Newt, Callista Gingrich compare Romney to Reagan

Newt and Callista Gingrich waves to the audience at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012 on the final day of the Republican National Convention (RNC).

/ AFP/ Stan Honda

(CBS News) TAMPA, Fla. - At the Republican National Convention, former House Speaker and Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich and his wife, Calista, said Mitt Romney will bring the country back to the principles that are "core to Reagan's presidency."

In contrast to Reagan, a Republican icon, he compared President Obama to the president Reagan defeated, Jimmy Carter.

"It's striking how President Carter and President Obama both took our nation down a path that in four years weakened America's confidence in itself and our hope for a better future," Gingrich said, adding that the president has made the country vulnerable abroad and domestically.

"Both weakened the respect for America abroad; both increased government programs, filled with waste and inefficiency that failed to produce results; both made promises they couldn't keep; and, as a consequence of ineffective policies, both were unable to revive our economy and create jobs," Callista Gingrich said.

Taking turns speaking, Callista and Newt Gingrich, invoked Reagan, who was honored in a film prior to their speech that highlighted the peaceful end to the Cold War and nominating the first woman to the Supreme Court.

Gingrich said Romney's challenges are similar to Reagan's: "To restore the economy; to revive the American spirit; and to defeat totalitarianism, spreading democracy throughout the world."

"Governor Romney will return America to work, and to the principles that are at the core of President Reagan's legacy," Callista Gingrich said.

She highlighted Reagan's work on welfare reform as governor of California, which she said created a work requirement. Newt Gingrich said President Obama "gutted" a federal work requirement for welfare, an accusation that has been fact-checked as false.

"Obama's waiving of the work requirements in welfare reform is just one example of his direct repudiation of President Reagan's values," he said.

"Obama's proud of what he's done and of his politically motivated partisanship, but he should be ashamed for putting politics before people," Newt Gingrich said, saying that the president is invoking class warfare and pandering to low-income Americans.

The Gingriches said Romney will invoke Reagan's philosophy of less regulation and lower taxes to jumpstart the economy.

CBS News complete convention coverage

"Reagan's belief in small business owners and entrepreneurs is a remarkable contrast with Obama's class warfare rhetoric, massive deficits and a passion for taxing those who create jobs. The Romney plan for a stronger middle class has deep roots in Reagan's approach," he said.

"This November, we cannot settle for anything less" than a Reagan victory, he said.

[mojobrien]

They should compare them. Republicans have a unique bond. They're bullies. Ronald reagan cme out of his debate shining like a new dime and Jimmy Carter looked well, defeated. He'd been trying for yrs to get the hostages freed and Ronnie strolled right up in there like a true politician and sold them guns. He looked like a hero. Jimmy Carter looked like a baffoon

[abbe91]

Mitt Romney will bring the country back to the principles that are "core to Reagan's presidency."

I guess that means a new amnesty for illegals, like in 1986 ?

[rayward73446]

Newt claimed the same thing for himself during the primaries. Didn't believe him then, don't believe him now. His statements are irrelevant.

[Ericwvb]

*** are they putting in the water supply in Tampa?

[josephp5]

Although I disliked Reagan at the time, and still think that he was a poor President, I would like to say one good thing about him:

When the Iran-Contra scandal broke, he took full responsibility. He made a live speech to the American people, saying that although he never intended to give arms in exchange for Iranian hostages, he had to admit that the facts showed otherwise, and for that he apologized.

I cannot imagine any President today, Republican or Democrat, saying something so honest. Instead they would try to spin the whole thing away.

[josephp5]

Ronald Reagan would be disgusted with today's Republican Party. I never thought Reagan was a great President---he was too superficial and clung to a simplistic ideology that did not deal with America's problems realistically. But compared to Republicans today, I think he is George Washington, Abe Lincoln, and both Roosevelts rolled into one.

[CoJo7]

Reagan taxed people that made above $172K/year at 50%. Shall we do the same? Reagan did it for 5 years out his 8. If Reagan felt the rich ought to pay more, who's to argue

[askagain]

Romney and Ryan may have succeeded in their goal to win over many independent voters. Neither Democrats nor Republicans are going to change their mind about who they support. The slim number of undecided voters will put one candidate or the other over the top. Contrary to what the pundits think, Clint Eastwood was a good choice. Those over 40 and especially the baby boomers tend to love Clint Eastwood. His message was short and sweet. Fire our current president and replace him. His message may succeed.

[bradkt1]

Wow! When did Mitt Romney turn into Ronald Reagan?

That takes some doing...even in the fantasy world of right wing politics.

Are you sure that Newt didn't say Ronald McDonald?

[andrewjsacks]

That's some compliment. Wow!

Ha! What a joke. Losers all.