Newt.org
Posted on 03/02/2012 1:52:52 PM PST by VinL
Taking a swipe at rival Rick Santorum, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich today said he was "not going to Washington to join the team," a reference to the former senator from Pennsylvania's statement that sometimes you have to "take one for the team" when working in government.
"Unlike Senator Santorum, I'm not going to Washington to join the team," Gingrich told a modest sized crowd in Savannah. "I want to create a new team called the American people who force dramatic, bold change on Washington. And I want to force Washington to decide, 'Do you want to be on the American people's team or do you want to get fired and go home.'"
Gingrich assertion is a stretch of the facts in at least one respect: He was not only once part of the establishment team in Washington, he helped lead it as speaker of the House from 1995 to early 1999..
Gingrich has been stumping across Georgia since Tuesday, throwing out the names of friends and former colleagues along the way, and trying to reconnect with voters in his former state. Since he left Congress in 1999, Gingrich has lived and worked in Washington as a consultant to businesses on public policy issues.
The candidate also seemed to bend reality when he claimed Friday to be "just a middle-class guy".
When I ran, I lost twice and I had to run three times. I'm just a middle class guy. My dad was a career soldier," Gingrich told a crowd filled with several of his former constituents. He pointed out that without the help of the party leaders and the local women's federation he wouldn't have been able to get elected. "If you're rich enough, you can sort of buy stuff, but if you are a middle-class candidate you need all the help you can get."
Though he came from a modest background, Gingrich is by now a very wealthy man, thanks to his consulting work. His 2010 tax returns show that he and his wife, Callista, made more than $3.1 million in income that year, most of it from Gingrich's business.
Many of those in attendance at his rally outside the Chatham County Republican headquarters came out to see their former congressman. "Speaker Gingrich, I met you back in the '80s when you came and spoke at my high school at Walton high school," a woman told Gingrich after shaking his hand in the rope line, "It's a pleasure to give you my support today."
Another man said he'd been waiting his entire life to tell Gingrich something. "We have your snapper lawnmower," he said, as the former speaker laughed. "My dad bought your lawnmower years ago. And I said, we have the presidential mower and it's in our basement."
AS this article argues erroneously, some contend that Newt was establishment. Not really. Granted, as Speaker, Newt was in the establishment, but he was never "part" of the establishment- and never will be. By nature, his thought pattern causes him to be fiercely independent- he leads- he doesn't follow. As a consequence, he can never be a dutiful follower of any regime.
Picture Rick or Mitt in the Oval Office with Boehner and McConnell-- all smiles, right? Picture Newt with the same- when people have their feet held to the fire- they seldom smile.
Newt Skywalker will rise again.
Agree with you. Hillary is part of her team...telling the Muslims that just because you hear that the US supports Israel, it’s just campaign rhetoric and not to be taken seriously. That’s taking one for the team Hillary! “B”
Go Newt!
Stretching of the 'facts'.... why as I recall the PROUD DNC and the PROUD GOP despised Newt and decided it was in their 'teams' best interest to force him out of office.
IF the 'inside' establishment would NOT throw the Clintons out of office, the accusations against Newt sure were not about his broken marriage. IT is the biggest joke ever to call Newt a WDC insider. Rick Santorum tag teamed himself right out of office.
"Unlike Senator Santorum, I'm not going to Washington to join the team. I want to create a new team called the American people who force dramatic, bold change on Washington. And I want to force Washington to decide, 'Do you want to be on the American people's team or do you want to get fired and go home.'"
Go Newt, go! Really have to start praying hard on this one. Santorum and Romney are showing us what they are and so far, Newt is the only one with the balls out of the three.
Newt gets it. This is exactly why I am supporting Newt. We need change in Washington and not the status quo. GO NEWT GO!
You’re right and I’m praying almost non-stop!
I hope Rush will finally come around!
His Santorum is clueless.
You’re right and that’s why he has no supporters in the lamestream or in the establishment’s office holders!
Satorum is frighteningly wishy washy. Sure he has faith, but who said that Newt doesn’t?
Good to know someone wants to REALLY change things...shake things up....in Washington!
BTW, I do believe Gov Brewer and other Romney endorses are taking "one" for the gop establishment team. I for one am yelling "FOUL"! GO NEWT! WOOT! WOOT!
I LOVE that button! Fantastic.
Come on Newt, time to blow past Santorum and Mittens the Pod Person!
The man has a lawn in his basement? That must be one hell of a house!
I'm not sure the Redskins would ask him to play, anyway. He's kinda old and way out of shape.
We have a candidate with grandiose ideas, and the will and resolve to accomplish those ideas. There are the scoffers and mockers who have ridiculed the magnitude of his ideas. However, these same people would have mocked and laughed in the year 1968, if someone had said that man would step and walk on the moon.
If you want large ideas to tackle the large problems we face, vote for Newt Gingrich. He has the vision, leadership, and resolve to help turn this country around. However, if you want business as usual, feeling comfortable as we march to mediocrity, albeit at a slower pace, vote for any of the other followers.
“start praying hard on this one. “
I’m pretty sure God stays out of politics, if he didn’t we’d have nothing but pillars of salt in Washington DC.
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.