Posted on 12/01/2006 7:40:42 AM PST by ZGuy
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich last night offered a grim outlook for the final two years of the Bush Administration, saying at best it would resemble President Gerald Fords administration and at worst President Jimmy Carters.
Gingrich spoke at a private fundraiser for the Virginia Conservative Action PAC. The event, hosted at the home of Shirley & Banister Public Affairs President Craig Shirley, attracted dozens of conservatives to hear Gingrichs message.
Despite a clamoring among conservatives for Gingrich to run for president in 2008, he offered no indication he would do so. Recently, Gingrich has said he would make a decision in September 2007. He echoed those sentiments last night.
Gingrichs remarks were wide-ranging, touching on Americas healthcare system, the bloated federal budget and a history lesson about George Washingtons Mount Vernon homejust miles from the site of the fundraiser.
He reserved his harshest remarks for the Bush Administration and Republicans in Washington, D.C. Gingrich called the consultant community stupid and said the GOP has wasted money on campaign ads. He said, 2004 was pathetic, and 2006 was worse.
Gingrich said Republicansand especially White House adviser Karl Roveneed to recognize why they lost control of Congress. He said Rove should leave his job if he doesnt get it.
On Iraq, Gingrich said the U.S. won the first campaign theretoppling Saddam Husseinbut has failed in the second, ongoing campaign. He said he opposes the current plan of action in Iraq, and called on the U.S. to launch a new, broader third campaign. In the past, Gingrich has suggested a preemptive invasion of Iran to thwart that countrys development of a nuclear weapon.
He said the American people are more courageous than the Bush Administration realizesand when called upon to act, they will respond accordingly. Show them Mahmoud Ahmadinejads speeches, Gingrich implored.
What advice would Gingrich offer Bush and Republicans? He named three bold moves he would take: Abolish the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, make English the official U.S. language, and praise US Airways, in the form of a congressional resolution, for its tough stand against six Muslim imams who behaved like terrorists on a recent flight.
He cited the fiasco in New Orleans as another embarrassment for the Bush Administration, which has relied on government to fix the citys problems rather than private enterprise. If there was no FEMA, New Orleans would have recovered faster.
The fundraiser was organized on behalf of VCAP by Erin DeLullo, who most recently worked on Ken Blackwells campaign for governor of Ohio. Notable conservatives in attendance included former U.S. Rep. Bob Livingston, Media Research Center President Brent Bozell, public-relations consultants Diana Banister and Christian Josi, Townhall.com General Manager Chuck DeFeo, and American Spectator contributor Quin Hillyer. Virginia Delegate Chris Saxman and Corey Stewart, the newly elected chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, were also in attendance.
he's everywhere ,he's everywhere
..it sure sounds like Newt is running...
Pretty clear, here, that Newtster is seeking to "talk down" any success Bush might have in the last two years so as to make a "savior" necessary.
Good. I hope he makes mincemeat out of McCain's shenanigans.
Abolish the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals,
Can't happen
make English the official U.S. language,
Won't happen
and praise US Airways, in the form of a congressional resolution, for its tough stand against six Muslim imams who behaved like terrorists on a recent flight.M
McCain, Specter and Miss Graham will vote against it.
If Newt would stick to those ideas and can overcome his negatives...(and tone down the foot-in-mouth syndrome a bit) he could run in '08 and I'd support him.
I'd have more respect for Gingrich if he'd run against the Democrats instead of Bush.
A savior? You mean the hildebeast in NY?... That's what the majority of voters will perceive if Newt is successful in denigrating the Bush Administration. Frankly, I don't think Bush has done a bad job, and I don't actually think Newt is trying to portray such for political posturing. Of all other things, realize that Newt loves this country far more than democ rats do.
Newt's right, if Rove doesn't know it was a lack of representatives being actually conservative--not RINO, and immigration that lost these elections (and illegals and the dead voting)...then, Mr. Rove (as much as I admire you) you do need to go back to the private sector.
Yes. So obvious, in fact, that it makes him immensely unattractive. He looks more like a weasel than someone I want to see in the Oval Office.
He does love the country, but he loves Newt two. This is all about setting up the GOP for someone who can beat Hillary . . . and it ain't Newt.
Because McCain won't do it is exactly why Gingrich is suggesting it. He has a list of things that he has polling data on that suggest 80%+ public support that McCain won't do. English as an official language, a border wall, showing ID's to vote are all on the list.
It gives him things to run on.
I don't think he's electable (which is too bad), but as a behind-the-scenes "idea guy," he'd be fantastic. To be honest, the GOP needs a few ass-kickers like Newt right now.
}:-)4
Right after Katrina, he was on Fox trashing Bush for his poor response (with nary a word for Blanco or Nagin) and advocating a MARSHALL PLAN for the Gulf Coast.
I don't know about you but a "Marshall Plan" means a large, federal program spending lots of money.
Well, Congress did throw a lot of money at the Gulf Coast, and this summer, when all the corruption and waste started being uncovered, Gingrich was on Fox again.
Only THIS time, he said that the corruption and waste is what you get with a large, federal program, and rebuilding and aid should have been left to the private sector and charities!
I can think of no other reason for this flip-flop other than OPPORTUNISM.
To heck with him!
...we're waiting for it to be made "glorious summer" perhaps by the "son of *New* York"
Regards, Ivan
People get confused about that - the best and most effective Marshall Plan aid didn't give Europe money; they gave equipment to modernise farms and industrial plants.
Money does nothing on its own...with tools, one can build and produce.
Regards, Ivan
Having said that, I think his tactical genius must be utilized in the coming years...
But we can't do or say anything that would upset the media as my Democrat turned Bushbot friends would say.
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