’t one…
veritaseequitas
January 22nd, 2011
9:16 am
Don’t do it dog…you got too much background noise, you are too old and we do not need any recycled politicos trying to dick up the good stuff that was accomplished in 2010. We need a younger, vibrant, no crap, Conservative with testicular veracity, to get BO out of office in 2012. Newt you ain’t got the credentials, man. Stay home, write your books, go on television once in a while, be a cheerleader, but do us a favor and stay the heck away from the White House.
| Republican Party of Wood County
January 22nd, 2011
9:17 am
[...] 13. AJC: Gingrich tells Georgia Republicans he’ll be 2012 candidate [...]
Beneteau
January 22nd, 2011
9:17 am
I am a Georgia resident. I have observed Newt over the last 15+ years. I think he has the best ideas and is the smartest man in the entire arena of republican presidential hopefuls. Although he does have some past “woman/marital” baggage, I am willing to overlook that for the sake of our country. Haven’t we overlooked Obama’s admitted cocaine use? I think Newt will make a great President!
CLS88
January 22nd, 2011
9:18 am
Gingrich/Michelle Bachman duo would be the ticket.
Jezel
January 22nd, 2011
9:19 am
No doubt that Newt is a hater and could never win. But at least he ….does not invent words. A ticket with Newt and Palin on it is the best thing that could happen for the democrats.
GKPAL
January 22nd, 2011
9:21 am
Newt, please do us a favor and stay out of presitential politics. You had your day and it is now over. If you insist, will only make a fool of yourself.
independent thinker
January 22nd, 2011
9:25 am
I propose a Newt -Palin ticket to guaranty Obama’s reelection or better yet Gingrich and Christine O’Donnel since Palin’s ego is too big now to run again as V.P. Make sure to ask Newt about his Susan Smith comments and his ongoing adulterous affair while he was ramming Clinton’s impeachment through Congress.
marine43
January 22nd, 2011
9:26 am
Please Newt, just GO AWAY. We had your number, the day you and Nancy shared the couch. on glowbull warming!
Mike
January 22nd, 2011
9:28 am
Sorry Newt, your failed policies of the past are not want the People want. We want new blood and new ideas to pull this beautiful Country from the edge of Hell…
Mike
Ruckweiler
January 22nd, 2011
9:28 am
Newt:
Stay home! Write your books, educate the country, and tend to your marriage. Your day has passed. Remember Harold Stassen.
Dr. C
January 22nd, 2011
9:31 am
The link title made me think Newt was making a Waffle House run. I would join him for that, though I’m a tad too sober..
The Virginian
January 22nd, 2011
9:33 am
PALIN IS DUMB LIKE A FOX. People who think otherwise would have said the same thing about Reagan. She is the one the liberal fear most. I think everyone is going to be surprized. If your choice is Obama or Palin it’s a no brainer.
independent thinker
January 22nd, 2011
9:37 am
I really want to see a Gingrich Palin debate- two failed politicians who quit when people started investigating their ehtics. Their only true claim to fame is making nonsensical speeches and selling books. be careful no one lights up in the room-too much gas.
Mary
January 22nd, 2011
9:39 am
Please-Make this self involved opportunist GO AWAY!
kenny komodo
January 22nd, 2011
9:40 am
No Newt is good Newt. I’m all in for Sarah Palin for President. If the Republicans actually do something as stupid as run Gingrich as their candidate in 2012 the country might as well just hand the keys to the White House back to Barry and wish him luck in his next four years.
Mike
January 22nd, 2011
9:43 am
As a conservative that votes Republican 95% of the time, I would NOT vote for Newt Gingrich. HE is part of the problem. After the 1994 elections, he helped to keep the true conservatives down. One thing that he and Trent Lott did was insure that term limits did not pass. And that does not even get into his personal baggage, like dumping his cancer-stricken wife for someone else on her death bed. Some guy.
Ed
January 22nd, 2011
9:43 am
Good way to lose the eledtion to the Dems…run this Republocrat. We can’t win the White House with this Knuclehead!!!!!
Jim Kuhn
January 22nd, 2011
9:48 am
Gingrich is one of few politicans who makes sense. His analysis of events is right on the button. He is my favorite Republican yet not my choice for Pres. Would make an able Attorney Gen or Sec of State. Need more affable Pres candidate. Many too choose from: Thune, Christy, Jindahl, Ryan, Kantor, Pence, Palin.
marg1
January 22nd, 2011
9:49 am
Traci said it all:
If his wife can’t trust him neither can I.
Scott
January 22nd, 2011
9:56 am
Old Newt, maybe. New Newt, one word- RINO.
Jason Burnstein
January 22nd, 2011
9:59 am
No Newt please no….you will be the downfall of the country….no, say it isn’t so.
Cindy
January 22nd, 2011
9:59 am
Ick. He is an adulterer and very proud.
Ruth
January 22nd, 2011
10:00 am
OH NO! TELL ME IT ISN’T SO
WHY IS IS THESE OLD POLITICIANS NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE CLEARLY NOT WANTED!!!
Robert
January 22nd, 2011
10:00 am
Mr. Gringrich, should forget running for President and support our current President in saving this country. Country before Party!!!!
Leah In Alabama
January 22nd, 2011
10:05 am
Sometimes people in our own families behave horrendously and we are sure we’ll never speak to them again. Then after many missed Thanksgiving Dinners-they show up and you realize that they are still your family. I lived in Atlanta during all the turmoil in Newt’s Life- so this is not new to me. I thought he was horrible, Disgusting etc. At this moment I see my most beloved country being hi-jacked by enemies from within. Newt has all the ability and knowledge to bring us out of this nightmare, and is one of the only ones who could completly desimate Obama in a debate without a single doubt and ALL OF US know that. SUck it up my fellow Americans, If Newt is the nominee, my creep of a “Brother” will have my vote over Obama any day of the week!
Ray Alexander
January 22nd, 2011
10:05 am
We don’t need another rock star. We need a solution oriantated mature conservative like Newt.
He cettainly has the smarts. Lets not forget he was the architect of the Contract with America. Clintin likes to take the credit, but it was Newt.
Love you Newt
olegunny
January 22nd, 2011
10:09 am
This man can not be elected to any national position. He will never even come close to getting the nomination. He may however harm the GOP candidate.
jim
January 22nd, 2011
10:09 am
Its hard to get excited about Newt but………there’s no way I am or fellow TPers are voting for Huckabee or Rino Romney so who’s left? Palin IMO is not electable although I personnally would vote for her over the above mentioned.
Michelle Bachman is going to be heard from a lot starting with the Tea Party rebuttal to Obama’s SOTU address on Tuesday. I campained for Allen West but he’s too new – could be a strong VP candidate.
Look out for a Bachman/West ticket
independent thinker
January 22nd, 2011
10:10 am
I hope old Newt and Todd Palin collaborate on a book on 100 different ways to cheat on your wife. Maybe old Bill can write a chapter and make it a bipartisan effort.
Ray Alexander
January 22nd, 2011
10:11 am
Nobody has mentioned Pawlenty, he is excellent as well. How about Gulliani as head of National or Homeland Security and Palin as Energy Secretary.
russf
January 22nd, 2011
10:12 am
OMG! Newt, is great thinker and all, but c’mon he’s a bore. Didn’t he say something like the era of Reagan was dead? and he didn’t he do a commercial with Pelosi on global warming? Newt, while mostly positive, is just a part of the “Club” the damn career Politicians club that has ruined this Republic. Newt should stick to hocking his books and having his ass kissed on Hannity and fox
Jay St. John
January 22nd, 2011
10:16 am
Oh Please! Go Trump!
daniel hidalgo
January 22nd, 2011
10:17 am
as long as newt is the old newt who doesn’t back down or compromise then i’ll follow him wherever he leds us! the republicans need a rush limbaugh like leader, a master communiator, a complete thinker and newt has all that and more! newt has the capacity the ability more importantly the COMMON SENSE to be our president! viva newt gingrich! ………..he’s still wrong on immiration!
Tho
January 22nd, 2011
10:21 am
Gingrich has had nothing to say that interests me since New York District 23 where he supported a RINO over a true conservative.
independent thinker
January 22nd, 2011
10:24 am
Yeah Hidalgo we need a Limbaugh leader that makes on air racial slurs about the Chinese leader offending all Chinese Americans – kind like cursing out your banker in a crowd. Your right Newt fits the bill.
Sam Colt
January 22nd, 2011
10:25 am
Imagine two walnut shells on a carnival table. The man tells you to pick the shell that hides the pea. He moves the shells around and around and stops, telling you to pick the shell with the pea. You pick the shell on the right and you are a winner. You found the pea! The carnival huckster is the “Establishment elite.” The two shells represent the Republican and the Democrat parties. The shells moving around on the table represent the campaign for the Oval Office. You picking the shell represents your “freedom” to vote. You’ve picked the shell on the right, representing the Republican “right”. Were you a “winner”? Not really. There was an identical “pea” under each of the two shells. The Establishment elite never lose. You go home after exercising your “freedom” to vote for two identical “peas” and feel great that you’ve done your civic duty, not knowing that you’ve been duped again.
Here’s a heads-up for you. Newt Gingrich is just another pea.