Obama advisers believe "realistic chance" Gingrich could win GOP nomination

By: Norah O'Donnell
Topics: Campaign 2012

(Credit: AP)

President Obama's advisers now believe that there is a "realistic chance" of Newt Gingrich winning the Republican presidential nomination. Democrats have long been convinced that Mitt Romney will be the nominee and they have expended considerable effort trying to label him as a serial flip-flopper.

Some of Mr. Obama's closest advisers are privately surprised by Gingrich's rise in the polls and are beginning to discuss Gingrich as a likely general election opponent.

"Given where Gingrich is in the polls this close to the primaries - and Romney's inability to connect with many Republican voters - yes, we think there is a realistic chance Gingrich will be the nominee," said one adviser.

Still, Democrats have not yet trained their fire on Gingrich. Nor are they scrambling to revamp their strategy for the 2012 campaign, according to two campaign advisers.

"That playbook has been written for years," said a senior strategist, referring to what he believes is plenty of Gingrich opposition research that is readily available with a simple Google search.

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Norah O'Donnell
Norah O'Donnell is CBS News' Chief White House Correspondent
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14 Comments +

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by JoeLoerzel December 8, 2011 3:28 PM EST

All people need to do is Google him. If that dosen't scare the hell out of them - what will?

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by james0tempe December 8, 2011 10:33 PM EST: The ******** in this country will identify with an ******** to represent them. And in huge swaths of the nation, 7 out of 10 people are ********.


by mooring7 December 8, 2011 2:08 PM EST: It would seem that no matter who is running for or presently serving as President the media will begin its critical analysis and within days change the direction of thinking. Its like skeet shooting the media yells pull a clay pigeon is launched and they shoot it down.I doubt very much if any past American President that has an historic record as being a great President could survive the media critical onslaught if they were running today.; Reply to this comment

by themooniac December 7, 2011 7:46 PM EST

Newt Gingrich? Really, GOP, thats' the best ya got??? Ahahahaha, another over the hill white guy.....LOL.

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by OrangPuteh December 8, 2011 11:31 AM EST: What do you expect? Ted Bundy was unavailable and Gingrich was as close as The GOP could get to their preferred candidate.

by 1notrub11 December 7, 2011 7:42 PM EST

I continue to find it fascinating that either side cares what the other side is doing or who will be the competition come election time.

It strongly suggests that neither of them are confident in the job they are doing, the policies they are promoting or their work history. If they would say what they mean and mean what they say, the whole thing wouldn't end up being such a con job and people might actually listen.

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by james0tempe December 8, 2011 10:34 PM EST: What makes you think the President is concerned about any of this stuff? He has people for that. Volunteers, even. Armies of them.


by Anotheryahoo December 7, 2011 5:41 PM EST: Our problem is the govt and a govt ran by crooks. So the Pubs are pushing this crook, the democrats want to govern every aspect of everything. The only solution to these monsters is Ron Paul. Ron Paul is Americas best choice if we really want Freedom and Liberty.; Reply to this comment

by MohatmaJeebus December 7, 2011 2:56 PM EST

Oh please, oh please... I hope Obama gets to run against Newt after he cheated on his wife while she was in the hospital with cancer, all the while decrying the moral decay of the US. Oh please, oh please...

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by jimbom121 December 7, 2011 4:18 PM EST: Empire...that's just the tip of the iceberg.

by revolverdude December 7, 2011 2:38 PM EST

Have you heard the latest blastphemy from the Obama Administration?
They called the Ft Hood Massacre "workplace violence" instead of a terrorist attack. Trying to appease the Muslims. We have a problem here, America. Wake up! This President is destroying this Nation. He is licking the wrong butts!

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by Lawyers-Guns-n-Money06 December 7, 2011 2:48 PM EST: Yeah, we all found out he was a secret Muslim thanks to you baggers, birthers and buffoons. What a travesty those scum are.