Posted on 05/14/2007 6:46:39 AM PDT by Hadean
The Former Speaker of the House Warns GOP Hillary Clinton Has a Good Chance of Becoming President
Newt Gingrich for president? It could happen.
In an interview with Diane Sawyer on "Good Morning America," the former Republican speaker of the House said there was a "great possibility" that he would run for president.
He will make that decision sometime in the fall. Sawyer noted that previously Gingrich had only said he was "thinking about" a run for president.
"You said you'll make a decision at the end of the September,{is it} more likely, less likely this morning? Sawyer asked Gingrich. "I think right now, it is a great possibility," Gingrich said.
"A great possibility you'll run? Sawyer asked. But Gingrich declined to elaborate. "I don't want to get into all this stuff," Gingrich said. "I want to focus on what we have to do to make America successsful."
Gingrich was visiting "GMA" to talk about his new book, "Pearl Harbor: A Novel of December the 8th," which he co-wrote with William Forstchen.
But Gingrich took time to assess the field of declared candidates and said he wasn't happy with the current contenders, comparing them to contestants on "American Idol."
"We're in this virtually irrational process," he said. "It's exactly wrong as a way of choosing a national leader."
Gingrich said Republican candidates needed to champion large-scale reforms.
"I think unless a Republican who is nominated is committed to fundamental change in Washington they will certainly lose the election," he said.
According to Gingrich, Republicans need to realize that Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has a good chance of winning the White House if she gets her party's nomination.
"They are very effective at raking on their opponents," he said of the Clintons. "I think she has a very good chance to win the presidency."
Time for Another Conservative Contender? Polls show that the Iraq War is a big undertow for Republicans. Gingrich said as far back as 2003 that Bush had "gone off a cliff" with the Iraq War. Gingrich believes the United States should get out of Iraq as soon as possible.
"I think we have to turn over policing responsibility for the Iraqis as rapidly as possible," he said. "Pull our troops out as rapidly as possible."
A Newsweek poll has every Democratic front-runner beating every leading Republican: Clinton edges out former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani by three points. Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards beats Arizona Sen. John McCain by 10 points, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney by 37. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama prevails over McCain by 13 points.
Republicans also appear to be hitting other potholes on the presidential path. Conservatives are wary of Giuliani's staunch support of abortion rights, while McCain is seen by some as unreliable on other conservative issues, such as immigration.
The top Republican presidential front-runners are trying to woo conservatives, but so far it seems an unrequited love.
"The three front-runners are just not viable conservative choices, and I think what we know about the three front-runners is enough really to doom them," said one Republican voter.
There seems to be an opening for a conservative candidate. Former senator and actor Fred Thompson may have his eye on the White House. Some speculate that Gingrich, with the release of a new book and his apology to conservative leader James Dobson for past personal indiscretions, could as well.
Go for it Newt.
I happen to be another that would welcome his presence/presents. I feel it would be a gift to America if he were in the primaries debating the issues. It would bring the "GOP game" up about twelve notches. We would have a stellar group to choose from, and America would finally get a chance to hear WHY the GOP is the better choice, because as you say, Newt would bring attention to the mix....as would Thompson, I might add.
God Bless 'em all for caring enough to try. I surely wouldn't want the job. I can't take FIVE minutes of CNN, let alone be nice to Dems on a regular basis....that doesn't account for all the times I'd have to be civil to those that clearly don't get it on the WOT. That really fries my cakes, and the fact that these inept voters have a voice...sometimes...it's just too much!
It was stellar. It’s what got Repubs elected in 94. It reflected what voters wanted. But, as usual, the elected forgot on their way to Washington exactly what it was that got them there.
While Mr Newt is a brilliant man, his enormous ego has always been his Achilles heel. I agree with a previous post, the conservatives need Newt, just not in the capacity as a presidential candidate.
Man most likely to be picked for Veep.
Newt is a schill for Bill/Hillary Clinton
Right on my brother!
He cut her off at the knees.. so she had to look UP at him..
Now thats the communicator, America NEEDS..
He’s too late. Only if all of the others drop dead will he have a chance.
Newt,...please...go...away.
What a waste of time and money.
LLS
“Newt will make a great SecState...”
Ohhhh. Yeah! I hadn’t thought of that! Great role for him.
“Newt will make a great SecState...”
Ohhhh. Yeah! I hadn’t thought of that! Great role for him.
Duncan Hunter needs to get a job with paychecks that come from ADP, not from the US Treasury. I would vote for the guy, don't get me wrong, but it wold be nice to have someone who has done something outside of government.
Agree.
Oh great, Katherine Harris redux. Forget it Newt, you are damaged goods.
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