Gingrich: Romney "bouncing around," no message

Updated: 11:30 a.m. ET

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Coming off a landslide upset primary victory in South Carolina Saturday night, Newt Gingrich on Sunday attributed the win in part to his "authenticity" as a candidate - something he suggests his rival Mitt Romney lacks.

Speaking to CBS News' Bob Schieffer on "Face the Nation," Gingrich said it was the people of South Carolina, not himself, who "pulled it off" last night in the Palmetto State: "They wanted somebody who was tough enough and bold enough to take on Obama," he said. "In addition, I think South Carolinians were the first state to really understand how liberal Governor Romney's record was as governor of Massachusetts.

After leading Gingrich in the South Carolina polls by more than 20 points just over a week ago, Romney lost to the former House Speaker by 13 points, following Gingrich 41 percent to 28 percent.

According to exit polls from the state, Gingrich also led on the crucial matter of perceived electability versus President Obama - a question Romney has dominated in the past.

"I think the number one thing people look for in difficult times is authenticity. They want somebody who is what he seems to be, somebody who is comfortable with himself, somebody who is able to have force in what he's saying or she's saying, because they actually believe it," he said.   

Gingrich described Romney as a "very good salesman" hocking a "really weak product" - and who has been "dancing on eggs trying to find a version of Romney that will work."

When asked if he was saying Romney was a fake, the candidate demurred.

 I will let you, as a very sophisticated senior analyst and reporter, draw your conclusions. But if you take what I just said which are facts, it does show you why he keeps sort of bouncing around trying to find a message. You know, I don't do that. I've had the same message for many, many years."  

He added: "I have flaws, I have weaknesses, I have a long career - the fact is, what you see really is what you get."

Earlier this week, ABC News aired an interview featuring the speaker's ex-wife, Marianne, who leveled the claim that Gingrich had asked her to partake in an open marriage while he conducted a years-long extramarital affair with the woman who later became his third wife, Callista.

Gingrich denied the rumors vehemently, and when asked today if he had actually benefited from the interview, the candidate said only that he thought "the people of South Carolina agreed that it was totally inappropriate."

"People can criticize, question, challenge - it was almost as though ABC was an arm of the Romney campaign," he suggested. "What people rejected was that whole premise."

He went on to tout his record as a small business owner as well as his "long level of experience at something called the government of the United States of America."

"Governor Romney may be running for CEO," he said. "I'm running for president."

[jocksterpup]

First of all Newt the only thing you are qualified to run for is the town adulterer. Mitt Romney is morally, spiritually, and ethically qualified to be President. You are not. It seems the only way you can make yourself feel better about yourself is to tear Mitt Romney down since you do not have the capability or knowledge needed to get the United States on the right track again. I am glad you have two daughters who have decided to stand behind you because if you were my father I would be telling the public and media what a no good piece of trash you are. Anyone who claims to have asked for forgiveness for what he has done and then acts like all is forgiven has a rude awakening since I am sure Jesus Christ and God have not forgiven you one bit. You may be able to hoodwink the people of South Carolina with your underlying comments in-sighting racial divides but the rest of the United States sees you for what you are, a overweight sexually addicted bully who yearns for power because he is aging and really has no relevance to the people of the United States today.

[venusvegasvada]

Watching the video, I noticed how Newt referred to his rivals in this video and himself.

Question: I wonder where he got his vocabulary?

Newt in video describes:
(ABC as) Outrageous. Dishonest. Rejected. Repudiated. Trash.
(Mitt as) Moderate. Liberal. RomneyCare. Dancing. Bouncing-Around.

(Describing himself as) Authenticity. Comfortable. Force. Experience. Facts.

Answer:
"The "GOPAC memo", called "Language: A Key Mechanism of Control", was written and distributed to members of the Republican Party by Gingrich in 1994. It contained a list of "contrasting words" and "optimistic positive governing words" that Gingrich recommended for use in describing Democrats and Republicans, respectively.

For example, words to use against opponents include decay, failure (fail), collapse(ing), deeper, crisis, urgent(cy), destructive, destroy, sick, pathetic, lie, liberal, they/them, unionized bureaucracy, "compassion" is not enough, betray, consequences, limit(s), shallow, traitors, sensationalists;

Words to use in defining a candidate's own campaign and vision included share, change, opportunity, legacy, challenge, control, truth, moral, courage, reform, prosperity, crusade, movement, children, family, debate, compete, active(ly), we/us/our, candid(ly), humane, pristine, provide.

The cover page of the memo said: "The words in that paper are tested language from a recent series of focus groups where we actually tested ideas and language."


Ahh, it's true what they say. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

[emelder2]

Does anyone else think Newt looks like "Poppin' Fresh" or the Michelin Man ... and talks like Daffy Duck (i.e. "despicable")? Just sayin'

[rich2777]

Now that Gingrich won in S.C., I can relax. I'm sure, as soon he is elected president, he'll remove all our social and economic problems from our wretched souls, and do it in short order. If you believe that, well...

Everyone in our 50 states that's running to be elected, or to be re-elected, should be required to watch and listen to, in its entirety, Steve Hartman interviewing Mr. Virgil Hams, mayor of Paoli, Co. That piece can be viewed, of course, on this CBS News website. As long as individuals like Mr. Hams are around, thank God, the United States will be great.

[venusvegasvada]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57363161/colo-mayor-a-politician-who-cant-stand-politics/?tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesAreaMain


His name is Mr. Virgil Harms.

[P0STING_AWAY]

by DJ_IN_IL January 22, 2012 4:31 PM EST
This show that Democrats really don't care about anyone but themselves, thanks for the post
================================================================
Your conclusion is not supported by the fellow's post.
Thanks for
(a) being stupid
or
(b) lying
or (
(c) BOTH

[Kas1952]

Florida early voting started today. The choices? Al Capone? Scarface? Ma Barker? John Dillinger? I didn't want my vote to got to John Gotti Romney or Bonnie and Clyde Gingrich, so I voted for Ivan the Terrible Paul.
The Republican party will destroy this country faster and more completely than any terrorist group ever could.

[HuntinFishin]

South Carolina likes to vote for men who run out on their wives while in hospital. At least McCain only did it once.

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
****"Governor Romney may be running for CEO," he said. "I'm running for president."****
==================
Only the future will say Newt Gingrich, you like to criticize other candidates, but you do not agree to be criticized, it is certain you are narcissistic
"au revoir"

[mountainstates1]

This just shows that Republicans love a good "sexual pervert".

[tawpdawg1111]

Newtyboy's message: Hey just because my loved ones can't trust me doesn't mean YOU can't !

[fedup12]

ha ha ha.