Independence, Iowa – Newt Gingrich did not predict exactly what place he would get in tomorrow’s caucuses, but said he had no expectation of a win.
“I don’t think I’m going to win,” he told reporters, citing the barrage of attack ads that had aired in Iowa in recent weeks.
“I don’t think anybody else in this campaign could have withstood the sheer volume of negative ads and still be in the race,” Gingrich said.
For him, the key number for tomorrow is 41: the percentage of Iowans who haven’t made their final decision, according to the Des Moines Register poll released Saturday. “Who knows what’s going to happen?” Gingrich mused, saying the caucus format allowed voters to have a conversation about which candidate was best.
Speaking about rival Mitt Romney, who he described as a “Massachusetts moderate,” Gingrich did not mince words. “After five years of campaigning and what I think will be something like 20 million dollars plus in total spending, Romney is proving decisively that the moderate vote is about 23 percent,” he said.
“People who describe him as the frontrunner have to ask yourself for the question, ‘if you have to spend that many million dollars to get 23 percent, how can you possibly think he’s the most electable candidate?’” Gingrich added.
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Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGingrich is looking worse and worse by the minute...
He should be careful, for his vast enterprise of selling a facade to Our Base on radio, tv, etc., could be hurt further if he continues to turn destructive for all. Newt may even impugn his Beltway Insider franchise. Newt is acting like a bitter, spoiled, entrenched Beltway Insider. His demeanor is on par with Barney Frank's denials over the Mortgage Meltdown (it is the fault of everyone but the Washington Politician).
Newt should be truly cautious about the path he is choosing to go down. The ugly "buying" election charges are pure populist nonsense, which resembles the Democratic Partisan class warfare. Newt already bashed the private sector success in Romney with a bizarre anti-Capitalist rant, regretfully sounding just like Obama. Now he even equates himself with the "boating" - implying these brave Vietnam Vets were not fair and honest about the dreadful Kerry? Newt again enables the Democratic Partisan denial, with his own self serving nature.
No one but Newt Gingrich is responsible for his current existence in this Primary. Newt was the one who took 1.8 Million via Fannie and Freddie, he can blame only himself. Only Newt can be held responsible for his poor Speaker record, which ended in disgrace. It is Newt who has entertained the Federal Mandate, Amnesty, Cap and Trade, etc., or his sitting on a couch with Nancy Pelosi at the request of Al Gore in 2008.
Newt Gingrich made another critical mistake in over playing his own existence. He was always a dreadful candidate for the Presidency, with all his Beltway baggage. It would not be surprising if Newt decides to go with a scorched Earth strategy, taking all down with him. But it is utterly foolish, missing the big picture yet again. But that is Newt Gingrich, who is obsessed with his self interest over all other matters.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Massachusetts moderate." That's great Mr. Speaker, why not throw Scott Brown under the bus as you desperatly flail in between bouts of self-pity? That is what is so dangerous about Newt; he by his nature cannot go out with a wimper, but must end in a bang. And, in keeping with his belief in his own historical greatness, he would have to take as many others down with his as he could, whether on the other side or his own, just as long as the body count is high. His end would have to be Ragnorak, Armagedden and the Fall of Rome all rolled into one. That, we don't need.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHe was referring to Romney, not Scott Brown.
Although, as they say, sometimes when you throw a rock over a fence, the dog that barks is the one that got hit.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFunny how quick that 'no negative' plan got changed at voting time
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt will say anything. Pathetic.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt's getting a little whiny. Did he drop his binky?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGingrich is disgusting and what is more disgusting is that Rush, Sean and Mark are backing him but if another Republican did/said half of what he has done/said, Rush et al would throw them under the bus. Newt is claiming he is Ronald Reagan BUT in 2008 he said the era of Reagan was over - Rush Limbaugh went nuts but hasn't mentioned it now. I wonder why? Newt is a flip flopper, liar, bombastic, arrogant, thinks he is the only one that knows anything, etc. He is not presidential material - Romney is. You do not see Romney whining all the time like Gingrich does - he is disgusting!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLimbaugh is a gasbag hypocrite. He's thrown out ideology & past records (does he source them?) in favor of what he thinks will be a sure winner in 2012--i.e., a blowhard derangement syndrome like Newt. This is the same Limbaugh who insisted that the GOP could afford to risk a Sharron Angle in Red leaning state Nevada with Reid down 20 points in the polls to a generic Republican.
Levin has endorsed non-electables Bachmann or Santorum.
If Hannity has endorsed Gingrich he's reversed himself on a pledge he made to his listeners.
By the way, Limbaugh, Levin & Hannity all enthusiastically endorsed Romney as a "strong conservative" in 2008.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt Gingrich is the ONLY candidate to refuse to bash fellow republicans - and Iowa is just proving that going negative is the only plan that works. Mitt - abortion is wrong - no right - no wrong - wait where am I? Romney - is going to win when he is afraid to debate Newt one on one? Great - can't wait to have him up against Obama. I am so saddened that with so much on the line - with our country and future hanging in the balance we can't put up the man who is clearly the best one. Newt Gingrich has the steely determination to get the BIG things done that need to be done - to actually change the course of a flailing country. I have NO interest in voting for Romney. He's as smarmy and nasty as politics gets - and we need a real clear contrast for the country against Obama. Newt has ACTUALLY passed balanced budgets in the Congress. Working w Democrats and Republicans. Look at what happened once he left? Spending went nuts! Please Iowa - vote for the guy who could actually turn this titanic around - not just someone good at pointing out the iceburg. PLEASE!
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"After five years of campaigning...People who descibe him as the frontrunner have to ask yourself for the question, "if you have to spend that many million dollars to get 23%, how can you possibly think he's the most electable candidate."
Easy 13% Newt.
Romney is getting significantly more than 23% in the polls that ultimately count. He is the only GOP candidate who consistently has been in a statistical tie or beating Obama in the polls.
By the way, didn't Reagan campaign for 12 years before he finally garnered the GOP nomination?
Incidentally, Romney has not self funded in 2011. It wasn't necessary.
Newt is on a boo hoo crying jag.
Didn't "smartest man" Newt blame his inability to meet the requirement to get his name on his resident state's ballot "Virginia's fault"--ditto equate his incompetence to get that job done to Pearl Harbor?
To reinterate. Newt is sinking in the polls and predictably has resorted to playing the Obama class warfare card.
First, Gingrich demands that Romney return his dastardly Bain Capital profits, now he's blubbering Romney is "buying elections".
In fact, it was Paul who sunk Gingrich exposing his hypocrisy & Big Gov't progressive record in his own words. Newt can't take the heat so he's crying in the streets that it's all rich man Romney's fault.
Perhaps had Washington insider for dollars Newt not gone bankrupt splurging on divorce settlements, trophy wives, luxury cruises, & exclusive jewels he'd have the cash for his attack ads now.
Never mind that Gingrich pledged to the people only days ago that he would "Stay positive, period"--& not go negative. What's one more broken vow to serial adulterer Newt?
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusejeez, how many half truths do you think you can get away with?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDid you forget to print the slam?
Saying that Mitt's spent 20 million to secure 25% of the vote isn't a slam--it's a fact. As is noting his immobility in the polls.
I know you'd all like Newt to go negative, but this just isn't it.
And 'Massachusetts moderate'--haven't you all said he had to do things to get elected in such a liberal state? Wait--let me guess, if you say it, it's praise, if Newt says it, it's a 'slam'.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo what is Newt's excuse?
Gingrich is hardly from a liberal state & his record in words & deeds is FAR more Big Gov't progressive than Romney's ever was--or for that matter any other GOP candidate.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo, balancing a federal budget for the first time in 40 years is FAR more Big Gov't Progressive than a state takeover of an entire industry, with a mandate to buy its product?
Was welfare reform, fought and passed into law despite 3 vetoes from a Democratic President FAR more Big Gov't Progressive than imposing state carbon caps that result in shutting down 20% of a state's electrical generating capacity?
You can't be serious.
Name one thing Romney has ever passed into law that has moved the ball on a Conservative issue.
You can find Newt quotes on just about any side of anything, but if you look at what he's actually passed into law vs what Mitt has you'll be forced to conclude that Mitt is just a couple hairs to the right of Obama. Why do you think Obama employs many of the same people Mitt did (for Obamacare, global warming and immigration, for starters).
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI was thinking the same thing - how in the world is this characterized as a "slam"??? Talk about drunk bias. What would the head line have been if Newt actually said "Romney is like Dole/McCain - unelectable cause he does not connect with people" - that would have been like "Newt Throws both Barrels at Romney - Calls Romney Bob Dole"
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseEDITORIAL - UnionLeader.com
Published Jan 1, 2012
"Here is a key difference between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney in sizing up who would make the better leader for the nation.
When Gingrich has changed his position on an issue, it has been out of a genuine change in his thinking.
As he has said, he can be persuaded by the facts.
Romney, on the other hand, practices the age-old art of political expediency. When he ran for Massachusetts governor, he was pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-gun-control, pro-mandated health insurance. Now that he is chasing the presidential nomination of a more conservative party, he is against all those things.
When Gingrich has changed his position, he has said so and explained why. When Romney has changed his positions, he has denied doing so.
Romney managed to switch all the aforementioned positions within the same decade.
unquote-
Note to Iowans-
If you decide to elect Romney,who is a liberal Republican RINO Obama-lite elitist.. then you mine as well just vote for Obama, as they are exactly the same in their implementation of policies and programs, and thjeir lying propaganda about all of it, as they just represent opposite political party's, but everything else is the same..
Mass, the State od Liberalism, the State of Ted Kennedy, and of Barney Franks, and you want to elect a Gov. from there.. As a Ronald Reagan constitutional tea party conservative. that would be absolutely appalling.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseModerate??? Gingrich is being entirely too kind!
The Mitt Romney Report
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Newt gave us the first house majority in 48 years. He also gave us a balanced budget and welfare reform. What has Romney given us? He should whine - his record is impressive, but GOP focused on Ron Paul? Name 1 bill with Ron Paul's name on it after how many years in the house? Gimme a break. We need a leader - not a complainer.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThere seems to be a great deal of amnesia among those posting on this article. Ronald Reagan said that facts are stubborn things. It is a fact that Newt has balanced four federal budgets as Speaker, reformed welfare and has a lifetime rating by the American Conservative Union of 90. Ther is no amount of spin and misdirection that can take that away from his record.The unbelievable amount of venom coming the RINO's and beltway pundits toward Newt is what is disgusting. I will never look to Will, Kroutheimer or Coulter for a conservative view again because of there blatent mischaracterization of this man and his true record.
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