Gingrich: Some 'Brand New Players' Might Emerge At GOP Convention

WWNO ^ | Marcj 22. 2012 | NPR People: Mark Memmott

[Cincinatus' Wife]

6:51 Audio

Saying that Mitt Romney may not be able to "grind his way toward the nomination" despite a huge fundraising advantage, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told NPR today that he sees no reason to exit the Republican presidential race and that there's a chance of a new contender emerging at the party's convention in August.

"I'm not so sure you wouldn't get a series of brand new players" stepping forward during a brokered convention, he told Morning Edition co-host Steve Inskeep.

Or, he said, he might emerge as the convention's choice. Gingrich said he expects to end the primary season with the third most delegates — with Romney at No. 1 and Rick Santorum at No. 2.

Gingrich also repeated criticisms he has leveled at Romney throughout the campaign. First, that "conservative voters are deeply worried about Gov. Romney." Second, that if the former Massachusetts governor is heavily outspending his GOP rivals and "is barely winning" in the battle for the nomination, there's "no reason to think Romney is going to with the general election" against President Obama.

More from the interview is due on Thursday's broadcast of the show. We'll add the as-broadcast version of Steve's conversation with the former House speaker to the top of this post after it airs. Click here to find an NPR station that broadcasts or streams the show.

[LibsRJerks]

Second, that if the former Massachusetts governor is heavily outspending his GOP rivals and “is barely winning” in the battle for the nomination, there’s “no reason to think Romney is going to with the general election” against President Obama.

***

Kind of makes you wonder why we’re running Romney as our “front-runner,” now, doesn’t it.

[dt57]

Thank you for what you are doing. I don’t have the time to research like you. Newt is my only choice at this point. I really tried to like Rick Santorum, and I can’t stomach Romney at all. And Ron Paul loses me big time on foriegn policy.

At this point I am as discouraged as one can get. All I see is four more years of Mr. Obama.

[glorgau]

Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank you. I'm glad I can take the time to post. Keep your spirits up.

Big Al’s Seafood in Houma, LA............“The president is on the edge of hysteria,” the former speaker said. “This is the most important election of your life. Stopping Barack Obama really, really matters.”

Gingrich, with his wife Calista standing a few feet away, talked at length about his proposals to lower energy costs and start drilling in the U.S., instead of overseas. Money needs to be invested in solutions that can work now, not ones that can feasibly work in a decade, he said.

Obama, Gingrich declared, is only investing in plans that would, at best, increase our debt.

“He’s not for green energy, he’s for green-back energy,” Gingrich stated."

[lonevoice]

Thanks for posting this. I heard Newt mention on a Fox interview a few weeks ago that “someone else, not one of us four, may step forward.” It was the only time I heard him say that, and I’ve been wondering if he no longer thought it possible.

Keep fighting, Newt, all the way to Tampa!

[FroggyTheGremlim]

Sarah!

Sarah!

Sarah!

[lonevoice]

Newt is feeding Mr. Etch-a-Sketch to the alligators. LOL!

[dt57]

I like Sarah a lot. I was excited for McCain choosing her even before it was widely known. She has tremendous political instincts, and her upside is outstanding. But Sarah has to do more in widening her knowledge of the world and other important issues before I could get behind her for President. She has all the ability in the world. I keep waiting to her a policy speech that is not full of one liners and zingers. She can do it, but she will have to dedicate herself to learning..

Having said that she should would be a better choice than Rick Santourm. I would like Sarah’s charisma and Newt’s brain.

[TomGuy]

With the GOP, newer doesn’t always mean better.

A brokered convention could do worse than the current field.

I doubt they would improve it. They have too many moderates —who were afraid to jump into the fray — waiting in the wings.

[dt57]

Unless Newt emerges from a brokered convention then yes anyone would improve it, because there are no winners still in the race.

I know you can say Newt is no winner. But you would be wrong. He is the only one in the current field that could mount a credible challenge to Obama.

[Drill Thrawl]

All, please keep this in mind.

The SCUM at the RNC has a convention rule that only those who have won at least 5 states are eligable for the balloting. Mitwit WILL BE the GOP-E nominee and there is not a damn thing you can do about it.

Now get back to work, pay your tribute and stop questioning your betters.

[Josephat]

I’m starting to think that Sarah and Newt have a plan, or, maybe, have had a plan all along.

[newgeezer]

“If the GOP doesn’t nominate a conservative, I’m voting third-party!”

There. I did it again. Maybe if enough of us take this stand, the GOP will give us a brokered convention culminating in a conservative nominee.

[Josh Painter]

That rule is only in effect on the first ballot:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/gop-rule-wont-block-gingrichs-chances/

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Check the latest:

Newt hopes to sway delegates after Utah (Regarding the "5 State Rule"- It's complicated)

[NurdlyPeon]

Kind of makes you wonder why we’re running Romney as our “front-runner,” now, doesn’t it.

What you mean "we", white-man?

[dt57]

I sure hope you are right. and i would sure like to know it. Soon.

[GeronL]

Jim DeMint?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank you for that link:

[excerpt] .................."If Gingrich enters the convention ineligible, he can still win on later rounds of voting.

An RNC official acknowledged that on later rounds of voting, it would be possible for a motion to be made to nominate a candidate who did not qualify on previous rounds. Essentially, the nomination-for-the-nomination process begins anew. At that point, a new candidate could demonstrate plurality support from five states and qualify.

Gingrich, or anyone else who can demonstrate support from five states on a later voting round — Ron Paul? Chris Christie? Sarah Palin? Mike Bloomberg? Dennis Kucinich? — will be eligible to win the nomination.

It also bears mentioning that Gingrich wouldn’t have to win five primaries or caucuses to demonstrate support from five states. No delegates from Iowa, Minnesota, Wyoming, Maine, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Montana are bound to their state results, meaning they can support whomever they choose.

So if Gingrich intends to keep running until the convention, even if he never wins another state, he’ll continue to be a technically viable candidate under party rules."