Newt Gingrich in 1992: Reagan’s ‘weakness’ was thinking government didn’t matter
Last week, Buzzfeed went through the Georgia State University papers of David Worley, a two-time Democratic opponent who very nearly knocked Newt Gingrich out of Congress in 1990.
Today, the Washington Post has finished going through decades of documents from Gingrich’s congressional office. They’re stored at West Georgia University. The result:
CARROLLTON, Ga. — In an unnoticed 1992 speech, Newt Gingrich in a single utterance took aim not only at a beloved conservative icon but also at a core tenet of the conservative movement: that government must be limited.
Ronald Reagan’s “weakness,” Gingrich told the National Academy of Public Administration in Atlanta, was that “he didn’t think government mattered. . . . The Reagan failure was to grossly undervalue the centrality of government as the organizing mechanism for reinforcing societal behavior.”
A review of thousands of documents detailing Gingrich’s career shows it wasn’t the first time he had criticized Reagan, whom he regularly invokes today in his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. When Gingrich was in the House, his chief of staff noted at a 1983 staff meeting that his boss frequently derided Reagan, along with then-White House Chief of Staff James A. Baker III and Robert H. Michel, the House Republican leader.
Gingrich “assumed that he’s the whole Republican Party,” said the Gingrich aide, Frank Gregorsky, according to a transcript of the meeting. “He knows more than the president, the president’s people, Michel, Baker. He calls them stupid all the time, and I think that’s going to get him into big trouble someday.”
Another tidbit:
“When I say save the West, I mean that,” Gingrich said in a 1979 address to his congressional staff, preserved in the files. “That is my job. . . . It is not my job to win reelection. It is not my job to take care of passport problems. It is not my job to get a bill through Congress. My job description as I have defined it is to save Western civilization.”
This must be why my passport never came through. Someone’s needs had to be sacrificed so that a preserved Western civilization could churn out a sequel to “Mother, Juggs and Speed.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2012 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
63 comments Add your comment
crankee_yankee
February 20th, 2012
2:31 pm
I love it! Hollywood couldn’t write this stuff!
Becky
February 20th, 2012
2:35 pm
Noot is done. buh bye
The Snark
February 20th, 2012
2:40 pm
The most important thing Newt could do to save western civilization is to teach members of one political party how to use mean words to belittle members of the other political party.
Oh, wait, he already did that!
You can go home now, Newt.
Mark
February 20th, 2012
2:49 pm
I’m voting for Newt in the Primary just to keep the Republican Circus on the road. Then I’ll vote for the President in the General. I hope many of Georgia democrats and independents will do the same. Lets screw up their numbers!
retiredds
February 20th, 2012
3:00 pm
Oh, the quality (and “integrity”) of the Republican candidates. You just have to love it.
td
February 20th, 2012
3:04 pm
What Newt said is true about government. There is a role for government. The Federal governments role should be relegated to the defense of the nation, conducting foreign policy, enforcing civil liberties and making sure the states play fair with each other. All other roles should be relegated to the state.
Area man
February 20th, 2012
3:06 pm
What does Newt have for breakfast? GRANDI-O’S
jconservative
February 20th, 2012
3:07 pm
“The Reagan failure was to grossly undervalue the centrality of government as the organizing mechanism for reinforcing societal behavior.”
Wow! Talk about Big Government being involved in the most minuscule details of your life!
As I have said previously Gingrich is not now, nor he ever been, a conservative. He is, and has always been, a “true believer” in Big Government.
Hot Dog
February 20th, 2012
3:12 pm
Between being a LIAR and SERIAL ADULTERER,NEWT has never had a REAL JOB!
Hot Dog
February 20th, 2012
3:17 pm
TD….Hot Dog
February 19th, 2012
9:52 pm
Obviously you do not know how to read.
******************************************************************************************************************
Really? it appears to me that you have that DUBIOUS DISTINCTION!
*******************************************************************************************************************
I said nothing about not knowing and understanding what the Jim Crow laws were about.
******************************************************************************************************************
There was NO implication in my comment that you did not understand what Jim Crow was about.
Your comments continue to show us how misinformed you really are.
******************************************************************************************************************
I understand and probably forgotten more about Ga. history then you will ever know.
******************************************************************************************************************
REALLY? At AGE 40, I think NOT! You are confused about what you think you actually know. YOU have to live a lot LONGER than 40 years to understand evil, (SUCH AS YOURSELF), that goes on in the heart of (SO CALLED CHRISTIANS). YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LITTLE ROCK AR, BOMBINGHAM, AL AND PHILADELPHIA, MS. (REMEMBER, THESE WERE CHRISTIANS THAT PERPETRATED EVIL ON HUMAN BEINGS ) I fear people like you because of the POISON you spew and the stupid people that follow you and your ilk. The best thing you can do is REPENT and RESIST EVIL. STOP BEING A REDNECK AND BECOME A HUMAN BEING. IF YOU KNOW THE WORD OF GOD (AS YOU CLAIM), STOP SUPPORTING ANYONE WITHOUT MORALS OR INTEGRITY! if you continue to do so, you WILL BE DOOMED TO A VERY UNHAPPY EXISTENCE!
Mountain Man
February 20th, 2012
3:17 pm
Someone needs to Mute Newt!
dh
February 20th, 2012
3:18 pm
@td Please read the entire quote. Newt defined the role of government much more broadly than you just have. He said that government was the “organizing mechanism for reinforcing societal behavior.”
Centrist
February 20th, 2012
3:28 pm
Newt might often (certainly not always) have the right message, but there is little doubt that he is the wrong messenger. He has been rejected by a large majority of the Republican party, and is anathema to Democrats. He is doing something other than running for president.
Braves #17 Fan
February 20th, 2012
3:32 pm
So, the AJC has this posted on the home page as it desperately tries to sway voters. Go, Jim, go. Keep it up. Dig deep and find more stuff, maybe from his high school days, but focus only on Newt.
Ben The Independent
February 20th, 2012
3:36 pm
I also recall that Newt expelled gas in class while attending Emory. Keep the informative unbiased news coming, Galloway.
roughrider
February 20th, 2012
3:37 pm
Newt is able to change his spots wnenever he wants to.
Marcus
February 20th, 2012
3:38 pm
@Mark – You’re a one-man wrecking crew.
td
February 20th, 2012
3:40 pm
Hot Dog
February 20th, 2012
3:17 pm
“STOP SUPPORTING ANYONE WITHOUT MORALS OR INTEGRITY”
And I am guessing you would think Obama is a man or morals and integrity?
Obama was the only state Senator in Illinois to state up and make a speech opposing a bill to ban partial birth abortions (you know pulling a child that could survive out of the womb and sticking a knife in its brain to kill it before total birth) . To me this is way more evil then any candidate cheating on his wife or lying to the American public.
No go ahead and tell me how my priorities are not straight.
Frederick Douglass
February 20th, 2012
3:43 pm
Ben The Independent @ 3:36
Newt’s never expelled any gas, that’s what’s wrong with the old bag of farts.
double
February 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
To save western society.Now who comes across as the Messiah?TD’s teacher.
Nunckin Futz
February 20th, 2012
3:47 pm
Go Republicans! Let’s make the liberals nervous and finally get a President in office that wants people to work instead of handing out foodstamps. The people that want Obama back in office must be nuts. You want another 4 more years of this? Holy crap!
If the majority vote him back in than we will get what we deserve.
Old Hippie
February 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
Newt is old news! Media needs to focus on Mitt & ‘lil Ricky. Romney’s Mr Outsider ruse is not going to hold up because he spent $3.5M on lobbyists to get federal money for the Olympics he “saved”.
stevcue
February 20th, 2012
3:56 pm
Mark @2:49…..The primary is closed to Republicans Mark. Unless you are a registered Republican,You or any other Democrat can’t vote in the primary. BUT….I do agree with you because I would do the same if I could
WTF
February 20th, 2012
4:03 pm
stevecue there is not such thing in Georgia as a registered Republican or registered Democrat!
Bill Simon
February 20th, 2012
4:05 pm
Jim…this comment of yours is PRICELESS: “Someone’s needs had to be sacrificed so that a preserved Western civilization could churn out a sequel to “Mother, Juggs and Speed.”
VERY funny. Of course, no one under the age of 45 would likely “get” the humor you delivered in that one statement.
UWGSTUDENT
February 20th, 2012
4:08 pm
I love how the Washington Post gets access to Newts papers when faculty and staff AT UWG cannot even touch them even though its all in the basement of the library.
Question
February 20th, 2012
4:10 pm
Why is RR considered a big conservative icon?
- He raised taxes.
- He have amnesty to lot of illegals
- Not only did he talk to terrorist he gave them weapons.
- He added some serious debt
Why are the conservatives so in love with this guy?
double
February 20th, 2012
4:13 pm
Stevcue The republican primary is open.I will vote in it.I think in a runoff you have to stay with party.So all Democrats should go vote in R primary for weakest candidate.If you know who that would be.Mark is right.
Mike McDonald
February 20th, 2012
4:15 pm
Newt is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He is so uncomfortable in his own skin that he deceptively assumes that of others to promote the very things that his life has contradicted. He is the ultimate, faustian, “skin embracer”. He falsely embraces the conservatism of Reagan, having viciously disdained him in the past. He poses as a military person by “putting on the retired Army uniform” of the step-father, who reportedly had no use for him. He embraced the Catholic faith of his pious, third wife Callista, who was his mistress for six years while married to his second wife, Marianne, whom he publicly swooned over, ad nauseum, for so long.
Georgia should distance itself from this phony, hypocrite who does exactly the opposite of what he falsely preaches in lobbying, conservatism and his personal life.
Peggy Noonan, Reagan’s articulate speechwriter, summed up Newt well when she called him “A little, angry attack muffin”. As George Carlin was won’t to say: “It’s BS, and it’s not good for you.”
MB
February 20th, 2012
4:16 pm
stevecu @ 3:56 – You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m quite liberal minded and I plan to vote for Rick Santorum in the GA GOP primary because I think nominating him is the best shot the country has at waking up Wed., Nov 7, with a electoral college map that looks like 1964’s.
double
February 20th, 2012
4:18 pm
Well I didn’t know that.Newt had all them different women.Must be a horny old cuss.He would be good for two terms.
Nope Stevcue
February 20th, 2012
4:19 pm
Stevcue: Georgia has an Open Primary:
What’s Open Primary?
“Voters of any affiliation may vote for the candidate of whatever party they choose. Some of these open primary states may not have party registration at all; however open primary states do prohibit voters in X primary from going on to participate in Y’s primary or runoff. Yet, this prohibition can be difficult to enforce.”
http://elections.mytimetovote.com/dates/georgia.html
When I looked up my sample ballot, it was clearly stated that voters could vote ‘across’ party lines. So, have at it!
Florida Guy
February 20th, 2012
4:23 pm
Good Question Question—I think the affair stems from 2 reasons. First, he is seen as the president that brought the Soviet Untion to its knees. (Actually, he simply outspent them, and also had a lot of help from the Russians themselves who spent crazy money on things they thought we had-which was a Reagan bluff!!). Second, I think it also stems from the fact that we haven’t had a very successful republican president since Reagan, so it has heightened his legacy somewhat. (actually, they’ve all been pretty disappointing since ‘88). Just my thoughts, but I doubt reagan would be a tea party darling today
Stephen W
February 20th, 2012
4:28 pm
Newt’s 1992 comment is 100% correct. Government IS an “organizing mechanism for reinforcing societal behavior”. Examples include tax discounts for buying energy efficient appliances; phasing out 1880’s light bulb technology in favor of 2012 energy-efficient bulbs; and tickets for speeding.
Any good government absolutely wants to positively steer and reinforce societal behavior. That said, however, today’s Conservatives don’t get this simple fact and, I suspect, Newt will back away from this message –just as he flip-flopped on previous support for healthcare reform.
Hillbilly D
February 20th, 2012
4:40 pm
My Grandpa always taught me to never miss a chance to keep my mouth shut. A lot of these politicians should heed that advice.
however open primary states do prohibit voters in X primary from going on to participate in Y’s primary or runoff. Yet, this prohibition can be difficult to enforce.
At least where I vote, it’s pretty easy. When you go to vote in the runoff, it says on their list, by your name, which primary you voted in. So you can vote in either primary you want but you have to vote in that same party’s runoff. You can’t cross over, after the primary.
Emoticons
February 20th, 2012
4:43 pm
=)
=(
=0
Mudfoot
February 20th, 2012
4:45 pm
Methinks you do injustice to a great American movie Jim. Raquel Welch, Bill Cosby (in his best big screen role ever) and Harvey Keitel… a virtual dream team within a movie which offers great cultural and life lessons. Using this great American icon of a movie in a piece regarding Newt (do as I say, not as I do, and do it NOW or become the ENEMY) Gingrich is an INSULT I tell you. Your inference that this Gem of the Silver Screen is somehow lacking is unacceptable! Next you’ll be deriding “The Dumbest Stuff on Wheels” and “Real Housewives” and all, and I tell you now WE AIN’T GONNA STAND FOR THAT. Watch yerself mister man
Emoticons
February 20th, 2012
4:47 pm
At least the first one of these should work:
(O.o)
Emoticons
February 20th, 2012
4:51 pm
(^_^)
(\_/)
(=’.'=)
(”)___(”
Emoticons
February 20th, 2012
4:52 pm
=P
=D
XD
=l
=’(
=S
=-)
(X_X)
(O_O)
(-_-)
=\
>.<
<3
Monica
February 20th, 2012
4:52 pm
The same papers, which were made public at least some of them few days ago, show Gingrich pushing Reagan to cut more spending, accusing Reagan of overspending. Somehow that didn’t make to the Washington post article. The papers from the 80’s show the same man – politically speaking – that he is today. At least he is consistent. You can’t say that for Romney, with whom nobody can ever be sure what he believes.
sheepdawg
February 20th, 2012
5:04 pm
i keep saying the little chubby dude is funny! this exposure cinches it for me – i’m voting for the moon salamander!!!
sheepdawg
February 20th, 2012
5:08 pm
I’m voting for Newt in the Primary just to keep the Republican Circus on the road. Then I’ll vote for the President in the General. I hope many of Georgia democrats and independents will do the same. Lets screw up their numbers!
Mark- my strategy also.
td
February 20th, 2012
5:32 pm
You libs that are going to get involved in “operation chaos” and cross over and vote for the most conservative candidate better think about the unintended consequences. Rush had the same campaign in 08 to go out and vote for Obama in the primaries and look what happened when the one with zero chance in winning won.
td
February 20th, 2012
5:33 pm
BTW: I hope you all do get out and vote for Newt. I would love to say President Newt.
Newt Gingrich in 1992: Reagan’s ‘weakness’ was thinking government didn’t matter – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | West Palm Beach Christian Radio
February 20th, 2012
5:36 pm
[...] Article from http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/02/20/newt-gingrich-in-1992-reagan%E2%80%99…Newt Gingrich in 1992: Reagan’s ‘weakness’ was thinking government didn’t matter – [...]
Newt Gingrich in 1992: Reagan’s ‘weakness’ was thinking government didn’t matter – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Lincoln Christian Radio
February 20th, 2012
5:38 pm
[...] Article from http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/02/20/newt-gingrich-in-1992-reagan%E2%80%99…Newt Gingrich in 1992: Reagan’s ‘weakness’ was thinking government didn’t matter – [...]
Newt Gingrich in 1992: Reagan’s ‘weakness’ was thinking government didn’t matter – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Des Moines Christian Radio
February 20th, 2012
5:46 pm
[...] Article from http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/02/20/newt-gingrich-in-1992-reagan%E2%80%99…Newt Gingrich in 1992: Reagan’s ‘weakness’ was thinking government didn’t matter – [...]
Newt Gingrich in 1992: Reagan’s ‘weakness’ was thinking government didn’t matter – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Washington DC Christian Radio
February 20th, 2012
5:46 pm
[...] Article from http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/02/20/newt-gingrich-in-1992-reagan%E2%80%99…Newt Gingrich in 1992: Reagan’s ‘weakness’ was thinking government didn’t matter – [...]
Newt Gingrich in 1992: Reagan’s ‘weakness’ was thinking government didn’t matter – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Columbia Christian Radio
February 20th, 2012
5:57 pm
[...] Article from http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/02/20/newt-gingrich-in-1992-reagan%E2%80%99... If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing [...]