Posted on 01/24/2012 2:13:03 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Washington (CNN) -- Newt Gingrich might have led Republicans to their first House majority in 40 years in the 1990s, but the prospect of the former House Speaker becoming their presidential nominee is producing significant GOP angst.
"If he's the nominee, it's a disaster. There is no way to sugar-coat it," said one GOP congressional strategist describing the tension after Gingrich won South Carolina.
"There is a reason most people who know him best aren't supporting him," said a former House colleague still serving in Congress.
Asked why he had endorsed opponent Mitt Romney if he had served with Gingrich for so long, a House Republican replied with a smile, "Because I served with Gingrich for so long."
Those GOP congressional sources and many others spoke on condition of anonymity because they believe Gingrich, who is running against the "Republican establishment," will only turn the criticism into his advantage.
"The less they talk to the better," said one of the GOP sources concerned about Gingrich, "it only feeds into his narrative that the establishment is out to get him."
Gingrich's spokesman R.C. Hammond scoffed at the criticism, noting that the candidate himself said during CNN's debate last week what he regrets most in this campaign is wasting time attacking anyone besides President Barack Obama.
Veteran Republican leadership aide Ron Bonjean said on the record what most of his colleagues would only tell CNN privately.
"Most people on Capitol Hill and in Washington are very nervous about a Gingrich candidacy," he said. "It sends a shiver down a lot of Republican spines."
"You can actually feel the nervousness from Republicans around town that Gingrich could actually bring the craziness back of his speakership from the 1990s. It's everywhere."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Dana Bash is John Kings wife.
“It sends a shiver down a lot of Demoncrat spines.”
If the elites are pissed off at Newt, i am overjoyed with him.
“The less they talk to the better,” said one of the GOP sources concerned about Gingrich, “it only feeds into his narrative that the establishment is out to get him.”
Well, isn’t that the case?
He has a wife? But he looks so gay......
Payback for the bright red handprints on John King’s backside.
Relying upon CNN for good political advice would be equivalent to relying upon the Cretin-in-Chief for the correct answer to a calculus problem.
No, make that an algebra problem.
Oops, let’s try simple addition and subtraction.
Heck, can the idiot even count his fingers?
Those GOP congressional sources and many others spoke on condition of anonymity because they believe Gingrich, who is running against the "Republican establishment," will only turn the criticism into his advantage.
These people admit they are scum.
I’d like to see a list of the 60 some repubs supporting Romney. Probably the old guard, not the newly elected crowd.
Its all talking in the wind—Newt might be the best thing conservatives have since Sarah Palin—I bet he might pick her for VP. Don’t look at his past mistakes—look at what he has done. Mitt would be an OK president—but I just feel in my gut that Newt would be better. I got to go with the gut. It made me pull the lever for Ronaldus Reaganus.
Oh, so NOW they have spines!!!
Yeah, we don’t want to return to all that craziness of the 90s, you know all that economic prosperity and all. a shiver just ran down my spine
I am not a coward. I just don't want folks to know that I support crony capitalism.
Look at all the unnamed “sources” in this article. Hmmm....
“If Gingrich does win, veteran GOP strategists tell CNN to expect pressure on Senate Minority Leaders Mitch McConnell, House Speaker John Boehner and other Republican leaders to call key GOP donors and ask them not to contribute to Gingrich’s campaign”
This tells you all you need to know about this election. Not only do we have to beat Obama. We have to beat establishment republicans too.
There is a reason most people who know him best aren’t supporting him,” said a former House colleague still serving in Congress.
**
Well, perhaps it’s the American people who are now here to say .....WHAT HAPPENED IN THE 90’s AND WHAT YOU THINK OF NEWT IS IRRELEVANT. In fact, YOU are now irrelevant — because you’re nothing but a pack of RINOS.
And a bunch of cowards, too — obviously, as they can’t even speak opening about who they are.
IF this story is even real ...
I mean the great Shakespeare couldn't write better copy than this but of course he could try. It might go something like this:
"Speaketh not of our conspiracy least it be recognized that we are conspirators."
I'm sure our resident Shakespeare wizards can improve on that but you get the idea.
This tells you all you need to know about this election. Not only do we have to beat Obama. We have to beat establishment republicans too
**
Seems like we’ve already GOT our third party.
said one GOP congressional strategist...
said a former House colleague still serving in Congress...
Those GOP congressional sources and many others spoke on condition of anonymity...
said one of the GOP sources...
what most of his colleagues would only tell CNN privately...
Several GOP congressional sources...
Republican leaders worry...
Most GOP congressional sources who tell CNN...
said a senior GOP leadership aide...
veteran GOP strategists tell CNN...
I'm reminded of Rick Perry: "Ya got a name? Ya got a name"
This is spineless "reporting".
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