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Gingrich Sees Dark Days Ahead for GOP
Human Events ^ | 12/1/6 | Robert B. Bluey

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 Ford’s administration and at worst President Jimmy Carter’s.

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 Gingrich’s 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.

Gingrich’s remarks were wide-ranging, touching on America’s healthcare system, the bloated federal budget and a history lesson about George Washington’s Mount Vernon home—just 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 Republicans—and especially White House adviser Karl Rove—need to recognize why they lost control of Congress. He said Rove should leave his job if he doesn’t get it.

On Iraq, Gingrich said the U.S. won the first campaign there—toppling Saddam Hussein—but 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 country’s development of a nuclear weapon.

He said the American people are more courageous than the Bush Administration realizes—and when called upon to act, they will respond accordingly. “Show them Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s 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 city’s 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 Blackwell’s 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.


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: gingrich
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To: ichabod1

Yes, absolutely. It's his turn, isn't it?

Then after him...Elizabeth...then after her...Jeb...then...George P....then Bob Michel...then Betty Ford, etc., etc., etc.


61 posted on 12/01/2006 8:33:03 AM PST by ConservativeDude
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To: Miss Marple
Agreed. I confess I am disappointed in his strategy. More than that, I am mystified as to why he believes it will further his cause. He did some good things for the Republican party back in the day, but apparently didn't learn anything from Reagan's good example regarding other party members.

Unfortunately, he's not alone.

62 posted on 12/01/2006 8:35:13 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Joe Boucher

Well said


63 posted on 12/01/2006 8:35:55 AM PST by Leatherneck_MT (In a world where Carpenters come back from the dead, ALL things are possible.)
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To: Reagan Man
If Rudy somehow gets the nomination, it will fracture the GOP. A Democrat will be sitting in the WH come Jan.21, 2009.

*************

You're probably right, I'm sorry to say, because even as liberal as Rudy is, he's still better than anything the Democrats are likely to serve up.

64 posted on 12/01/2006 8:37:40 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: highball

Newt is on target in my opinion, too. While I don't think he makes a good presidential candidate, it isn't because of his philosophy or ideology. What we need is a "new" Gingrich-type of candidate without the history of demonization.

I know it is upsetting to a lot of folks, but there really isn't a lot of good that Bush can do at this point. He can veto bad legislation and that is about it. He can't lower taxes, reduce the size of government, get conservatives on the bench, secure the border, etc.


65 posted on 12/01/2006 8:39:24 AM PST by shempy (EABOF)
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To: ZGuy
If Newt does not run for President, that is fine.

I wish he would lead a new Reagan Conservative Republican movement.

We need someone like Newt. He does not wavier on his conservatism or the Constitution.

66 posted on 12/01/2006 8:39:56 AM PST by Dustbunny (The BIBLE - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)
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To: digger48
He named three bold moves he would take: Abolish the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, "Can't happen"

Maybe not abolished but I'll bet you its jurisdiction could be shrunk down to the size of a damn postage stamp on Alcatraz Island....

67 posted on 12/01/2006 8:40:12 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: Miss Marple
>>>>I simply am pointing out that Newt is quite willing to bend his principles and flip-flop on issues.

I've never heard Newt flip-flop on issues. And all politicos bend their principles. Newt has never broke his conservative principles and that is what counts.

>>>>If he is the nominee, I will vote for him.

Good for you, MM!

If Rudy is the nominee, I will not vote for him.

68 posted on 12/01/2006 8:41:51 AM PST by Reagan Man (Conservatives don't support amnesty and conservatives don't vote for liberals!)
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To: ZGuy

Gingrich is a clever man and a brilliant thinktank on conservative policies. However I doubt voters would see past his personal baggage and elect him as President.


69 posted on 12/01/2006 8:42:11 AM PST by GregH
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To: ZGuy

"The fundraiser was organized on behalf of VCAP by Erin DeLullo, who most recently worked on Ken Blackwell’s campaign for governor of Ohio."
This person in my opinion did a bad job.

Ken Blackwell's agenda was allowed to be 'tarred and feathered' by the media. I am really disappointed he was allowed to be so vilified.

Is Reganomics dead?


70 posted on 12/01/2006 8:43:06 AM PST by griswold3 (I cried when I erased my tagline....)
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To: Cecily
Newt and Hillary joined forces on two issues that they found some common ground on. One issue had to do with changing the current system that handles medical records of American's, from a cumbersome, unsafe paper file system, to a more secure electronic record keeping system. That would save lives in the process. Newt and HRC also were members of a bipartisan committee to improve America's national security.

Democrats and Republicans do occasionally find some common issues on which to work together on. Btw, Newt doesn't favor universal heatlthcare, AKA "HillaryCare". If you don't like Newt, fine. No need to fabricate untruths about him. There is enough to pick apart.

71 posted on 12/01/2006 8:43:26 AM PST by Reagan Man (Conservatives don't support amnesty and conservatives don't vote for liberals!)
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To: Reagan Man
I'm getting a little sick of hearing this over and over again. I really don't mind the anti-Rudy tirades prior to and during the primary. But if indeed Rudy is the man left standing, and the Democrat is Hillary - the idea that somehow they're equivalent is ridiculous. Rudy is wrong about many issues. Hillary is pure evil; anyone who was around for Impeachment knows this. She has to be kept out.

We are also faced with the following phenomena - as of today, December 1, 2006 - the three Presidential contenders on the Republican side with most visibility are McCain, Romney and Giuliani. McCain is bonkers, Romney's got some terrible negative numbers becuase of being Mormon (why, I haven't a clue) - that leaves Giuliani.

As such, I see no point in getting into a rabid hate session against the man. He may be the bulwark of civilisation against the desolation that Hillary represents. Think carefully about what a disaster she would be not just for America but for the world. Then choose.

Ivan

72 posted on 12/01/2006 8:43:52 AM PST by MadIvan (I aim to misbehave.)
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To: StoneGiant

clever... what are you going to do for an encore? walk upright?


73 posted on 12/01/2006 8:44:46 AM PST by PDR
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To: Miss Marple
Newt is not a viable Presidential candidate - it's not because of scandal, though some of his are pretty bad - here is a certain imprimatur that comes from being a potential leader. Newt simply doesn't have it. Giuliani and Romney do. McCain is too bonkers to have it.

Regards, Ivan

74 posted on 12/01/2006 8:45:37 AM PST by MadIvan (I aim to misbehave.)
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To: BeHoldAPaleHorse
Thank you no-shows.

This cannot be stated too often... f _ _ _ ing b _ _ tards.

75 posted on 12/01/2006 8:45:51 AM PST by johnny7 ("We took a hell of a beating." -'Vinegar Joe' Stilwell)
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To: ZGuy
... 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: "ROVE...YOU MAGNIFICANTLY STUPID BASTARD!"

76 posted on 12/01/2006 8:46:15 AM PST by DCPatriot ("It aint what you don't know that kills you. It's what you know that aint so" Theodore Sturgeon)
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To: LS
Any Success? No
77 posted on 12/01/2006 8:47:07 AM PST by tiger-one (The night has a thousand eyes)
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To: Moose4
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.

He'd be a great cabinet member.

78 posted on 12/01/2006 8:47:11 AM PST by murdoog
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To: ZGuy
Ironically, Gingrich can cast a lot of the blame on himself. His Contract ended up being a successful campaign ploy and little else: he couldn't put it into practice. The embarrassing political losses during Newt's speakership led to lack of direction by the GOP, and also stiffened the resolve of the Democrats to resist at all costs any GOP attempt to effect change.

In many ways -- particularly morally -- Gingrich proved himself the equal of Bill Clinton ... except politically, in which arena he proved to be an empty suit who was incapable of putting his words into action. Gingrich's political stupidity played a large role in getting Clinton re-elected in '96.

Even if there's truth to some of what he says, I can't help but seeing it mostly as a self-serving attempt by Gingrich to try to stake out a niche in the runup to the 2008 presidential race.

79 posted on 12/01/2006 8:47:26 AM PST by r9etb
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To: Reagan Man
So, I will vote for whoever the Republican nominee is, and you won't.

Just which of us is the "Republican in Name Only?"

80 posted on 12/01/2006 8:47:39 AM PST by Miss Marple (Lord, thank you for Mozart Lover's son's safe return, and look after Jemian's son, please!)
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