Gingrich says to mull decision on White House bid [Buckhead Coalition mentioned.]

Reuters ^ | 31JAN07 | Matthew Bigg

[familyop]

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich said on Wednesday he would wait until September before deciding whether to run for the Republican party's presidential nomination and described that race as "wide open."

Gingrich, who came to national prominence when Republicans won control of Congress in 1994 and promptly passed their program called the Contract with America under his leadership, said the situation in Iraq did not improve it would dominate the election.

Between now and September he will work toward pooling ideas and resources with a view to figuring out solutions to tackling long term problems facing the United States, he said in an interview with Reuters.

"In my case I really believe that what we did with the Contract with America, very solution-oriented, very specific (was right). My mission from now until September is to do a real project of creating a generation of solutions," he said.

"Then I think we look and see where we are after September," he said.

Nine Republicans have taken steps so far to start a run for the party's presidential nomination in 2008 with former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Sen. John McCain of Arizona leading in most public opinion polls.

But Gingrich noted that former Presidents Ronald Reagan and John Kennedy did not announce they would run until much later in the electoral cycle and said he was in no hurry.

"I am prepared to wait and see and I think it's a long, long way off," he said after addressing the Buckhead Coalition of business and government leaders in Atlanta.

But many political analysts say politics has changed quite a bit since Kennedy was elected in 1960 and Reagan in 1980. Now, they say, candidates need to raise a lot of money to survive the nominating caucuses and primaries that come very quickly, very early in 2008.

Eight Democrats have already started running for 2008.

Gingrich predicted Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was likely to win the Democratic nomination while the three front-runners for the Republican nomination were Giuliani, McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

"Clinton has a huge advantage that nobody should underestimate and unless something really remarkable happens she'll be the nominee. Everybody else is sort of running for vice president (Democratic vice presidential nomination)," Gingrich said.

"Giuliani is ahead in popularity and as a mayor who did a terrific job in New York .... McCain is ahead in organization and endorsements but has been actually sliding in support. Romney is ... putting together a solid organization," he said.

Iraq would likely dominate the election, stifling debate on other subjects, he said.

"If Iraq isn't fixed, Iraq will define everything because Iraq will be so painful. You won't be able to get to what the second topic is. If Iraq is fixed the question is which is the better road for the future, more government or more freedom and there'll be a real debate," he said.

[familyop]

Newt's not even running, yet, but see his Free Republic poll numbers. Which group hates Newt more--feminists who also hated Judge Bork or anti-defense traitors?

[word_warrior_bob]

At this rate there's going to be 40 guys running, 12% of the vote will be a landslide.

[pissant]

"Between now and September he will work toward pooling ideas and resources with a view to figuring out solutions to tackling long term problems facing the United States, he said in an interview with Reuters".

Newt, old pal, the long term problems in need of solutions have been around since before you were in Congress. You should KNOW the solutions by now. If you don't, call me. I have one for every problem we face.

[quidnunc]

As far as the presidency goes, Newt Gingrich is unelectable.

As Henry Hyde said, he is half genius and half nuts.

You can be elected president or you can fire your wife while she is lying in her sickbed suffering from cancer, but not both.

[keats5]

I like Newt. I hope he goes for it.

[RebekahT]

Newt would be fabulous. He could really sell the conservative message to the American people. We need someone like him in office.

[Clemenza]

RUN NEWT RUN!!!

[familyop]

Here's the FR Opinion Poll as it stood when I copied and pasted. And BTW, there is an effort underway to persuade Newt to go for the nomination ("draft Newt").

Free Republic Opinion Poll: If the short list for Republican Nominee were narrowed down to the following, which one would you favor?

Composite Opinion
Newt Gingrich	27.0%		1,168
Duncan Hunter	25.0%		1,082
Rudy Giuliani	13.4%		579
Tom Tancredo	11.6%		499
Mitt Romney	7.6%		327
Undecided/pass	7.2%		309
Ron Paul	6.3%		272
John McCain	1.9%		84
	100.0%		4,320
Member Opinion
Duncan Hunter	30.2%		645
Newt Gingrich	24.8%		530
Rudy Giuliani	12.4%		265
Tom Tancredo	9.9%		211
Undecided/pass	8.5%		181
Mitt Romney	7.8%		166
Ron Paul	4.9%		105
John McCain	1.5%		32
	100.0%		2,135
Non-Member Opinion
Newt Gingrich	29.2%		638
Duncan Hunter	20.0%		437
Rudy Giuliani	14.4%		314
Tom Tancredo	13.2%		288
Ron Paul	7.6%		167
Mitt Romney	7.4%		161
Undecided/pass	5.9%		128
John McCain	2.4%		52
	100.1%		2,185

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Newt is simply not presidential material. We're talking about a guy who got played by Slick.

Still remember the time Newt visited the National Zoo to try to show Americans his "softer" side.

Newt would have been good as the RNC chairman, or maybe as an advisor in a future WH administration.

[unkus]

I think Newt would be the right man at the right time. He needs to just speak his mind and to hell with the MSM Pimps.

[dirtboy]

But many political analysts say politics has changed quite a bit since Kennedy was elected in 1960 and Reagan in 1980. Now, they say, candidates need to raise a lot of money to survive the nominating caucuses and primaries that come very quickly, very early in 2008.

As I recall, Kerry was doing badly against Dean in NH - was polling behind him 40-12. Mortaged one of Momma T's homes to keep the campaign afloat.

And then got a win in Iowa, got the shriek as a bonus, and was on his way.

Early victories can generate a lot of fast cash. IMO it's going to come down to who can generate enthusiasm, work all the new alternative channels to the gills, and mostly, who AIN'T gonna screw up - the news cycle will be completely unforgiving for any pubbie who has a Biden moment.

[Jorge]

As far as the presidency goes, Newt Gingrich is unelectable.

I like Newt, but you're right, he doesn't have a chance.

[Disturbin]

"Newt would have been good as the RNC chairman, or maybe as an advisor in a future WH administration."

I agree he's definitely an asset in some capacity. I'm just not convinced that he's the best man for the job of commander in chief.

[Hildy]

Does ANYONE really think Newt has a cahnce of winning? Hello?

[icwhatudo]

Anyone else still get the feeling he got blackmailed by clinton?

[fkabuckeyesrule]

Hillary Clinton wanted to wait until the fall of '07 to announce that she was running too. Newt may not be able to wait if he wants to get in. I hope he runs it would be great to see him as part of the debate.

[pissant]

Darn non members. Hunter is clearly the fave of freepers, but the lurkers have skewed the poll.

[RebekahT]

"He needs to just speak his mind and to hell with the MSM Pimps."

That is one of Newt's strong points. He knows how to play the political game, ie, he knows how to make the great sound bites and articulate the issues. Americans are conservatives - we just have to make sure we articulate our message in the right way. Newt's the best we've got at that. And he would tear Hillary up in a presidential debate.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Sorry, but Congressmen don't become President. Governors and Senators do. The last time a House Speaker even came close to having a shot was Thomas Brackett Reed, back in 1896.

IMO either Mitt or Huckabee gets the nomination.

[freemike]

Hope he runs!