Posted on 02/17/2012 10:41:27 PM PST by Red Steel
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. — Newt Gingrich is back in the state he represented for over two decades in Congress.
On Friday, the former House speaker kicked off a two-day tour in Georgia, where he represented a suburban Atlanta district for 10 terms and first became a household name. He will campaign in his old district Saturday with former presidential rival and Atlanta businessman Herman Cain, who has endorsed him.
Gingrich will be back in Georgia the end of the month, with a bus tour through the state on Feb. 28 and 29, one week before the Super Tuesday primary on March 6 where 76 delegates will be at stake — the largest haul of any contest that day.
“It’s nice to be home,” Gingrich told a crowd here. “The primary in Georgia is very important and I need your help and no one should take it for granted.”
It’s the first time since his appearances in Ohio last week that Gingrich has campaigned in a Super Tuesday state. After losing the last four contests and watching Rick Santorum emerge as the main competition to Mitt Romney, Gingrich spent the week in California raising funds for his campaign war chest.
Gingrich is now focusing on the Southern states that hold contests on Super Tuesday, including in Georgia. A loss in his former stomping grounds — despite his recently floating the possibility — would very likely prove impossible to recover from.
“It’s very crucial,” Gingrich admitted, referring to winning Georgia.
The most recent Georgia polls showed Santorum gaining ground in the Peach State, pulling nearly 26 percent to Gingrich’s 35 percent in a Landmark poll conducted last week, with Romney placing third.
Gingrich was in good spirits Friday as he gave a vigorous speech in an airplane hanger to about 350.
While continuing to back away from some of his more pointed attacks against his Republican rivals, Gingrich pushed a message that his experience makes him a better GOP nominee.
“In my case it’s not a speech, it’s not talking points, it’s not what my consultants gave me. It’s not some random idea,” he said. “I actually believe we can get this
Newt Gingrich, the candidate of substance, not platitudes.
GO NEWT!!!!!
ROTFL.
Awesome photo!
Newt won the debate without the debate. It has backfired on Mittens and Santo. The political perception or optics makes them look bad.
Oh is that funny or what! LOL.....Ya know Santorum surprised me that he wouldn’t debate Newt....golly it was a golden opportunity for him to ‘practice’ debating against Obama...so “Chicken” is right....same with Romney though I think perhaps Santorum would have done better than Romney. Romney’s lucky if he comes off with anything other than the same old get along statements..no substance. But SAntorum would have at least tried.
Oh well...they all know nobody can outdo Newt’s strong handle on the issues...and his excellent plans!
Go Newt Go!!!!!
Yes, I think the reason for their withdrawal from the debate is pretty transparent, as much as they would like to spin it. They don’t want to debate Newt right before Super Tuesday.
Team Gingrich should go ahead with the debate, even if they have to rent the hall out of campaign funds. Stick three empty suits at the other podiums and challenge them to defend some of theirs more egregious statements, acts, and omissions.
Rotflol...oh that would be a hoot! I can picture that in my mind....and Newt could talk uninterrupted the entire time! Maybe take phone calls from his supporters!
The God of Kolob-Romney and Saint Sissy-Santorum are sure looking like cowards.
Seems they are afraid that Newt will expose them for what they really are.
Romney and Santorum, cowards both....
Our country needs a real leader, one willing to fight for us.... and NOT hide.
GO NEWT GO—it’s about the survival of our country!!
I agree.
Each time there is no debate, it is a good time for Newt to stand up and lay everything out.
You know in humor their usually is a great deal of truth, as fowl as it is I am think these 2 are on to something. Sorry I couldn't resist :-)
You all know these folks know more than we do. they must have internals that have Newt strong in the South and they don't want to give him a springboard to clean their clocks. On his home turf if you will he would be on his game in the debates, home field advantage.
But these 2 chickens...
A funny add like this might go a long way for Newt as serious candidate.
It would get peoples attention and like that interview says, if they are afraid to debate Newt, what are they going to do against Obama.
I'll say it again, I'll pull the lever for Rick, I like him, but he ain't got the chops for the job.
This counry has been so FUBAR'd by Obama it is going to take the Bad Ass side of Newt to fix it period....
Many of the so-called ‘debates’ have focused on the ‘horse-race’ and other minutiae. The best exposure that Newt’s policies and proposals were the ‘Lincoln-Douglas’ conversations with Newt & Cain and Newt and Huntsman. Civil, productive and serious.
The funds which Romney has spent on negative ads has only helped the media. He has hurt himself in addition to destroying Newt. An illustration of the lack of Romney’s common sense and core principles. If he can waste his own money in such a cavalier way - what protection will tax-payers have?
Say it loud and often!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.