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In the latest evidence that Newt Gingrich isn’t exiting the GOP race anytime soon, the former House speaker ended a closed-door meeting on Wednesday with his backers in Congress poised to push ahead with his campaign, possibly through the June 5 primary in California.
When he sat down this week with 10 of the 11 lawmakers who have endorsed him, each of them took turns offering their assessment of the health of the Gingrich candidacy. While some of the lawmakers expressed misgivings about the toll his continuing in the race would take on the eventual Republican nominee, none of them called on Gingrich to drop out.
Four of the attendees, who spoke with NBCPolitics.com, said that Gingrich's interest in staying in the race is driven by a desire to advance certain policy proposals in the primary and general elections.
“We believe that Newt staying in there is very helpful to the conservative cause,” said Georgia Rep. Jack Kingston, who was among the attendees. “I think Newt was realistic and saying there is a path.”
Still, Kingston added, “He didn't use the word longshot, but it's difficult.”
Gingrich reached the apex of his political strength this primary season when he won South Carolina’s influential primary on Jan. 21.
Time Magazine's W Michael Crowley, Communication Strategist Jill Zuckman and Democratic pollster Fred Yang discuss the latest on Newt Gingrich and the 2012 field.
But in the two months since that point, the ex-speaker, pummeled by negative ads in Florida and succeeding primary states, has seen his support once again hit the bottom. He finished a distant third in Louisiana’s primary; Rick Santorum, who’s assumed the role of Mitt Romney’s chief conservative alternative, won that caucus.
Not having won another primary besides the Super Tuesday contest in Georgia -- the state which elected Gingrich to Congress -- the campaign has struggled to regain any momentum. Gingrich laid off a third of his staff this week and severely curtailed travel, prompting political observers to wonder when he would finally drop out.
“I encouraged him to do what he feels is in his heart he has to do,” said Texas Rep. Michael Burgess, who attended the gathering.
But to hear the members of Congress who attended the meeting describe its outcome, Gingrich appears no closer to ending his candidacy.
“We kind of came to a collective conclusion that there were still some significant goals and objectives that could be achieved by him maintaining his place in the race," said Arizona Rep. Trent Franks, another participant in the meeting.
Related: Gingrich axes third of staff, cuts travel
In addition to Kingston, Burgess and Franks, another seven congress members attended: Reps. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Ga., Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., Austin Scott, R-Ga., Tom Price, R-Ga., Joe Barton, R-Texas, Dan Burton, R-Ind., and Dan Lungren, R-Calif.
The outstanding question now is not whether Newt will be the nominee, but rather, when will he exit the race, and how much collateral damage will have been done to the Republican nominee when Gingrich does drop out.
Those who did attend described a campaign that is realistic that its odds of winning the nomination are especially long. But, unless Romney were to begin regularly steamrolling his primary opponents in upcoming contests, the lawmakers said Gingrich was likely to stay in the race until the May 29 primary in Texas (where he has the endorsement of Gov. Rick Perry), or the primary a week later in California.
“I think the endgame is that we won't know what it's going to be until after Texas,” said one of the Republicans who went to the meeting, who was granted anonymity to speak more candidly about the closed-door huddle.
“I still think he's got a shot in Texas,” added that lawmaker, who noted that the slower pace of forthcoming primaries might allow Gingrich to conserve resources and survive through those contests.
But the former speaker still faces significant hurdles, not least of which was the public warning by Sheldon Adelson -- the casino magnate who’s primarily financed a supportive super PAC -- that Gingrich was “at the end of his line.”
Top Talkers: A new CNN/ORC poll shows that President Obama besting both Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum in general election match-ups and in favorability ratings. The Morning Joe panel discusses the numbers and Romney's net negative in favorability ratings.
A significant factor in Gingrich’s thinking involves whether his continued presence in the race would harm the party, or even his own political legacy.
Gingrich remains a prominent figure in the conservative movement despite the fizzling of his campaign.
If his candidacy were to stretch to the point where it hurts the party, it could threaten the generosity of conservative donors, on whose largesse Gingrich’s private endeavors sometimes depend.
The speaker’s sense was that if he were to leave the race, the media coverage he’s gained as a candidate would evaporate. By staying in the race, one of the lawmakers present said, Gingrich believes he “would have a great opportunity to drive some planks of the platform,” especially as it relates to some pet issues on health care, science and national security.
But the congressmen also said that Gingrich understood the long odds posed by the math, and described the speaker’s understanding that Santorum’s position in the race has made it difficult to challenge Romney one-on-one.
Moreover, Romney continues to amass delegates and prominent endorsements, most recently on Wednesday from Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who said he backed Romney in part to forestall a messy convention fight -- the type Gingrich would need to orchestrate to make good on those long odds of becoming the Republican nominee.
“If you talk to people in the conference, you've got some people who want it over. You've got some people who have people in the race and want to see them do better,” said Westmoreland, a supporter of Gingrich. “Kind of a mixed bag, but I do think it would be nice to have your nominee on the same page as we are with our agenda. Trying to nail that down has been kind of hard.”
“The one thing that is there is, whoever our nominee is, they're going to have 242 people behind him,” he added.
Leave a Comment:
I like his ability not to give up.
His "ability" to not give up? You must be talking about that ego of his that's even bigger than his head that won't allow him to give up! Newt is just one of those guys who needs a lot of stroking. The problem is, he and his minions will have to stay at Motel 6. They have color TV there now!
Gingrich has made a fortune as a lobbyist, speechmaker and professional pundit, post- Congress, and this campaign is just an extension of his business interests. This was never about running for office with the intention of serving, or even promoting an agenda or movement, like Ron Paul. Gingrich is the epitome of a Republican: totally self-interested and jaded towards the political process.
Wayne,
The Grinch is under orders and has a part to play in the gop scheme. He's forwarding the Great Preposterousness of the tighty righties, if nothing else.
Newt needs money like zombies need brains...
...quick! Sell that gold, Spanky...donate (it's tax deductable, you know) to Newt campagin...your man NEEDS you!
You mean you admire his ability to be a selfish pig with delusions of grandeur? About the only thing admirable is him having enough balls to stay in and lose a lot of moola (although most would say that's plain stupid! just like his ultra stupid moon base idea)...
Callista is sobbing in the background "Newtie, you promised me I could be Nancy Reagan! You told me people would love me! You said we would be Ron and Nancy, and everyone would bow to us!
And then she went stomping out the door to Tiffany to assuage her sorrow.
Obama/Biden 2012
The only sane choice.
Exactly how much money is being forked over for him to 'not give up'? Honestly this campaign is horrible, I can't figure out which candidate for presidency I dislike the most.
Mickey,
I think your little leg humper finally managed to make bail...
Newday ... "Callista is sobbing in the background" ... what a visual!
It's been a long, long, day - thanks for the smile.
Poor Newt. He'd make a good Santa Claus! ; )
[I think your little leg humper finally managed to make bail...]
But I bet he still hasn't learned his lesson...just keeps sticking his hands in the fan blades...
don't think he makes a good Santa Claus.... The only reasons would probably be the booz before and after, then the females that will sit on his lap.... Oh, I forgot the donations...
never thought much, but was really surprised that there are Republicans who seem to forget all the dirty things that jackass did while in the House. Yet it is the same people who also seem to remember that Obama was borned in Kenya and is still a Muslim.... sigh...
I guess the Republican cut back in education do work.
Least I can do, Tired Old Guy! Glad you enjoyed it!
I don't think a menage a trois constitute a huddle - Newt, Mr. and Mrs. Adelson.
Red,
EWWWW! I just threw up in my mouth a little! blech!
Yes Ging"RICH" keep on selling your photos for $50.00... Keep on splintering the republican party and looking like a fool on the national stage. It just makes it even easier for Obama to win.
Obama/Biden 2012.
The only way you liberals have to feel good is to take any republican candidate and play the assassinate his character game. It makes you feel superior, but in all actuality it really makes you look stupid. The oneupmanship you liberals display is very second grade. Most of you are just throwing things out there to follow Alynski's first three rules... but really, nobody cares. If you don't care about someone, you keep your mouth shut.
Now we can turn the tide and I'll show you how much I care about Obama. Healthcare! ROFL!!!! Seems the plan can't even stay out of the Supreme Court's hands... You democrats really know how to write a bill!!! ROFL!!! When the Supreme Court rules on it... and if it falls, I am going to crack open a very fine Merlot and drink the whole bottle. Yeah, I'll get schnockered, but that bottle's going to taste mighty fine. I'll keep raising toasts to the democrats who wrote that bill... They need to be saluted.
Not looking good for Obama... his numbers are falling... and what about that open mike conversation he had with the president of Russia? Some guy, eh?
The obvious reason that Newton is forging ahead with his campaign is that the "elite media" has not been told enough that they are the "elite media".
Hey, I see Newton fired 1/3 of his campaign staff yesterday. If Newton can slim down his campaign is it too much to ask that he mix in a salad or a run on the treadmill every now and then to, you know, slim himself down?
...yeah, because Newton's such a lovable dude otherwise.
No, I'm afraid we aren't needed to play the character assassination game. Newton's been busy playing the home version...you know, House ethics charges, 3 wives, Tiffany's line of credit, "I'm A Historian"...
Hey Noid, has Captain Kickass stopped sucking on the cancer sticks yet?
Hooray! There's still hope to colonize the moon!
Well Noid, he's not blogging on First Read. I don't give 2 chits if he's lovable. You think Obama is lovable? Well maybe you do... Obama is all cuddly and warm, a real friendly guy. Until he betrays you by offering innuendo to the president of Russia... one he didn't think anyone heard. Wonder why he said that...
I hope Obama was at least a success when he was a community organizer. Otherwise, it's three strikes.
President.....failure
Constitutional lawyer......failure
Community organizer.....??
I hope Newt stays in the race.
Who do the GOPee have Mittens, Etch a Sketch, Flip Flop Romnut.
Newt, In-sane-atriam and Flip Flop, Etch a Sketch. Romnut make the GOPee Clown Circus a lot of fun.
Reminds me of the three stooges
LMAO!
Hey Captain Dumb FUX - please try and keep up!
Captain Kickass's doctor said last year he was tobacco free!
How sad, BB is so behind the times... like every other RWNJ! lmao!
Captain KickAss - 2012!
I for one cannot wait to see your follicles on FIRE!
PS: BB - have you located your teeny tiny balls yet?
Brian he "said that" because he's in the middle of a campaign, a campaign in which the Republicans will spin any issue, no matter how important, into a political football. Obama told Putin he'd have more flexibilty after the election, because before that, everything he does can be skewered, hence he ain't doin' it.
So Amy he said that knowing the mic was on? Not likely. He didn't want anyone else to hear what he told the Russian president. Now you are spinning it to make it sound like he wanted the republicans to spin what he said? Who told you that? Chris Matthews, or what liberal commentator?
[Captain Kickass's doctor said last year he was tobacco free!]
Shhhhh...let Brian have his conspiracy...he needs something to occupy his mind while he looks for a job. It seems the "open mic" conspiracy is overwhelming him.
So, Brian...just how many weeks have you been collecting the "eeeeeevil unemployment entitlement"?
I doubt that he knew the mic was hot, but I also doubt he would have said anything different either way. All he said was that he couldn't commit to anything during the election season, that it would be more advantageous to wait to have serious talks after he's re-elected.
Nothing objectionable there, unless you are one of the FoxNews lemings.
Go away Newt... my TV pukes every time you show up!
This self absorbed blob of an adulteress hethen needs to go away. I heard he is charging $50 bucks to get a photo with him. I"d give $500 to watch his ex wives beat the hell out of him. And FiestyDyed Redhead, what the f#ck are you talking about. Better lay off the pain pills or crack your smoking.
Let the spectacle continue! Aside from being grand entertainment whilst depleting Republican coffers, it makes the job of Democrat strategists so simple for this campaign cycle: All they have to do is use verbatim quotes from the Republican candidates made during the campaign for the Republican nomination, and the "Vote Obama" commercials write themselves.
Brian and Rob, remember when Peggy Noonan of the WSJ wrote this awhile back:
"... there Newt is, with the pin out of the grenade saying.. 'watch this".
I'm just thrilled for the conservatives that they they get to keep up the 'healthy debate' until Tampa. With Newt having nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking down Romney. The GOP Clown Theater show has just been extended for a 2nd season.
Gingrich wants to push ahead..while his own wife is grabbing his AZZ... saying what are you a freaking IDIOT!
Feisty redhead, I actually believe I would vote for you before I would vote for Obama.
It has nothing to do with ability, since Newt has none. It is all about the cost benefit analysis that says the ROI on spending other people's money to sell your bad books and videos still gives Newt and the current wife a profit.
And, there is the side benefit of spreading more absolute hate and vitriol that truly gets the Newtster excited. Add on the chance to sell whatever small minded imaginations the Georgia Pork Belly has as "big ideas", and you kind of see why the Porcine Piece of Pusillanimous Pustulence will not leave this country alone.
I say, bring it on. Newt's candidacy daily shows independents what the Republican brand currently stands for. Go for Tampa and beyond, Newt, your ego is big enough to assume you will still get the nomination sometime in October.
Hmmm... Newton must be mentally ill. He does not pass the morals and ethics test. He must have a terrible temper too, because his friends, family, and colleagues are too afraid to tell him that his chances of getting elected POTUS, are the exact same as him becoming the next president of China.
You have to wonder why the man was ever in the running in the first place. After all, his own party drove him out of the House 14 years ago!
What a terrible set of choices available to Republicans. Two losers, an old man, and a Vulture Capitalist who left the governorship and has been running for President ever since. At this rate, he'll be running again in 2016, when he'll be passed by, yet again, and someone else will be President.
Eventually, Mitt Romney will be like Ralph Nader, perpetually running for President, but no one cares.
EEngineer - that's why I had to laugh at that part of the article that mentioned that he could be potentially damaging his legacy. We're talking about Newt Gingrich, right? How much worse can it get than getting kicked out of the House and then whoring himself to FOX with the likes of Sarah Palin, Oliver North and Geraldo Rivera...? Paid "consultant" to Freddie Mac before the housing crumble? The list is endless and exhausting...
Had to laugh even harder at the pathetically desperate attempt by Brianb to accuse anyone outside the klan of assassinating Newt's character. Newt assassinates his own character every time he trots that nasty, ugly concubine out on a stage.
Newt truly does not see the viability of Romney and hates to think he may be the candidate from a party so neo-con and archaic that they would force the very essence of Reagan out. LMAO!
It's all about taking advantage of fools and fleecing the system ... Newt has perfected it such as the likes of Pat Buchanan and on and on ............
Romney's boring. He merely delivers the ruling class's eternal message: Nothing will work right in America till the rich have almost everything. SOS. But the other guys are exciting:
The Bloated PusBag is a swindler and a crook. And a dope who has memorized big words. His role in the campaign is, with idiotic notions like radical kenyan anti-colonialist whose mind we can't understand, to remind the base that the good old GOPiggy party is still staunchly on the side of the racists.
Mr. Frothy Brown Stuff, aka Satan's Tool, plays an equally important role: to remind the quack religious whackos that the GOPiggy party still firmly intends to put some idiot preacher in place of the constitution.
Ron Paul, on the other hand, plays what Nootie might call a profoundly transformational, even transcendent role: he exists as proof that a new life form can be created by crossing man with chicken.
And there it is. In reverse order, the GOPiggy biology, theology, passion for bigotry, and Purpose with a capital $.
@EEngineer: please stop wondering. The answer is................................... publicity + cameras = money.
The GOP Cannibal Convention is going to be fun.
OBAMA 2012
It's a real shame we are going to miss all the pomp and circumstance of who's going to win the democrat Gay-La Hollyweird Convention too... Since we already know Obama is going to be front and center stage. It must give you liberals such a comfort that Captain Kickass is your choice once again. You know, the guy who told the president of Russia to get back with him after the election...
Brian B -You better get used to it. Captain Kickass is going to be your president for the next 4 years...HaHa...
Hey GT - can I borrow your crystal ball? I really need to win some money... I should be able to predict all the winners at the local horse track with it.
I'll get used to it if he wins. Right now, things aren't looking too good for Captain Kickass.
I hope gasoline goes to $6.00 a gallon.
I hope gasoline goes to $6.00 a gallon.
Typical RWNJ. Putting your ideology ahead of the American people. You sound just like your "Tea-bag
Congress...........
Obama/Biden 2012 (My crystal ball says so)
I like the name 'Captain Kickass' not sure why you think we would be insulted. So try again Brian........however...it sure Beats Romney as 'Colonel Corporate' with his 2-caddy elevator.
Of course you do. You don't have a candidate, any ideas or any solutions. Its what losers do.
BB is like Newty Fruity. He jumps in on this thread to support a fat, rich white guy who also has not a snowball's chance, and has not a clue that he is getting his butt kicked - by several women, I might add. :)
GT - you are spot on. This kind of thinking cuts right to the heart of the RWNJ philosophy. If they can't win, nobody else can, either. They would rather everyone suffer than to personally lose. They forgot one critical aspect of politics. Don't choose a crappy candidate. If they would have not sold out to Willard as soon as he showed them his big pile of money, and instead picked someone with some brains, self restraint, and loyalty to their country, they might be in it. Right now, they see what the rest of us see - a landslide loss, and the closer we got to November, the angrier they are going to get. I'm sorry, but it is their fault, not ours, for picking those clowns to run.
Yeah, God forbid you should state the obvious.
I don't know... I think his moon base was a good idea.... as long as he took his republican pals with him...
I'd say good riddance
;-)
Gosh...what can be said about Newton Gingrich that hasn't been said already? A forthright, upstanding individual of the highest moral fiber; tirelessly working for the best interests of the citizens of the U.S. and the world. A paragon of virtue in both public and private and of course, a truth teller in the mold of George Washington.
Oh wait...he's none of that...he's the Republican dump that just won't flush.
ROFLMAO!!!! I'm sorry, I'm confused, which republican are we talking about? .... oh, yeah, Newt ;-)
What we know about Gingrich;
He may walk away from his vows when it comes to the sanctity of marriage....but....
He'll never walk away from a campaign...
He'll never walk away from an all you can eat buffet...
Newt! It seems as if you've forgotten your toilet training, "When you're dun, flush!"
Newt! You're DUN.
Ah, Texas TeaPeople for Newt!...Rick Perry and Sister Sarah for Newt!
But wait, Pappy Bush is for Romney!
Big divide between Slick Rick and Pappy Bush.......what to do?...
TeaPeople do your thing, provided the courts have settled the voter ID and redistricting thingy in time.
What a selfish bloated pig with delusions of grandeur Gingrich is....
I hope he loses a ton of money (his reputation is already shot...) ...
Blingrich needs to be shot off into space towards his moon base after this fiasco!
Ahh to be a fly on the wall for that delusional circle jerk...
"Noot".. quit wasting our time, and $$. You're soooo yesterdays news. Get over yourself. You are a philanderer, and an egomaniac.. NOT what we need, want, or even care to associate with..
Keep going Newt - you can single-handedly stimulate the ad-economy with the campaign ads. They'll get you no where. What an ego - he just can't believe that he won't win - outside his sphere of reality. Poor Newt - is it early Alz? Dementia? Nah - probably his enlarged baby head.
I guess he'll run all the way to the end just for the book sales and speaking engagements (I'm still stunned anyone pays to hear this buffoon speak!)
He was getting people to pay $50 to have their picture taken with him.
and the caption on those photos say.... "Marriage is between a man and a woman.. and then another woman.. and then another woman.... "
I heard hes only charging $25 for pictures of his wife.......not sure which one
Steeler Fan - it would be VERY interesting to find out exactly how many people were willing to part with $50 to get a photographic record of standing next to that jerk.
I bet he charges Callista, too. BTW, she needs a chin. Why won't Newty Fruity donate one of his?
One thing you can say about Newt Gingrich.
When this man plunged into a delusional campaign head first he grasped it about the throat and simply refuses to let go until he chokes all the life out of it.
That pretty much sums up his grasp of ethics, honesty and morals, too. Dead. Lifeless. Long forgotten by the rational world.
Who's head is he going to push??????????
One thing you can say about Newt: He definitely can't take a hint!
Big fat head full o'nothin!
Yep, that's Newtie!
Go for it Newt, you will definately be the next president........of BOOBOO land.
With a mug like a bulldog and the tenacity of a bulldog ol' Newt wants to bark a lot at the convention. He doesn't expect to win at this stage but he can possibly get a prime time speech at the convention and make his last whimpers as he runs off into oblivian. Animal control won't even go after him. (they don't like him either)
I suspect the Newt-ster hopes to stop the vote counts and have the SCOTUS appoint him emperor. It's time for a serious mental evaluation and maybe a few weeks stay in a psych hospital? Oh wait, the Conservatives already defunded Mental Health. So the "Newt" is loose.
Mittens was in San Antonio, before heading down the road to Houston for his endorsement. He was met by some 99% and Dream Act Supporters.......
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Romney-encounters-protesters-at-Pearl-3444629.php
VERMIN SUPREME 2012
FOOL !
The fat bloated pig needs to go back under a rock & stay there
What a bunch of a-holes like comments on the fact he is overweight. How about sticking to his policies or past, instead of his weight.
Doesn't matter, he is still FAT.
Fatty, fatty, two by four
Can't get through the teabag door...
I was going to go on about wives and lives, but my heart just isn't into it.
PIOUS BALONEY 2012!!!
I'm sure Gingrich has a job waiting for him as an opiniontainment entertainer on that "hate Obama & Liberals" cable news network, "Dumb FUX NEWS"...
"FAIR and BALANCED"
The law of Unintended Consequence in action yet again - never expected Citizens United would let rich people fritter their money away on vanity causes even more than they could before. Ya gotta think that Romney's people are BEGGING Chris Christie to be Veep; they really need a guy who doesn't have a puppet feel to humanize the Rom-Bot.
run newt!, run!!!
Yeah run real fast Newt let us see what you look like choking with your heart giving out. Now I'd pay to see that!