The White House and its allies are starting to turn their sights to Newt Gingrich, invoking his tumultuous history as House speaker to brand him as the “godfather of gridlock,” a testament to his new viability and the sudden realization that he could be President Obama’s Republican opponent.
Democrats have made it clear they have no plans of letting up on Mitt Romney.
But they are hoping to help stretch the Republican nominating contest into a longer and bloodier battle — meaning they are eager to define Mr. Gingrich for voters in unflattering terms without necessarily wounding him fatally and assisting Mr. Romney, whom they still view as a formidable general election opponent. ...The jabs at Mr. Gingrich are one part gleeful mischief-making and one part serious due diligence. ...NYT
According to the Times, the Obama campaign really didn't see Gingrich coming. They're watching his rise to a "seriously, maybe" level and are, apparently, enjoying the moment.
Mr. Obama’s aides acknowledge that a general election campaign against Mr. Gingrich would be “a different race,” one that would present a less predictable, more energetic and personally harder-hitting opponent than Mr. Romney would.
Where Mr. Romney has portrayed Mr. Obama as well-intentioned but overmatched by his job, Mr. Gingrich has strayed into sharper contrasts. He has said Mr. Obama operates from a “Kenyan, anticolonial” mind-set of the African father whom he hardly knew, and that he became president by way of a “wonderful con” using the tactics of the radical leader Saul Alinsky. ...NYT
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If you're planning to invite Newt Gingrich to your neighborhood to campaign, be warned. First of all, he has a record of charging a lot -- like $60,000. But that's only the beginning.
Newt Gingrich, the Republican presidential candidate with a penchant for luxury jets and Tiffany & Co. jewelry, also appears to demand top-notch accommodations when he travels for a speech.
The Smoking Gun Web site, which specializes in unearthing revealing documents, has posted a copy of a speaking gig contract apparently signed by Gingrich for an appearance at Missouri Western State University in October 2010.
The contract called for payment of “first class expenses,” including the hotel of Gingrich’s choice, and “first class airfare.” A Gingrich aide gets a smaller hotel room ”located nearby the suite, but not attached.” A contract addendum also notes that “Mrs. Gingrich” may sometimes travel with her husband and “will be needed to be seated beside Mr. Gingrich at all functions.”
Perhaps most curious was language requiring a “non-smoking one-bedroom suite (preferably with two bathrooms).” The Smoking Gun compared Gingrich’s “loo requirement” with “Mary J. Blige’s toilet seat proviso,” in which the singer required “a private toilet (with new toilet seat)” as part of her standard performance contract. ...WaPo
"So full of s**t, he needs two bathrooms," writes one commenter at the Smoking Gun website.
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I think we can assume that Republican party heavies -- literally and figuratively -- want Romney in the lead. Chris Christie is out there in Iowa campaigning for him. Iowa is Gringrich territory.
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Congressional Republicans are "colluding" with Romney, according to The Hill. They are denying a "collusive effort," according to today's headline.
John Boehner is embarrassed by his past history with Newt.
In recent weeks, rival Newt Gingrich has soared in the polls, sparking worry among many congressional Republicans that the former House Speaker will win the nomination.
Romney has wide support among congressional GOP legislators, attracting 55 endorsements thus far. Gingrich, meanwhile, only has seven, according to The Hill’s tally.
Clearly, there is angst over the prospects of a Gingrich nomination. Over the last few weeks, Romney has picked up about a dozen congressional endorsements while the Georgia Republican snared just one, from freshman Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.). ...
... Nine of McConnell’s GOP colleagues in the upper chamber are backing Romney; none have gotten behind Gingrich.
Boehner denied on Wednesday that he was part of a group of rising Republican stars in 1997 who secretly tried to oust then-Speaker Gingrich.
“That was someone’s rumor — that was an inaccurate rumor,” Boehner said.
Members said to be involved, according to reports from The Hill and other publications at the time, included former Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), then-Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas), former Rep. Bill Paxton (R-N.Y.) and Boehner.
Asked repeatedly about Gingrich on Wednesday, Boehner demurred. ...The Hill
