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Subscribe to RSSNEWARK, Del. -- Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich blamed a bounced campaign check on confusion over campaign accounts, and not any lack of finances associated with his indebted campaign.
The former House speaker, who’s fighting to remain a viable challenger to Mitt Romney in the Republican primary, laughed off a $500 bounced check cut by his campaign that was intended to help him pay to qualify for the Utah primary.
“This is one of those goofy things,” Gingrich told reporters following a speech at a senior citizen center here. “That check was drawn in December. The account actually was closed by the time they processed it. It wasn’t a question of money. That particular bank account was closed.”
The Salt Lake City Tribune reported Tuesday the Utah Elections Director Mark Thomas said Gingrich’s check to get on the ballot bounced and if it was not paid by April 20, the former speaker would be disqualified and not be on the ballot.
Asked if his campaign will fix the issue, Gingrich simply said, "they apparently have it all worked out.” Gingrich campaign spokesman, R.C. Hammond, told NBC News via email: "A new check has been sent. We are confident the state of Utah will list Newt on the ballot for their upcoming GOP primary."
Gingrich is struggling to stay afloat financially. He noted Tuesday afternoon in North Carolina that his campaign will post just under $4.5 million in debt this month, citing excessive spending as his “management team got very excited in Florida.”
But, despite financial problems, Gingrich says he will still take his campaign forward. He believes the race is “not over 'til it’s over" because no one has the required 1,144 delegates to capture the nomination.
“We had 3,500 people send money to Newt.org online after 2 o’clock yesterday saying please stay in,” he said, detailing a spike in donations after Rick Santorum withdrew from the GOP race.
Santorum and Gingrich -- who have publicly acknowledged being friends and talking regularly -- still have not spoken since the former Pennsylvania senator’s departure from the race.
“We’ve been swapping voicemails," Gingrich said. "I hope to get to him after I’m done with you."
Gingrich will hold two more public events in Delaware Wednesday.
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Newt seems to be missing quite a few primaries. Why he would want to be on the ballot in Utah of all places?
Gingrich is struggling to stay afloat financially. He noted Tuesday afternoon in North Carolina that his campaign will post just under $4.5 million in debt this month, citing excessive spending as his “management team got very excited in Florida.”
Typical fiscal
responsibilityby a member of the GOP.Instead of laughing at the bounced check, why didn't he pay it?
Obama / Biden 2012
“This is one of those goofy things,” Gingrich told reporters
Apparently Gingrich did not learn from the Rubbergate during which he had overdrawn 22 checks, one a $9,463 check to the IRS.
Um, when you close an account aren't you supposed to account for outstanding checks? No wonder he had to set up a think tank (now chapter 7)--he needed $ gifts to avoid those bounced check charges. Could he be prosecuted for this? NM, I know--he could be but never would be, unless some other schmuck.
Being on the ballot in Utah is an excellent idea, especially when you're staying in the race until Romney pays off your campaign debt.
LOL, TP.
I can explain Newt's bounced check, too: he's a deadbeat.
Why do states allow candidates to write checks anyway? EBT, MoneyOrder, Cashiers Check, Debit Cards? Seems Utah got what they asked for from someone whose campaing is $4.5M in debt and has even less chance of ever winning another primary. Even with Sanscrotum out, I don't think he'll even take 2nd anywhere.
Have no fear - The check is in the mail, and this - this one - is guaranteed good. (in some states - if you transmit a bad check, for any reason, to state agency - any new dealings must be submitted in cash, in person.
There's not enough yuck in the world.
He is not Presidential material...period. His ethical history while Speaker and then his financial issues and marital issues...he just needs to find something else. Don't delay the inevitable anymore.
All that chick banging, multiple wives (ending up with the old barbie doll), and now he can't even write a check without it bouncing.
Sounds like the PERFECT Republican candidate for President.
What a loser ! He reminds me of that "Peacock" Romney !
I will now collapse myself.... lol
Still laughing at your: He reminds me of that "
PeaCock" Romney !Probably have to have a magnifying glass at the ready to know for sure if the name fits..............
It's only used to procreate anyway, right? Who cares if the woman is "satisfied." This is a Teapublican we're talking about here for Pete's sake.
TruePatriot - now that he's the defacto nominee, he will just "shake his etch-a-sketch" and deny ever being a conservative.
Omg Feisty, I don't think I've EVER laughed so hard at a post in my life! Thanks for the giggle!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish you could have heard my LOL!
Keep on posting... we NEED you in here!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy to be of service! ;o))
I just calls them like I sees em! lol
“This is one of those goofy things,” Gingrich told reporters".....
.....repeating what voters have been saying about the whole Gingrich campaign since Day 1.....
LOL good one
Doesnt one usually reconcile the checking account and leave it open until ALL outstanding checks clear?
Give me a fricken break Newt, it's not rocket science!
I think I heard Gingrich say.... "Do I have to deduct the $500 amount from my campaign checking account if I made the check out to 'cash'?" "Oh, ok.... it's MY fault it bounced, so you're not fired honey (one of his staffers he fondly refers to as honey), but how would you like to be lucky wife number 6?".
One of those goofy things.
I hear Mitt's planning to name Newt as the first US ambassador to the moon.
TO: SteveR-2067355 who wrote:
He can't. You'd have to be POTUS to do that, and the American People ain't buying what Republicans keep shoveling.
Obama / Biden 2012
Can any 'hot check' writer use the 'goofy things' defense?
...Newt can only count the money going into his own personal account = Helmet Head!
Chilled:
LOL! Good one!
yeah, I think I'll use that defense when one of my checks bounce and see how far it gets me.
BTW Newt, you are smart enough to realize that this is enough to get charged with "uttering a useless instrument", right?
Breaking news: Zimmerman will be charged.
Newtie, not even the senior citizens believed you! What a clown! "One of those goofy things"? Newt, you are a goofy thing! Deflate that ego of yours, and sit down, you are done! The longer you keep running, the less chance you will have of Rummey giving you Kingship of the moon!
Rummey is an ASSHAT, the repubs wear him well!
“We had 3,500 people send money to Newt.org online after 2 o’clock yesterday saying please stay in,” ...
...and every single one of those 3500 was a registered Democrat.
Massive debt and checks that bounce. What can one say? This is the Republican party at it's best. The only thing more he could have done was to blame the bounced check on President Obama.
Of course we want him to stay in we want the circus to continue
shockedanddisgusted,just give Newtster some time it's coming,The Obama Administration has driven up the cost of campaigning and my poor tea dopes can't afford donations to Lady Clarassa Bling,err My Campaign.This dick weed is bankrupt morally and financially,but i like the idea of his continuing until the LAUGH FEST in Tampa.Must See T.V. come Sept!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who knows if 3,500 people actually did send in money? The way Newt counts/lies. Would be poetic justice if all the checks/EBT's bounced.
True Shockedanddisgusted...I am surprised he didn't try to blame it on President Obama.
LOL time to hawk one of those diamond braclets from Tiffanys.
His mouth has always written checks his bubble-ass couldn't cash.
Yet another example of fiscal irresponsibility from the right fringe.
A bounced check eh? And he thinks he can handle trillions of dollars in US budget! Good grief!
Gingrich, shaped like a ball that he is, should just bounce out of the contest and let Willard have his day in the sun.
What's to explain he's didn't have the money. That's why he went to Tiffany's . He bought his helmet hugger expensive jewelry and then if he went broke they could sell it for cash
By god, that just about says it all Proudwillie White.
Nothing I can add to that...
If I were a tea partyer, I might just sign up to this line of thinking.
Ah, you don't own any fire arms do you?
DUH , I am too stupid to balance a check book . Elect ME . I am from the G NO P .
Oh, NO! Callista must be out of money!
Tiffany's is an expensive place to shop, you know.
The $500 Hint: A Message to Mr. Gingrich -
He laughs it off. Why would Utah accept another check from him? They wouldn't do that for an ordinary citizen. He is 4.5 mil in debt, and who is going to come up with that shortfall to pay those who worked for him? Is he good for it? I don;t think so. Its just money down the pothole, like owning an expensive boat and keeping it at the expensive Marina. The man is an egomaniac, loves his own voice, loves to strut his fat boy ass all over the stage as if he is attractive with his double chin and pasty complexion. Truly this is not a man for all seasons. Ever notice that the POTUS does not get himself involved in these shady behaviors?
Obama/Biden 2012
Isn't it his stomach that he is toting around?
He must have thought he was still in congress when he could write bad checks, blame someone else and get by with it. I would say drop out but I kinda like them in their muddying up the waters. We still have over 6 months to go. Won't Romney run out of flubs by then.Like the trees are just the right height here? We don't want his party to get so sick of him they don't even elect him as nominee and someone else will run.
Yet more proof the Republiban are not fiscally responsible. They have a candidate with questionable citizenship and a suspect religion, and they spend too much.
lying rat
Wonder if Tiffany's would swallow that "goofy" excuse. Methinks they'd be repo'ing some jules.
A fool on a fool's mission.
At what point of total embarrassment do Gingrich supporters start denying any association with him whatsoever at any point in time. If I had ever been a supporter, I would by now be asking Newt who??