Gingrich: McCain Won't Win On Experience

Former Speaker Says If Republicans Campaign Against Obama's Resume They Will Fail

(CBS)  American voters will not reject Senator Barack Obama for president based on his experience but rather on his policies, says a Republican observer, who also predicted that if the GOP insists on campaigning against him on that basis they will lose.

"It won’t work, it's a mistake," former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, appearing on CBS's Face The Nation, said of the McCain campaign's focus on Obama's experience.

"The country may reject Senator Obama because of his relationship to Reverend Wright and his relationship to the hard left, to William Ayres, and because his policies include tax increases, and because there are some big decisions coming on energy, on education, on the court. And Senator Obama may turn out to represent a position so far to the left, the country won't tolerate it."

Gingrich discounted McCain's recent protests that Obama is not ready for the job: "Obama is a very articulate, very intelligent, Harvard law graduate, who is extraordinarily smart, and he's not going to come across in a debate like some guy who's dopey. He's going to come across as fully-prepared. He knows how to study all this stuff. He has the military advisers."

Concurrent with McCain's arguments that Obama is not prepared to be commander in chief are rumors that Louisiana Governor Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is in the running to be McCain's running mate.

Jindal, 37, is almost 10 years younger than Obama.

Gingrich doesn’t see Jindal's youth as a problem, though. "You could argue that in fact Jindal's experience in the executive branch and in the legislative branch is greater than Senator Obama's experience. So it strikes me that it's going to be very hard for Obama's campaign to explain that Jindal, as a governor, who has served as an assistant secretary of health and human services, has served as a congressional staffer, has served as a congressman, is not qualified but Senator Obama is qualified."

Gingrich criticized Obama for his support of certain policies and most pointedly for his backing of this week's Supreme Court decision backing the habeus corpus rights of detainees held by the United States in a prison at Guantanamo Bay - a decision he called "worse than Dred Scott.

"He applauded this court decision. This court decision is a disaster, which could cost us a city. And the debate ought to be over whether or not you're prepared to risk losing an American city on behalf of five lawyers - it was a 5-4 decision. Five lawyers had decided that the Supreme Court counts more than the Congress and the president combined in national security.

"That ought to be a principled argument between McCain and Obama, about whether or not you're prepared to allow any random nut-case district judge, who has no knowledge of national security, to set the rules for terrorists."

Jindal, who also appeared on the program (left), also said that policies, rather than race or even age, would be the determining factors for voters.

“I think that [race] will be a topic that will be speculated and talked and written about quite a bit," he told host Chip Reid. "But people try to make my family's background an issue in my election. The reality is, that's not what voters care about. Let's give the American voters more credit. They're worried about rising energy prices. They're worried about overseas threats. They're worried about the cost of health care. They're worried about the economy, the jump in the unemployment rate.

"A candidate's background, it's interesting; it may make you take a second look, but you really are looking for who's the most qualified, whose values, whose opinions, whose policies you agree with."

---

Read the full "Face the Nation" transcript here.

[rafterman1]

==="He applauded this court decision. This court decision is a disaster, which could cost us a city. And the debate ought to be over whether or not you''re prepared to risk losing an American city on behalf of five lawyers - it was a 5-4 decision. Five lawyers had decided that the Supreme Court counts more than the Congress and the president combined in national security.===

Yep, keep that fear a-rollin''. I guess fear counts more than the Constitution and our principles as a nation.

Tell me Newt, if these terrorists supposedly being let loose are going to "cost us a city", then they must be pretty hard core and easily guilty, since they are so dangerous. So why fear a trial for them? They should easily be found guilty, no?

By the way Newt, only the prez and halkf of COngress think that trampling the Constitution counts more than respecting it.

[husein_pasha]

GOP= Group of Old Pederasts

[ramos937]

I may be wrong and if so, please correct me. Jindal is 37. If McCain/Jindal were elected. Jindal would be VP. If something did happen to McCain before Jindal is 41(?)years old, Jindal could not serve as President. McCain has people who can tell him that so why the "red herring".

[omaar-101]

I`ve been saying this for the longest time, Especially regarding Bush, Clinton, Reagan & Carter had No More International Or National Experience, they were Governors. Mccain is a Career Politician, whose done little or Nothing, now he`ll be seen as a Contradict, having 36 Yr. Old Piyush `Bobby` Jndal as his Running Mate !!

"It won%u2019t work, it''s a mistake," former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, appearing on CBS''s Face The Nation, said of the McCain campaign''s focus on Obama''s experience.

"The country may reject Senator Obama because of his relationship to Reverend Wright and his relationship to the hard left, to William Ayres, and because his policies include tax increases, and because there are some big decisions coming on energy, on education, on the court. And Senator Obama may turn out to represent a position so far to the left, the country won''t tolerate it."

Gingrich discounted McCain''s recent protests that Obama is not ready for the job: "Obama is a very articulate, very intelligent, Harvard law graduate, who is extraordinarily smart, and he''s not going to come across in a debate like some guy who''s dopey. He''s going to come across as fully-prepared. He knows how to study all this stuff. He has the military advisers."

Concurrent with McCain''s arguments that Obama is not prepared to be commander in chief are rumors that Louisiana Governor Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is in the running to be McCain''s running mate.

[neobrian-2009]

Remember Newt`s " Contract On America "
A TRUE GOP BIGOT !
But,Even a broken clock is right twice a day !
Newt Is Right! McCant WILL Fail !

[jsilver2th]

It''s been pretty obvious for some that the good old Contract on America Newt has been positition for a big GOP defeat in 2008 so he can run in 2012- He''s probably right about the defeat but what''s he got to offer? A failed speakership, resignation in disgrace and this is the guy that was prosecuting Clinton for doing his intern all the time he was doing his own? Do you think he and Bill Bennett hit Vegas together?

[hwy1702]

I may be wrong and if so, please correct me. Jindal is 37. If McCain/Jindal were elected. Jindal would be VP. If something did happen to McCain before Jindal is 41(?)years old, Jindal could not serve as President. McCain has people who can tell him that so why the "red herring".
Posted by ramos937

Jindal would not be elected he would be appointed. Big difference.

[omaar-101]

Andrew Kohut, president of Pew, said many seem to be hoping the U.S. role in the world will improve with the departure of President Bush, who remains..

(Profoundly Unpopular Almost Everywhere)

"People think the U.S. wants to run the world," said Kohut....

"It`s not more Complicated than that"

Countries most hopeful the new president will improve U.S. policies include France, Spain and Germany, where public opposition to Bush`s Policies in Iraq and elsewhere has been strong. Strong optimism also came from countries where pique with U.S. policies has been less pronounced, including India, Nigeria, Tanzania and South Africa.


Among those tracking the American election, greater numbers in (20 countries Eppressed more Confidence in Obama), the likely Democratic nominee, than John McCain, the Republican candidate, to Handle World Affairs Properly.

The two contenders were tied in the U.S., Jordan and Pakistan.

Obama`s edge was Largest in Western Europe, Australia, Japan, Tanzania and Indonesia, where he lived for a time as a child.

[hermitdave]

WELL Newt the wife dumper I thought you knew republicans don''t need experience or anything else to win. They have DIEBOLD and the SUPREMES and the major media.

[trbundro1277]

I may be wrong and if so, please correct me. Jindal is 37. If McCain/Jindal were elected. Jindal would be VP. If something did happen to McCain before Jindal is 41(?)years old, Jindal could not serve as President. McCain has people who can tell him that so why the "red herring".
Posted by ramos937
Jindal would not be elected he would be appointed. Big difference.
Posted by hwy1702 at 03:24 PM : Jun 15, 2008
*** You only have to be 35 years old to be president of the United States!

[expatriate07]

joule3: On the contrary, what you are implying is that someone who was not born in the U.S. does not deserve to have the rights of U.S. citizens.

[rafterman1]

===By your reasoning, all people, regardless of nationality or origin have all the rights of U.S. citizens simply because they have had contact with a U.S. citizen.===
Posted by joule3

The Constitution isn''t just a written document, it is a set of principles. It''s the idea that if you deal with the US, you will get a fair deal. When the Russians took a million+ prisoners during WWII, only a handful ever made it back to Germany. Is that what you want? To become one of those nations that make people "disappear"?

Also, the term "enemy combatants" is a designation invented by the Bush administration. It is not recognized as a status by any country in the world. If a foreigner (say a Brit) commits a crime in the US, they get the full legal rights as any US citizen. It should be no different for the people held at Guantanamo. Either the people we hold get US rights or they get POW rights under the Geneva Convention. It is dishonorable to make up a designation that allows us to make these peolpe disappear into a black hole. It is un-American.

If the US government is so sure these people are terrorists, then they should be easily found guilty and the government shouldn''t be afraid of trials.

[expatriate07]

Human rights are apply universally not just to Americans.

[bagdadshere2]

"Gingrich: McCain Won''t Win On Experience"

AGREE. MCCAIN WILL WIN ON HONESTY,PATRIOTISM,COURAGE,ETC,ETC.


BARRACK OSAMA WILL LOSE ON DISHONESTY,ANTI-AMERICAN AGENDA, COWARDICE,ETC,ETC,ETC.

[fleura-2009]

Jingal is no threat to the DNC. He will not run along side McCain...Period. This young man is too smart to waste his political future running for a failing cause.

Jingal was just elected for his state. I believe he should and will opt to wait another 4 years before rising to the Americans.

Jingal is year 2012 Issue!

I am Fleura and I approve this message.

[fleura-2009]

So dear Republicans hoping for a "miracle running mate" for McCain via Jingal. Think twice.

[beeman4444]

send little bush mccain back to bush he dont need in the white house at all he is just go to open the draft and make gas where no one can aford it he is to much like bush

[fleura-2009]

HucKabee perhaps would like more appealing, then again, I don''t think that the McCain people are smart enough to court HucKabee.

[fleura-2009]

McCain is too weak and too fragile!!! Republicans are considering what would/could be...who knows.

But it is all for the same result, not this season...NOT ON OUR CLOCK!

That is why Jingal should and will sit back and just make himself "only visible" as he projects his own rise in 2012.

[fleura-2009]

So fellow Republicans...who is it going to be?

HucKabee or Hillary Clinton, apparently McCain is working around the clock trying to lure her in?

[fleura-2009]

Bagdad,

All Americans are going to vote for Barack Obama exactly because of what happened on 9/11. Instead of protecting the country, the bushmen were concocting an invasion of Iraq for "bush-mcclain" tribe.

And all they have to show up for is Saudis and all the Oil Nations and Opec punishing the west for such bush-like attempts.

[fleura-2009]

Hillary Clinton has one big dilemna, the party she has created a division within the party she so loves, and only has served the RNC with campaign efforts.

Question now is: will McCain be smart enough to win HucKabee over or perhaps McCain thinks he is going to win the "Hillary Voters" without her aboard...another big mistake on his part this week.

Strike 2

[bagdadshere2]

Bagdad,

All Americans are going to vote for Barack Obama exactly because of what happened on 9/11.

Posted by fleura at 04:05 PM : Jun 15, 2008

ACCORDING

[fleura-2009]

Hillary Clinton has one big dilemna, the party she has created a division within the party she so loves, and only has served the RNC with campaign efforts.

Question now is: will McCain be smart enough to win HucKabee over or perhaps McCain thinks he is going to win the "Hillary Voters" without her aboard...another big mistake on his part this week.

Strike 2

[bagdadshere2]

Bagdad,

All Americans are going to vote for Barack Obama exactly because of what happened on 9/11.

Posted by fleura at 04:05 PM : Jun 15, 2008

ACCORDING TO RECENT POLLS THEY"RE TIED 45% TO 45%. IN MY MATH 45% DOESNT MEAN "ALL AMERICANS".LOL.

[fleura-2009]

McCain is bitting himself and baffling himself all this month and we haven''t even started targetting. Wondering why he is so nervous and so "incompetent".

[fleura-2009]

No worries...Bagdad,

We''ve been there and seen all before...remember not so long ago with the "Limbaugh Effects" who supported Hillary Clinton, thinking that they were making an impact and confusion the DNC.

[fleura-2009]

The polls show Obama with a steady lead...over McCain, review your math-books.

[bagdadshere2]

McCain is bitting himself and baffling himself all this month and we haven''''t even started targetting. Wondering why he is so nervous and so "incompetent".

Posted by fleura at 04:15 PM : Jun 15, 2008

BARRACK OSAMA HAS JUST COME OUT OF A NOMINATION CAMPAIGN ON WHICH HE WAS IN THE MEDIA 24 HOWS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK AND HE IS JUST TIED WITH MCCAIN (45 TO 45).
DO YOU THINK HE"S GONNA STAND THE NEXT FEW MONTHS? I THINK HE WONT.

[fleura-2009]

Soon enough will see the "Unity" that is the Democratic Party. Hillary can not leave her camp and would not conceide her "voters" to McCain. Please don''t let yourselves be fooled with "polls".

[ramportland]

Experience gives the ability to make great decisions (especially when under stress). Senator McCain has always show great judgement and is also driven by his love for his country. Did you know that Senator voted against keeping American troop in Beirus (opposiing President Reagan).

The American constiution applies to American citizens who are not entitled to the rights but rather agree to partake in the process, by respecting the tenets of freedoms espoused by the consitution and by abiding to the rules.

If you are not one of those, and instead attack the U.S. and its principles and try to steal our libery, then the only rights that apply are the rights that we mutually agree on during the time of warfare (for example the Geneva convention rules apply only to countries who signed up for them) OR the benevelonce of the VICTOR.

Dont compare the NAZIS to Terrorists in terms of rights. American forces and German foces had rules and therefore abided by them. Do note that they shot people who they thought were spies without habeaus corpus

[sjbj2322]

Gingrich says that Obama is a very articulate, very intelligent, Harvard law graduate, who is extraordinarily smart, and he''s not going to come across in a debate like some guy who''s dopey. Where was Gingrich during any of the debates Obama had with Hillary? Why did Obama at all cost avoid additional opportunities to debate Hillary? Anybody whose heard anything out of Obama that didn''t come from a prepared speech knows that he''s in real trouble when he has to speak off the cuff. Not sure why people continue to want to garnish the guy with so much false praise. Same applies to his darling wife. Why else would they both have to have full teams of people to endeavor to prepare them for speaking engagements. Could it be that they fear more of those little off the cuff comments that continue to haunt them. You know...like the first time to be proud. Or the I was against it before I was for it issue on granting driving licenses to illegals. Anyone can get caught making guffaws when forced to speak impromptu and the Obama''s are no exception.

[fleura-2009]

Bagdad,

What you want to consider is the McCain has been swinging freely for the past 6 months, while democrats were seeking their final candidate, yet McCain can''t pull a overage over Barack Obama who just recently took on the nomination.

Barack Obama is only moving up...hereon!

[beehive21-2009]

The Republicans, know they cannot win, God as a republican candidate would lose.people hate the republicans,after Bush and Cheney,running the country into the ground, for the middle class,and making it joyous for the Oil Companies.all the lowlife rich,greedy,pigs have had it good ,now, its going to change.Lot of you Greedy pigs are going down , so don''t think what you''ve done is going to fly,your all going to be hung,like the Russians, Czar and family.

[bagdadshere2]

The polls show Obama with a steady lead...over McCain, review your math-books.

Posted by fleura at 04:18 PM : Jun 15, 2008

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS PREPARING A SURPRISE FOR YOU LEFT-WINGERS. A SURPRISE THAT WILL PUT MCCAIN ON TOP WITH MORE THAN 70% OF THE VOTERS. JUST WAIT AND SEE.

[fleura-2009]

Barack Obama Rules!!!

McCain is a clown and a joke. It is time to get all the bushmen out of the White House!!!
McCain wants to keep our kids fighting in Iraq, a war started for the "Bush" clan and only to profit the "Bush-McCain" tribe.

McCain wants American to take the bill and pay to see our kids dying for an unpopular war, yet refusing them to go to college on returning home from war....what an Idiot and a Clown!

1. Keeping the Issues alive...Iraq
2. Keeping the Issues alive...Foreclosures
3. Keeping the Issues alive...Unemployment
4. Keeping the Issues alive...World Peace
5. Keeping the Issues alive...Economics
6. Keeping the Issues alive...Abortion
7. Keeping the Issues alive...Healthcare

You republicans...take a pick and lets have a mind-blowing, hardcore discussion. Lets see what you people are capable of and what brains you have to bring to the table when it comes to "real issues"

I am Fleura and a True Democrat and I approve this message!!!

[bagdadshere2]

"Gingrich: McCain Won''''t Win On Experience"

AGREE. MCCAIN WILL WIN ON HONESTY,PATRIOTISM,COURAGE,ETC,ETC.

BARRACK OSAMA WILL LOSE ON DISHONESTY,ANTI-AMERICAN AGENDA, COWARDICE,ETC,ETC,ETC.

[fleura-2009]

hahahahah....lolol....

Bagdad...you are basing your maths on the McCain "experience"?

Think twice and wonder how many Americans are ready and willing to put their son/daugther in front line to fight for the McCain cause?

Last count was over 4000 dead...for the Bush-McCain war and still not bring home the "gold" which here would be the "oil" they were sending our kids to fight for.

[davewrite1]

After reading the semiliterate comments about Obama (not Osama) the last think we have to worry about is Obama''s lack of experience. The authors of America''s founding documents who laid down the pillars of the America free-enterprise system were kids, Hamilton and Madison. Hamilton was an immigrant and illegitimate child of West Indies, a war hero, the brains behind Washington, the founder of our banks, currency, credit system, and coast guard to name a scant few manifestation of his energy and genius. It takes a young man to create a new world, which is what we so desperately need. A man of color would be the perfect antidote for our many historic wrongs.

[fleura-2009]

Barack Obama Rules!!!!

We, all Democrats, love you Barack Obama!

[omaar-101]

Posted by BagdadsHere2: AMERICA IS ALWAYS SURPRISING TO ME....

KNOWING THAT THE BUSH FAMILY, BIN LADEN & SAUDI ARABIAN FAMILIES HAVE BEEN FAMILY FREIND S FOR OVER 25 YEARS AN STILL, TO THIS DAY, THIS FRIENDSHIP EXIST.

SAUDI ARABIA & THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES PILOTED THOSE PLANES AN BUSH INVADES IRAQ, OPPOSE TO THE 2 KNOWN CULPRITS INVOLVEMENT !!

2 DAYS AFTER 9/11/2001 OUR PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH JR. GATHERED UP, ALL THE BIN LADEN FAMILY MEMBERS & ROYAL SAUDI RELATIVES BY FBI CLEARENCE AN FLEW THESE GROUPS BACK HOME, TO SAUDI ARABIA.

NOTE: OSAMA BIN LADEN DID NOT KILL 3000 INNOCENT AMERICANS, HE CELEBRATED THIS EVENT. THE SAUDI`S & UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ARE WELL PROTECTED & RESPECTED BY GEORGE W. BUSH JR.

GOOGLE BUSH KISSING THE LIPS OF THE (ROYAL SAUDI`S & UAE)

SO MUCH FOR THE PATRIOTIC BUSH FAMILY

NOW AN AMERICAN BI-RACIAL MAN, NAMED BARRACK OBAMA WILL BECOME THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE USA AND A MILLIONS WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN AS 17 MILLION AMERICANS VOTED FOR HIM IN THE (DNC RACE) AND ALL YOU RACE HATERS, WHITES ONLY IN THE WHITE HOUSE, RACIST ARE GOING TO CRY AND BE SO D@MN... SAD.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[omaar-101]

Posted by BagdadsHere2: AMERICA IS ALWAYS SURPRISING TO ME....

KNOWING THAT THE BUSH FAMILY, BIN LADEN & SAUDI ARABIAN FAMILIES HAVE BEEN FAMILY FREIND S FOR OVER 25 YEARS AN STILL, TO THIS DAY, THIS FRIENDSHIP EXIST.

SAUDI ARABIA & THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES PILOTED THOSE PLANES AN BUSH INVADES IRAQ, OPPOSE TO THE 2 KNOWN CULPRITS INVOLVEMENT !!

2 DAYS AFTER 9/11/2001 OUR PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH JR. GATHERED UP, ALL THE BIN LADEN FAMILY MEMBERS & ROYAL SAUDI RELATIVES BY FBI CLEARENCE AN FLEW THESE GROUPS BACK HOME, TO SAUDI ARABIA.

NOTE: OSAMA BIN LADEN DID NOT KILL 3000 INNOCENT AMERICANS, HE CELEBRATED THIS EVENT. THE SAUDI`S & UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ARE WELL PROTECTED & RESPECTED BY GEORGE W. BUSH JR.

GOOGLE BUSH KISSING THE LIPS OF THE (ROYAL SAUDI`S & UAE)

SO MUCH FOR THE PATRIOTIC BUSH FAMILY

NOW AN AMERICAN BI-RACIAL MAN, NAMED BARRACK OBAMA WILL BECOME THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE USA AND A MILLIONS WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN AS 17 MILLION AMERICANS VOTED FOR HIM IN THE (DNC RACE) AND ALL YOU RACE HATERS, WHITES ONLY IN THE WHITE HOUSE, RACIST ARE GOING TO CRY AND BE SO D@MN... SAD.


----------------------------------
----------------------------------------


THANKS FOR THOSE FACTS BAGHAG

[fleura-2009]

Jingal is not going to cure the "incompetence" within the Republican Party. McCain is looking for a miracle to think he is going to take on the task of this magnitude based on what he calls "military experience".

I would vote for Colonel Powell instantly for the "Republicans" to consider a man with military background.

[fleura-2009]

Omar,

I was in Saudi Arabia when the US landed to free Kwait of the Iraqi invasion. Now the question is:

Who frees the Iraqis from the "American Invasion"

[sjbj2322]

fleura....WHAT ARE YOU DRINKING??? Hillary did not divide the Democratic base - OBAMA DID! Hillary supporters were consistently the older group who have been involved with politics and voted for years. It was Obama who focused his attention on young college age computer savvy people who were either disenchanted with government or had never taken a stance before. Otherwise why would he be so preoccupied with trying to win over her supporters. You really need to get your information straight.

[andor3]

experience... remember the last time a junior Senator from Illinois was elected to be President. The country was divided, at war, and he had limited experience.

His name was Abraham Lincoln.

[fleura-2009]

With no gold to bring home, the Bush people are trying desperately to justify the invasion of Iraq. We have only higher "gas" prices.

Omar...how do you justify the Saudi and the arabs refusing to export more oil. The Saudis need a resolution and a justification for the Bush''s insistence on attacking Iraq (Their Brother).

[expatriate07]

BagdadsHere2: Do you really think because Barack Obama''s and Osama Bin Laden''s names have similar origins that that has any real logical significance pertaining to who they are as people? By that logic George BUSH and *** Cheney should thought more of as genitalia than world leaders. Wait a minute you might be on to something!

[getcentered]

Obama is no Bill Clinton.

And John McCain is no maverick reformer.

McCain is a loyal republican hack who likes to portray himself as a maverick. McCain doesn%u2019t mince words but neither does a curmudgeon when he is irritated. And I wouldn%u2019t call a curmudgeon%u2019s response "straight talk". In McCain%u2019s case, I%u2019d call it "straight ***". But when McCain is voting in Congress, his votes are 90% with republican position.
With respect to experience, since when did an experienced politician really wow anyone? Usually experienced politicians are trying ways to wear two faces to their constituents while he/she is figuring out how to win over the big corporate contributions to keep the re-election machine going. America has had in experienced presidents in the past. And I don%u2019t see a great correlation between effectiveness and experienced. Although we all think that experience will mitigate any risk, but it%u2019s not assured. In this dangerous world today, we need someone who is not stuck in the past and can communicate a hopeful vision for all Americans, not just the wealthy and connected. And we need someone who isn%u2019t bound by too many political favors, like experienced politicians would be. McCain used to impress me, but after McCain joined the Bush camp with respect to Iraq, McCain lost all my respect.

Obama in 08.

[sjbj2322]

Watch it Andor or someone will stupidly infer that you are insinuating that someone will assassinate Obama by your having drawn parallels with Lincoln.