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Subscribe to RSSMIAMI, Fla. -- Playing defense for a second day over his attacks on former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s business career, Newt Gingrich accused the GOP front-runner this morning of trying to “hide” his private sector record.
“Governor Romney has been campaigning on the premise that he created 100,000 jobs. And he knows how to create jobs,” Gingrich said, of Romney’s career at the private equity firm Bain Capital, where he served as CEO.
“Release the records. Show us the facts,” Gingrich added. “You can’t run for president, have half your campaign be about your great achievements, and then hide them. And it’s silly to try. Mine are out in the open. It’s a mater of public record.”
(Of course, other elements of Gingrich’s career are not exactly “out in the open." Gingrich made money, for example, as a television commentator and from speeches, but none of that can be discerned from Gingrich’s financial disclosure because of the way he chose to file. Gingrich was also criticized for taking money from Freddie Mac as a “consultant,” but Gingrich never released what he exactly did for them or how much he made -- despite promises to do so.)
The remarks came during a visit to Café Versailles restaurant, where Gingrich addressed about 50 supporters inside a back room crowded with campaign staff, security guards, and local and national TV cameras.
Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House, told supporters that he created “millions of jobs” as a young member of Congress under Ronald Reagan, and repeated a refrain that he created 11-million jobs with Bill Clinton during his time as Speaker of the House.
“To question a presidential candidate’s claim that he created jobs is not to attack capitalism -- it’s to question a candidate,” Gingrich insisted.
The defense of his strategy, which came in the middle of his speech and was unprovoked by a question from the press, marked the latest in a back-and-forth between Gingrich and several high-profile conservatives, who have spoken out in Romney’s defense.
But this morning, here in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, where the relationship with Cuba is a top issue, supporters said it was Gingrich’s foreign-policy plank that drew them to the event.
Near the restaurant’s take-out window, where people lined up for Styrofoam cups of Cuban coffee, supporter John Smithies stood with several yard signs he planned to distribute in his Coral Gables neighborhood.
Smithies, who was born in Pennsylvania to an American father and a Cuban mother, grew up in Havana until he was sent to high school in Connecticut, and college at Tulane -- where Gingrich received his Ph.D. in history.
“He’s been the strongest one to condemn the government of Cuba,” Smithies said. “If we are seeking liberty for people in the world -- and we’ve done it in Libya, and other places in the word -- we should be doing it for a country that’s been subjected to a dictatorship for 53 years.”
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Time to put walk the walk Willard!
Pulling numbers out of your magic underwear isn't going to cut it for much longer... lol
While you're at it - you can release your tax returns!
The world must of tilted off of its axis - yesterday I was agreeing with Grama Grizzly & today it's Newt!
*popcorn*?
One of Romney's Bain business partners has said that he "never thought of what I do for a living as job creation." "The primary goal of private equity is to create wealth for your investors," he added. And Bain has certainly done that, maximizing earnings "by firing workers, seeking government subsidies, and flipping companies quickly for large profits."
Due to a lucrative retirement deal, Romney is still making millions from Bain, as he goes across the country saying that he is "middle class" and joking about being "unemployed."
Oh my, it IS a special day. A republican is asking for FACTS? Why, I wonder?
He has no intention of using them, does he?
I think the only pink slips he feared were those his sons may have wanted to wear,...Cuz' Lord knows he ain't got no EMPLOYMENT problem. Well except for that wanting a job that is already occupied by someone who EARNED it. Money can't buy you everything, Willard. No matter what your daddy told you.
In Willards case that would be; Show us the car facts!
The Grinch knows that Mitts will never come up with the facts, so it is a safe demand. and besides the response would be nothing but facts about the grinch anyway..
Facts? I don't know. Numbers can be spun by either party to suit their respective purposes. I think Mr. Gingrich is asking a largely irrelevant question here. Sounds good at first, but if you really think it just pretty much fades. The word "jobs" has become largely meaningless in political discourse. Instead of an issue "jobs" have become political currency, currency with fluctuating value.
I know our esteemed Carniavl Barkers(formerly known as the MSM)are allover this story of Mitts Dad being born in Mexico & moving to America at the age of 5.So if I understand this correctly, Mitts Dad was an Illegal Imigrant from Mexico! Was his Mother an American born Citizen? Where is Mitts Dads Birth Certificate showing him to be an American Citizen(which would be a LIE),therefore makeing Mitt an Illegal Imigrant?
No Doubt, the Donald is allover this story also!
Occupy SoggyBottom! We finally gotsome Winter around here.
Anyone that believes anything Newt Romney says needs to have their brain removed. How can someone who was born with a golden spoon up his butt ever know how the average American lives. It is easy to worry about a pink slip when your daddy's a billionaire. Knowing that the bills will get paid whether you have a job or not must be real easy for Romney. And any middle class American that think Romney gives a damn about them is drinking too much koolaid.
Dennis,
At least that Bain partner's statement is honest.
I wish Romney could be that honest. Just admit that being the son of a wealthy man ,you had all the privilege and advantages money and a good education could buy.That is just a fact. And your business experience was to increase that wealth for your investors.
Now tell us what that experience did for the people of MA as governor of that fine state?
I thought Newt was backing off--silly me. If he's going down, I guess he intends to take Mitt with him.
A couple of notes here, as I was leaving the house this afternoon, I heard someone on TV (Andrea Mitchell Reports was on) saying that Newt is going for the brass ring, and is ignoring the GOP establishment on attacking Romney. Wish I could remember who has the article that is going to be published, but keep an eye out for it.
I truly do not understand the Cuban policy. I know it is popular to ingratiate oneself to the Cuban community in south Florida, but, really, there is not the same large number of Cuban born folks there anymore. If we deal and trade with China, and we did with the old USSR, why not loosen relations with Cuba? Just some thoughts open for debate.
Cuban has nothing we need whereas Russia and China have our attention due to their military and financial power in the end we run roughshod over smaller countries because the biggest gun theory is always in effect. Why do you think iran wants a nuclear weapon it gets everybody's attention. So despite what shape our economy is in we still must be the baddest.
talkingtoyou55
Maybe, but what in the hell is Cuba going to do to us? shouldn't we even talk to them?
As far as the rest of the cold war peeps....
Russian military power is about 35% of what it was during the cold war, The only thing they have right now that could seriously hurt us is Nuclear tipped Missiles, you know ICBM's, stories coming out of Russia is that only half of those are operational.
China does not have the land power capability to take us on, and even if they did how would they get them here? Yes, their ICBM's are fully operational, but why would they try to destroy us (and themselves) when we hold their future in the palms of our hands. (through our wallets)
Iran wants nuclear weapons to make it invulnerable to nuclear attack, it wants to join the countries that can flip off the worlds bullies because any attack is an invitation to world disaster. Do they have the capabilities of delivering one to the U.S. of course not.
They drop a couple on Israel? we have a new glass paved parking lot. (cant use it for a couple thousand years but what the hell) besides, the big he bull in the region Saudi Arabia is smack between them, you think they are going to allow it?
We destroyed the fifth largest army in the world is two weeks, their masses of tanks became massive piles of radioactive scrap iron in ten days.
and we are 6 times as powerful now as we were back then, we can afford to dial it back a bit.
Phine,
You are right. The Cold War is over. The US restrictions on trade, travel etc does not make a lot of sense anymore.
Pope Benedict is travelling there in fact on his trip to Latin America. But American cannot travel there legally unless it is as part of a educational group and lots of red tape.
Northstar,
If I remember correctly, John Paul II went to Cuba also. I remember that the US was none to pleased about it. He even met with Castro.
Northstar,
Fly to Toronto, buy a nonstop return ticket to Havana, fly home from Toronto.
It just doesn't seem fair that I live close to Cuba, yet, have to fly to Canada to get there! Lot's of flight time there!
ideology,
Thanks for the tip. Could make a nice vacation out of it. I have never been to Toronto and Cuba has some really nice historical sights. Columbus landed there on his second sailing to the New World.
phine, fly to the bahamas ... same thing I believe
Unfortunately the restrictions on U.S. citizens travel to Cuba are the same even said citizen flies Toronto - Havana. Easier to get away with it that way, but upon re-entering the U.S. if a sharp Customs/ Immigration official happens to see the Cuba stamp in visa section of said citizen's passport there will be trouble.
A ridiculous, obsolete situation.
You are probably right Mark ... half or more of my brain still resides in the pre 9-11 world. That was definitely the way in then. Thanks
ideology,
Ah, yes, the pre 9-11 world.................
Very cool dollar coin, haven't seen that one. What is the ship depicted on it?
Phnie,
Yes John Paul II did indeed. And he knew something about the Cold War and Communism.
Northstar,
Yes he certainly did. :)
Show me the facts Mitt! Keep hitting him Gingrich and Palin!!
Newt you can do it. Take Romney out of the race. You know Obama gets his policies from the Romney camp. You have been in this game as long as anybody. Lay it on the line and you will be fine. The truth will eventually come out but you can propel yourself into the light by keeping the pressure on Romney to tell the truth.
The truth shall set you free and the lies will keep you on a ball and chain.
Don't hold anything back because you don't have anything to lose and everything to gain.
The "Romulian" created NO good paying jobs when he was the CEO at Bain Pain Capitial. He has NO facts to support his position of being a job creator. The only thing that the "Romulian" created at Bain Capital was pure profits. The thought that the "Romulian" is a "Corporate Raider" with the only goal of creating more profits. The "Romulian" is still collecting a paycheck from "Pain" at Bain Capitlal. He did a great job of destroying corporations. His big Wall Street Banker/Investors just think he is still great. The "Romulian" was great at firing people at will, and he finally told the truth that he loves to do this. The "Romulian" destroyed workers pensions, and destroyed their health care benefits. The "Romulian" tells people to go out and get a job, and should NOT be collecting Unemployment Insurance. Remember the "Romulian" thinks that this is "European Socialism." How can our citizens find good paying jobs? When the "Romulian" makes his living destroying these same jobs?? The "Romulian" loves to use the money that others earned. The "Romulian" has earned NO money of his own America! He is great at "Stealing/Investing" the hard earned money of others. The "Romulian" invests/gambles the money earned by others. Makes a huge profit from the money he invested/gambled from others. Then he sells/destroys the assets of corporations, and outsources the jobs to other countries. The "Romulian" then spews more "Crazy Conservative Crap" (CCC) to America. He is concerned about the poor in our nation! Really?? He thinks it is terrible for families when they have lost a job. How does he know what this feels like??? What a joke America!