Your morning jolt: Newt Gingrich confirms debt of more than $1 million

Former U.S. House speaker and GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich will report raising $2 million in the second quarter of this year.

GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich during an Independence Day parade in Clear Lake, Iowa. Daniel Acker/The New York Times

GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich during an Independence Day parade in Clear Lake, Iowa. Daniel Acker/The New York Times

The problem is that he spent $3 million.

Politico.com reports this morning that Gingrich ended June with $225,000 in his treasury:

Gingrich supporters acknowledge that his debt represents a serious financial challenge, though they note that the Republican has paid down about 10 percent of $1.2 million in invoices since June 9, when most of his senior political staff resigned.

In a campaign season that has already identified federal solvency as the defining issue among GOP primary voters, Gingrich’s debt now becomes his largest obstacle to a serious candidacy. Moreover, contributors give candidates money to raise future hell – not to pay for hell already raised.

***
Herman Cain may still be mad at Jon Stewart for mocking his not-so-serious vow to keep federal legislation to three pages, but that hasn’t kept the Georgia presidential candidate from committing to a July 28 appearance on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” according to Talking Points Memo.

***
Georgia parolees may have the most secure jobs in the nation.

First, they were volunteered into the service of south Georgia farmers whose cucumbers and cabbages were rotting in the fields. Now, parole violators will be donating labor to a cash-strapped state Department of Transportation.

From Walter Jones and the Morris News Service:

The Transportation Department was struggling to find money for mowing and litter collection. At the same time, sending parole violators back to prison costs money the Corrections Department couldn’t spare. Inmates behind bars cost taxpayers $49 per day while those on parole cost just $4.43.

So, Corrections officials are pleased to have another form of punishment for small infractions like flunking a drug test without having to resort to ordering re-incarceration, which can sting taxpayers almost as much as the violator….

The two departments experimented with the idea in Milledgeville, Gainesville, Columbus and Dalton. Now, they’re rolling it out statewide.

***
Only days after four of his jail workers were arrested by the FBI, Fulton County Sheriff Ted Jackson, a former FBI agent, told Mark Winne of Channel 2 Action News that he intends to run for re-election:

***
If you still have any doubt of the political clout that gay voters now wield in the city of Atlanta, consider these comments from Mayor Kasim Reed on the Eagle bar raid, made Tuesday to the Georgia Voice:

Reed said he is still going through the more than 400 pages that make up the Atlanta Police Department’s internal affairs investigation as well as the independent investigation by law firm Greenberg Traurig. But he admitted shock at what he had read so far.

“I think any normal person with ordinary sensitivities would have to have been shocked by this report. And I was certainly was shocked,” Reed said.

So far, the city and APD have put on administrative leave seven of 10 officers who were found to have lied about the raid under oath, destroying evidence as well as claiming gay people were more violent than heterosexuals.

“We can’t have a city like ours that has a history of embracing and celebrating inclusion and have such an important group of our citizens under this kind of threat. And I’m not going allow it stand,” Reed said.

“As I’ve said repeatedly, I believe the LGBT community is a vital part of Atlanta and I think the community contributes greatly to what makes this city special and I’m not going to have a police department that does not understand how important this is to me,” Reed said.

- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider

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86 comments Add your comment

John K

July 6th, 2011
9:11 am

Cain & Newt should just combine forces into one large failing campaign.

the original and still the best John Galt

July 6th, 2011
9:33 am

Gingrich’s debt is his biggest obstacle to a serious candidacy? How about his big mouth, his inability to keep his britches zipped… his debt seems minor next to those obstacles.

Not Blind

July 6th, 2011
9:37 am

What is wrong with our goobermint? Hmm, could it be that the people we elect don’t know squat about managing money ? It boggles the mind.

Centrist

July 6th, 2011
9:38 am

We need a morning jolt instead of SSDD*.

* Same Stuff Different Day

Come Out, Come Out

July 6th, 2011
9:47 am

of the closet Kasim!

View From Midtown

July 6th, 2011
9:50 am

So your position is that the only reason the mayor would care about the violation of constitutional rights, blatant discrimination, lying and destruction of evidence by renegade police officers is just because of politics? What a sad commentary either on our society or your own bigotries.

As for Newt, he’s a joke; he’s been a joke and will continue to be a joke.

Michael

July 6th, 2011
10:03 am

I lived in Duluth 25 years ago and the chain gang seemed to be paving that road on Rogers Bridge every couple of months. Then the city got the idea to pay actual money to a paving company and bi-monthly paving was no longer needed. You get what you pay for.

[...] $ 1 million in debt: Gingrich supporters …Newt Gingrich wants to cut the debt: his ownCBS NewsYour morning jolt: Newt Gingrich confirms debt of more than $ 1 millionAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Newt Gingrich raises 2M reveals significant debtPoliticoNew York [...]

deb

July 6th, 2011
10:36 am

His lifestyle and women sure are expensive………..
If he can not control this………………how can he control a government?????

Ga Values

July 6th, 2011
10:38 am

Does Kasim Reed like women?

truth

July 6th, 2011
10:44 am

Why do Americans continue to trust their states/nation economy on politicians that cant manage their own money?? Deal, Newt, etc

The US needs savy businessmen to get us out of this debt.

Deal cant manage his own money yet we trust him to manage Georgias????

No Newt

July 6th, 2011
10:44 am

Wonder what will happen to Newt’s million dollar line of credit at his wife’s favorite jewelry store?

BillS

July 6th, 2011
10:45 am

Who still takes Newt seriously? Anybody see the NY Times story on him and his “ideas” over the weekend? He’s not only in debt, he’s not up to the intellectual level he thinks he is.

melvinowens

July 6th, 2011
10:46 am

the only one’s in this country who thought gingrich would be president, were gingrich and the people of georgia.

Jon Lester

July 6th, 2011
10:47 am

It’s not just the votes of the many thousands of LGBT constituents in the Atlanta area. They need to feel included and equally protected if they’re going to keep their tax dollars in the area, and I don’t think I’m generalizing much at all if I venture to say that most of them are not poor.

Frederick Douglass

July 6th, 2011
10:57 am

But, but, Newt’s a fantastic idea man, he’d rip Obama to shreds in a debate, why he could solve this country’s ills with both hands tied behind his back………and he can’t even balance a check book.

Newtie is Nuttie

July 6th, 2011
11:01 am

Like many old pols and ballplayers, the limelight and moola make it too hard for the egomaniacs to quit. There are still fools out there picking up Newt’s tabs and massaging his grossly-enlarged ego. Pathetic!

JFK

July 6th, 2011
11:04 am

Gingrich: a typical redneck republication. Cain: a black man who wishes he was a white redneck republican.

Native Atlantan2

July 6th, 2011
11:05 am

So…APS is under the gun for cheating but the APD officers get a leave of absence for violating civil rights and lying to investigators? Seems strange that the APD is charged to serve, protect and uphold the law but a leave is the best the APD can do?

GaBlue

July 6th, 2011
11:07 am

Gov. Shady can give Newt a few tips. He’s on his way to turning a $4mil debt into a surplus on a $135/yr salary, in just ONE TERM! Wooo-hooooo!

Sr. Balaguer

July 6th, 2011
11:08 am

If tax cuts generate more revenue, then lower contributions to Newt should generate a bigger campaign war-chest, right?

Doug

July 6th, 2011
11:17 am

Tom, how much of his campaign debt is with Tiffany’s? And as for Cain’s suggestion — that was one time I dissagreed with Stewart. After all, the great Winston Churchill would not read any memo that was more than one page long. But I’d go him one better: I’d require that all bills be written out in long hand with quill pens. THAT would keep the verbiage to a minimum!

jhg

July 6th, 2011
11:17 am

JFK – newt is a redneck born and raised with the blue bloods of the northeast.

TRUTH

July 6th, 2011
11:33 am

Newt and Cain…seriously?

Joe

July 6th, 2011
11:35 am

Newt should quit. I used to be a fan but few will forgive his moral lapses. He’s also old and fat, another issue Americans do not want to elect to office. Let’s find someone new who has not made the faux pas Newt has. I like his thinking but he is not the man for the job.

Here we go!

July 6th, 2011
11:36 am

Look a mill here and a mill there, and pretty soon you’re talkin’ ’bout some real dough!

bigguy

July 6th, 2011
11:41 am

re: Truth I don’t understand how Gov. Deal’s paying off his debt is mismanagement of money.

Dave

July 6th, 2011
11:42 am

I think some people run for president to help them raise cash to live on, sell books, get TV jobs, and do lectures. It is all about self promotion of their brand Newt is one of those people as I think is Sarah Palin as well..

Jim Warren

July 6th, 2011
11:51 am

I am sure that I am not alone in my support in using state prisoners to clean up our byways, highways and interstate ramps. If they can be trained for other infrastructure work, let’s do that as well.

GaBlue

July 6th, 2011
12:14 pm

Bigguy,

Gov. Deal is supposed to be earning his $135/yr salary (plus lotza perks) by taking care of the State’s business on behalf of you and me, Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer. If he’s busy turning his own bad money management decisions into a tidy profit for himself, is he really acting on OUR behalf? Or is he just using his position to scratch the backs of business people who can fix his own financial problems in exchange for the favors only a governor can bestow? His personal finances are none of my business; how he uses (or misuses) the office with which he is entrusted IS my business. Only you can decide whether you care or not.

Centrist

July 6th, 2011
12:22 pm

A more recent “Political Insider” was posted around noon, but taken down. It concerned a loan by the House Speaker and my single comment asking for the blogger, Jim Galloway, to post his loans, collateral and reasons behind them was taken down along with the blog.

This outlet is getting more and more pointedly partisan. Maybe it is even rising to the level that the partisan AJC editors realize how it only hurts their dwindling credibility (if they have any left).

Willis

July 6th, 2011
12:22 pm

I guess Newt thinks it’s Ok for him to be in debt up to his ears but not for the government? He needs to just quit and he probably would if he didn’t need handouts to pay down his debt. He ought to put on shabby clothes, drink a couple quarts of cheap wine, and do some pan-handling in Little Five Points – he’d fit right in.

Marlboro Man

July 6th, 2011
12:29 pm

Couldn’t happen to a nicer crowd. He should get with congressman Tom Graves and find out how to just walk away from your debts and promises to pay like he did.

T Man

July 6th, 2011
12:38 pm

So what’s with you people and not like Cain? Just what has he said or done that does not make sense? Maybe just the fact that he is not a career politican like the rest.?

Carpetbagger

July 6th, 2011
12:39 pm

Who is Newt Gingrich, and what does he do?

Slammer

July 6th, 2011
12:39 pm

“Only days after four of his jail workers were arrested by the FBI, Fulton County Sheriff Ted Jackson…intends to run for re-election”

Sgt. Schultz would like this guy: ‘I know NOTHING’. Like that other great public servant, Beverly Hall, he sees no evil and hears no evil. How would he, he’s just the sheriff.

SBW

July 6th, 2011
12:47 pm

Parolees working!!! No excuses this time! Georgia can’t grow without farms and our highways!

easy money

July 6th, 2011
12:51 pm

newt will get a boatload of free campaign cash from taxpayers to pay off these massive debts and even have cash left over for another trip to europe for newt and his young wife—she needs some more bling and will be going to tiffanys soon.

ralph

July 6th, 2011
12:56 pm

Chain gangs are much under rated these days. What’s wrong with putting criminals to work rather than just giving them a free ride?

Nathan Deal

July 6th, 2011
1:26 pm

Newt. Call me, dude. I’ve got a guy. He says it’s the biggest no-brainer in the history of ignornt redneck politics.

FGW

July 6th, 2011
1:33 pm

He would have actually been a good President.

Alabama Communist

July 6th, 2011
1:33 pm

More Breaking News On Newt’s Campaign Debt……… A unknown source within the Cain Campaign said today that Newt hock his wife diamond ring to Mr Cain payable at 34 % Interest per Goldman Sachs agreedment.

michael riordan

July 6th, 2011
1:38 pm

And you want to be the one to get us into better financial shape? Two words: Go Away

RGB

July 6th, 2011
1:46 pm

So what’s with you people and not like Cain? Just what has he said or done that does not make sense? Maybe just the fact that he is not a career politican like the rest.?

It’s real simple T Man. Herman Cain isn’t staying on the Democrat Plantation like most other black politicians. He thinks for himself and suggest policies for this country that would return the U.S. to fiscal sanity. Mr. Cain leverages his business experience and common sense–both which are lacking in the White House at present.

Any time a minority or woman has the audacity (libs like that word) to think for him- or herself, libs can’t contain themselves. If they let “one” slip off the plantation, others might think for themselves.

And they just can’t have that.

Mr. Phil

July 6th, 2011
1:47 pm

“contributors give candidates money to raise future hell – not to pay for hell already raised.”

rflmao. That’s good stuff right there. HA!

RGB

July 6th, 2011
1:48 pm

Glad to see folks aren’t lettin’ that expensive public education go to waste.

Alphare

July 6th, 2011
2:02 pm

RGB,

If conservatives have brain and think for themselves, why do you guys listen to the talk radio that repeat the same thing day and night?

Newt can think, if you buy his book, not only can you solve his debt problem, you can solve the debt problem for this nation.

Just some ideas for you after some thought.

deegee

July 6th, 2011
2:12 pm

I just want to know who is giving Newt money to the tune of $2 million over 3 months. Can there be any greater simple minded people than donors to the Newt campaign?

Ghost Rider

July 6th, 2011
2:24 pm

“Now, parole violators will be donating labor to a cash-strapped state Department of Transportation.”

Bad boys can build good roads.

Ghost Rider

July 6th, 2011
2:28 pm

RGB:

“Any time a minority or woman has the audacity (libs like that word) to think for him- or herself, libs can’t contain themselves.”

Their votes have been bought by the Democrats, and the Democrats want them to stay bought!

Les

July 6th, 2011
2:29 pm

So, the Mayor (and the LGBT community) discovers first-hand what the rest of us already knew (especially in the lower-class Black areas)… the Atlanta Police are a bunch of insensitive, lying, self-serving thugs.

Ole Guy

July 6th, 2011
2:30 pm

Carpetbagger, Gingrich is one of them Christian Right Zealots whose dictum is “Do as I say…not as I do”.

Aquagirl

July 6th, 2011
2:32 pm

A more recent “Political Insider” was posted around noon, but taken down.

Oh, holy cow. There’s a link up again but it’s broken, it looks like technical problems. Not your fearsome ability to scare Jim off teh interwebz.

Wasn’t LMS freaking out about Jim plotting against him or something? Is this paranoid/narcissistic thing a new fad with the wingnuts?

Pedro

July 6th, 2011
2:48 pm

Sorry Aquagirl but narcissistic is the word currently reserved for the POTUS. At the moment it pales when applied to anyone else.

[...] (h/t Jim Galloway) [...]

KT

July 6th, 2011
3:07 pm

Newt lives in DC, has for 20 years. Can we stop saying he is from GA or has anything to do with GA. He is a crook, adulterer and has no business running a kool-aid stand let alone the country.

[...] (h/t Jim Galloway) [...]

brad

July 6th, 2011
3:19 pm

pb

July 6th, 2011
3:35 pm

I do not really like Newt or most of his politics, but those who call him a “redneck Republican” are totally wrong. (Whatever the term means?) He is a pretty smart and educated guy. No redneck. Not even from GA originally, although he did live here a long time. So if you want to attack Newt, at least stick to factual information.

Michael

July 6th, 2011
3:58 pm

Newt and Cain are on book tours. Don’t you see that?

td

July 6th, 2011
4:05 pm

GaBlue

July 6th, 2011
12:14 pm
Bigguy,

Gov. Deal is supposed to be earning his $135/yr salary (plus lotza perks) by taking care of the State’s business on behalf of you and me, Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer. If he’s busy turning his own bad money management decisions into a tidy profit for himself, is he really acting on OUR behalf? Or is he just using his position to scratch the backs of business people who can fix his own financial problems in exchange for the favors only a governor can bestow? His personal finances are none of my business; how he uses (or misuses) the office with which he is entrusted IS my business. Only you can decide whether you care or not.

I guess you forgot to read the article in this paper last week explaining how Deal is paying off his debt? BTW: Deal also has a pension from congress, receives his SS, has a business and some rental property. He makes more than $135,000. Your whole statement is a little disingenuous.

RGB

July 6th, 2011
4:16 pm

Alphare:

If conservatives have brain and think for themselves, why do you guys listen to the talk radio that repeat the same thing day and night?

I’m not sure what “the talk radio” is (do you mean a particular show such as the Mark Levin program at 6PM on 640 WGST?), but I do understand the concept of repetitive phraseology. Recent examples include “Hope and Change”, “Yes We Can”, “Save or Created 3 Trillion Jobs”, “Those Rich Hedge Fund Managers” and “Those Corporate CEOs and Their Jet Planes”.

Newt can think, if you buy his book, not only can you solve his debt problem, you can solve the debt problem for this nation.

It sounds as though you may be a tad jealous that the Newtometer sells lots of books. And while I’ll not be voting for him, I do give him credit for developing specific solutions to problems rather than just spewing chant-phrases designed to promote class warfare.

I try to evaluate politicians’ ideas along with their character and likely effectiveness. I’m not jealous of Newt because he sells books and shops at Tiffany’s. If he never sold a book and shopped at Dollar General I would not be any better off. So I’ve taken him off my list–but not because he doesn’t offer solutions to our nation’s problems.

double

July 6th, 2011
4:34 pm

term limits could stop some of this pay.Pension from congress,with all perks ,allowances,healthcare….term limits..

WAW

July 6th, 2011
4:39 pm

The British Parliament at this very moment are having a “knock down drag out” over Rupert Murdoch’s news business hacking phone lines of victims of terror and murdered people family members. Fair and Balanced spying and nobody.. and I mean nobody is commenting or even questioning this totally illegal practice that’s been going on for years. Watergate all over again for Republicans. Any nobody it even asking “the” question.

My My she has thunder thighs

July 6th, 2011
5:00 pm

Has the Hildabeast paid off her debts yet?? I know she was WAY behind, but let’s brush that one away….

RGB

July 6th, 2011
5:24 pm

WAW said that News Corporation’s alleged hacking into mobile phones was “Watergate all over again for Republicans”. Huh?? In what way does News Corp = Republicans. If that’s your standard then Obama should be imprisoned for the enrichment of UAW employees at the expense of GM bondholders, shareholders, and U.S. citizens.

But wait, there is a report on this “hidden” report–and it comes from the Wall Street Journal. But wait, who owns the WSJ? Why, it’s Rupert Murdock and News Corp. How is that possible? Perhaps they are…..fair and balanced.

Here’s part of the article as proof, my sensitive friend:

From the Wall Street Journal
Tabloid Faces New Probe Into Hacking
By ALISTAIR MACDONALD, ALEX BRITTAIN and KATHY GORDON

LONDON—The U.K. will launch one or more independent investigations into issues around the hacking of mobile-phone voice mails by employees of News Corp.’s News of the World tabloid newspaper, Prime Minister David Cameron told Parliament on Wednesday.

British Prime Minister David Cameron leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on Wednesday.

Murdoch Condemns Hacking, Supports Brooks
Scandal Poses Hurdle for BSkyB Effort
Phone-Hacking Claims Rattle U.K. Tabloid

Mr. Cameron’s comments, delivered as he faced attacks from opposition politicians, came as an advertiser backlash against the tabloid grew. Car maker Vauxhall, part of General Motors Co., said it would suspend advertising in the paper until the outcome of a police investigation, following a similar move by Ford Motor Co. Several other advertisers said they are reviewing the situation.

The growing criticism comes as the long-running scandal over dubious reporting tactics by News of the World took was amplified this week with the allegation that, in 2002, the tabloid hacked into the voice mail of a missing 13-year-old girl who later turned out to be murdered. As the week progressed, more allegations surfaced that the paper had used the same tactics to access voice mails in other child murder cases and in connection with victims of the July 2005 terrorist attacks on London’s transport system, according to the families involved.
———————–

Reminds me of the song that goes “WAW, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing…..”

mo money

July 6th, 2011
5:42 pm

cain—forget it—no uncle tom can get any minority votes. he’s toast.

Einsteindawg

July 6th, 2011
5:46 pm

Newt’s just rying to stimulate the economy.

Mrjobone

July 6th, 2011
6:06 pm

Will someone be kind enough to let me know when we have some one other than garbage running for president. Obama, romney, cain, gingrich and the rest of the gop and especially the nutjob, bachmann are not suitable to be dog catcher. Please someone?

[...] 2nd Quarter in the RedWall Street Journal (blog)Newt Gingrich wants to cut the debt: his ownCBS NewsYour morning jolt: Newt Gingrich confirms debt of more than $ 1 millionAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Opposing Views -Daily Caller -New York Postall 171 news [...]

Einsteindawg

July 6th, 2011
6:21 pm

@Mrjobone…good for you! You are so right. All of this “presidential trash” is just political same old, same old. How ’bout someone with integrity, business sense, honesty, and common sense for a change. Repubs/Demos…no difference, each has their own agenda. I’d vote for someone who has the best interests of the US, and I haven’t seen him/her yet.

Ghost Rider

July 6th, 2011
6:52 pm

Mrjobone and Einsteindawg:

I believe the candidate you seek is none other than Pat Paulsen.

44thstreet

July 6th, 2011
7:01 pm

tell him to put the overage on his Tiffany credit card

Einsteindawg

July 6th, 2011
7:02 pm

Ghost…too bad you have the same attitude as most of the voters. As long as you’ll settle for trash, that’s exactly what you’ll get, ie: this past election. I don’t think we’ll see a qualified candidate running because the media will dig up something about him/her wetting the bed before puberty. BTW, Pat Paulsen had some pretty good common sense ideas.

Hooker

July 6th, 2011
7:07 pm

Congress and Washington D.C. is full of unemployed Lawyers… ( Obama )… what do you expect ??? bankruptcies.. divorces…cheating $$.. moral of the story ??? Don’t $end any more $$$$ up there.. lower taxes.. unless you think they can $pend your Money better than you can ( at the State level )…

Hooker

July 6th, 2011
7:09 pm

No body wants the job.. bad neighborhood..

Hooker

July 6th, 2011
7:14 pm

Labor Unions want to close the new Boeing plant in S.C… meanwhile Boeing is competing with French AirBus….. there goes your jobs.. ( Obama appointed NLRB Union thugs )… gone to France .. these are High paying Jobs .. folks !!

Einsteindawg

July 6th, 2011
7:16 pm

How many of ya’ll would turn over your 401K or retirement/investment income to your lawyer to manage? Well, that’s what you’re doing when you elect these clowns to represent you.

Ghost Rider

July 6th, 2011
7:41 pm

Einsteindawg:

“Ghost…too bad you have the same attitude as most of the voters.”

So you judge me by a comment made in jest? You know nothing of my beliefs or thoughts on candidates or my political philosophy. I suggest you learn more before you pass judgement.

Ghost Rider

July 6th, 2011
7:48 pm

Hooker:

“Labor Unions want to close the new Boeing plant in S.C.”

Do you think that labor unions has played a part in the movement of “American” jobs to other countries? Labor unions have all but killed the American auto industry, and many other American companies now outsource their jobs to other countries to remain competitive in the market.

bsf

July 6th, 2011
8:24 pm

NEWT PLEADS: “By a book of mine or send me money.”

[...] the RedWall Street Journal (blog)Newt Gingrich wants to cut the debt: his ownCBS NewsPolitico -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Opposing Viewsall 177 news [...]

Pewter

July 6th, 2011
11:01 pm

Pedro… you, just like TD, Last Man Falling, and all the rest of the Republicans, are a dumb ass. White Republicans are just stupid, scum of the earth! NOBODY likes you in the world. Just go away… please go the HELL away!

Pewter

July 6th, 2011
11:11 pm

President Obama, the 1st BLACK President of the Unites States of America, is the BEST presidend we’ve had in 100 years!!! Him and Clinton. ALL of the Republican Presidents have been awful at best! Reagan was retarded. Both George’s were super retarded! I HATE Republicans!!! Scumbags!!!

[...] Ends 2nd Quarter in the RedWall Street Journal (blog)CBS News -Politico -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 178 news [...]

[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]