Gingrich claims he's been 'Romney-boated'

 Updated at 9:05a.m. ET:

WATERLOO, Iowa -- On the first day of the New Year, Newt Gingrich admitted to having been “Romney-boated” with the immense amount of negative ads being run against him, vowing that his campaign will run more contrast ads going forward.

Mitt Romney “didn't get rid of me, he just slowed me down,” Gingrich told reporters in Marshalltown, Iowa, Sunday afternoon. Asked whether he felt like he had been “swift-boated” by the barrage of ads run against him in recent weeks, Gingrich responded, “I feel Romney-boated” – a reference to the outside advertising campaign launched against Democratic nominee John Kerry in 2004.

The former House Speaker even hinted that Romney was trying to buy the election.

“He would buy an election if he could,” Gingrich told NBC News. But he wouldn’t directly say Romney was attempting to buy the 2012 election. “Well I dunno, $3.5 million in negative ads, you tell me,” Gingrich continued. 

Romney, campaigning on the opposite side of the Hawkeye State Sunday, pushed back against these allegations from the Speaker. 

“Speaker Gingrich I think announced that he raised $10 million this quarter and he ought to be proud of that. We’re working hard to raise funds, as well, this is an election,” Romney said in Atlantic, Iowa. “However, that’s not being driven by money raised, its being driven by message connection with the voters, debate and um experience and I think that those are the features that are driving the campaign so far and I think they probably will be through the entire process.”

Gingrich told reporters his campaign would be increasing the number of positive yet contrast ads on television and radio moving ahead to better combat the negative attacks from his GOP rivals.

“If somebody spends $3.5 million lying about you, you have some obligation to come back and set the record straight,” the Speaker said after his campaign heavily underestimated the damage these ads could do.

The negative attacks have worked here in the first-in-the-nation caucus state: Gingrich dropped from first place in the Des Moines Register’s early December poll to fourth place in Saturday’s DMR poll. Romney now leads in Iowa, according to the new poll, with Ron Paul and Rick Santorum finishing ahead of Gingrich. 

Gingrich told the standing-room only crowd inside LJs Neighborhood Bar and Grill here in Waterloo that not answering these negative ads was his biggest weakness. 

“I am too reasonable and I should have responded to the negative ads two weeks earlier,” Gingrich said after an interesting exchange between himself and wife, Callista, when the Speaker was asked about his biggest weakness.

The crowd began to laugh after Gingrich and Callista looked at one another with smiles about Newt’s biggest weakness. “Go ahead,” Callista told him as many in the audience expected him to perhaps mention his infidelities years ago. Rather, Gingrich stayed the course and linked his weakness answer back to the negative ads.

The Speaker’s ‘Jobs and Growth Bus Tour’ continues Monday with four stops in Eastern Iowa on caucus eve.

NBC’s Garrett Haake contributed to this report.

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None of the current GOP Candidates understand how to get this economy moving again. Romney was great at dismantling corporations, and selling off the smaller pieces at a profit, destroying jobs along the way. Every one of them speaks of creating a more "favorable climate" for investment by Corporate America, yet they all ignore the fact that the real cost of doing business in America is far less than many other Western Nations, and in fact that the tax rate has no direct corrolation to jobs. Apparently none of the candidates are students of American History, or they would comprehend that their claimed "austerity" programs are just the oppposte of what is needed to start a recovery of the American economy. They are too busy preaching to the Choir, the 25% of Americans that are right wing, and basically have theirs, and live in fear that the Democrats will raise taxes, and some how take what is rightfully theirs. GOP failed policies have done nothing but destroy the middle class, (the engine that drives our economy) swell the ranks of the working poor and unemployed, and enrich the top 2%, in assets and income, as they now own over 40% of American assets, and have increased their income by 275%. Facts are facts, and our economic history proves it. The GOP policies as repackaged by this group are nothing but the same failed policies which got us into this mess in the first place. "Tax cuts for the job creators" "Deregulation", "Trickle down theory" All a lie, It is trickle up to the rich. Deregulation got us a meltdown. Everything they are claiming will get us out of this mess will only make it worse. Get the nation working, cut waste, increase revenues, then cut spending and go for the balanced budget, not vice versa. Roosevelt tried it by cutting spending during the Depression, and about stalled the recovery that was underway. You would at least think Gingrich, the "Historian" would understand this, but he is too busy pandering to the Right to bother with fact.

What will the GOP House and Senate members do next to slow job growth down until November2012? How stupid do they think the Public really is?

    Reply#293 - Mon Jan 2, 2012 7:39 PM EST

    Actually, what it all boils down to is, any of the candidates running right now will make one hell of an improvement over the rascal that is occupying the WH now. I hope our citizens have learned a lesson about electing a person with no experience, except for a mere community organizer in one of the most corrupt cities in our country as president.

    Do your research folks and watch your election polls for more corruption as we had when Obama was elected.

      Reply#294 - Mon Jan 2, 2012 7:47 PM EST

      R O N P A U L

        Reply#295 - Mon Jan 2, 2012 7:52 PM EST

        Payback's a b!tch and she bites. See ya later, Newtie.

        • 2 votes
        Reply#296 - Mon Jan 2, 2012 8:24 PM EST

        Rangewolf

        your another flaky misinformed back woods red neck REPUB . research and know what your spew'n, oops that is speaking in English knowledge is the key to all .

        And GOLF? get a f'n grip you back woods red neck< what should it be horse shoes? then we can say that ?????????let me reiterate oops I mean restate all is bad because? it wasn't fixed before? or what fill me in, I'd love to know how (it should have been)

        Short quote, I WAS A DIE HARD REPUBLICAN UNTIL 2007, wow wee bit before President Obama, my business has been wayyy Better because of OUR President.

        (really don't expect you to understand or even have a clue ) if you do WOW!!!

        Real life dictates all and our PRESIDENT is real...

          Reply#297 - Mon Jan 2, 2012 11:41 PM EST

          Glad your medical marijuana store is working for you Yobbie! It should prosper under the Dems.

            #297.1 - Tue Jan 3, 2012 1:40 AM EST

            Wow, if I smoked guess it would prosper some how, great mind set! only I expected more, oops nope exactly what I expected, round two >>> try again.

              #297.2 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 9:44 PM EST
              Reply

              yep Romney's Pac has done a real beatdown on Newt in IA. But that may not work in SC and FL where they know Newt a bit better. Let the voting begin! 2012 The year Obama retires to Chi-town.

                Reply#298 - Tue Jan 3, 2012 1:39 AM EST

                Listening to NPR on the evening of January 21, 2010, I will never forget Newt gleefully stating in an interview that the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. –––, 130 S.Ct. 876 (2010), was the best thing that had ever happened to the American election process. I was disgusted listening to him. Today, I am delighted to see him being ruthlessly dispatched by that which he thought was so wonderful. How does it feel, Newt? I'll bet you never thought that the first victim of the Supreme Court's savage decision would be a Republican. Tell us, Newt, on that cold January night two years ago, did you ever think that you would be the first scurrilous politician to die by the Citizens United sword?

                • 1 vote
                Reply#299 - Tue Jan 3, 2012 3:57 AM EST

                Karma's a...well, you know.

                  #299.1 - Thu Jan 5, 2012 6:05 PM EST
                  Reply

                  laughing hysterically at the ad playing on Colorado right wing radio for newtie...he is such a slimy dude.....its like he doesnt even send people out to scope out the state before wasting money....he is that arrogant...Colorado is a Ron Paul or Obama state....not a bagger state ....so newtie take your ugly over priced ho and go spend money where someone at least pretends to care...

                    Reply#300 - Tue Jan 3, 2012 7:56 AM EST

                    any dude who would stand up for a guy who is stupid enough to marry a ho must live in his mommys basement....newt is a pussy whipped flamer...and with his background of gay orgies,abortions,pilfering tax payer dollars and worst of all being a snitch...he should fit right in with the pasty out of shape "stan boy crowd....

                      Reply#301 - Tue Jan 3, 2012 8:04 AM EST

                      Good posting, jennifer!

                      That pathetic Newtie Tootie ain't ever gonna be POTUS. Period! He's just gonna flap his fat face, lie about his morals and keep the $9 mil in political Q4 donations for his own personal use! And buy Calista some more sparklers at Tiffany's.

                      • 1 vote
                      #301.1 - Tue Jan 3, 2012 8:31 AM EST
                      Reply

                      Gingrich is acting like the wimp he is.

                        Reply#302 - Tue Jan 3, 2012 10:01 AM EST

                        Romney IS a liar, just as Newt said.

                        The entire Mormon Church is nothing but a SuperPAC for Mitt Romney or any other Mormon they can put into power.

                        The Mormon Cult aspires to have Dominion over the entire world. It is in their scriptures:

                        Mitt Romney and his Mormon religion officially believe:

                        "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth, but is at the present limited to an ecclesiastical kingdom. During the millennial era, the kingdom of God will be both political and ecclesiastical, and will have worldwide jurisdiction in political realms when the Lord has made 'a full end of all nations' (D&C 87: 6)." (LDS Bible Dictionary).

                        The Mormons aspire to have political dominion over the entire world! You can't bring about and end of all nations without ending the United States of America! This makes Mormons enemies of the US and the Constitution!

                        That is the most important thing you can know about Mormons.

                        Doctrine and Covenants 87:6 says this "end to all nations" will be accomplished through war and bloodshed:

                        "And thus, with the sword and by bloodshed...shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the consumption decreed hath made a full end of all nations;"

                        The Mormon 10th Article of Faith supports this Mormon Dominionist view:

                        "We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory."

                        Mitt Romney has been raised in the LDS Church, indoctrinated with this dominionist ideology, and conditioned to "follow the Prophet" no matter what. He has made secret oaths to give his life and everything he has to build up the Mormon Church ("the Law of Sacrifice").

                        In the LDS Temple "Initiatory" ritual, Mitt Romney and his wife have been secretly "anointed to become Kings and Queens, Priests and Priestesses unto the most high God, to rule and reign in the House of Israel forever".

                        Not only do Mormons believe Jesus could/will appear at any moment (sooner rather than later), they believe they are "called of god" to make these prophecies happen!

                        Doctrine and Covenants 1:14 adds that those who refuse to be ruled by this Mormon World Government will be eliminated:

                        "...the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people;"

                        We have seen this kind of authoritarian, totalitarian, fascist, world-dominionist mentality before: In Nazi Germany, among other horrible places.

                        Those who love liberty, and who love the United States of America, could never support such totalitarian, authoritarian, theocratic, dominionist fascism in any form!

                          Reply#303 - Tue Jan 3, 2012 11:38 AM EST

                          Today, Joseph Smith, Moses, Joan of Arc, Mohammed, or anybody else who claims to hear voices of the devine or devil would probably be diagnosed as a schizophrenic. And rightly so. Most of the World's religions seemed to be based on the words of crazy people. Or maybe they were crazy like a fox.

                            #303.1 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 3:31 PM EST
                            Reply

                            It's folly to just sit on the sidelines and laugh. Meanwhile we have a congress, a senate and a presidency that can and is financed by the 1%.

                            According to non-partisan group Public Campaign (www.dailyfinance.com), 30 large American corporations spent more money lobbying than they paid on federal taxes from 2008-2010. Although all the companies were profitable at the time, none paid any federal income whatsoever save FedEx, which spent 1% over 3 years instead of the 35% called for by federal tax code.

                            The amounts spent on lobbying ranged from $710,000 by Integrys Energy Group to $84 million by General Electric. It all added up to $476 million over 3 years - almost half a billion dollars. The same firms spent 22 million on "donations" to federal campaigns. With combined profits of $164 billion, they were able to obtain rebates of $11 billion. Logically enough, the highest donors were defense contractors: Honeywell International (more than $5 million) and Boeing ($3.85 million)

                            Obama may spend as much as $1 billion to win this election. Yeah, we have the best government money can buy... right before our eyes.

                            Lobbyists don't give donations. They give bribes. Oink oink. Our government is saturated in corruption and conflict of interest. It's not about Republicans and Democrats. It's about stealing and lying and us putting up with a system that allows for such corruption.

                            The media has an obligation to report and dig for truth. Yet too many times they hold back, not asking the hard questions. Commercials, subliminals, soft textbooks and speed badger the young into a false patriotism, allowing themselves to be milled like farm animals into instruments of war... how better to get a college education.

                            Regrettably, Orwell was right... is right when it comes to the stupidity of the masses. But if the masses wake up, it gives hope to a significantly different world. A world not divided into us and them. A world of We. Standing for We. Standing for All of Us. To do right. To be just. To committ to being responsible.

                            Right now, the problem I see is that we have 3 branches of corrupt government. They have wasted our time, our money, and our lives. It does not make sense to look to criminals to solve anything. Hello. When disaster strikes, it takes awhile to comprehend it, then get mad about it and then move on... yes, and create. That's what we are good at. Creating.

                            It is up to us to get together and write the legislation. It is up to us to grow up past what we don't want and use our best means to create a viable and just government that works for everybody in a balanced way. We're only here for a short while anyway, let's make our life count. We have more in common than not. It doesn't matter if you're Muslim, Atheist, Christian, Homeless, Rich, Homosexual... who cares. What matters is that you are committed to restoring this world into a Home, not a graveyard. What matters is you become your own leader, you become responsible because you know and recognize what home is and you know and recognize what it is not.... above and beyond the religions... above and beyond the nations, we are the people and we are the world... let's stop killing each other and start talking and planting and restoring life. See Peoplescongress.org

                              Reply#304 - Tue Jan 3, 2012 5:53 PM EST

                              Welcome to the corporatocracy. It's too bad, things have to get much worse first to get the middle class majority to recognize what's going on. People are so entrenched in their party ideology. They fail to see that there really is only the the corporate elite and they fund both partys.

                              • 1 vote
                              #304.1 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 3:56 PM EST
                              Reply

                              I still want Herman Cain to run for President. Of course I am a Democrat, but I really wanted to hear him debate Obama. At least the Republicans are not uniting behind any of the candidates in particular which means they understand that none of these standard barers has a standard to set. People want to hear the truth and if you listened to the 60 Minutes interview with Cantor, you know that lying and deceiving congressional Republicans are not interested in the country moving forward, only their own specific agenda catering to the 1%. I am sick of politics as usual and want a government of the people by the people, and for the people. There is only one party who has taken the high road, and sometimes too often, and that is the Democratic Party.

                                Reply#305 - Tue Jan 3, 2012 7:05 PM EST

                                Same here. His plans for a flatter tax code would have scared the we-want-loopholes crowd, so he pacified them with tremendously "flat" taxes (9-9-9). Pretty sure they would still clamor for exemptions and get them from a Cain administration.

                                That said, he's the one with the /least/ insider taint; and a dark horse deserves to have a shot at the White House.

                                  #305.1 - Thu Jan 5, 2012 6:08 PM EST
                                  Reply

                                  "Romney-Boated"

                                  So the republicans, or at least one republican agrees that the job done on Kerry was cynical, immoral and against what we in America stand for. I thought so, but it took the "genuis" of Gingrich to say so. Like when he was explaining his appearance with Nancy Pelosi. "I didn't think I was ever going to be back in the public arena". So when were you lying, then or now?

                                  Gingrich is too stupid to be president...............(Ooop..we did have GWB didn't we.)

                                  • 1 vote
                                  Reply#306 - Tue Jan 3, 2012 8:50 PM EST

                                  Newt Gingrich problem is that he is blaming his failure on Mitt Romney. But his failure is his past record of being two faced.

                                  And Michele Backmom or what ever her name is, she just as well drop out of the race. Because she wants to tax social security and you no that is not going to get her elected. Putting a tax on the retire and disabled is wrong.

                                  Ron Paul is wasting his time and money. He just has the support of the young people, he is not going to make it. Most of these young people can't even spell their own name, all they want to do is smoke dope and have a good time.

                                  It looks like to me Mitt Romney is the best choice.

                                  I would have voted for Donald Trump, but I haven't seen any signs of him a running for any office.

                                    Reply#307 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 9:47 AM EST

                                    Why do they call him Speaker? He was removed from office and had to pay a fine. He is just a private citizen.

                                    • 2 votes
                                    Reply#308 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 11:47 AM EST

                                    Did anyone else notice the byline for this story? Newt, it is Waterloo (albeit in Iowa). Take the historical hint. It's over!!

                                    • 1 vote
                                    Reply#309 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 12:35 PM EST

                                    All that money spent on lying to each other and to the public. Wow,how can they sleep at night???IF half that money could go to the working poor,that would give the US a big boost.! Ron Paul seems to be the only one who actually seems to care about the american people.I still say the house and senate have not given Our current president a chance. Each new person who is running for his job think they can do so much better.They can't do it without the house and senate behind them.Our present house and senate would not even think about helping our present president. That is shameful. He was not even given half a chance to clean up after the past president Bush made such a Mess of things. Nobody hears much from him nowadays? He is hiding his sorry head in the sand so no one can point fingers at him....I will be glad when all this nonsense is overwith. You know,new president,new year,nothing is really going to change......lol

                                      Reply#310 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 12:44 PM EST

                                      hey cry baby"bath tub face" gingrich,did not see a commercial that was not true.he told one x-supported who asked him for a "newt for president button",go on my web site,$4.00 per button!!!! what an arrogant bastard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      • 2 votes
                                      Reply#311 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 12:57 PM EST

                                      Another day, another excuse to explain why voters are not buying his sell-by-dated, brand of B.S;

                                      In Virgina,the public apparently didn't have enough time to sign 10,000 names on the petition to get him on the ballot. He is claiming it is a disservice to the voters (he is nothing is not a champion of the people with all the other things on his plate) - he has time to complain that the voters are being cheated out of the opportunity to vote for him in the general elections ... he's is the ultimate humanitarian.

                                      Now in Iowa, he explains (complains?) that if it weren't for Romney going "negative" people likely would have been drawn to his campaign and listened to his message. It couldn't possibly be that they did hear his message and were not impressed?

                                      Although I understand the principle of advertising, keeping your message before the public to get them interested in the "product" you are selling. I find it hard to believe that consumer will flock to buy green, maggoty meat - no matter how up beat the ads or how low the price. Yes, sucker are a dime a dozen, and new ones are born every minute. Still... it s difficult to believe they would buy the rot, if there are even a few - less than perfect alternatives. Day old bread is better than no bread... the old soviet economy thrived on that principle... but given a choice for slick and ingenious or just barely adequate, but a lot less baggage?well, just look at where he came in... behind 3 of the most unelectable candidates the GOPpers have fielded, since they drug Palin out of the wilderness at the last minute.

                                      If Newt stays in the game long enough - I guess he could hold the party hostage longenough to get a secretariate or ambassador post? hopefully he'll hang on long ehough to ruin the chances of all their candidates.

                                      • 2 votes
                                      Reply#312 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 2:20 PM EST

                                      Beoweolf, there were 1,500 fake signatures on Virginia's petition to add Newt to their ballot.

                                      • 1 vote
                                      #312.1 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 3:27 PM EST
                                      Reply

                                      @ rangewolf

                                      Your clearly the one P.T. Barnum was speaking of.

                                        Reply#313 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 3:07 PM EST

                                        Republicans don't even trust Newt.

                                        Those ads that Romney's PAC ran will run over and over again, nonstop, until Newt drops out of the race.

                                        • 1 vote
                                        Reply#314 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 3:25 PM EST

                                        Future Pres. Gingrich Newtie-boated himself, no one else to blame!

                                          Reply#315 - Wed Jan 4, 2012 5:57 PM EST

                                          The difference betweeen the attacks on Newt and the swiftboat attacks on Kerry? Kerry who served was lied about as regards Newt he was attacked with nothing but the truth.

                                          • 2 votes
                                          Reply#316 - Sat Jan 7, 2012 11:45 AM EST

                                          Do the crime ... do the time! Its just that simple.

                                          Its the Christian (Coalition) thing to do.

                                          Did he think anyone forgot...seriously. C'mon - really?

                                          • 1 vote
                                          Reply#317 - Sat Jan 7, 2012 2:41 PM EST
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