Gingrich Plans Massive Outreach

NewsMax.com ^ | November 21, 2006 | NewsMax Staff

[no dems]

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is telling associates that he’s launching a major new grass-roots movement to recapture the soul of the Republican Party, and quite possibly the White House.

Gingrich says that the effort will be much larger than his founding of GOPAC and his creation of the Contract with America.

The Georgia Republican is spearheading a program called "American Solutions for Winning the Future” in an effort to revitalize the GOP with Ronald Reagan conservatism.

This is the third time Gingrich has led a drive to steer the Republican Party toward traditional conservative values. In 1986, Gingrich took the chair of the Republican political action committee GOPAC and transformed it into an effective tool for electing conservative candidates. The stated theme of GOPAC was "a conservative opportunity society replacing the liberal welfare state.”

GOPAC was a key element in Gingrich’s rise to the leadership of the Republican caucus in Congress.

Then in 1994, as House Minority Leader, Gingrich was a co-author of the Contract with America, a conservative political platform that helped the GOP gain 54 seats in the House and end 40 years of Democratic majorities there.

Gingrich’s new program echoes the title of his 2005 book, "Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America.”

Sources close to the former speaker say Gingrich believes the Republican Party has once again lost its way, and needs to refocus its agenda with an eye toward regaining Congress in 2008.

Stepping back into the political spotlight could help Gingrich’s presidential aspirations as well.

He recently told an interviewer that he won’t decide whether to seek the White House in 2008 until September of 2007.

But insiders predict Gingrich could throw his hat into the ring if a true Reagan conservative doesn’t emerge as a likely GOP candidate.

For the time being, he’s playing his cards close to the vest. "I am not ‘running’ for president, I am seeking to create a movement to win the future by offering a series of solutions so compelling that if the American people say I have to be president, it will happen,” he tells Fortune magazine.

Gingrich said he plans to build grass-roots support for the health care, national security, and energy independence ideas he has been promoting for the past six years.

[9999lakes]

Well Newt is the best gop candidate I can think of. I certainly know about all of the baggage he carries, and wish there was someone better.

On the other hand --- All that enthusiasm! It's been a looong time since there was any enthusiastic conservative out there. I can't think of who the last one was --Ann Coulter maybe, but we all know she isn't gonna run for anything.

As far as ideas go -- I'm astonished at anyone who says Newt doesn't have them --- he's a fountain of ideas! The man is ebullient with them! It's his strongest point.

Check out his website --I think it's Newt.com. Been a while since I've been there, but I'll check myself.. If that is not the correct address I'll re3turn with a correction.

[9999lakes]

It's Newt.org.


Newt.com is about lizards or something.

[no dems]

A man can be forgiven much, but can he keep it in his pants this time around?

I know; that' the problem I have with Newt, his personal morality. But, after this last election cycle, I'm beginning to think that 98% of the people on Capitol Hill are immoral.

Let's just count on the fact that at his age now, all we have to do is just get someone to hide his Viagra prescription. That oughta keep him down. (Pun intended.)

[StoneGiant]

 

Bill Clinton only wants to divorce his wife on her deathbed.

Newt actually did it.


Vote Democrat family values. Vote Clinton in '08.

[no dems]

People need to stop looking for the perfect candidate. Because that person does not exist.

Sad to say but that's the conclusion I've come to. I guess we have to realize that there will never be another Ronnie Reagan.

[no dems]

We need conservative ideas from somebody new, not Newt.

Well, that leaves Duncan Hunter and Mike Pence.

[Neidermeyer]

People need to stop looking for the perfect candidate. Because that person does not exist.

---

I just want to point out that despite whether you are Pro-Newt or Anti-Newt that this thread has shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that NEWT IS EXCITING ,, well over 200 posts in a short time and big pageviews ... I don't care if he runs or if he just remains as the architect.. he is important to our cause and we need to do a better job of protecting our own from the liberal onslaught... If Newt was a lib he would still be in Congress and no-one would remember anything negative about him because it would have been buried IF it was even brought up at all ... I have 2 small children and I fear greatly for the future of our Republic , we must play to win and we all know "You cannot win if you do not play" sidelining our best players is STUPID!

[StoneWall Brigade]

Quote from Rush Limbaugh to his caller on Baggage.

Let tell you something Andy, I want you to hear me on his and I want all of you to hear me. There is not a conservative in the American political system shows any promise that will not have baggage. The media will give them baggage if they don't have it. They will create Baggage. You people are just going to to understand, the Drive-By Media is what it is. It is there, it is going to affect as best as it can the outcome of every election for liberal Democrats. If they have to make things up about conservative leaders to distort and misrepresent, to impugn, they will do it. So there isn't Conservative leader out there that isn't going to have baggage one way or the other.

[StoneWall Brigade]

I have posted this before Straw Poll in Virginia Nov 11th 2006.

Newt Gingrich 31%

Mitt Romney 14%

Sam Brownback 12%

John McCain 12%

Mike Huckabee 8%

Rudy Giuliani 7%

Ducan Hunter 4%

Bill Frist 3%

Chuck Hagel 1%

George Patki 1%

And total of 146 ballots where cast.

[Pride in the USA]

Thank you, Newt! The Conservative base needs his voice and direction now more than ever. America needs him if we are to to light the way in a world where the darkness and chaos are quickly closing in around us all.

[Arizona Carolyn]

From the sounds of FR none of the potential candidates will get the Evangelical Vote... which probably means we will end up with someone on the other side much worse than any of our potential candidates not deemed worthy.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I don't think comments about each of the candidates that they are divorced, therefore "unclean" and unfit for office are helpful... yet that is one example of posts that are showing up on each thread.

[airborne]

As Newt said, he's not running for President, but rather leading a movement for dialogue and debate.

I know Newt carries baggage, and some can't get past that.

But he makes some excellent points and he carries the conservative message. I'm willing to listen.

[Arizona Carolyn]

All I can say is WOW, if you live (lived) in San Francisco and converted to conservatism I am very impressed and it gives me more hope than you can imagine.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Thanks for the link, that's quite a site, I plan to take some time to read through it.

[trisham]

Welcome to Free Republic. Tell us more.

[GingisK]

...clear the path for someone that's electable...

I will vote for Newt, but I know of no other in the Republican Party that deserve my vote.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Something few realize about Newt, is he isn't the kind little Teddy Bear it appears to be. From what I've read he could be ruthless with other members of congress when necessary. This is a trait that is probably pretty good for someone wanting to be President... what was it TR said, walk quietly and carry a big stick.. that is kind of what Newt would be like from what I know about his personality.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Have you ever watched him go up against Alan Colmes when Alan is in his PitBull mode? If not, then you haven't seen the Newt that patiently waits for Alan to shoot his wad and then cuts him off at the knees with facts, all the while with a smile on his face and a softness to his voice.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I happen to find him not only likeable, but extremely attractive -- not from a physical standpoint, but because he has a brilliant mind and I'll take substance over looks any day of the week. In Newt's case there is some "there" there.