Gingrich: Romney wants to "buy election"

AMES, Iowa -- As he struggles to eke out a top-three finish in Tuesday's Iowa caucus, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich launched one of his harshest attacks yet on front-runner Mitt Romney, saying the former Massachusetts governor would "buy an election if he could."

As he was leaving a campaign event, the former House speaker was asked by journalists about a report that he, earlier in the day, had accused Romney of attempting to buy votes. Gingrich replied, "No, I didn't say he was. I said he would if he could. ... He would buy an election if he could."

Gingrich said he was referring to the negative ads that a PAC backing Romney is running against him in Iowa, and said that the ad buys could total $3.5 million. Gingrich's comments came as he and his wife, Callista, left the West Towne Pub en route to his next campaign event.

Romney was asked for his response by a National Journal/CBS reporter traveling with his campaign. He did not address the ads, but noted that Gingrich has raised a lot of money as a candidate. "He anounced that he raised 10 million this quarter, and he ought to be proud of that. ... This is an election, however, that's not being driven by money raised. It's being driven by message connection with the voters, debate and experience."

Gingrich has vowed to stay "positive" in his quest for the GOP nomination, but has been increasingly on the attack against Romney as his poll numbers have declined, mainly in response to the barrage of negative ads purchased by groups supporting Romney, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas and other of his rivals. A super PAC calling itself Restore Our Future and run by former Romney aides has spent nearly $3 million on ads in Iowa.

Accusing Romney of trying to "buy votes" serves Gingrich's purpose of portraying his rival as an elitist, calling attention to his background as a wealthy former investment banker at Bain Capital. But it comes with some risk for the former lawmaker, who himself made millions after leaving Congress by trading on his influence in Republican political circles in Washington.

At a campaign stop in Marshalltown, Iowa, Gingrich acknowledged that the negative ad blizzard hurt his campaign and "drove me from the 30s to the teens" in the polls. He said of Romney, "Somebody who will lie to you to be president will lie to you as president."

The former long-time House member also confirmed what several polls have shown: that conservatives, despite their dominance in Iowa's Republican politics, are divided among rival candidates.

"If you combine (former U.S. Sen. Rick) Santorum, (Texas Gov. Rick) Perry and (Rep. Michele) Bachmann and me, compare it to the Romney numbers, it's overwhelming that the conservative base of the party is still there," Gingrich said. "And Gov. Romney remains basically a Massachusetts moderate. He's not broken out despite spending millions of dollars."

But Gingrich failed to acknowledge a simple fact of Romney's advantage in Iowa right now, even in spite of a base of support that is little improved since 2008, when he first ran for president, according to a Des Moines Register poll published on Saturday. This time, conservatives do not seem to be coalescing around a single candidate, as they did around former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee four years ago, which could allow Romney to win with a plurality.

Sarah B. Boxer contributed to this story.

[WalterWaitingFor2012]

He bought the election is more accurate. Whoever has the most money with the ugliest TV ads and the hardest boots and fastest kick and punch wins. Everyone else is a has been unworthy of the super financed GOP War Machine.

[geslowey]

Isn't it funny, the lack of negative ads against Romney - hmmmm, who do you suppose would not go negative against Romney?

[rogerr9]

Mr. Romney will buy the presidency. But not with his money. He has much bigger money behind him. Paul Singer is a billionaire friend who made much of his money in ways that make George Soros look like a saint by comparison. He is called "The vulture capitalist" for good reason. And a Romney presidency will give him the protection he needs to continue doing evil for huge profit.

[Eli_of_Cincy]

Yes, he is buying it and you can thank the conservative Supreme Court for allowing it to happen.

[greco99-2009]

Is W Spann a felony or just unethical?

[riuey]

Funny charge, when Newt was paying people to get people signed up so he could be on the ballet in Virginia. Hell he is so wrong, they all have some lobbyist paying for their election.

[jld1959]

I don't particularly care for Mr Gingrich's politics or character,
None the less I have to wholeheartedly agree with his assessment of
Romney's willingless to say or do anything to achieve the Presidency.
Constantly changing your positions on major issues to please the audience who happens to be in the room at the time, is the best indicator that Romney has no moral or ethical core.

"Romney speaketh with forked tongue"

[cattiej]

Gingrich has been for sale to the highest bidder for years. How this guy will all the ethics violations and being kicked out as Speaker of the House could even be allowed to run for any office including that of a dogcatcher is terrible. People, don't vote for Gingrich, he is a lier, a crook, an adulter and a scammer. Your stupid if you would even attend anything where he was speaking his lies. His wife was his mistress when he was married to wife #2. Where are your Christian values that you would listen to this Gingrich?

[starving1968-3]

"Gingrich has vowed to stay "positive" in his quest for the GOP nomination, but has been increasingly on the attack against Romney as his poll numbers have declined, mainly in response to the barrage of negative ads purchased by groups supporting Romney."







If Newt could afford dozens of negative ads, you better believe he'd be running them.

His ENTIRE TERM as Speaker of the House was NOTHING but a witch hunt / smear campaign against President Clinton, so it's pretty clear that he's not "above negative ads".

He just can't afford them.

[riuey]

That is too bad he can not find a lobbyist to pay his way to Washington like the rest do. I mean, heck every business is a person now. This Supreme court should be replaced by Americans. I do not know if they can be taken from office,by Congress,but if it is possible it should be done.

[JohnMikal]

It's not just advertising that Romney is buying, he's also spending a lot of money on people who give him endorsements.

In an article published on OpenSecrets.Org on 12/13/11, Michael Beckel cites some interesting data from the Center for Responsive Politics. He states that Mitt Romney's Leadership PAC has made contributions to 48 of the 52 sitting members of congress that have endorsed him for the 2012 campaign so far. The total contributions made to those that have endorsed him comes to a total of $251,420.00 or an average of $5,240.00 each.

He has also made contributions to another 163 members of congress totaling another $759,140.00.

I was wondering where all his campaign dollars were going...
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2011/12/how-much-love-will-contributions-buy.html

[myopinionpal]

If I had Romneys money I would not spend it on being president I would take it easy and enjoy life. I don't know why rich people want that headache of a job anyway.

[starving1968-3]

Exactly.

[Eli_of_Cincy]

Power, it's all about power.

[NewtsArmy]

Romney does not inspire people. Here's why... How much does each vote for Romney cost? You could give anyone an unlimited amount of money, and they can win the Presidency. Does the name Obama ring a bell? Although you can identify the candidates who most inspires by their average cost per vote. Do the math!

[Eli_of_Cincy]

No, the conservative Supreme Court rings a bell; they made it possible.