Gingrich: I won't debate Obama if media moderates

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

PENSACOLA, Fla. - With his poll numbers lagging in Florida, Newt Gingrich returned Monday to his tried-and-true offensive against the media, declaring that if he's the Republican nominee, he will not debate President Obama if a reporter serves as moderator.

"The reporters who run the debates have no interest in asking any question which will affect Obama," Gingrich told a crowd gathered to see him at the Pensacola airport. "That's why, as your nominee, I will not accept debates in the fall in which the reporters are the moderators because you don't need to have a second Obama person on the debate."

It is not the first time Gingrich has threatened such action during his week in Florida. At a tea party event in Coral Springs last Wednesday, he told the crowd that he would "tolerate" the media-hosted primary debates, but in the general election he would want to set the terms of the debate with the president himself.

"We should be able to talk to the American people without reporters playing gotcha, being clever or having 60-second rules like 'What would you do about Nigeria in 60 seconds?' or 'What's your answer to Social Security in 30 seconds?'" Gingrich told the enthusiastic crowd.

The former House speaker has said that as nominee he would challenge the president to seven, three-hour Lincoln-Douglas style debates, despite the fact that the debate schedule has already been set by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

For all his bashing of the "elite media," Gingrich also tends to embrace the media's work when it suits his purposes.

On the stump, Gingrich frequently reinforces his positions by pointing to reporting done in mainstream outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and even the chief nemesis of the right - the New York Times.

He has repeatedly used the fact-checking work done by news outlets to combat attacks against him by other candidates and their super PACs. In Iowa, Gingrich often railed against an ad run by a pro-Mitt Romney super PAC attacking him on a variety of topics, including the $1.6 million he received from Freddie Mac; the $300,000 penalty he paid for ethics violations, and charges that he supported amnesty for illegal immigrants and worked with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and ex-Vice President Al Gore on global warming.

"I'd just suggest you look at the Washington Post which says that the latest Romney ads got 4 `Pinocchios' [for untruthfulness] and I'll rely on their judgment." Gingrich told reporters at a press gaggle in Des Moines back in December.

CBS News/National Journal off-air reporter Rebecca Kaplan contributed to this report.

[packeryman]

Newt doesn't have to worry about debating the president, he will never be the nominee. Those with any political savvy in the party know that the Independents will never vote for Newt, we will vote Democrat or stay home.The GOP cannot win without Independents. Romney will take the next six states in Feb. and Newt is not even on the ballot in Missouri.He has lost 3 states out of 4 and he won SC because of its Evangelical crowd that was snookered by his (One liner knockout punch, feeding red meat to the lions). He lost the last two debates in FL, the public got wise to his gaming the audience. He comes with some prepared one liners to raise loud applaud and standing ovations. The guy feeds off gaming the audience, when he got to Tampa and quiet debate, he walked on stage ticked off and very sad, he lost, the public and media was onto his game.He was a great debater in his own mind, it did not pan out when he could not con the game.The GOP really needs a pompous, corrupt, egotistical Washington Insider who left in disgrace with 84 ethic violations. Then opens a K Street office and peddles influence making millions from Freddy Mac and the healthcare insurance industry. As others have said the rules are set.Any candidate who threatens not to participate unless rules are changed is attempting game 9Blackmail) the system and should be out, over, no debates, you live by the rules or you don't debate.

[2happy2ride]

A little presumptive are we? Is Rex Ryan your campaign manager?
If there is any discernment at all out there, you'll be watching the debates just like Rex.

[SteveInTulsa]

We know how the debates went last time;
Question to McCain: How will you handle the Iranian crisis?
Question to Obama; Can I get you a cushion?

[tedfalkowski]

Looks like Newt would changes the rules of Presidential debate and the schedule and length, which has already been agreed on. I wonder if he would also try to change the role and rules of the Presidency of our country. To the Fuerher Herr Newt!

[justsane-2009]

newt, newt, newt, here's the thing...you aren't going to be debating the president at all, so why on earth are you worrying about who the moderators will be?

[boatdocster]

Looks like Neutered will not have to worry about debating anyone in the very near future.... Time to go home Newt.

[Kenny777_y]

why dont these dumb ass republicans wake up . RON PAUL is the only one who stands a chance againest OBAMA.ROMNEY filps flops so much you cant trust him. NEWT will rob us blind like he did taking money from FREDDY and FANCY PANTS lol. been unfaithful to wife #2. left wife #1 when she was very sick. NEWT is spot, on about the bias media though but thats not breaking news.

[Kenny777_y]

yes most of you are right he wont get that far anyway. bias media has already chose ROMNEY.

[isonespal]

Newt should debate a hand puppet and name it President Obama. Just kidding! Go sit in the back of the plane Newt.

[24zen]

Not to worry Speaker Gingrich! You will not have that opportunity anyway. In fact, you had better pack your bags and take your campaign to the moon; because that is the only place you will have a chance to win any election now or ever.

[LarryParadise]

Don't worry Newt ... you won't even get passed Romney

You don't have to concern yourself with fictitious debate issues with Obama

But if you'd like ... try again in 2016 ... you'll LOSE then as well