Posted on 11/23/2006 6:36:57 PM PST by no dems
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is telling associates that hes 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 Gingrichs 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.
Gingrichs 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 Gingrichs presidential aspirations as well.
He recently told an interviewer that he wont 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 doesnt emerge as a likely GOP candidate.
For the time being, hes 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.
Always have liked Newt. No one in the GOP has announced their official plans for 2008 yet. Its early. I think its best that Republicans nominate a conservative for 2008. Every GOP candidate for Prez since Reagan in 1980, has been pro-life. Even old "I'm Bob Dole", was pro-life. No GOP candidate has any hope of securing the nomination without support from social conservatives.
Whatever. If Newt is the GOP nominee for 2008, he'll get my vote.
I don't think he has the personality. Also, after losing his congressional seat and thus his leadership role, he appears too easily affected by the media.
Well, that is one man's opinion.
If I'm not mistaken, you're man is Rudy the Liberal. What does Giuliani offer conservatives? I'll tell ya . Nothing.
You find a request for information offensive? On this forum? Perhaps you have revealed an assiniity by such an attack when you had an opportunity to spread his message if you have read his book. Hardly a service to Newt.
Newt Gingrich - The Master of 5 Adjectives!
The GOP needs new people who can articulate the ideas and who live their lives accordingly.
How many of the Pseudo-Gop'ers went over (came out) to the Left and/or big money they minute their congressional career ended?
Joe Scarborough, Dick Armey, John LeBoutillier (what page is this guy on?), Bob Barr...says it all right there!
The right man at the right time, in my opinion. This will be a development worth watching.
I wouldn't argue that Hastert was a not a good speaker of the house and thought this would be the case from the get go, as he is too dull and lackluster. But as a presidential candidate, Newt is just not likeable enough, and rubs too many people the wrong way. He does not have the personality for it.
Not in a million years would I support Guiliani who is far too Liberal for me and have said so on other threads. For now, and this could change, it's Romney.
IMHO, Newt started a trend of Republicans wilting under the negativity of the Dems and the press (oops sorry, that's redundant). If he had any courage, he wouldn't have resigned.
Gingrich Plans Massive Outreach....Gosh I thought it was going to be for a new wife. I am sad that this is the kind of thing that comes to mind when you think of Gingrich but facts are fact and the country did not choose to have Gingrich have so many wives and divorces. This is what is going to be the main story each and every time Gingrich's name comes up. Just a fact does not matter if you agree or not....facts are facts.
Right on, Frank. Words magnificently spoken, not too little, and not too much, but hitting all the nails directly on the head. Too many FReepers are looking for a miracle to step forward...hero time. If they have that someone in mind, now is not too early to start promoting this miracle man with no baggage.
A prior poster said he likes the sound of Gingrich/North.
Until I am shown otherwise, that is where I am right now.
Mahalo
Newt's the most realistic candidate for President in 2008. I don't see anyone else on the horizon yet
Can you please explain to me how he could possibly explain to the public that gay marriage would ruin the sanctity of marriage (with a straight face). I truly believe that gay marriage would pass if he is president which is scary because he cannot talk about marriage. Life is more important than Newt just because we like him. He should not even be allowed to be considered for President. I can't bring myself to vote for someone who does not have family values....sorry!!!!!
I liiiike it!
And I can only hope that each serious Republican/conservative likewise goes out and joins their local GOP committee, and begins to recruit and register new voters.
We seemingly have become too dependant on the 'elected' politicians and the rightward media to convince our fellow citizens, when in reality we all should be doing something.
This last election was the first time I really got involved, and I found it to be exhilirating to go door to door, or to hand out pamphlets, or to register voters.
No, it aint always easy, but I would feel hypocritical if I just simply complained on FR.
And it's easy to get involved, and I'm sure the local GOP would love to have new blood.
Just call them, go to their monthly or weekly meetings, and make suggestions if you think there is a better way of doing things.
And you spread this baloney because .....
1) The GOP-hating media said so.
2)Gingrich is divorced.
3)His ex-wife accused him of such during their divorce proceedings (gee, that would be a surprise, an ex-spouse saying bad things)
4)You dont like Gingrich?
Unfortunately, if we denigrate and disqualify every person who has been divorced, we will effectively be eliminating a large portion of our strength.
Newt is a great politician/grease monkey. He airs up the tires, washes the windshield, checks the oil and empties the ashtray.
The problem is that Newt does not fill the gas tank.
How do you know that? The Republican party hasn't followed a conservative course in at least six years.What conservative ideas do you think need to be jettisoned? What would they be replaced with?
Newt is an idea guy - but I'm not convinced he'd make a good President.
Served his wife divorce papers as she lay dying (reportedly).
Said once he couldn't be Prez (reportedly) because his wife
wasn't pretty enough. Newt found an intern to marry and ditched his wife.
I value him for what he is, but he's not my guy for Prez.
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