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.
Well Newt is the best gop candidate I can think of. I certainly know about all of the baggage he carries, and wish there was someone better.
On the other hand --- All that enthusiasm! It's been a looong time since there was any enthusiastic conservative out there. I can't think of who the last one was --Ann Coulter maybe, but we all know she isn't gonna run for anything.
As far as ideas go -- I'm astonished at anyone who says Newt doesn't have them --- he's a fountain of ideas! The man is ebullient with them! It's his strongest point.
Check out his website --I think it's Newt.com. Been a while since I've been there, but I'll check myself.. If that is not the correct address I'll re3turn with a correction.
It's Newt.org.
Newt.com is about lizards or something.
Bill Clinton only wants to divorce his wife on her deathbed. |
People need to stop looking for the perfect candidate. Because that person does not exist.
I have posted this before Straw Poll in Virginia Nov 11th 2006.
Newt Gingrich 31%
Mitt Romney 14%
Sam Brownback 12%
John McCain 12%
Mike Huckabee 8%
Rudy Giuliani 7%
Ducan Hunter 4%
Bill Frist 3%
Chuck Hagel 1%
George Patki 1%
And total of 146 ballots where cast.
Thank you, Newt! The Conservative base needs his voice and direction now more than ever. America needs him if we are to to light the way in a world where the darkness and chaos are quickly closing in around us all.
From the sounds of FR none of the potential candidates will get the Evangelical Vote... which probably means we will end up with someone on the other side much worse than any of our potential candidates not deemed worthy.
I don't think comments about each of the candidates that they are divorced, therefore "unclean" and unfit for office are helpful... yet that is one example of posts that are showing up on each thread.
I know Newt carries baggage, and some can't get past that.
But he makes some excellent points and he carries the conservative message. I'm willing to listen.
All I can say is WOW, if you live (lived) in San Francisco and converted to conservatism I am very impressed and it gives me more hope than you can imagine.
Thanks for the link, that's quite a site, I plan to take some time to read through it.
Welcome to Free Republic. Tell us more.
I will vote for Newt, but I know of no other in the Republican Party that deserve my vote.
Something few realize about Newt, is he isn't the kind little Teddy Bear it appears to be. From what I've read he could be ruthless with other members of congress when necessary. This is a trait that is probably pretty good for someone wanting to be President... what was it TR said, walk quietly and carry a big stick.. that is kind of what Newt would be like from what I know about his personality.
Have you ever watched him go up against Alan Colmes when Alan is in his PitBull mode? If not, then you haven't seen the Newt that patiently waits for Alan to shoot his wad and then cuts him off at the knees with facts, all the while with a smile on his face and a softness to his voice.
I happen to find him not only likeable, but extremely attractive -- not from a physical standpoint, but because he has a brilliant mind and I'll take substance over looks any day of the week. In Newt's case there is some "there" there.
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