Gingrich: Super committee failure 'good for America'

 

NASHUA, N.H. -- Newt Gingrich declared that the congressional "Super Committee's collapse" would be "good for America."

"I think it's going to fail,” Gingrich said at a campaign stop at Rivier College. “And I think it should fail, because it's exactly wrong.”

Today is considered the final day for Democrats and Republicans to agree on a plan that would need pass before Thanksgiving in order to avoid automatic spending cuts to Defense and social programs.

"It's not that Washington is inherently gridlocked,” the former Speaker contended. “It is that the current players are behaving in the current way are inherently gridlocked. It's partially president's fault, partially Congress's fault, but it's a mess.”

He added, "They were trying to break out of the mess by being, in my judgment, even dumber -- that is creating a committee of 12 picked by the political leadership to magically get in a room to come up something that 535 couldn't solve. It's profoundly the wrong direction.... It's a major reason I am running for president.”

As for what he would propose if he were in office, Gingrich was unclear. He said he encourages every subcommittee to revisit their budgets and cut spending, and he does not support repealing the Bush tax cuts.

"I'm in favor of not raising any taxes on an economy that has 9% unemployment," he said. "The reason is simple -- we know how to create jobs."

Gingrich, whose campaign team quit on him months ago and was low on resources, has ridden his debate performances -- and benefited from the stumbles of rivals -- to higher poll numbers both nationally and in New Hampshire. Today, he attempted to distinguish himself from the rest of the GOP field and make a general-election argument focused on those debate performances.

"If you stop and ask yourself, 'It's October of 2012, we get to the debates -- who do you want to have debate Obama to draw clarity between the various lies he will be telling and the truth?'” Gingrich said. “And I think most people end up thinking I'm a better debater than my friends are.”

Gingrich also slammed Obama on spending and leadership, calling his administration "a 16-year-old with the first credit-card kind of problem."

On immigration, Gingrich quipped, "FedEx and UPS track 24 million packages…. They allow you to track them at no extra cost. The federal government cannot currently find a million people," he said to laughter. "FedEx and UPS can track packages while they're moving; the federal government can't find people when they're sitting still! My policy is send everybody a package."

Discuss this post

Jump to discussion page: 1 2 3

"Super Committee's collapse" would be "good for America."

The sicko salamander Cheering FAILURE!!

Then there is this blast from the Newter's past;

This week, Allison Vivas of Pink Visual received a fax from Newt Gingrich’s American Solutions for Winning the Future (ASWF) group, informing her that she’s been chosen for a 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year award by his Business Defense and Advisory Council. From the letter obtained by ThinkProgress:

Newt would like to arrange a private dinner with you at the historic Capitol Hill Club on the evening of October 7, 2009 in Washington. You’ll dine privately with Newt at this exclusive venue and he’ll take the occasion to present you with your well deserved award and have your photo taken together.

This tremendous honor is a testament to your success in building your business and recognition of the risks you take to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

As an award winner, you’ll be on the ground floor as Newt and his Council begin the work to turn this country around. … Newt is looking forward to hearing your ideas on getting the economy moving again and getting your feedback on his plans over dinner.

Pink Visual is a porn DVD superstore — not the type of company you’d expect Gingrich would want stimulating the economy. ThinkProgress contacted Gingrich aide Joe Gaylord, who sent the faxed letter to Vivas, but we didn’t receive a response. An ASWF representative reportedly called Pink Visual this morning saying it had “inadvertently” sent the fax to Vivas and was retracting the honor. Pink Visual’s marketing coordinator Q Boyer didn’t buy the excuse

  • 17 votes
#1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:30 AM EST

It realy is surprising to see the Debt Commission fail.

Obama has so much effort into ensuring that the debt and deficits get tackled, and soon.

Say, what ever happened to Simpson-Bowles?

I do wonder, just what is Hillary up to these days? We had Caddell, then even Matthews jumpin in to dog pile on Obama.

  • 9 votes
#1.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:38 AM EST

Sorry, Newt failure is not an option. Except, of course in your case when you fail to get the nominee.

Oh, the same goes for the Presidency. The number of people applying for unemployment and food stamps. The number of people applying for unemployment would make you the ultimate food stamps President. In colloquial terms:

Newt fuggatboutit

  • 12 votes
#1.2 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:39 AM EST

Bev, he will console himself with a trip to the Greek Islands, after stopping by Tiffany's first!

  • 14 votes
#1.3 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:42 AM EST

Of course the Left-wing dolts around here will focus on the headline, read no further, and bash Gingrich. If you read the entire article though, what Gingrich says makes sense. Newt has it right as to why our Congress would delegate the job of 535 members to 12 members and expect any kind of solution. The "Super Committee" wasn't super at all, they got exactly no work done. Just another diversion for the weak minded that expected anything to come from these 12.

The Congress needs to go back to doing what they should do, passing a budget. The budget from the House is still tabled in the Senate, that would be a good starting point for the Senate - create their version of the budget and have a conference committee work out the differences. That's how it's worked before, before Harry Reid became the Senate lead, and that is how it will work in the future. No one is interested in spending cuts starting in 2013 or later, they're interested in cuts THIS year.

  • 13 votes
#1.4 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:43 AM EST

No JAS1 - I think Feisty did read the article.

She is simply incapable of forming an thought independent than ThinkProgress.

Plus I'm sure she is still reflecting on the tremendous victory that the conservatives won in Spain.

Can you imagine - Spain, a capital of progressive ideas. Spain, Greece, Italy, California, and Ill. All in a race to implosion, all the bluest of the blue.

Except there goes Spain, getting all conservative, gonna open a can of austerity whoop ass on them socialists.

Good times.

Right Feisty? You know it.

  • 11 votes
#1.5 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:47 AM EST

No JAS1 - I think Feisty did read the article.

Who's "Feisty"?

Spanky: Can you imagine - Spain, a capital of progressive ideas. Spain, Greece, Italy, California, and Ill. All in a race to implosion, all the bluest of the blue.

And we see the results, protests in the streets. It's not easy for the takers to not be able to take anymore because there is nothing left to take. And the ones dependent on those government services will be very, very angry.

It's tough when a country goes broke.

  • 10 votes
#1.6 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:49 AM EST

what Gingrich says makes sense

"There are none so blind as those who will not see..."

  • 18 votes
#1.7 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:50 AM EST

Who's "Feisty"?

Surely you remember Sniffy - I'm the one who has been handing you, your XX size ass daily! ;o)

Tighten up that feed bag of yours darling - you're coming up lamer then usual these days!

  • 17 votes
#1.8 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:53 AM EST

Yeah Not - but isn't it fun when they start to clue in?

Take my 2nd favorite MSNBC host Matthews. He seems to be figuring it out now, eh?

So tingly it's all numb for him now, and he is not amused.

  • 9 votes
#1.9 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:54 AM EST

We don't need to bash Newt JAS1, he does a good job of that his self with his lies. What the 535 members of the tea people republican congress need to do is get to work and stop taking vacations every other week. This is not only the do nothing tea people GOP republican congress, it's the lazy tea people GOP republican do nothing congress. Their moto-when is our next vacation.

  • 15 votes
#1.10 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:54 AM EST

Gosh Feisty it seems like just yesterday it was you who said "you know you have won the argument when they attack you personally."

So what's this about feed bags?

Just giving up already - it's not even 9:00 on Monday.

Man Fiesty, I though you had more fight in you.

Oh well.

  • 9 votes
#1.11 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:57 AM EST

Spanky: Take my 2nd favorite MSNBC host Matthews. He seems to be figuring it out now, eh?

What Chris has figured out is that his audience is next to zero and he's got to draw some others into watching his stupid show. Chris is nothing but a Carnival Barker trying to make a buck, he couldn't care less about how he does it.

  • 8 votes
#1.12 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:01 PM EST

BIG thanks to Newt for giving me a reason to be FOR the Super Committee.

To wit: He's against it.

But David is right. It was designed to fail, so that tough decisions wouldn't have to be made in public.

  • 13 votes
#1.13 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:02 PM EST

AM: BIG thanks to Newt for giving me a reason to be FOR the Super Committee.

To wit: He's against it.

But David is right. It was designed to fail, so that tough decisions wouldn't have to be made in public.

So you're for a committee that was designed to fail, while Newt was against the committee because he knew it would fail. And for some unknown reason you take some weird kind of moral superiority with that position.

Good one AM.

  • 10 votes
#1.14 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:07 PM EST

So AM - was the Debt Commission designed to fail?

Economic reality is hard. No biggie, we are only staring down a $15 Trillion hole.

Besides - we can always push up that pesky debt limit. Too bad we will have to do so in just a few months.

  • 5 votes
#1.15 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:08 PM EST

Spanky-

It realy is surprising to see the Debt Commission fail.

Obama has so much effort into ensuring that the debt and deficits get tackled, and soon.

Spanky I think you failed your civics class

It's not the President's job to legislate.

Chris is a "Gone with the Wind" pundit. His 6pm show should be replaced with Martin Bashir.

  • 9 votes
#1.16 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:27 PM EST

Did you folks watch Meet The Press on Sunday?

That show should be required viewing for anyone who intends to vote in 2012.

I couldn't believe how proudly the Republican presented his position: that he would not agree to raising taxes on millionaires, even to convince Democrats to cut entitlements, and get our deficit under control.

There was John Kerry, telling us he has demonstrators from the left outside hiis office, protesting cuts, and he was willing to compromise with Republicans, but they wouldn't agree to raise revenues! It's unbelievable. Watching Kerry, I felt so proud of having voted for him in 2004. Today's Republican primary candidates aren't fit to touch the hem of his suit. Kerry is a real public servant, risking his own party's wrath to do what is right for the whole country. Republicans have no intergrity. They are working for their lobbyist masters, not for America.

  • 13 votes
#1.17 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:31 PM EST

we can always push up that pesky debt limit

Yes spankles, it is a crying shame what dubya and you republicans did to President Clinton's balanced budget and surplus out of your own personal greed.

You remember the 1990's don't you... the good times? Democrats in Washington DC, unprecedented technological and economic growth, more cops on the streets and teachers in the classrooms, enhanced infrastructure throughout our nation.... and on, and on.

But you guys just can't stand prosperity can you spank? Certainly not when it is the "other guy" instead of you getting that dollar for your pocket. So what did Republicans do with that 1990's prosperity spanky? Please remind us again - without your famous history re-writes, thank you. Like sgt Friday said, just the facts, mam, just the facts.

But you're incapable of doing that without the RNC spin and talking points aren't you Spanky.

Yeah - put a Republican in the White House and "push up that pesky debt limit..."

Now I suppose you will ramble on about "that was then, this is now" and "Democrats are the ones doing that" or "Obama's tax breaks" that Bush inisisted upon....

I think Mickey is correct; past time for you to get a new line of retoric - everyone on here is tired of your trite, overworked RNC spin. Update your act.

  • 16 votes
#1.18 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:33 PM EST

Beverly, I second the idea of replacing Chris Matthews with Martin Bashir. It's bad enough to listen to Matthews debate himself and interrupt his guests constantly once in an afternoon--which I rarely watch it any more--let alone MSNBC re-running it an hour later. Put Matthews on at 2 CST and Martin at 4 & 6. Bashir's show is terrific.

Up with Chris Hayes is must-see TV on weekends. Intelligent, lengthy discussion with representatives from both right and left.

No, Amy, MTP lost me as a viewer when David Gregory forgot to challenge the absurd. Now I just watch the clips I choose via the web page. John Kerry did a super job.

  • 9 votes
#1.19 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:47 PM EST

Not as Stupid as you think, nicely done smack down #1.18.

  • 7 votes
#1.20 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:52 PM EST

So you're for a committee that was designed to fail, while Newt was against the committee because he knew it would fail. And for some unknown reason you take some weird kind of moral superiority with that position.

No, I was against it all along, as I knew, like David, that it would fail. It was meant to be that way, right from the start.

Good one AM.

Why, thank you, JoAnna. I'm SO glad you recognize it.

Spanky:

So AM - was the Debt Commission designed to fail?

Why, yes, Spanky, I think I just said that. And I said it at the time.

NO one in Washington wanted to make the really tough decisions, so they just passed the buck.

But that's NOT a good thing, as Newt suggests. Because what on earth do we do now?

p.s. I feel sorry for Patty Murray and anyone else on that committee who took the position thinking it actually had a chance to work. They were ALL suckered and sacrificed.

  • 3 votes
#1.21 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:48 PM EST

@Spanky - Please...be clear. Debt Commission was created to offer suggestions to fix the economy...not law. It succeeded. Super Committee was designed to make law to fix the economy. It is failing almost as badly as you are failing to make the distinction between the two.

@JoAnnaSmith1 - The reason why you have 12 people talk as opposed to 535 talk is quite clear. Usually in business, you don't have an entire department come into certain meetings...you have the management come in. Those managers then tell their subordinates what had been decided at the meeting. Secondly, I did read the article...what I took from it was Newt blamed Obama (who was asked to stay out of the debt committee debates by the Republican party) and the committee, and when he was asked how he would fix the problem he wouldn't (or didn't) have any solutions. Then he made a joke about one of the major issues in the country.

  • 8 votes
#1.22 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:56 PM EST

It's impractical to think we can tackle this deficit with just cuts or increased revenues. The Democrats have come to this realization. When will the Republicans? 600 billion in both cuts and taxes is fair. Now do it.

I am a fiscal conservative and what the Republicans are offering is not fiscally responsible. The Republicans are setting themselves up to lose this next election with their blind-sighted allegiance to Grover Norquist. Newt has also made this pledge.

  • 9 votes
#1.23 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:53 PM EST

"If you stop and ask yourself, 'It's October of 2012, we get to the debates -- who do you want to have debate Obama to draw clarity between the various lies he will be telling and the truth?'”

Actually, the only candidate I'd love to watch debate Obama would be Ron Paul.

    #1.24 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:03 AM EST

    SuperCommittee, what an oxymoron. Never had a chance! Obama wanted it to fail so he could look like a leader and blame congress. How pathetic! Blame republicans than call for compromise. How many times have we seen this show? By far the most useless president since Carter. Why have a supercommittee. Failure of leadership in the oval office? No ideas at all! Other than give stimulas to unions and failing city governments (democrats). And if that don't work well than what do I do now? Stumped?

    • 1 vote
    #1.25 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:05 PM EST

    The failure will only be good if it further cements the likelihood that all the lousy teabaggers will be voted out of office ASAP!!!

    The Tea Party is a disease on America's behind. Get rid of it!!

    • 1 vote
    #1.26 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:35 PM EST

    john kerry openly admitted on camera he and his libs had no intention of cutting the deficit, but SLOWING GOVT GROWTH. its absurd you dont get the news.

    The same crap from the whitehouse mouthpiece. Wahhh, if the rich would pay, none of this would have happened. Govt revenue according to the govts own website, revenue INCREASED (what part of that you idiot libs dont understand from the website) when they lowered the tax rate. It has been going up every year as well, despite most of us americans making less. So, to tax the wealthy would give about 200 billion more per year, BUT....... the deficit is now around 2 TRILLION per year! Debt man walkin! Dont worry, the chinese are buying 50,000 us homes per month with the interest the libs LOVE paying China. (25 BILLION PER MONTH)

      #1.27 - Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:47 AM EST
      Reply

      It's his turn to crash and burn...Oh wait! Didn't he do that once already? Yeah! Newt, did this back in 1998 when he crashed and burned in a resignation from the Speaker-ship. John Boehner and Bill Paxton negotiated with Tom Delay and Dick Armey to oust Newton Leroy Gingrich. Boy, now there's a motley group if I ever saw one! Newton Gingrich shows a greater allegiance towards and for a lobbyist likeGrover Norquist, than the American public or economy?

      • 14 votes
      Reply#2 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:38 AM EST

      Shh....that's the OLD Newt...you know...this is the NEW Newt...the one who is ANTI-Washington...the OUTSIDER. That's the one that's flavor of the week with the hapless right wing nuts so desperate they'd actually look to the blow hard professor drummed out of Congress. Now suddenly, he's gotten all respectable (and very RICH off of government coffers --the original beltway bandit strikes again--) You've gotta hand it to Newt. When he told ex number 2 that no one cared whether he actually lived by anything he espoused, he knew darn well who his backers were.

      • 1 vote
      #2.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:14 AM EST
      Reply

      I had forgotten about the Pink Visual thing. The idea of newt being "stimulated" is just downright disgusting.

      As for his comments about raising taxes with high unemployment, from the way he sounded Saturday night, all people have to do is take a bath and they will get a job. (Cause there are just so many of them there jobs around). So which way is it?

      • 10 votes
      Reply#3 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:40 AM EST

      If the low Bush tax rates were going to create jobs, wouldn't we have more jobs already? How long do we need to know it isn't going to work?

      • 14 votes
      #3.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:48 AM EST

      The idea of newt being "stimulated" is just downright disgusting.

      Newt has spilled plenty of his 'seed' all over DC!

      *BLECH*

      • 9 votes
      #3.2 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:50 AM EST

      @ Feisty

      Can I just say "Ewwww" and "YUCK!" Maybe after he loses he can advertise for Viagra or Cialis.

      • 9 votes
      #3.3 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:54 AM EST

      Maybe after he loses he can advertise for Viagra or Cialis.

      Ala Bob Dole!

      Which is what the election results are going to look like!

      Obama LANDSLIDE!

      • 13 votes
      #3.4 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:58 AM EST

      Newt is right, the committee is unconstiutional anyway. Sideshow for obama to not take any accountablility. I am not a Newt supporter, but he is right. It shoud fail, should have never happened.

      • 3 votes
      #3.5 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:55 PM EST

      the committee is unconstiutional anyway

      But it is part of the "98% of what we wanted" that the hostage takers McConnell, Boehner and company insisted on last summer.

      So Mrwsr, can you please tell me why these obstructionist Republican Congresspersons would approve something unconstitutional?

      And since you are now aware that it "...should have never happened." to begin with, will you refrain from supporting these silly teanut ideas in the future?

      • 10 votes
      #3.6 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:25 PM EST

      Now Newt wants school kids to start cleaning their own schools, especially in low income areas!!! And are they going to get paid for the work they are doing???? And who is going to pay them, the school who doesn't have enough money to teach the kids let along pay them for their work!!!!! Another JOB training Idea!!!! Child labor laws are DUMB!!!! Where is this guy going now???

      • 4 votes
      #3.7 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:43 PM EST

      Where is this guy going now???

      You really want someone to answer that??? Newt's advice to OWS protesters is to get a job and take a bath. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Bath first, job second? Dunno, but he should heed his own words, since he doesn't have a job. And I really don't want to know if he takes a bath.

      • 1 vote
      #3.8 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 8:41 PM EST
      Reply

      Wow, how can Newt keep up this incredible pace. Either he is the stupidest candidate of the bunch, or he just wants more time in the spotlight.

      • 8 votes
      Reply#4 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:43 AM EST

      It has to be either or???

      • 1 vote
      #4.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:15 AM EST
      Reply

      Well, this says it all: "As for what he would propose if he were in office, Gingrich was unclear." That's leadership we can have confidence in.

      • 12 votes
      Reply#5 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:43 AM EST

      Newt has always been unclear but no one noticed.

      • 2 votes
      #5.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:48 PM EST
      Reply

      Don't you just love the way Republicans start caring about the debt as soon as they lose power?

      Who passed Medicare part D without any funding mechanism and with a huge give away to pharmaceutical companies (not allowing the US to bargain for drug prices the way every other industrialized country does is akin to subsidizing the rest of the world's drug costs.)

      Who got us into two wars while refusing to put the costs on the books, much less pay for them?

      Who cut taxes massively in a time of war (an act which, I've heard, had never, in the history of the world, been done before. Why? Because doing such a thing would be stupid.)

      Who gleefully told us that, "Reagan showed us deficits don't matter."

      The Republicans did all those things. The Republicans don't care a bit about debt.

      Here is a sad reality Republicans need to wrap their tiny little heads around: Tax & Spend is a far more fiscally conservative course than Tax Cut & Spend.

      • 16 votes
      Reply#6 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:44 AM EST

      nisl, well said.

      Can't say how many times I've asked GOPTP FR posters why they were silent from 2001 through 2008 as the debt rose by leaps and bounds; why weren't they in the streets with tea bags stapled to their clothes and hats demanding Bush and the GOP pay for the two wars, pay for the unfunded Rx Medicare Plan, and all the other stuff they charged. Funny, they just ignore that question.

      • 11 votes
      #6.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:58 PM EST

      And don't forget, it was Cheney who proclaimed debts and deficits do not matter, and all the republicans fell into line on that one. Of course, now that a democrat has the White House, it is time to reverse course.

      • 4 votes
      #6.2 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:28 PM EST

      I think the alarm went off with the Tea Party when Obama threw the deficit throttle into hyper-drive to fund ridiculous union pay-backs....

      • 1 vote
      #6.3 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:03 PM EST

      You can't out spend a republican/\

      • 3 votes
      #6.4 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:52 PM EST

      sandy-2984954

      You can't out spend a republican/\

      Obama proved you wrong already.

      • 3 votes
      #6.5 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:34 PM EST
      Reply

      That's just stupid enough to get him the nomination.

      In a way, this was always Gingrich's achilles heel. He's too smart, really for either party. Rather undisciplined and arguably without core principles. But seriously smart.

      It's always been a hindrance to him as a politician. People can't figure out what he's talking about, and he gets impatient waiting for them to catch up.

      • 5 votes
      Reply#7 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:46 AM EST

      No, I think he is a bit of a dolt actually. I don't think he is as smart as Romney or Huntsman, and he doesn't even approach Obama intellectually.

      But he sure likes to think of himself as smart.

      • 11 votes
      #7.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:49 AM EST

      I totally agree with you, nisl. I have thought that about Newt for quite awhile. He wants the people to think he is this great intellectual but he really is quite average. However, his ego makes people think he smarter than he actually is.

      • 12 votes
      #7.2 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:59 AM EST

      Paul, I heard Newt described as an intellectual sociopath on a talk show on Sunday, and it's true, he can frame an argument to suit any position he takes because he doesn't really believe in anything. Well, he believes in making millions of dollars "advising" an organization he supposedly doesn't support, but that's about it for his belief system.

      • 9 votes
      #7.3 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:16 PM EST

      Old Newt is nothing more than a big ol fat blow hard, that doesn’t have a clue on how to run government.

      • 8 votes
      #7.4 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:26 PM EST

      Can't argue with that characterization, Amy. I'd expand it a little to say all politicians have a bit of those sociopathic tendencies. Remember one of the reasons it's hard for long-standing senators to execute successful presidential campaigns is because in the course of a career they probably have been on all sides of a bunch of issues. But Newt is better than most at it. Does that make him more sociopathic or more intelligent?

      Clinton was really smart, too. And also undisciplined. So there are some comparisons with Gingrich. The big contrast, though, is that Clinton enjoyed retail politics. He seemed to really love walking people through his lateral connections, step by step, and because he enjoyed it he was good at it. Newt is inclined to more quickly arrive at his end point and you can't keep up, screw you.

      Though I will say if you can catch Gingrich is a slower, less political setting, like a university talk, he also seems to enjoy the audience then. I haven't heard him speak, but know others who have, and they were impressed. But in the cut throat world of politics, he just comes across the way he comes across, and the stars would really have to allign for that type of personality to be successful in a national campaign.

      • 7 votes
      #7.5 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:33 PM EST

      I actually don't agree that Newt is all that smart. He couldn't resist called Paul Ryan's medicare plan "right wing social engineering" because it appealed to his idea of himself as an intellectual dandy to come out with that phrase, but what conservative would support him after making that smart remark? I mean, what is intellegiance? If it is playing with words, we might as well elect a pundit. But pundits are forever getting things wrong. And, if a politician insults what should be his base, how is that smart?

      • 5 votes
      #7.6 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:46 PM EST

      Sorry, I just don't consider Newt Gingrich the "super smart" guy he claims to be. He is good at deflecting and spinning his answers into jibber-jabber to confuse listeners and sound smart but when you look at what he said, it's not smart at all, its jibberish. Gingrich knows how to talk as if he's smart without being smart. I'd say Jon Huntsman is far more intelligent that Newt. Now there's a one on one debate I could watch and enjoy.

      The GOP has been telling people how intelligent Gingrich is, waving the "he's so smart" flag for so long that even they believe it. He's not that smart, he just knows out to manipulate people.

      • 7 votes
      #7.7 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:02 PM EST

      There's a lot of smart people who intentionally make self-destructive statements and actions. I have no idea why.

      The social engineering comment was politically self-destructive. No doubt about it. And Gingrich, who certainly knows Washington and party politics, knew that when he said it.

      He was appealing to his definition of conservative, which is a pretty good definition, compared to a party that only gives the word lip service without really thinking about what it means. A conservative in the traditional sense of the word tends not to make radical changes. The old mantra was first, do no harm. And conservatives - again, real conservatives, rather than today's Republicans - tend not to trust radical solutions and changes from either side.

      If there is a real Gingrich, probably a lot of it was represented in the comment. While the later backtracking probably represents the more political, soul less Gingrich.

      • 4 votes
      #7.8 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:14 PM EST

      Actually, I'd say smarter people probably more often are self-destructive. Again, no idea why. Haven't thought about it much.

      Maybe its because they feel guilty when they aren't being true to their thoughts, and every once in a while, that guilt comes out. Less intelligent people perhaps more often tend to just go with the flow, without reflective analytic thought. Therefore are less apt to act contrary to thoughts they never had.

      Like they say, ignorance is bliss.

        #7.9 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:22 PM EST

        No he's not intelligent he's an idiot who has no moral character.

          #7.10 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:55 AM EST
          Reply

          He added, "They were trying to break out of the mess by being, in my judgment, even dumber

          Newt is the poster boy for dumber, so he should know.

          Gingrich said. “And I think most people end up thinking I'm a better debater than my friends are.”

          Newt miss spoke, he meant to say most people end up thinking I'm a better liar than my friends are.

          Anyone voting for this bag of wind really isn't paying attention. You have to listen to what he means and does not what he says.

          • 11 votes
          Reply#8 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:46 AM EST

          So Mo - when he 'miss spoke' did he miss the oppotunity to speak?

          Poster boy for 'dumber.' Good on Mo.

          • 6 votes
          #8.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:51 AM EST

          Thanks Spanky for showing you're not paying attention, and you listen to what Newt says and not what he means or does. I love it when you post something and then a tea people GOP republicans post confirms what you posted.

          • 10 votes
          #8.2 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:03 PM EST

          What's up Mo.

          Listen, I was paying attention- to what you said - your term 'miss spoke.'

          But I can see you don't understand.

          By the way what is 'a tea people GOP republicans?'

          • 5 votes
          #8.3 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:12 PM EST

          By the way what is 'a tea people GOP republicans?

          You Spanky you.

          • 6 votes
          #8.4 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:09 PM EST

          you voted for Obama ....the biggest liar....shoval ready jobs .... you can keep your own doctor ... ect ect

          • 5 votes
          #8.5 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:27 PM EST

          Give the lies and worn out fake news talking points a rest. Don't the baggers have any new material? Guess not seeings that they haven't had a new idea in Congress in 30 years.

          • 1 vote
          #8.6 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:02 PM EST
          Reply

          Curious...

          With the Supercommittee's failure so many people want to throw the blame at the President. Doesn't anyone remember...

          "We got 98% of what we wanted." - John Boehner

          So, does the Speaker of the House have anything to say today? Doesn't anyone demand an explanation from him?

          • 10 votes
          Reply#9 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:55 AM EST

          The 2011 Teabaganeese Dictionary is out:

          Rom (yes) ney (no)

          1. to flip flop ie to say anything to
          anyone to try and garner support. 2. To offer a medical health system and
          than flip flop when that same system is implemented on a larger scale

          Bac (I hate) men ( straight men)

          1. to marry a gay man.

          Santurum

          1. a frothy man on man concoction

          Ging (make me) rich (rich)

          1. To do anything to incur wealth 2. To yell at the media to try and deflect from
          issues at hand 3. To leave a dying spouse while cheating on said spouse

          • 8 votes
          Reply#10 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:57 AM EST

          The GOP is having a fit that this thug is ahead now .....she said "i would rather not vote.. then have him in the number one spot" !...She also added " a man this sick ..lol at the unemployed.. acting as if its a joke "Has no place in my government " !

          • 7 votes
          Reply#11 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:02 PM EST

          People keep forgetting that it was the Republican Party that threw Newt out for being a scumbag.

          The Democrats contribution to the fall of Newt Gingrich was mostly limited to a lot of eye-rolling and the frequent repetition of, "I told you so."

          • 8 votes
          #11.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:08 PM EST

          Dont worry Obamas past will be brought back up again for real this time since most people are over the blk man thing ... I.E. Bill Ayers , Van Jones, Rev Wright, Soros and how about where he got his house in chicago.

          • 1 vote
          #11.2 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:44 PM EST

          What, kevin mcneil, no mention of the teleprompter or 57 states? If that's the best the right has, good luck.

          • 5 votes
          #11.3 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:13 PM EST

          Well it seems thats all the left does ... cain, perry,bachman thats all they do is bring up gaffs oh and you forgot the one where obama says his muslim faith oh i mean my christian faith ........

          • 1 vote
          #11.4 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:25 PM EST

          Kevin: I agree, it is pitiful how the righties can only come up with things like gaffs for criticisms. Oh well, that will make great campaign fodder! Like you got to "think fodder than that"!

          • 2 votes
          #11.5 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:03 PM EST
          Reply

          Newt's lining his pockets at the expense of the tea people GOP republicans.

          • 8 votes
          Reply#12 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:05 PM EST

          And the republicans don't even know it. Newt is a big-time Con man.

          • 4 votes
          #12.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:16 PM EST

          They know. That's what they all are.

            #12.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:07 PM EST
            Reply

            This is totally unrelated to anything, but thanks for your indulgence as the City of Pittsburgh celebrates the return of Sidney Crosby of the Penguins to the ice tonight! IR---I know you are a Caps fan (and Grimey, too, I think) but I hope you will agree that having the best player in the game back on the ice is good for everyone.

            • 3 votes
            Reply#13 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:06 PM EST

            Heard that this morning on Mike and Mike. Glad to see him back and I hope he stays healthy. He is good for hockey.

            • 2 votes
            #13.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:15 PM EST
            Reply

            I keep wondering why we waste the time to interview the patients at the state mental hospital about anything. Are we surprised that their answers always involve a second gunmen, Marilyn Monroe, the mob and the grassy knoll? If that is lost on the younger crowd - is it any wonder that their answers to everything are Freddie, Fannie, Frank and poor people buying houses?

            • 4 votes
            Reply#14 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:07 PM EST

            Wm, good one!

            • 2 votes
            #14.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:18 PM EST
            Reply

            What Newt meant to say is, Americas failure is good for me. That's the tea people GOP republicans agenda.

            • 9 votes
            Reply#15 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:09 PM EST

            It would be a great pleasure to watch Newt take Obama apart in any debate.

            • 4 votes
            Reply#16 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:37 PM EST

            All the while singing the Divinyls "I Touch Myself" saying Go Newt, Go Newt

            • 1 vote
            #16.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:39 PM EST

            That will never happen. Even if Gingrich got the nomination you have to deal in facts when debating a real debator.

              #16.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:10 PM EST
              Reply

              Newt Gingrich, the one who led the infamous Government shutdown in the 90's, whining about gridlock is the ultimate oxymoron. Notice how he managed to slip some blame in for President Obama--the guy who has reached out to the GOP so many times and had his hand slapped for the effort.

              No, Newt, Congress is hopelessly gridlocked and it has nothing to do with President Obama and everything to do with Republican Party First politics, "our goal is to defeat President Obama...make him a one-term President". In other less democratic countries, the GOP would be labeled dictators and thugs by the very republican party which has become America's dicators and thugs.

              • 8 votes
              Reply#17 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:38 PM EST

              Dems are the party of no ... how about the 15 bills harrys sitting on in the senate that the house past to create jobs ???? What about the 20,000 jobs he just kissed off because he didnt want to offend any of his base.

              • 5 votes
              #17.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:47 PM EST

              It isn't 20,000 jobs for the pipeline. Not even close. And the jobs are union jobs. So he IS offending his base.

              The 15 bills don't do anything to create jobs.

              • 3 votes
              #17.2 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:09 PM EST

              Here's a link about the Keystone pipeline for ya.

              • 1 vote
              #17.3 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:13 PM EST

              If the bills dont then bring them to a vote and be done with it ... SO why wont they ? As for the pipeline he doesnt want to offend the green people or the unions so like always he put it off till after the election just like the trillion dollars in new taxs for obama care that start in 2013.

              • 3 votes
              #17.4 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:18 PM EST

              Those 15 bills do nothing to create jobs; they are the same old, same old; and those bills are filled with defunding programs for programs GOPers hate. They are not "clean" bills, they are laden with nonsense. As for the keystone pipeline, GOP state governors and legislators living in the areas opposed the high risk to the water sources and were part of the opposition.

              BTW, as displayed in the above responses to my comment regarding Gingrich, kevin mcneil uses the Rove trick of deflecting and changing the subject. How about providing your view of newt Gingrich or is that asking too much? Never mind, of course it is.

              • 5 votes
              #17.5 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:23 PM EST

              then bring them up and vote them down .....................

              • 3 votes
              #17.6 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:33 PM EST

              Has anyone read the bills that are sitting in the Senate?

              • 1 vote
              #17.7 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:55 PM EST

              Jody,

              They will cut spending, lower taxes and kill some (not all) regulations. That creates a stable market, gives consumer confidence, brings back industry. JOBS,JOBS,JOBS.

              • 2 votes
              #17.8 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:04 PM EST

              Why bring them to a vote to just encourage the GOP in the House to do nothing but pass bills trying to end run the EPA. If you don't like the regs, challenge them in court, or elect a majority to gut/repeal the EPA. Short of that, you have to play by the rules.

              • 1 vote
              #17.9 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:07 PM EST

              Wm,

              The EPA needs to be reformed just like the tax code. There is overkill and it is stopping growth.

              • 3 votes
              #17.10 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:13 PM EST

              When you do not have water to drink, try to remember your famous last words "overkill and stopping growth".

              • 3 votes
              #17.11 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:08 PM EST

              That's the part that these brain dead, greedy baggers don't get. If the EPA was'nt around with the power to enforce regulations we would all be dead or dying from pollution in the ground and air and poison in the water. I'll venture to sday that the majority of these twits who repeat that mantra haven't got a clue as to what they're advocating.

                #17.12 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:16 PM EST
                Reply

                Raise taxes on the wealthy? Even while cutting spending? Hell no, the Republicans, expecially Grover Norquist, would never have it. It's totally disgusting how a group of uneducated, misguided numbnuts can single-handedly ruin the economy. The only reason to do so, as publically stated by McConnell, is to try to not get the President re-elected. To hell with the country. And it's so obvious, anyone who doesn't get it needs to get their head out of their A$$. But the good news is, the Republican clowns that are presidential wannabes can't hold a candle to the President. Even Newt, in all his self grandeur. The GOP has seen its glory days come and go. They've dug a hole so deep, they'll never get out. And that's a good thing.

                • 5 votes
                Reply#18 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:28 PM EST

                LOL.....your own party is calling for Obuma to step down .....

                • 4 votes
                #18.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:46 PM EST

                Hey Dee, how about tightening up the tax codes so companies like GE pays their taxes. You realize GE made billions of dollars and paid zero in taxes right? Here's the insult to this whole thing, the CEO of GE is Obama's Job Czar!! Tighten up the tax code and stop the spending. Here's the problem with raising revenue aka raising taxes, the more money this Government receives the more they will spend.

                • 3 votes
                #18.2 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:11 PM EST

                How said this qoute? Obama's job Czar.

                "We've tried for a long time. We've got a great management team in Louisville. But all that manufacturing's going to be in China and Mexico,"

                • 2 votes
                #18.3 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:13 PM EST

                Hey Paul

                Yeah, I'm all for tightening up those tax codes...for ALL the corporations. You know like Koch Industries, who head up the Republican Teaparty. Yeah, tighten up those tax codes. That'll separate the men from the boys.

                • 4 votes
                #18.4 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:42 PM EST

                Kevin: you are really desperate. Have you seen how many are contributing small amounts to Obama's campaign?...he's breaking all records he set last time. And your pathetic lightweights?? Gingrich is aready out of money...no one but your fellow wishful thinkers actually believes he has a chance at the nomination.

                • 1 vote
                #18.5 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:18 AM EST
                Reply

                ..

                  Reply#19 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:55 PM EST

                  It was difficult to find a political commentator who would lower the IQ level on MSDNC, but they managed to find her.

                  Yes, it is the total package:

                  Airhead, eye-candy, vacuous, Republican- in- name-only.

                  Meghan McCain, in all her idiocy!

                  All the MSNBC analysts will tee her up to whine about 'far right" Republicans destroying the Party.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#20 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:56 PM EST

                  Well that is true, the far right wing nuts are ruining the Repblican party, fiscal responsibility is great, unfortunately the last fiscally responsible Republican Congess, Senate, and President spent like there was no tomorrow, and were the first congress and President to go to war without funding it. Put the mirror up in front of your face, and check out the jackass that has voted knee jerk republican all of his life.

                  • 3 votes
                  #20.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:47 PM EST

                  Sure Bob...I'm sure on your planet a Republican who ISN'T all about destroying America is wacko...keep up the good work...you are daily driving anyone with any brains away from the let em eat cake, never a new idea party.

                  • 1 vote
                  #20.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:23 AM EST
                  Reply

                  There goes Newt again, running to succeed President Davis.

                  One big reason the Confederacy lost The War, was that--by mid-1864--it had raised 5% of its total revenues from taxes. The North raised 21%.

                  New Century, same old ideas.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#21 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:32 PM EST

                  Like I said in a previous reply, Republicans, the only political party ever to hold power at the start of a war without providing funds, or increasing taxes. Time to cut the military budget in half, since most of our troubles can be traced to the decision to invade Iraq, now is the time to straighten out the ledger, but republican leadership still refuses to pay the cost of their idiocy in taking us into Iraq on the word of Traitor Dick and Clueless George.

                  • 3 votes
                  #21.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:53 PM EST
                  Reply

                  The Republican bill that was proposed read simply to lower taxes on the anyone making above $200k/yr and cut tax breaks to the rest of us. 

                  The Republicans know how to create jobs, he says? Because Bush had such a low unemployment rate before leaving office? 

                  This isn't 1984, Newt. Reagan handed the country over to corporations decades ago. We're past those trumped up numbers, and into the information age. Anyone with a computer can now find out what each member of Congress is doing. It's become a lot harder for them to step outside of the hill and lie through their teeth.

                  Wake up. 

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#22 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:07 PM EST

                  Drop dead Gingrich.... How is the lobbying going, oh I mean consulting....... Frackin' Icehole!

                  • 4 votes
                  Reply#23 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:19 PM EST

                  Here's the truth about "the Forgotten 15 Bills" from the House and the Failed Obama Presidency:

                  "Campaigning for another failed stimulus and more job destroying taxes, President Obama has repeatedly—and falsely—asserted that “Congress isn’t willing to move” legislation to facilitate job growth. While the president plays politics, House Republicans have been working and approving legislation to promote economic growth and job creation. The House has approved more than 15 bills that, if enacted, would immediately help to grow the economy without more failed stimulus spending. These bills are currently stalled in the Democrat-controlled Senate and the president has not encouraged the Senate to act."

                  • 3 votes
                  Reply#24 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:20 PM EST

                  The "Forgotten 15" are nothing but obvious sellouts to the same old special interests. These are more about making back-room deals, giving favors to companies in Representative's districts and home states and do very little for jobs. They should stay stuck in the Senate and never see the light of day.

                  Ok the "Forgotten 15" are:

                  The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act - Cut regulations on pesticides. (Sell out to big Agribusiness)

                  The Energy Tax Prevention Act - Prohibits Federal regulation of Green House gas emissions (Sell out to industry and energy)

                  A Resolution of Disapproval Regarding FCC’s decision to maintain the Open Internet.

                  Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act - Expediting offshore oil and natural gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and off the Virginia Coast.

                  Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act— Reinstating oil drilling permits in the Gulf Coast.

                  Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act— Allowing drilling in at least 50 percent of the Outer Continental Shelf.

                  The Jobs and Energy Permitting Act— Expediting the process of getting an offshore drilling permit.

                  The Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act—prevents the federal government from interfering with a state’s water quality program once that state has already met existing federal standards.

                  The Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2011— Allowing the Financial Oversight Stability Council to vote to set aside federal regulation.(Roll-back consumer protections)

                  The North American-Made Energy Security Act— Authorizes the Keystone XL Pipeline. (Huge environmental risk, sell out to big oil)

                  The Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act— Boeing opening a non-union factory in South Carolina. (Union-Busting)

                  The Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts Act— Creates an interagency committee to evaluate the economic impacts of EPA regulations.(Delay regulations, giveaway to polluters)

                  The Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act— Halts EPA regulations. (Special Interest giveaway)

                  The EPA Regulatory Relief Act— Stops EPA regulations (MACT rules) on hazardous air pollution from solid and liquid fuled boilers.(Special Interest Giveaway)

                  The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act— Standards for Storage and re-use of toxic coal ash reduced to 5x current levels. (Special Interest Giveaway)

                  • 5 votes
                  #24.1 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:54 PM EST

                  LEONA:

                  That is exactly how George Soros, big NWO guy, is telling Barack how to handle everything....America has to be conquered in order for the NWO to take over. Barack is nothing but Soros's puppet. Barack doesn't have the intelligence to be able to figure it out himself. What he is good at is speaking and lying. America lost her respect in this world when this man took the oath of office on January 20, 2009. No wonder we were downgraded under his administration. America will no longer exist as we have always known her to be if Barack is re-elected. That will be one of the greatest tragedies this world has ever known.

                  • 1 vote
                  #24.2 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:35 PM EST
                  Reply

                  Newt is correct once again. We finally have someone willing to speak the truth. Hooray.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#25 - Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:41 PM EST

                  ok, that's funny right thar. Newt and truth in the same paragraph. No wonder you think you don't have freedom or liberty unless someone in your party is telling you exactly how to limit those for others.

                  • 1 vote
                  #25.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:21 AM EST

                  The same crap from the whitehouse mouthpiece. Wahhh, if the rich would pay, none of this would have happened. Govt revenue according to the govts own website, revenue INCREASED (what part of that you idiot libs dont understand from the website) when they lowered the tax rate. It has been going up every year as well, despite most of us americans making less. So, to tax the wealthy would give about 200 billion more per year, BUT....... the deficit is now around 2 TRILLION per year! Debt man walkin! Dont worry, the chinese are buying 50,000 us homes per month with the interest the libs LOVE paying China. (25 BILLION PER MONTH)

                    #25.2 - Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:39 AM EST
                    Reply
                    Jump to discussion page: 1 2 3
                    You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead.
                    As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.