Newt for President?

CBS News' Brian Goldsmith Interviews Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich

(CBS)  Political Players is a weekly conversation with the leaders, consultants, and activists who are shaping American politics. This week, CBS News' Brian Goldsmith talks with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich about dissatisfaction with the current Republican candidates, and whether he might jump into the race.

CBSNews.com: There is a new AP poll, showing that the most popular Republican candidate for president is named undecided. Do you think there’s a reason there is such a hole in this field, and that Republicans don't feel happy about their choices?

Newt Gingrich: Well, look, I think that the average Republican understands that we need very large change in Washington. I think they keep looking for a candidate who can articulate with passion and directness the scale of the change, and what they would do differently.

And while the people who are running are solid folks, they don't think any of them have connected yet in that way, and it is ironic from my perspective. If you think about it, that the people who told me all spring, “You had to make a decision, you had to make a decision. You have to run, you have to run.” Now we are faced with a situation where nobody is much above 30 percent.

McCain, who was the frontrunner, is gradually disappearing. Thompson, who didn't exist, is now almost the frontrunner. It strikes me, it is a pretty good vindication of a theory that this whole thing is way too long and consultants are making way too much money. I think that it's perfectly reasonable to wait around for a while, and see what happens.

CBSNews.com: But is there an argument to be made that you need that much time to build the organization, if not to vault to the top of the polls?

Newt Gingrich: Well, I would ask John McCain.

CBSNews.com: If you think you are the guy with the big ideas, if you think you could win, why wouldn't you run?

Newt Gingrich: Well, I think first of all, I’m using this time to develop American Solutions, a new generation of solutions at all levels, not just for Washington, but for school board, county commission, city council, state legislature. There are 513,000 elected offices in the US.

And I think my first job is to try to understand what we need to do to be successful as a country. How can we organize ourselves to do it? And to try to launch a mass movement of people across the whole country who are committed to that scale of change, and who want to apply it. Not just to the presidency, not just to the House, the Senate, but to every level of government. I think that is my first job. And until I have completed that educational job, I am very, very unwilling to spend my time and energy on politics, if I can avoid it.

CBSNews.com: And I see that beginning on September 27th, the 13th anniversary of the Contract with America, you are going to be reaching out to all these elected officials throughout the country, proposing solutions on energy and education and health care. What do you think the results of the conference are going to be?

Newt Gingrich: Well, first conference, first briefing is actually this Monday, from 12 to 6 Eastern time, at the US Chamber of Commerce. And it will be webcast at American Solutions. There will be six hours on moving government from the world that fails to the world that works, and outlining a first layer of solutions and tools.

And you get a little taste of it if you go to YouTube, and look at FedEx versus Federal Bureaucracy, which is a little piece of a speech I gave at the American Enterprise Institute, that begins to illustrate the scale of change I think we need.

Second, I think that my goal is going to be, on September 27th and 29th, when we webcast to the whole country, to try to reach out to Democrats, Republicans and independents, with practical, common sense, sound solutions that lead people to believe that they can get things done in an effective way.

CBSNews.com: Why haven't the other candidates embraced your ideas? You’ve said a number of times, it would be a lot easier for you if someone else would do this.

Newt Gingrich: Well, you ought to call them and ask them. I mean, let me give you an example. English as the language of government is an 85 percent issue. I don’t know why candidates don't campaign on an 85 percent issue. The right to say “one nation under God” as part of the Pledge of Allegiance is a 91 percent issue. I do not know why candidates don't campaign on standing up to the Ninth Circuit court, which has just been so profoundly wrong and so anti-religious.

By 89 to seven, the country believes that science offers great opportunity to find solutions. And yet I do not sense any candidate in the race talking about the centrality of science, and the importance of rethinking all of our regulatory processes to maximize the rate of innovation. You ought to go ask the candidates. I think what happens is all of these candidates talk to their consultants.

None of their consultants know anything. The consultants all tell them to stick to whatever they read in the Washington Post, or the New York Times that morning. That is how you get kind of a circular conversation among people who do not know very much, telling people not to say very much.

[micma-2009]

That's just what we need. Another "family values adulterer".

[infidel_us]

Old Newt talks a good talk.....but he's got WAY too much baggage to be an effective candidate. He may as well save his money and his time.

[mnelsonix]

I'd rather see Homer Simpson as President than Newt. Didn't this guy cheat on his wife while she had cancer, or something like that?

[roger_inkart]

Yes (rolls eyes) we need an even BIGGER right-wing lunatic in office in '09. Yeah, that'll fix things.

[jm_rvel]

I hope he wins the Republican nomination so a Democrat can win the presidency.

[infidel_us]

Didn't this guy cheat on his wife while she had cancer, or something like that?
Posted by mnelsonix at 10:22 AM : Jul 20, 2007

The story is he discussed their divorce while she was being treated for cancer. But he was DEFINATELY tapping something, probably his 3rd wife, while sitting as speaker of the house during Clinton's Lewinski BJ.

Either way, the man is a zero and should NOT run! And, I'm ashamed to say, he's a PhD from my alma matter. :(

[zorlacskates]

bushies, pleeeaaase promote and support a gingrich run for president. give him your money and your confidence. gingrich is the perfect insurance plan against another republican president in 2008. every dem candidate, from hillary to kucinich, looks like a saint and a genius compared to newt.

[wfbdem]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE nominate this dolt for the GOP candidate. With the exception of the morlocks in the deep south, it would be a clean sweep for the Dems in 2008.

[asor1-2009]

Note to self: Help promote this radical a55hole, good for the Dems. Go Newt, go!!!!

[rushlimpdrug]

I saw this scum on a Sunday morning talk show.
He mentioned a "world war three" on the horizon several times.
Scared me so much made me wanna go back to church and get molested.
He's scum.
Nice of CBs to add (newt.org) by his picture.
How much did he pay to add that?

[asor1-2009]

"...the person I am in person"
Could this man be anymore repulsive, even if he tried?
Heaven help his wives, they are tasteless saints linked to a classless oaf.

[neoconrcrazy]

Newt Gingrich: Well, I think first of all, I%u2019m using this time to develop American Solutions, a new generation of solutions at all levels, not just for Washington...."


perhaps also for the World....

oh, how he inspires...

[rgreuman]

Contract with America, Part Two.
What a humorous anecdote in history
Would his run for the white house be.
Poetic justice we would see
If the Republican nominee he would be.

"IraqiShave"
(Is my age showing?)

[asor1-2009]

Ninth Circuit court, which has just been so profoundly wrong and so anti-religious, eh? Many of us are NOT anti-religious.

We simply want freedom FROM religion, you salamander.

[rushlimpdrug]

somebody pleeze defend this scum.
Anybody?
How bout an ex-wife?

[infidel_us]

And a Neo-Con just like you - Infidel in GA
Posted by parrot2 at 11:13 AM : Jul 20, 2007

Now that wasn't nice, WAS it? What would Mrs. Edwards say about your nasty leftwing 'hate speech'? I think should would disapprove of you, as do I.

[pepperp1]

Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, I remember the day he was elected speaker and what I was doing, while not paying much attention I clearly knew that political discourse and good governance in this country took a nose dive and it did. Honor, respect, public trust, communities, ethics, goodness, common interest gone with the wind%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026.that word value was clearly about I am right a righteous and therefore others are wrong and unworthy scum wrapped in vague vicious divisive religious rhetoric and we are still there, to bad we are coming up on a time in our country where good will would have helped our communities through the rough patches%u2026.

[lawandorder7]

I can't belive any one would ask this S^^&&**(*()O ))(*&^%^(*& salkj any thing. He is a no good crook. Put his name on this site is pksdjfod s3498734560987

[macusweil]

Can we impeach him before he's elected for vast hypocrisy?

GOP family values = don't get caught!!

[toldyouso21]

Newt can't win. Simply put:

1. His hypocrisy during the Clinton witch hunt will make many on the Religious right and ordinary conservatives shun him

2. His zeal and hypocrisy during the Clinton witch hunt makes him a total turn off by the majority of Americans--since the majority are Democrats and Independents

Even if every single Republican could and did nominate him (just as is true for the other Republican candidates) without cheating machines or an interfering SCOTUS, the MAJORITY would still not vote for him due to him:

A. Being a lying hypocrite

B. Being a lying, vindictive hypocrite

C -Z. Being a Republican

We've had enough thank you. We know that the media wants to make Republicans stay relevant to foster real competition. but the truth is, the majority do not want them. Bush and his and the GOP's antics for the past 7 years--have turned Americans off for a long, long time. The rout is coming, no amount of attack adds and comments by the GOP can change the KNOWN and EXPERIENCED reality of the past 7 years. FACT.

[infidel_us]

No wonder the "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" program is such a success!
Posted by ozilot at 11:44 AM : Jul 20, 2007

Yeah, guess Harvard and Kennedy suck too, huh? :)

[toldyouso21]

And a Neo-Con just like you - Infidel in GA
Posted by parrot2 at 11:13 AM : Jul 20, 2007

Now that wasn't nice, WAS it? What would Mrs. Edwards say about your nasty leftwing 'hate speech'? I think should would disapprove of you, as do I. Posted by infidel_us at 11:20 AM : Jul 20, 2007

Why is calling you a neo con a bad word? Wasn't okay in the 2001-2004 build up to invasion and war? When did neo cons shirk or cringe from their own title? They gave it to themselves now you say to call you one is hate speech?

So Neo Con is the new and horrific "N" word that must not be said? I'm sorry to say, that when most people hear or see ANY/MOST Republicans, true or not---they think NEO-CON, blood thirsty, war mongering, torture loving, ill bred, anti-intellectual, back wards, self centered, evil, Nazi-esque, neo con. and the filth of that name was a result of the actions, mindset and results of neo cons.

As for Edward's wife, I don't care what she says, because I am an Independent. Neo Con IS an ugly expression---but...it is one that those who wear and share that name created and paraded in for themselves. It is synonymous with the term Nazi--no matter what the right says about slander. Neo cons will be known as the Nazi's of the 21st century. Everyone around the world knows this. Even in Europe, people want to know if I know any "neo Cons" personally and they ask if you are all latent Nazis.

[SIDNEYWILLIAMSMD]

The logic is good. People start running for Pres way too early. This is likely the best historian and original thinker in the US. I do not think he will run for President. Good man with a hot rod with excessive testosterone like Bill Clinton, only has not had to use force to get female attention like most of the readers of this column.

[pepperp1]

Ah, honey before you puke from the last batch of chemo can you sign the divorce papers hear my girlfriend is parked illegally at the emergency entrance........please these rightist really hate their women, Rudys 3rd wife was evicted by a judge from the home he shared with the second wife and kids, and how about the brothel visiting chairman of Rudys campaign Vitter with 4 children and a wife out spending the milk money on hookers, and not least that baby that Thompson is married to typical Hollywood type,....sleezyyyyy not my God not my family values my religious leader would have a problem if I associated myself with these people let alone voted for one, that family values line is a sound bite and look al the leaders the supposed religious leaders that support them, Ted buy same *** *** and cocaine form a hooker, Jerry Falwell vicious divisive politician in religious drag and that murder other world leader nut Robinson false Christians is my charge.

[toldyouso21]

Even in Europe, people want to know if I know any "neo Cons" personally and they ask if you are all latent Nazis. Posted by toldyouso21 at 11:55 AM : Jul 20, 2007

I tell them, that except for very few exceptions, the ones I know ----would have made great Nazis.

[SIDNEYWILLIAMSMD]

RESPONSE TO TOLDYOU SO: Even in Europe, people want to know if I know any "neo Cons" personally and they ask if you are all latent Nazis. Posted by toldyouso21 SO DOES THIS MEAN THAT IF ONE IS NOT A NEOCON, ONE IS A CON. SO ANOTHER TERM FOR LIB IS CON, OR A SPIN ON THAT WOULD BE LIBCON, OR CONLIB. WHAT IF YOU ARE TRANSEXUAL MUTANT HOMOPHOBE? OR A TRANSGENDER CROSSDRESSER? Would these generally be neocons, cons, libcons, conlibs, or bilinguals?

[toldyouso21]

The logic is good. People start running for Pres way too early. This is likely the best historian and original thinker in the US. I do not think he will run for President. Good man with a hot rod with excessive testosterone like Bill Clinton, only has not had to use force to get female attention like most of the readers of this column.
Posted by doctorwho4 at 11:58 AM : Jul 20, 2007


He is a LIAR and a MEGLOMANIAC. Most Americans can live with the former--we have Bush and his regime to see what living with the BOTH attributes is like. No thank you. No more Republicans for a while--there is something very wrong with the thinking and spiritual processes of many in that party. As for using force on women--that is funny. Too much testosterone? That is not Newt's problem. His and most Neo cons suffer from wishing to rule the world and make as much money any way they can. PERVERSION is their credo. Whether it is the perversion of having *** outside of their marriages with males and females and claiming a halo or perverting our government to make it a dictatorship or perverting our law to make it a kangaroo system....it seems to be right up the Republican alley. And since I am a heterosexual woman, I do not use force to get *** from anyone--nice try.

Besides, the man has pig eyes. Never trust a man with pig eyes. (Bush has pig eyes too) small, beady, greedy, mean, viscious and venal eyes--mirror to their souls.

[prinzowhales]

A deer got over my garden fence the other day and left a pile on the path...it's sitting there drawing flies much like one of the mainstream Democratic or Republican presidential possibilities with which the MSM is all abuzz...

Newt Gingrich does not have the character of that pile left by the doe. His supporters, just like the supporters of Thompson, Giulliani, McCain, Romney, Clinton, Edwards and Obama aren't picky, however,...It is their nature...they buzz about any and all the droppings that the MSM leaves on their plates... Well, mainstream America...you've munched on Bush and Clinton droppings, sampled the leavings of Gore, Dole and Kerry...You have a real appetite for it... and the 2008 election will provide you with a veritable feast! Eat Up!

[toldyouso21]

RESPONSE TO TOLDYOU SO: Even in Europe, people want to know if I know any "neo Cons" personally and they ask if you are all latent Nazis. Posted by toldyouso21 SO DOES THIS MEAN THAT IF ONE IS NOT A NEOCON, ONE IS A CON. Posted by doctorwho4 at 12:04 PM : Jul 20, 2007


You are weird. the opposite of Neo-con--would be old con. LOL.

But as an Independent, I am prone to bash both sides with aplomb. The difference is I can live with the weaknesses or indecisions of most democrats and I can even (barely) swallow some of their pathetic stances on social issues--but I detest, despise and vehemently denounce the behavior/antics and mindsets of neo cons--from illegal invasions, to the lies and hypocrisy, to the rampant sexual actions, to the fake Christianity, to the war mongering and torture loving, and meglomaniacal self interest

As for extremists--"every action elicits an equal and opposite reaction" I hazard the guess that if there were no neo cons, there would be no terrorists. Because terrorism is a natural reaction to the lies, exploitation, propped up regimes and oppression of neo-conesque behavior on other countries. We keep thinking we can kill off people reacting to our fvcked up policies, but we never go to the real source of the problem: ideologies that create such inequities that it GROWS and cultures such extremes.

[jdubs63]

oh pleazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzze

[toldyouso21]

You are weird. the opposite of Neo-con--would be old con. LOL.

sorry, meant to spell it out for you.
Neo con--means "neo conservative" neo means new, ergo; neo-con= new conservative. The opposite of a new conservative would be an old conservative. Meaning one that did not spout the new ideology of the neo con--which is to use force to effect change to create/exploit similar status quo to the one they enjoy in America. (them on top,paying few taxes while using others to make money and not caring about anything or anyone but themselves) But ...since the old conservatives fail to exstinguish or disassociate from the neo cons in their bids to retain power--the 2 are essentially the same.

The neo con is okay with killing to further their own pockets or agenda. and the old conservative is okay with the neo con killing if it means they can finally be/stay in power.


The fact that so many are jumping ship, indicates NOT that they disagree of what the neo cons did or are doing--but the old conservative is a true pimp--they never stay with a prostitute that can no longer ensure a profit. They disassociate and become Democrats thinking to briefly ride that particular political whorrrre to power. And being true political whorrrres (like the neo cons) the Democrats gladly accept the defections--evil and all--into their fold. They should tell them they don't want them--but Dems have never been big on principle. rolling over and into anything to win is their forte.

[cantshutup]

just when i think republipukes can't get any crazier...

[bananaamy]

newt for pres? uhhhhhhh no!

[briannorwood]

Newt for president?

Thanks, but...ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR COTTON-PICKIN MIND?

[tibu987]

Gimmee a break,
Newt Gingrich is precisely the type of political bottom feeder that we do not need in Washington, there are already too many like him in office.
What needs to be done is to vote for term limits and get all the old goats out of office. There are so many in Washington that have been there so long, playing the game, but doing little for the country, feeding at the trough.
Gingrich personifies all that is wrong in Washington.
I am an old goat and I would like to see young idealistic young man and women in office and then out of office in two terms before they become corrupted with power and money.

"Diapers and politicians need to be changed regularly....and for the same reason!"

[pepperp1]

Never never going to happen, 52 percent of the electorate is women and they don%u2019t take kindly to philandering men who divorce wives on the hospital bed with the girlfriend and next wife waiting in the car and that is not even mentioning every other unflattering thing about this man. Let me re think this just like the right funding Nadir, sure Newt for President and excellent strategy just do not count on the vote suppression by the DOJ happening this time righties.

[infidel_us]

"Diapers and politicians need to be changed regularly....and for the same reason!"
Posted by tibu987 at 01:13 PM : Jul 20, 2007

Well said...and I agree 100%.

[lars008-2009]

it is fascist nazi terrorislam stupid%u2026.

non muslims of the world unite... fight against the tyranny of the fascist nazi terrorslam imperialist empire of the darkside...

I was a fanatic...I know their thinking, says former radical Islamist
By blaming the Government for our actions, those who pushed this "Blair's bombs" line did our propaganda work for us.
More important, they also helped to draw away any critical examination from the real engine of our violence: Islamic theology.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=465570&in_page_id=1770
Bless the Beasts and Children
Fascist nazi terrorslam kills every man woman and child in the village again%u2026 typical mo for terrorslam%u2026
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/bless-the-beasts-and-children.htm
thank you demonic-rats%u2026
New Video From Al Qaeda Number Two
"You must be patient and steadfast," he says. "Rejoice, for victory is near, with Allah's permission, and the herds of crusaders have begun to split up and their sole concern has become searching for a way out."
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/07/new-video-from-.html
Sentencing them, Judge Charles Openshaw said the men had engaged in "cyber jihad", encouraging others to kill "kuffars" or non-believers.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070705142313.zr9n5g5g&show_article=1
45 Muslim doctors planned US terror raids
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/05/nterror405.xml

[marcodele]

Newt's new "American Solutions, a new generation of solutions at all levels, not just for Washington"

That's hysterical. It sounds like a new hair conditioner.

You can spin Newt's new "American Solutions" and it lands on a solution for your region!

Hmmmmm. Sounds a little like 'Contract With America' doesn't it?

Newt should spend his time trolling for his next new trophy wife and leave politics in his past.

[adventurepa]

How about a list of what the "American public" voters want from our presidential candidates?

Seems a lot better than what all of them are selling!

[lars008-2009]

IT IS TIME TO DEFEAT FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM ONCE AND FOR ALL%u2026

In 1786, Thomas Jefferson, then U.S. ambassador to France, and John Adams, then American Ambassador to Britain, met in London with Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja, the Dey%u2019s ambassador to Britain, in an attempt to negotiate a peace treaty based on Congress%u2019 vote of funding. To Congress, these two future presidents later reported the reasons for the Muslims%u2019 hostility towards America, a nation with which they had no previous contacts.

%u2026that it was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman (Muslim) who should be slain in Battle was sure to go to Paradise.

Sound familiar?

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison defeated the fascist nazi muslims 200 years ago
And again 100 years ago with Theodore Roosevelt
Tunisia in 1881 by France and Libya in 1911 by Italy. By then most of the Islamic world was under Christian domination. With the Ottoman Empire defeated in WW1, secularist Turkish rebels in 1923 overthrew the last Islamic Caliphate,
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?6bdec278-6a71-4436-bc4d-29d1c54b0ad7

[randalds]

"Newt for President?"

When pigs fly! And I haven't seen any wings on Karl "Piglet" Rove yet! Please don't run newt! No sane person will vote for you....and that's how we ended up with Bush!

[antoniof123]

Hmmmmm. Sounds a little like 'Contract With America' doesn't it?

Newt should spend his time trolling for his next new trophy wife and leave politics in his past.
Posted by marcodele at 02:04 PM : Jul 20, 2007

You mean 'contract ON America' don't you?

[jsilver2th]

If you are bored sometime and want a minor intellectual experience...

Compare the CONTRACT ON AMERICA (aka Contract With America) with

The Articles of the Confederation (Constitution of the Confederacy)...

It's pretty funny really...

Newt- what a washed up looser....

The Presidency? In his wet dreams.... ha ha

[jsilver2th]

Oh gosh ***- I didn't mean the Articles of Confederation- soory I meant the:
"The Constitution of the Confederate States of America."

[tejasdemo]

Run for your life !!! There's a newt running around !!!!

Lol

[bill1fj]

Is this more of the same ole same ole?
Or would Newt represent the LEGAL citizens of the country, unlike BushHilaryObamaJohn and most of the others running?
What would be his platform?
I'm just afraid he would be another professional politician.
I keep hoping that someone will step in that is not one of these rascals that have been around and haven't done anything, except talk.

[rharrin1]

You can't trust this phony either. Remember how he was leading the charge against Clinton about Monica all the while he was banging his secretary on his desk.
Another right winger that has no credibility.

[standlee5]

"How can we organize ourselves to do it? And to try to launch a mass movement of people across the whole country who are committed to that scale of change, and who want to apply it. Not just to the presidency, not just to the House, the Senate, but to every level of government"

Good question.

[rharrin1]

When pigs fly.