Washington Unplugged: Gingrich Sees Opportunity To Redefine GOP As "Loyal Opposition"

On today's "Washington Unplugged," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich sat down with CBS News' Bob Schieffer to discuss the future of the Republican Party and President Obama's budget.

Gingrich believes that the Republican Party deserved the trouncing it has received in the two most recent elections. He saw the electoral results not as a repudiation of conservative ideology, but as a failure on the part of his party to deliver for the American people.

"It got off track, it failed to perform, and it got fired," Gingrich said of his party. "That's the great genius of America, if you don't do your job, the customer gets to choose somebody else."

Gingrich argued that President Obama's budget pushed the country in a left-wing direction and was the "boldest effort" to remake America since Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society." But the former speaker was emboldened. He believes that Mr. Obama's ambitious agenda provides ample opportunities for Republicans to define themselves as the loyal opposition and return their party to its core principals.

You can watch the whole show, with the Gingrich interview, an interview with author and former Army Captain Craig Mullaney and a roundtable with CBS News Political Director Steve Chaggaris and Washington Post White House reporter Michael Fletcher, below.

[wheear]

The GOP had better redefine itself if it wants the many decades old Republicans like myself to support it again. Rush Limbaugh was on CNN firing up the same old rhetoric that makes me want to puke. The GOP makeover needs to start by telling the "entertainer" Rush to go sit his big sweaty millionaire behind down. He essentially stated that the wealthy are being picked on. The crowd was filled with a bunch of rich cheerleaders that have no idea of what poverty looks like. This guy is the leader. Name one Republican who has a larger audience and stomach than Rush. Newt blew it. McCain picked Palin. Only a total makeover and HONEST self examination will make me return to the Republican agenda.

[babooph]

My reps will recover when they get rid of the religous whacos,lost war fools & massive deficit spending.The party of the great IKE will be back !

[dj292009]

Old Newt had his chance once before. He messed up big time, and the GOP kicked him out as their leader in Congress. The man antagonized both the American people and his fellow Congressmen. If the GOP allows this man to "redfefine" them, the GOP massacre will be even GREATER in 2012. Take it away Newt, we love how you screw up!!
Posted by raflin1

Will you admit that the democrats had any responsiblity ion this mess

[dj292009]

Republicans tank economies -- Democrats boost economies -- history wins and takes Democrats over Republicans for fiscal responsibility. Go Obama Administration and show these give these "loons" lessons in "Successful Economies" graduate studies level. Oh, I forget, most Republicans don't have college degrees, much less high school education.
Posted by gig76 at 1:01 PM : Feb 28, 2009

Congrats, another LIAR democrat. Wow are you so special

[dj292009]

ChgUBINOT,

Just for curiosity's sake, where did you get your stellar education?
Posted by mcliar

Why is it you have to mock her education?

[sincity_q]

Newt is a Nazi and the LAST thing the conservatives need right now. Republicans have to redefine themselves according to the tides of time and change, not try and turn the clock back to the dark ages with this Grand Inquisitor wannabe.

[gig76]

Being a global economy do Republicans think the rest of the world wants to go through this aweful mess they created again? No thank you, said China. No thank you, said Japan. No thank you, said Russia. No thank you. said France. No thank you said England. No thank you said Austrailia. No thank you said South America. No thank you said Canada. No thank you said the continent of Africa (the trick question for Palin). Let's see who is left, oh yes, Mexico who has enjoyed all the support from Bush Jr. and his NRA gurus. Assault weapons have no place in this world except war zones that are military issued, DEA issued, Special Forces issed guns. Otherwise, no way. Oh, Bush Sr was CIA Director, and President when drugs in USA were sold mostly from Mexico, Afghanistan, and other countries that made a deal with Republicans. Republicans like to sell illegally since they know they couldn't sell a dead fly on their own lack of skills abilities.

[gig76]

Republicans tank economies -- Democrats boost economies -- history wins and takes Democrats over Republicans for fiscal responsibility. Go Obama Administration and show these give these "loons" lessons in "Successful Economies" graduate studies level. Oh, I forget, most Republicans don't have college degrees, much less high school education.

[gig76]

Parents watch out for Gingrich and his followers who like to take our children and turn them into mistresses for their pleasure, sons and daughters. Beware! Let's see, Gingrich had an affair with his secretary -- shameful Republicans!

[tonyatq]

The Grand Old Party of the South have all ready been defined by Bush, Rush, Palin, and Steele. They can't be redefined.