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Subscribe to RSSThe Associated Press is reporting that several top aides to presidential candidate Newt Gingrich have quit the 2012 hopeful's campaign.
Newt Gingrich's campaign manager and numerous other key aides have resigned together, a strong blow to his hopes for the Republican presidential nomination.
Ginrgrich press spokesman Rick Tyler told The Associated Press that he's resigned along with campaign manager Rob Johnson, senior strategists and aides in key early primary states.
Gingrich’s campaign got off to a rocky start. Confusion resulted when he offered only a brief announcement of his new website during a heavily-publicized campaign appearance in March. News coverage of his formal announcement in May was largely overshadowed by his appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, when he appeared to dismiss a GOP proposal to overhaul Medicare as “right-wing social engineering.”
He has battled questions about his personal life, most recently a POLITICO report revealing a high-dollar credit account with Tiffany’s luxury jewelry store. And he was ridiculed in the press for taking a lengthy vacation with his wife just a few weeks after he formally launched his campaign.
*** UPDATE *** NBC's Chuck Todd and Mark Murray report: NBC has confirmed the news that top aides to Gingrich -- including Dave Carney, who was heading up Gingrich's efforts in New Hampshire -- have resigned from the campaign.
Carney is a former key adviser to Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is mulling a presidential bid. And Carney says in a statement to NBC: "The professional team came to the realization that the direction of the campaign they sought and Newt vision for campaign were incompatible."
In addition to Carney, Politico is reporting that other key aides have departed the Gingrich campaign as well. They include campaign manager Rob Johnson, spokesman Rick Tyler, and consultant Katon Dawson.
*** UPDATE 2 *** NBC's Domenico Montanaro reports: Longtime Gingrich ally and attorney, Randy Evans, tells First Read that, yes, senior aides have resigned today en masse from the Gingrich campaign, but he is still on board Gingrich's presidential run.
Among those who have quit today, the man in charge of Gingrich's campaign in Iowa, Craig Schoenfeld, Schoenfeld tells First Read.
"Bottom line was there was a difference in opinion on how to conduct the campaign, in Iowa, the early primary states, and nationally," Schoenfeld said. "Mr. Gingrich deserves to surround himself with those that share his vision on how to conduct his campaign. I remain a Newt Gingrich fan… I think he would be an incredible president. I wish him the best of success."
As reported earlier, others out: longtime Gingrich spokesman Rick Tyler, strategist Dave Carney, campaign manager Rob Johnson. Others have also reported consultant Katon Dawson.
Asked why this happened, Evans said, "Very similar to John McCain in July 2007."
The implication being that McCain was counted out, but came back to win.
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There you go, but the fact is that they all quite. The fig Newton is done.
Was he in a snit because he didn't get that Tiffany watch Newtie had promised him? lol
And now those senior aides can join Rick Perry. O great trade for us, all in all.
First ad - compare number of jobs [real, bona fide] created in Texas, with the whole "saved/created/we have no honest idea."
Then we can move to tax policies and rates. And deficits, definitely the deficits.
What? Did they find out their hip-waders were not high enough, and they didn't like what was seeping in?
It certainly looks like Texas Gov. Rick Perry is putting his team together.
I see the Libs are confused on how to attack Governor Perry. ThinkProgress probably hasn't put up its hit pieces yet on Perry so the Libs can get their proper cues. You can be certain though that TP has their trolls working on it.
Hold up Rick Perry as a presidential contender? I don't think so. His inept handling of the state budget excludes him from trying to tackle the real serious problems with the country.
That said, I would welcome the governor to the circus of presidential candidate pretenders. I credit Gingrich for his "Right wing social engineering" barb, prior to his backtracking. He at least then was speaking the truth, only the GOP would welcome someone to run who would say anything to anybody for votes.
"Spanky-
And now those senior aides can join Rick Perry. O great trade for us, all in all."
Real reporters would have included Spanky's insight.
Rick Perry's getting in! The Texas economy is the envy of the nation.
Lame unfunny Texas jokes, Bush-lite jokes, and secession jokes will abound in FR la la land...
???? Tasty. Not.
OH... I SURE hope SO!
Nothing will remind the voters of their 8 year nightmare like Bush Lite!
Dude even sounds like him! lol
Perry would be great.
But really who cares who it is, Obama has done bad all by himself.
Hey Groucho how do you feel about Amy calling you a big fat turn coat? She clearly is clueless as to your points, which by the way were spot on and valid. I totally disagree with you on the issues, but I get where you are coming from.
n fact I can't for the life of me understand how there are no far more like you here.
So who is up or more tax cuts? I am.
I can only presume Feisty, Bev. and Drive By are totally on board now that they will be Obama NEWEST round of tax cuts.
He keeps this up and I'll be a little sad to see him go.
Unlike most of you (Spanky excepted), I actually am a conservative...and, I wouldn't vote for Newt Gingrich in a primary election with the current field.
However...
Bill Kristol says that Rudy Giuliani is going to run.
At first glance, Giuliani would appear to be incapable of surviving the culturally conservative Republican primary process, but John McCain was also finished and left for dead in 2008...
Too centrist...too moderate.
Still, it was McCain who ended up being the 2008 Republican presidential candidate.
Giuliani is the last guy President Obama would want to face in 2012 if the economy doesn't improve dramatically.
The popular former mayor of the biggest and most Democratic city in the United States...NYC.
Perfect...
At least Texas had a budget.
And if ineptness of handling a budget disqualifies a candidate, how does that explain Obama?
Spanky,
Answered Amy's comments and saw yours. You just love that lib on lib fighting don't you?
Amy hasn't had the Kool-Aid yet and I'm sure there is a middle ground we libbies can agree on.
But Yellowdog thinks Obama is the pinnacle of handling the economy and the federal budget, right Yellowdog? I mean Obama is faster than a speeding bullet, can change the course of mighty rivers, leap tall buildings in a single bound and who disguised as Hussein Abdalla, a mild mannered politician serving in Washington DC offering truth, justice and the liberal American way...
Amazing how liberals can't see past the nose on their faces.
I ain't going to lie Groucho, yes I do.
But brother it's going to get a whole lot worse around here for your type. That'd be people who actually think and who actually care about the issues and results.
I get you don't like Obama because of taxes, and no single payer. But in Amy, Bev. and Feisty's world it is either unconditional Obama love or you are a traitor/devil, or worse a , gasp, republican.
Like Amy admitted - it all emotion, no thought.
Good times, right?
And Yellow Dog? What is it $23 billion deficit in Texas? 1. that's a two year budget, and two, Cali craps $11.5 in deficit every 11 days.
And like so many have said - at least they got a budget. Now where did Pelosi go off to? And Reid, what's he got? No budget, that's what.
Hypocrisy is no barrier for a Republican Presidential candidate. Gingrich is one of several icons in this regard. Enter Perry. This guy takes it up a notch.
This is the guy who talked about seceding from the Union. Now, we talks about running it. This is the guy who whined about too much federal interference in his state, and then sniveled that the feds didn't come in to help when the wildfires hit. This is the guy who isn't honest enough to acknowledge the incredible federal benefit to Texas, courtesy of the military. This is the guy who presides over a state where they are Palinizing history books.
It's hard to believe the race to head the Republican ticket could get crazier. There is simply no limit to how crazy the lunatic fringe of the Republican Party can get. My condolences to Eisenhower Republicans.
Spanky - But in Amy, Bev. and Feisty's world it is either unconditional Obama love or you are a traitor/devil, or worse a , gasp, republican
This says a lot about their judgement. In real terms it would be clinical irrationality. Irrational behavior based upon an emotional attachment to a figment of their imagination. Considering that Obama has at best exasperated the worsening condition of the economy, tried to buck the Constitution on more than one occassion and plays an awful game of golf.
Spanky,
For some people criticism of the President is not allowed, especially if you post here. That's the third rail of FR politics. Like I said to Amy, it's your job as a citizen to criticize the the things you don't like and the Constitution absolutely guarantees that right. I can still vote for the guy but I don't have to agree with EVERYTHING he says and does. Passion is great. Blind obedience leads to loss of rights and freedom. Any student of history will tell you that.
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy .....
Got my slippers, my combover haircut instruction kit, and my feather boa, and I'm ready for Rudy.
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy .....
So far the republicans have brought forth a couple of has beens and a few never will be's... But the season is still ongoing. One candidate will hit a home run... and I can't wait for the criticism of that person as 2012 draws near. Maybe, and this is food for thought, the one that will win the nod is sitting on the sidelines, while the liberals all focus their hatred on the one's that have announced. It's a known fact that liberals have this insatiable appetite for skewering the opposition... even if it's not on the issues. Liberals will pick on their size, shape, and even the amount of nose hairs if they think it will help their cause.
@Brian B - But Yellowdog thinks Obama is the pinnacle of handling the economy and the federal budget, right Yellowdog? I mean Obama is faster than a speeding bullet, can change the course of mighty rivers, leap tall buildings in a single bound and who disguised as Hussein Abdalla, a mild mannered politician serving in Washington DC offering truth, justice and the liberal American way...
Left early BrianB didn't see your posts. Stick around here a while I do not blindly follow Obama. I thought the tax cut extension was a mistake in 2010. I think he wasted more then 1/3 of the stimulus with unnecessary tax cuts. I dislike the fact that he wilted when it came down to it about the public option in HCR. I abhor the fact that he built troop strength up in Afganistan - twice. I acknowledged much to liberal criticism here that there is no such thing as "offensively" protecting civilians by helping the Libyan rebels in a civil war. I've criticized his attempt at Israeli/ Palestinian peace when he floated an idea that Israel can't and won't accept.
You are right republicans right now - has beens never wills.
Spanky - Perry is using a sledgehammer to diminish social services and education in Texas. What he can't cut he will use smoke and mirror to balance the budget. Obama and democrats must cut spending reasonable (everything on table) and raise taxes on all. All of us.
Mixed Bag - My friend, have not seen you in a while!
He'll be among the first to drop out.
Newt will do whatever, however, whomever, whenever, it takes for power to the Office of The President. When you spend $500,000 In Jewelry how can you tell the American People to give up all their wordly goods and follow you? The guys really a CAD!
LoL Where do they think they'll get a job now if they had anything to do with that deal about Ryan's plan?
Shocker. Newt's going to get his old job back at Fox faster than he imagined.
Maybe he has new Tiffany's bills to pay.
Excellent point AM - Whereas Weiner sends out a bunch of dick pics and the media and dems all say for 10 days that is a personal matter, Newt's shopping habits are anything but.
Huh.
Remember: Anyone who quotes verbatim these rats leaving the sinking ship is telling a flasehood.
Well, hey- yeah, mpdodgson. You're right. I forgot....
I figured he would be the first to go. Let's face it, today's Republican party is not the same one that Newt was in in the 90's.
His very first forray on TV proved that. He spoke his mind and was told my the new party leaders that:
It's too bad because he was one of the "grown-ups" in the room. Now he can go back and rant & rave on Fox... Perhaps he will ask us to buy gold?
They all do it on progressive radio, too. Rachel Maddow did it when she still had her radio show. I like ProFlowers better, or Carbonite. They all do those, too.
Flowers? Come on AM buy gold. For real.
Flowers die. Gold appreciates. See you libbies always going for the pretty.
Actually when I heard Newt on MTP - I got pretty worried because he was making sense. And (at the time) had the guts to tell it like it is. Then he got called out by the Republicans about how you have to support Ryan's plan and get with the program. So he showed that he has nothing after all.
Rick Perry wanted to secede from the United States - treason.
Hey moonbats, the Washington Post and New York Times are recruiting "the public" to help them go through 24,000 emails Governor Palin of Alaska sent...
Oh boy, maybe there will be a misspelling in Palin's email , that will keep you libs guffawing for weeks....easily amused, you are.
Clearly, even though the economic news is tough, GOP "advisers" and "staffers" job hop without difficulty. How many days will it take for each of the staffers to end up somewhere else? maybe at higher pay?
So now you won't have (name of latest candidate to drop out here) to kick around anymore...*
*apologies to (or maybe royalties due) Richard M. Nixon...
Hey Bob; First, stick to the topic will 'ya? And second, unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you may remember everyone (from wingnut King Breitbart on down) sifting through a cetain Democrat Congressmans tweets. On the upside--thank God Klondike Barbie turned out to be a quitter--otherwise there'd be 48,000 'Dear Todd' mails to pore over.
I just read this on a different message board (sorry- no link to quote):
"Record exports and lower oil prices unexpectedly helped narrow the U.S. trade deficit, easing concern that the economy is faltering, Bloomberg reported.
The gap shrank 6.7 percent to $43.7 billion in April, its lowest level since December, U.S. Department of Commerce figures showed today."
Oh, crap- this can't be good, can it?
Ah a true Weiner-eyed optmist, our Drive By.
Say genius, you think it just might have something to do with the ever declining dollar?
Plus even with a Weiner in your eye you can see that there is a $43.7 BILLION gap, and it ain't in our favor.
It isn't really surprising given Newt had no chance in Iowa, and actually took a vacation from the campaign. Serious declared candidates don't take time off for a summer vacation! As far as Rick Perry, I'd love him to be the GOP nominee. Although I think the Iowa GOP would be unhappy to learn until 1989 he was an elected Democratic officeholder in Texas, and in the 1988 Presidential campaign he supported Al Gore in the Presidential primaries, and was Gore's state chair in Texas!
It isn't really surprising given Newt had no chance in Iowa, and actually took a vacation from the campaign. Serious declared candidates don't take time off for a summer vacation! As far as Rick Perry, I'd love him to be the GOP nominee. Although I think the Iowa GOP would be unhappy to learn until 1989 he was an elected Democratic officeholder in Texas, and in the 1988 Presidential campaign he supported Al Gore in the Presidential primaries, and was Gore's state chair in Texas!
It isn't really surprising given Newt had no chance in Iowa, and actually took a vacation from the campaign. Serious declared candidates don't take time off for a summer vacation! As far as Rick Perry, I'd love him to be the GOP nominee. Although I think the Iowa GOP would be unhappy to learn until 1989 he was an elected Democratic officeholder in Texas, and in the 1988 Presidential campaign he supported Al Gore in the Presidential primaries, and was Gore's state chair in Texas!