Gingrich Says He's Considering Presidential Run

[John317]

Associated Press Writer Mike Glover, Associated Press Writer – Mon Jul 12, 11:14 pm ET

DES MOINES, Iowa – Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Monday he's seriously considering seeking the Republican presidential nomination and will announce his decision early next year.

Gingrich, 67, told The Associated Press that he would focus on helping Republican candidates through the midterm elections in November, then decide in February or March whether to seek the GOP nomination.

"I've never been this serious," Gingrich said.

"It's fair to say that by February the groundwork will have been laid to consider seriously whether or not to run," he said.

Gingrich, in Des Moines for a fundraiser and workshop for local Republican candidates, predicted President Barack Obama would be a one-term president. Obama's poll numbers have dropped below 50 percent, and Gingrich predicted they would continue to fall, making him vulnerable in 2012.

Unlike President Bill Clinton, who rebounded from first-term problems by pushing for welfare reform and budget balancing changes that pleased moderate voters, Gingrich argued that Obama shows no inclination to move toward the center.

"He's not like Bill Clinton," Gingrich said. "Bill Clinton was an Arkansas, Southern Baptist, sort of understood middle American. While he had some Yale overtones being liberal, the truth is Bill Clinton was quite happy to move to the right."

Gingrich has been mentioned as a possible 2012 presidential candidate along with other Republicans, including former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Gingrich had a long congressional career and was House speaker from 1995 to 1999. He was given much of the credit for the Republican takeover of the House in 1994. But he abruptly resigned from Congress in 1998 after his party faired poorly in midterm elections. He also was reprimanded by the House ethics panel for using tax-exempt funding to advance his political goals.

The former speaker, who championed a family values agenda, spearheaded efforts to impeach Clinton for perjury over his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Gingrich later admitted having an extramarital affair of his own in 1998 with a former congressional aide, Callista Bisek. He married Bisek after divorcing his second wife, Marianne.

After leaving Congress, Gingrich created American Solutions for Winning the Future, a tax-exempt organization that promotes conservative causes. He acknowledged considering a White House run in 2007 and said he also thought about a run against Clinton before deciding it wasn't possible.

"You couldn't be the first Republican speaker in a generation and engage in a contest with Bill Clinton for setting the direction of the country and run for president," said Gingrich. "It wasn't physically doable."

Gingrich said he would to return several time this year to Iowa, where precinct caucuses lead off the presidential nominating process. He said he planned to lay the groundwork for a campaign by working hard for Republicans in the midterm elections.

Gingrich is known for his frequently harsh rhetoric, and he didn't hold back in speaking about Obama.

"I think he will replace Jimmy Carter as the worst president of modern times," said Gingrich.

Thanks to Obama's performance, Gingrich said he expected that whoever wins the Republican nomination would win the White House.

"He is a disaster," Gingrich said of Obama. "His principles are fundamentally wrong. The people he appoints are more radical than he is and less competent."

Despite his fiery personality, Gingrich said he wasn't worried that his comments would turn off moderate voters. At a time when the economy remains fragile, Americans want results and aren't worried about personality, he said.

"I think likable is a word you have to think about a lot," said Gingrich. "If people believe their country is in trouble, they want a captain of the lifeboat, they don't want a fraternity brother."

[Bravus]

*cough*US politics forum*cough*

[karl]

When Gingrich started trying to make a political comeback on conservative web sites, I wrote to him and to the site. He has NO credibility with me. We already know him as a compromiser, who, when we handed him control of the conservative revolution - he basically squandered it.

He was tremendously damaging (basically a traitor) to the conservative movement once and I am not willing to risk any of our current momentum on him again.

[Dr. Shane]

He would be another adulterer-in-chief, just like his buddy Bill Clinton.

[bonnie]

He would be another adulterer-in-chief, just like his buddy Bill Clinton.

I would hope he is not the choice but the title (adulterer in chief) does not apply now.

He would be the same as Clinton if elected president and committed the acts Clinton did and then lied about.

Unless someone knows he is committing adultry at this time that is in his past.

Clinton had a long history of adultry and lying right thru his time as president.

The behavior of Newt Gingrich previously leaves a lot to be desired,but a far cry from the man that committed adultry and lying to a grand jury about it

[Dr. Shane]

the title (adulterer in chief) does not apply now.

That is because we have an honorable man who loves his wife and children in the White House. If we elect the old womanizing Gingrich, we will be right back to the Clinton days. Those two are like two peas in a pod.

[Woody]

I think Gingrich would make a good president. Far better than what we have now. Of course ANYthing would be better than what we got now.

[bonnie]

Originally Posted By: bonnie

the title (adulterer in chief) does not apply now.

That is because we have an honorable man who loves his wife and children in the White House. If we elect the old womanizing Gingrich, we will be right back to the Clinton days. Those two are like two peas in a pod.

Neither you nor I have any knowledge of the relationship between Obama and his wife.There is nothing to indicate that Obama has or will be unfaithful.However I don't see them as the devoted loving couple so many seem to. When they are together in public, they give the impression of being there alone

There are very few you can take that statement to the bank.

George Bush is one.Not because of appearances or because he was a republican,but because the media would have acted to make public even if it were only rumor.The same for the same reasons concerning Ronald Reagen.

JFK was seen as a devoted husband and father. He lacked the morals of a tom cat.

[Woody]

Quote:

Neither you nor I have any knowledge of the relationship between Obama and his wife.There is nothing to indicate that Obama has or will be unfaithful.However I don't see them as the devoted loving couple so many seem to. When they are together in public, they give the impression of being there alone

There are very few you can take that statement to the bank.

George Bush is one.Not because of appearances or because he was a republican,but because the media would have acted to make public even if it were only rumor.The same for the same reasons concerning Ronald Reagen.

JFK was seen as a devoted husband and father. He lacked the morals of a tom cat.

Excellent post Bonnie

[Dr. Shane]

Neither you nor I have any knowledge of the relationship between Obama and his wife.

Obama is a wonderful, charming, dedicated and fantastic husband and father that is a fine example for all Americans and every citizen of the world.

Gingrich would take us back to the days when we had to hang our heads low and shamefully admit that we were Americans.

[Woody]

We should all be willing to forgive.

[bonnie]

Obama is a wonderful, charming, dedicated and fantastic husband and father that is a fine example for all Americans and every citizen of the world.

Gingrich would take us back to the days when we had to hang our heads low and shamefully admit that we were Americans.

You do not have any personal knowledge of Obama as a wonderful, charming, dedicated and fantastic husband and father that is a fine example for all Americans and every

What you have is a personal opinion only concerning a man you admire.

You admired him as president at one time as well.Don't know where you stand now and don't really care. Many people that had that same admiration and contributed heavily and financially to Obama now go so far as to say they see"hostility from Obama towards this country".

But at the end of the day you are still giving a personal opinion,many of us do not see you as the go to person to form a correct opinion.

It is a little more instructive to research what some that have been or are currently friends have to say about him

[Dr. Shane]

I admire all men that are good husbands and fathers. To that same extent, I admire President Obama. I admire President Bush in the same way. Both are wonderful men that care deeply about their families. Our nation choose well. Imagine if we had went for Gore or Kerry...

[bonnie]

I admire all men that are good husbands and fathers. To that same extent, I admire President Obama. I admire President Bush in the same way. Both are wonderful men that care deeply about their families. Our nation choose well. Imagine if we had went for Gore or Kerry...

A little correction,you have the opinion that Bush and Obama were wonderful fathers and husband. Gods know as he knows their heart,any that may have witnessed unfaithfulness or abuse towards their spouse would know.What you have is an opinion.No more valid than that

[Dr. Shane]

I am so happy that the adulterous scoundrel John McCain isn't in the White House. Obama is so much better role model for our nation's married couples. In theses times, we need a national leader to model what being a loving, caring, compassionate husband and father is all about.

[Woody]

Did you say the same about Clinton when he was in office?

[Dr. Shane]

I supported the impeachment of Clinton. He perjured himself. Perjury is a cousin of bribery. Both try to deny a person their right to justice. It saddens me greatly that Bill Clinton was not removed from office. The only good thing is that by his not leaving, Al Gore Jr. never got his chance.

[bonnie]

I am so happy that the adulterous scoundrel John McCain isn't in the White House. Obama is so much better role model for our nation's married couples. In theses times, we need a national leader to model what being a loving, caring, compassionate husband and father is all about.

Someone that "misleads" is not a good role model for anyone.

Pretty sad if our nations married couples need a role model in politics to make their marriage work.

I am glad the marriages of my sons were based on something stronger than admiring a politician. I was always under the impression and belief that it is very risky business to look to man.

You can choose to ignore the fact that you have no personal knowledge but it doesn't give you special insight into the heart of another.

It would be nice if in time it is proven to be true. However JFK was much admired for his devotion and being a loving husband.He was so totally without morality and integrity he had a woman brought into the white house on the eve of his inauguration.

Blind admiration is not very healthy, especially in a adult.

[Guest]

Originally Posted By: Shane

I am so happy that the adulterous scoundrel John McCain isn't in the White House. Obama is so much better role model for our nation's married couples. In theses times, we need a national leader to model what being a loving, caring, compassionate husband and father is all about.

Someone that "misleads" is not a good role model for anyone.

Pretty sad if our nations married couples need a role model in politics to make their marriage work.

I am glad the marriages of my sons were based on something stronger than admiring a politician. I was always under the impression and belief that it is very risky business to look to man.

You can choose to ignore the fact that you have no personal knowledge but it doesn't give you special insight into the heart of another.

It would be nice if in time it is proven to be true. However JFK was much admired for his devotion and being a loving husband.He was so totally without morality and integrity he had a woman brought into the white house on the eve of his inauguration.

Blind admiration is not very healthy, especially in a adult.

I have to agree with you here Bonnie. Shane how do you know BHO is a good husband and father? The fact is, you don't. You are assuming he is based on your own adulation of him. Remember, nobody knew what Clinton was, (well, some did) until he got caught. And like Bonnie pointed out, nobody knew about JFK until much much later.

So just because BHO hasn't been caught yet doing anything like that, does not mean he's a good husband and father. Only in your adoring mind. And like she said:

"Blind admiration is not very healthy, especially in a adult".

And it is blind. Totally.

[Dr. Shane]

Someone that "misleads" is not a good role model for anyone.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!

I thank God McCain is not President today. Praise God for Obama. Praise God from Whom all blessing flow.

[bonnie]

I have to agree with you here Bonnie. Shane how do you know BHO is a good husband and father? The fact is, you don't. You are assuming he is based on your own adulation of him. Remember, nobody knew what Clinton was, (well, some did) until he got caught. And like Bonnie pointed out, nobody knew about JFK until much much later.

So just because BHO hasn't been caught yet doing anything like that, does not mean he's a good husband and father. Only in your adoring mind. And like she said:

"Blind admiration is not very healthy, especially in a adult".

And it is blind. Totally.

The fact is no one can say with any certainty.I hope for the country, but most for his little girls that in this area he is what appearances seem.Or if not it doesn't come out at least while he is in office

It is never wise or safe to assume you are so enlightened you know the heart and the hidden behaviors of another.I think that is reserved for only one and not a trivial human being.

If you fall into that catagory you may have more problems than just being wrong about someone.

[Dr. Shane]

Obama is an open book, folks. Don't worry about it. He is the kind of man we want our sons to grow up to be. Just like Bush. He stands on principle, is faithful, compassionate and kind. Head and shoulders above folks like McCain, Gingrich, Clinton and Gore.

[bonnie]

Obama is an open book, folks. Don't worry about it. He is the kind of man we want our sons to grow up to be. Just like Bush. He stands on principle, is faithful, compassionate and kind. Head and shoulders above folks like McCain, Gingrich, Clinton and Gore.

I would not be happy if any of my four sons turned out like Obama.As you don't have the book,open or otherwise you do not know what is in it.

[Dr. Shane]

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

[Guest]

Quote:

I would not be happy if any of my four sons turned out like Obama.As you don't have the book,open or otherwise you do not know what is in it.

He's reading the book through those "special" glasses...Everything looks rosy, right Shane?