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JOHNSTON, Iowa -- Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich told hundreds of Iowans in the state’s largest county that his new front-runner status is “disorienting.”
A crowd of more than 400 Republicans listened as the former House speaker laid out his vision for the country at the Polk County GOP Victory Dinner.
“This is such a rapid change that we’re having to rethink our own internal operation right now and where we are,” he told more than two-dozen journalists following his speech.
“We’re in a mess. We’re in a mess in Washington, we’re in a mess economically, we’re in a mess with radical judges. Just go down the list,” he told the sold-out crowd.
It was a notably different speech than Gingrich typically gives on the trail -- something he acknowledged afterwards.
“I would not have given this speech 2 weeks ago because it wouldn’t have seemed to make sense for this guy who was the underdog to be up here talking about the totality of the future,” Gingrich told reporters.
The former speaker dedicated a larger portion of his speech Thursday to attacks on President Barack Obama, calling him a “Saul Alinsky radical.”
“He believes in a world in which the classic America has disappeared. He believes in a world where the United Nations is more important than the United States Congress. He believes in a world of internationally law rather than of the U.S. Constitution,” Gingrich noted.
But the spotlight was also on Gingrich’s position on a controversial issue – child labor laws. During an earlier stop Thursday, he suggested children in poor neighborhoods should start working. Pressed following the dinner, Gingrich didn’t say what age he thought might be appropriate to get a job.
“I think the country has to decide. Different states may do it differently, different cities might do it differently,” Gingrich said. “I am trying to create a mindset that says the best way to get poor children to have a chance to rise is in fact to help them early on, learn the work ethic.”
During his roughly 45-minute speech, the speaker was interrupted frequently by applause.
“Newt Gingrich is always well organized. He is focused. And his message resonated with this crowd,” Polk Co. GOP Chairman Kevin McLaughlin told NBC News. “Social conservatives and social moderates are coming to Newt. And I think that’s a sign we have a uniter that will go the distance.”
But, the speaker still has a long road ahead. Before getting to Obama, he would have to take on Mitt Romney, whom he didn’t mention during his speech. Gingrich did not take the bait when reporters asked him to distinguish himself from the former Massachusetts governor.
“I am happy to be who I am. I think that distinguishes me from Romney,” Gingrich said. He also stated he would “probably” not attack Romney during the two upcoming debates in the first-in-the-nation caucus state.
But, he added, “If he puts his hand on my shoulder, that might be different,” a reference to a heated exchange during an October debate, when Romney placed his hand on Rick Perry.
The former House speaker, who is leading in many state and national polls, has come a long way since this summer.
“As many of you know, I was supposedly in June and July dead. So it is great to be back,” Gingrich joked during the dinner.
He received three standing ovations as 15 TV cameras rolled.
“I have to confess that while I was hoping for a wave, we’ve had sort of a tsunami,” he said.
Slideshow: Images from Newt Gingrich's career
(NBC's Jamie Novogrod contributed to this report.)
Leave a Comment:
This whole thing about Newt-wit Goodrich would be a great comedy if he wasn't taken seriously by so many numbskull, neo-nazi conservative Republicans. How pathetic is it that the once "Grand Old Party" of my parents and my great, great grandparents , the party of Lincoln, etc has fallen on such evil times as to tie their inspirations on such a poor excuse for a human.
The only positions that Grinchrich or Cain have had that in any will benefit this country are sexual positions. I understand they are collaborating on a book to be titled ' How to improve your sex life with someone other than your wife'. It's sure to be a best seller.
xvet
Newt has a lot of baggage, and I don't care, he probable knows more about running the country and foreign affairs than the rest of the candidates, and for sure more than BO the community organizer with hops expertize.
Yes Siree, of course you rightees don't care - he's breathing and that's about all it takes for you to get on board. Newt is unethical that's all that SHOULD make you care. Integrity - who needs it?
You may not like the man or some of the decisions he has made regarding his personal life but his vision for America trumps anyone of the other candidates be they Democrat or Republican. You can vote cult of personality again like you did with Obamma or you can vote for someone who can get the job done. Go down the check list and look at where he stands on the issues and you'll see he is a reasonable man. His plan to grant law abiding, tax paying illegals sanction is genius. The fact that he does not toe his partys line also shows that he has conviction on what is right and what is wrong. Then again you can vote for Obamma again and get some more of that "Change" for the worse. I told my wife 2 monthes ago when Newt was last in the polls that he was the man for the job and if people paid attention to the issues he would win the nomination.
xvet and luvenia48-you are a stereotypical nasty little left wingers. You really think it would be detremental for 16 year old inner city kids who are failing school to get jobs? I for one am sick and tired of the way you people do business and I have a feeling alot of Americans are as well. As least Newt never humped an intern in the oval office you hypocrites. And heres a news flash, Newt was born an American citizen and both of his parents were citizens at his birth. At least he can lawfully hold the office of President of the United States. How come Obamma has not produced his physical birth certificate for examination yet, just a doctored email? Any of you defending Obammas Presidency should be ashamed to call yourselves Americans.
Voice of reason, I'm definately NOT an Obama fan. But I can't stand incorrect spelling. Obama has one "M"
WOW! your still hung up on the birth rite thing?! Thats your best argument for Newt!
Go look at Newt's record... Follow the money!!
"As least Newt never humped an intern in the oval office you hypocrites"
watch this video then tell me who the hypocrite is!
Please do not allow main stream to pick your candidate!!!!!
If you were really as reasonable as you claim you wouldn't still be a birther. How do you know Grinchrich was born here and his parents were US citizens? Have you seen their birth certificates? The fact that the President's mother was a US citizen automatically makes him a citizen. Don't let your hatred of our country's first half white President cloud your judgment or your so-called reasonableness.
xvet
What a shame. Most of the comments on this thread show why this country is in the mess it is in, because of ignorant US citizens! Gingrich was a history professor. Why do we learn history in school? So WE DON'T REPEAT IT! It wasn't Bush who created the mess we are in, it goes back to the Clinton Administration. Actually we could go all the way back to Carter. In 1995 TIME Magazine voted Gingrich Man of the Year for his role in ending the 40 year majority rule by Democrats. Guess you guys can't get over that. This country needs someone who is business smart, politically smart, (by the way he holds a PhD from Tulane University). How many of you can say that? I'm assuming most of you have GED's. For those who say he won't get a woman's vote, he's got mine! As far as the private life, noone seemed to care what JFK was doing with his lovely Marilyn but he sure was a popular president who did a damn good job. What someone does in their bedroom has nothing to do with how a country is run. Get smart people, or we are going to be just like Egypt and all the other areas with uprisings!
It was late Georgia Girl, and I was a bit pissed reading all this nonsense the left spouts. I predict when Gingrich is elected there will be great weeping and nashing of teeth. The left hates him almost as much as they hate Palin. Hmmm....there's an idea :].
If Obama gets elected again I have to seriously reconsider some of my views on this country. We USED to be a yes we can people but lately it seems we are becoming more and more of a yes we can...let others kind of people. It was inevitable I guess, it's just sad is all. I'm a school teacher and I am appalled at some of the stuff they are forcing us to teach. These kids can barely read and write and we spend more time teaching "diversity" and reading books about gay penguins than we do teaching them the skills they need to survive.
@Voice of "reason" You hardly seem to be reasonable and even seem to refuse to consider any kind of reasoning that is contrary to your biased belief system. I'm a retired teacher and it's people with your attitude that reflects poorly on the teaching profession.
Serious media manipulation going on! Sounds like the Newt supporters get their info from FOX,CNN etc! All one has to do is look at what he has been involved with and see this man Newt is only loyal to himself and his supporters! FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!!!!! Judging by the post here most people are not fans of Newt. Actually any article that mentions Newt is followed by many post that don't sounds very supportive of him. I find that most poeple don't like NEwt!
Please Newt/Obama supporters please do not let the main stream media pick your candidate!! I implore you to seek out you own info and make your own decision!
I wonder how many of the Lizard's (yeah some of us down here in Georgia call him the Lizard) old female students from his professor days of teaching (wink wink wink, Lizard man) are going to come out of the woodwork and talk about what it was like to have him as a teacher. I am sure many of them have some interesting tales to tell. Remember he was fined $300,000 for ethics violations while in Congress, but I don't think any amount of money could atone for some of his unethical behavior (wink wink wink) while a professor here in his adopted state. I do hope to see a few of them come forth tho. It will be fun to see how he wiggles his way out of it, and I am sure he will have a way too.
Anybody would be disorientated if they were spinning as many LIES as the Newtster....
Such a fine example of the CULT the Republician party has become...
Don't worry Newt. Just as soon as the voters get a solid whiff of your hypocrisy and BS, your 'disorientation' will be a thing of the past. Just ask Trump, Bachmann, Perry or Cain.
great...so a drug addict's the front runner for president in the repub camp...oh well, i guess it's only logical after sarah palin and michelle bachmann....
does Cain eat puzzy ?