Newt Gingrich retreats on ‘I don’t think I’m going to win’
Updated at 9:50 p.m. Eastern:
DES MOINES, Iowa — GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich on Monday said that a barrage of negative TV ads, largely generated by a Mitt Romney-affiliated Super PAC, has killed any chance of victory in Tuesday’s caucuses — the first formal votes cast in the 2012 race for president.
But hours later, after being chewed out by one of his own campaign workers, the former U.S. House speaker backtracked on what he said was “an amateur mistake.”
It started in the east Iowa town of Independence, where John Bachman of Channel 2 Action News asked Gingrich if he actually thought he might come out on top on Tuesday. Said Gingrich:
“I don’t think I’m going to win – I think if you look at the numbers, I think that volume of negativity has done enough damage. But on the other hand, if the Des Moines Register was right, and there’s 41 percent potentially [undecided], who knows what’s going to happen?”
Even if he doesn’t show well on Tuesday, Gingrich declared victory merely because “I’m still standing.” On continue on to the coming contests in New Hampshire and South Carolina. And he said it was “a victory that I’m still standing.”
Here’s the video:
Many news outlets this afternoon reported only the “I don’t think I’m going to win” portion of his statement. This evening, my AJC colleague Jeremy Redmon was at Gingrich campaign headquarters in Davenport when the former Georgia congressman told workers there that his comments had been a mistake — that he didn’t mean to pull the rug out from under their efforts.
“I answered a question inaccurately this morning and it got to be a little bit of a flurry because I made the amateur mistake of… [using] a compound sentence,” he said. “So I want to explain to my friends in the media and you. What happens is you can cut compound sentences in half, so you drop the qualifier.”
Gingrich said his comments prompted one of his precinct captains to chew him out. The precinct captain, Gingrich said, told him “I should not under any circumstance expect to do anything except potentially win tomorrow night because he was going into his precinct and he was confident that by the time he was done that he would have converted all the people who had foolishly thought they might vote for [Mitt] Romney to be for me.
“I am here to tell you when we have 41 percent undecided in the Des Moines Register poll and if each of you in the next 24 hours will talk to every one of your friends and if each of you will go to the caucus and will make the best possible argument for nominating an experienced conservative with a national record of achieving things, we may pull off one of the great upsets in the history of the Iowa caucuses.”
***
In an interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan, Gingrich tonight will call on Romney to accept responsibility for the ad onslaught, and hinted strongly that he’ll be more aggressive in New Hampshire and South Carolina — the next two January contests. Here’s a teaser sent out by the network:
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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Rick Santorum tries to muscle past Mitt Romney, Ron Paul | Political Insider
January 2nd, 2012
3:29 pm
[...] on Sunday. “Romney would buy this election if he could,” Gingrich said. (In Walford today, Gingrich conceded that he won’t win Tuesday’s balloting because of the negative advertising poured into the [...]
Centrist
January 2nd, 2012
3:33 pm
Who drops out before New Hampshire, South Carolina, and/or Florida?
Only Romney and Ron Paul are sure to be still in.
Cry me a River
January 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
I was on the fence about Gingrich, liking his ideas but struggling with his baggage… He needs to quit whining. NO ONE wants to hear it. What’s going to happen when he gets into the White House and everything doesn’t go his way..Stop Complaining already! Gingrich’s incessant whining has made a Romney supporter of me! Obama will run worse ads and spend more money doing it…if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen!
sheepdawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
heads up newtie, we need you to continue, you’re a very funny guy to watch
Julie
January 2nd, 2012
3:39 pm
Newt: Guaranteed to Implode.
Gingrich said Romney should "man up." Ha, Gingrich is a coward - he doesn't belong in the game with the big boys.
January 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
Gingrich doesn’t want the campaigns to go negative because there’s so much negative to say about him — we haven’t forgotton. If he starts retaliating with negative ads, they could snow him under. Gingrich well knows that. Why is he running for President anyway with his background — no decent person would vote for him. There’s no reason for him to continue.
Mama Says
January 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
Gingrich has a good point.
If this country is ever going to overcome itself the negative stuff should end. These things should be handled like adults talking about serious issues, after all this is a serious issue.
I supported Cain, then Gingrich then Romney changedmy mind in the most recent debate. Now since Romney has refused to act like a serious adult and talk about the issues I have come to realize that Ron Paul is right. It will be politics as usual with any of these guys.
Paul concerns me on his Iran stance but his politics on the national stuff is the only thing that will break the same old same old. I hate to say it but perhaps we need a Ron Paul in order to act like adults again. After all isn’t he the one standing on the stage holding his hands up and saying what the f@@k is going on ? Are we all stupid ?
Cry me a River
January 2nd, 2012
3:56 pm
Mama Says…”Paul concerns you on his Iran stance”????? Are you kidding… The fact that Americans are only mildy “concerned” by his radical, wildly anti-American foreign policy is beyond comprehension. He is either unbelievable naive about the true intentions of our enemies or has been living under a rock for the last 30 years.
Guess what, we will be inundated with a slew of negative ads from the Obama camp, and if you can’t handle it and figure out how to answer them, you shouldn’t be running for President. Newt, Paul, Bachmann, Romney, and whoever else needs to figure out how to deal with them and respond to them, or they will be crucified by the Obama camp come summer!
SizzleChest
January 2nd, 2012
3:56 pm
Newt, failed again. Story of his life.
Romney is a fake. He just stands for whatever gets him votes at the moment.
Ron Paul is the way.
Obama Still Trying to Right Bush's Wrongs
January 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
Romney – flip flopper who thinks his millions can buy his way to the WH
Bachmann – bible banging looney
Santorum- see Bachmann but smarter than her
Perry – see Bachmann but dumber than Santorum
Paul – libertarian extremist
Gingrich – angry right wing nut
Huntsman – who is this guy?
Bills
January 2nd, 2012
4:02 pm
Four days ago Newt predicted at least a second place finish. He’s falling faster than Herman Cain’s drawers.
Centrist
January 2nd, 2012
4:05 pm
I guess I am just echoing td from past posts, but Georgia Democrats pushing Obama here is a wasted effort. Georgia’s electoral votes are going to the Republican nominee regardless of who he/she is.
Jimmy
January 2nd, 2012
4:11 pm
This should be an easy year for the Republican party to retake the Senate.It should have been an easy year to retake the White House but the Republican party is its own worst enemy when it comes to selecting a potential president.I will vote for the final choice regardless to get rid of the garbage we have in now but I’m not happy with those running.
Sonny LIED!
January 2nd, 2012
4:16 pm
I LIED, and everyone including Galloway knows it.
Katie
January 2nd, 2012
4:16 pm
*facepalm*
I’ll vote for anyone other than Ron Paul or Barack Obama. ANYONE.
The bottom line
January 2nd, 2012
4:18 pm
@Centrist. You will be surprised. The Republican Super PACs are managing to destroy every Republican candidate long before the conventions. Anyone that thinks Santorum, Bachman or Perry could win over mainstream independents is drinking the Kool Aid. Looks as if Santorum gas been as hypocritical as Newt in his lobbying the lady several years. I guess they believe more in the power of the almighty dollar than their “conservative” views. Typical sanctimoniousself-righteous religious hypocrites: Do as I say, not as I do. Prediction: Ron Paul will run as a third party candidate out of conviction, and Donald Trump will do the same because he is a pathetic ego-maniac. Obama will win in am electoral college landslide.
Lynn43
January 2nd, 2012
4:21 pm
Do you just ignore morality and ethics and, if you choose to get into public life, not expect this behavior to come back to “haunt” you?
Centrist
January 2nd, 2012
4:22 pm
Projected GOP Senate gains at this point are only in Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. They are expected to lose Massachussets, so as of now it looks to be a 50 – 50 split.
Not that it matters much, since it takes 60 votes to pass most controversial legislation and Supreme Court nominees in the Senate.
Road Scholar
January 2nd, 2012
4:22 pm
Cry me a River:”Guess what, we will be inundated with a slew of negative ads from the Obama camp,..”
So, the repubs aren’t going to run negative ads against President Obama?
Get real! And these will be in addition to the outright lies (birth certificate, etc.) they have been running for over 3 years!
chris
January 2nd, 2012
4:31 pm
The competition to see which regressive moron’s going to lose to Obama by a landslide is really heating up!
Hot Dog
January 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
Hey Jimmy, Newt , THE LYING ADULTRER AND LOSER will finally be put in the garbage CAN where he belongs. I hope you and your ilk goes with him. America is tired of the Red-Necks in the South. You losers continue to fight a war that was over 147 years ago. NOW GET OVER IT! By the way, take mama (red-neck) and TD with you!
GOODBY AND GOOD RIDDANCE!
Hypocrite Hater
January 2nd, 2012
5:02 pm
I think Newt never expected to win, nor even get this far. I think his goal has always been to be VP, which if he does get that slot, then the tender Mr. Softie will be replaced by a political Rotweiler, who will spend the campaign ripping Obama so Romney can be “Presidential” and stay above the fray.
Cry me a River
January 2nd, 2012
5:11 pm
@Road Scholar…are you serious with “Road” Scholar…dude, don’t try to act smart…guaranteed Georgia grad. Haha. My point was that Gingrich should shut up and figure out how to respond to negative ads and stop complaining about them…that it’s only going to get worse, so if you can’t take it now, get out…not that negative ads won’t be run against Obama. They don’t even have to talk about the birth certificate stuff…he’s given plenty of amunition!
Learn how to read context and learn what a Rhodes Scholar is before you pretend to be one!
OldHippie
January 2nd, 2012
5:13 pm
Newt wrote the book on mean and hateful attacks back in the 90’s. What goes around comes around.
Registered Independent
January 2nd, 2012
5:15 pm
They haven’t even started picking on Newt’s Mistress (wife) yet; I bet that he’ll do some whining then!
SuperB
January 2nd, 2012
5:29 pm
The only way Gingrich will go to the White House is if President Obama invites him there. The GOP debates are like a circus and all but Ron Paul are rattling their sabers at Iran. That’s just what the USA needs– another war in the Middle East! Have we learned nothing?
Centrist
January 2nd, 2012
5:30 pm
Geez, both Georgia Tech and Georgia lost their bowl games by trying to run out the clock instead of continuing to play as they had to GET the lead. Sad.
@ The bottom line – No amount of GOP nominee competition is going to change the fact that Georgia is a solid Republican state that will grant its electoral votes accordingly. I agree with you that Obama is still likely to win re-election – but sincerely doubt it will by a landslide in either the popular vote or electoral college. It will be likely closer in both this time, and he did not have a popular vote landslide victory in 2008 (52% – 45%).
NE GA
January 2nd, 2012
5:31 pm
@”Road ” Scholar – you prove your idiocy with your name, then in case some of your fellow liberal dumba s missed it, you want to talk a birth certificate. Dude, catch up. Obama has given us WAY more things to talk about than his not being an American Citizen.
CLAX
January 2nd, 2012
5:40 pm
I know that there will be at least one or more Republican crying in the snow in New Hampshire within the next 10 days. That’s why they it is guaranteed to always have snow to cry on in an early primary. (Although this year was close)
CLAX
January 2nd, 2012
5:43 pm
Sorry,,,,,,,add “have New Hampshire’s primary so early in the process” after the word “they”……mind thinking faster than I can type and submit comment!!!!
Lori
January 2nd, 2012
5:51 pm
He needs to grow up. Negativity is part of the game. Grassroots or national campaigns. It comes with the territory. He’s not wining any respect by complaining. Besides Romney doesn’t have the questionable character Gingrich has.
RDC
January 2nd, 2012
5:52 pm
Gingrich is to intelligent for this nation’s voters. Our stupid society would never elect him. They want someone that is squeaky clean, someone who has never even thought about stepping out of line. I know of no one like that, and wouldn’t want to if there was someone. Just think how wonderful it would be to watch Gingrich debate Obama. I would pay to watch that.
judetheobtuse
January 2nd, 2012
5:55 pm
The lunacy on the right will sink the Republican party and President Obama will have 4 years to establish a democracy again in this country. Book it!
Fedup Taxpayer
January 2nd, 2012
5:59 pm
These pre election attacks are demeaning and childish. Nobody has picked on OBAMA and he is the sorriest president we have had since Carter. It is a shame that all these big money folks are berating OBAMA’s competition. It is obvious that they like OBAMA becasue he can be bought “real easy”.. Check Chicago politics.
farmer
January 2nd, 2012
6:17 pm
anyone who would actually vote for Newt Gingrich is an absolute moron just like him.. go RON PAUL!
Alabama Communist
January 2nd, 2012
6:27 pm
More Breaking News On Newt Surrendering In Iowa….A Commanding General with the Iowa Republican National Guard said today..” The Newt Campaign will be allow to surrender today at State Republican HeadQuarters at 1 PM.. Newt will turn in all sealed divore records from his previous wifes and will be given his Pet Mule ” Herman” for his return trip to Georgia and will sign a agreedment with the State of Iowa that he is banished for 80 years from Iowa. His present wife will be enter into the coming NFL draft for Team HO Cheerleaders. No doubt her draft status will be with the Colts, who have the rights to her as the last place team in the leaque like her Husband campaign.Rumor has it that she will be traded to the Pittsburg Steelers since they have no Cheerleaders in their Family Values system for real humanity.. A Steelers source said she will most likely be used as a Tackling dummy like her Husband or could become a team sales reveue Rep by selling her body in the local HO trade Market..”
td
January 2nd, 2012
6:27 pm
farmer
January 2nd, 2012
6:17 pm
What is up with all you Ron Paul supporters? You are almost as negative as the far left loonies.
Rick Santorum tries to muscle past Mitt Romney, Ron Paul
January 2nd, 2012
6:36 pm
[...] on Sunday. “Romney would buy this election if he could,” Gingrich said. (In Walford today, Gingrich conceded that he won’t win Tuesday’s balloting because of the negative advertising poured into the [...]
catlady
January 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
He thinks he won’t win Iowa. No duh, Newt! You won’t win Virginia, either.
Can anyone look at his tax forms and see if he tithes the Catholic church like he tithes Tiffany’s?
catlady
January 2nd, 2012
6:45 pm
Cry me a river: Obviously, satire is too subtle for you (re: Road Scholar).
Mama Says
January 2nd, 2012
7:24 pm
Those who think Paul is a threat to our country simply are not thinking it through.
Facts are we are in 3 wars and are “assisting” many other governments. The Muslim world, in general long ago lost respect for our country and long ago the extremist vowed to blow all of us up.
If you think Israel or Britain or for that matter half of the Arab world will stand by and watch Iran develop a nuclear weapon your crazy. Fact is the world stands by, non committal on these type issues because they expect us to commit our money and our troops to solve the issues.
Paul wanting to withdraw causes no more problems than we already have. We are simply watching Iran now. Some action has been taken to slow the program but we will not stop it without an invasion, troops on the ground stuff.
It’s time to right our ship while reducing our world footprint. Paul is the economic candidate. He is a constructionalist and we have surely got a more pressing need to remember that document, as it relates to our country, before we establish democracy in the middle east.
Right now, and I mean right now you can be declared an enemy and put in prison by our government- I am pretty sure Iran having nukes is secondary to our loss of freedom.
As a Russian president once said, and I paraphrase, we will take your country without firing a shot, and it will be done from within.
The policies pursued by Bush and Obama have taken a huge step toward that. You may support the concept but can you do the time if your government objects to your politics ? They are already reading our e-mails and text.
We need major change not the same b.s.
Iran is part of the same b.s.
Mama Says
January 2nd, 2012
7:26 pm
I meant constitutionalist
Ol' Timer
January 2nd, 2012
7:28 pm
Anyone who has followed Newt’s career knew that without a doubt he’d end up steppin’ in his scrotum.
tom
January 2nd, 2012
7:45 pm
I prefer personal morals over most things philosophical and political. Newt has no personal morals. Three wives, at least two extra-marital affairs. Don’t you wonder what he’s got that’s that attractive?
Mama Says
January 2nd, 2012
7:49 pm
Think about it folks.
The government can listen to your phone calls
Read your e mail
Read your text messages
Take your property for the good of the state
Take or restrict your access to guns
Tell you if you can vote or not
Tax you at their discretion
Legislate when you can use your cell phone
Legislate what you eat
They are trying to legislate that you have to by insurance
If needed they can draft you for war
Fight war without a declaration, which means without your permission or consent
And
Validate your birth
Are you seriously worried about Iran ?
Newt is an embarassment to Georgia
January 2nd, 2012
7:59 pm
Enough said, this turkey neck gobble gobble is making Georgia look stupid. And then the govenor of Ga wants people to get behind Newt, LOL. *FAINTS*
Old timer
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
Being a child do Iowa parents…please Iowans be very careful. This campaign has done enough damage. Please look to the good of all of America……
FMFats
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
As Andy Borowitz wrote today, Newt won’t leave the race unless it gets cancer.
BenB
January 2nd, 2012
8:18 pm
Newt ought to go home, where ever that is. Go back to Freddie Mac and Fannie May. He is done…as in toast.
Cry me a River
January 2nd, 2012
8:20 pm
@catlady… anyone that can’t understand the context of my very simple post most certainly doesn’t stand the “art” of satire.
sidenote: Cats are disgusting!