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ARLINGTON, VA -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Monday afternoon that he's “very comfortable” not having a speaking role at the Republican National Committee convention next month.
“I personally am very comfortable not giving a speech because I think frankly, there is a whole new generation of candidates out there and people who represent the future,” Gingrich said following a quick event at Belmont TV on behalf of Mitt Romney. “But we haven’t talked about that yet.”
Gingrich -- who addressed reporters in the same city where he suspended his presidential campaign nearly three months ago -- promised continuously during the final weeks of his failed presidential run that he would push for a “conservative platform.”
No official announcement has been made regarding the former House speaker’s role in Tampa. but one spot is sure at the Democratic National Committee Convention in early September: Former President Bill Clinton will address the crowd and Gingrich is pleased.
“I think that will be a terrific opportunity for those of us who served with President Clinton to point out that Barack Obama is no Bill Clinton,” Gingrich said. (That said, Gingrich presided as the speaker of the GOP-controlled House that voted to impeach Clinton during the late 1990s.)
While Monday’s event just outside of Washington, DC in the battleground state of Virginia was billed by the Romney campaign as a “we did build this event,” the questions asked of Gingrich focused on a variety of other topics, including the GOP nominee’s tax returns.
Gingrich, who was a leading voice calling for Mitt Romney to release his tax returns during the primaries, today said “people are not going to take that as a major issue.”
“I’ve tried to raise the issue but frankly, I think the results of the primary also indicated that the American voters are pretty comfortable that this is a guy who has had good accountants, good lawyers, he has obeyed the law,” he said.
Asked to weigh in on the developing dialogue from Romney’s trip overseas – specifically the GOP nominee’s remarks in Jerusalem that drew a link between culture and GDP in Israel and Palestinian territories.
“I think that the whole issue of how do you encourage an economy based on trust and faith, how do you encourage the rule of law when you have Hamas and Hezbollah and Fatah and I think there is a legitimate question to say maybe these are antithetical to being prosperous. I find it fascinating that nobody wants to ask the question, why is Hong Kong prosperous? Why is Singapore prosperous? Why is Israel prosperous? Why can't we apply this same prosperity to Gaza? Why can't we apply this same prosperity to the West Bank?” Gingrich said.
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Newt will be visiting the local zoo while the convention goes on.
Oh wait.....the Convention will be a circus, with all the animals in attendance!
Yeah, as if Newty has a choice in the matter.....LOL
Newtered Grinch is recovering from his surgery, unable to move around without causing pain in his dick.
Thus, we've got a break...some peace and quiet.
I believe we call that "wishful thinking" Pigotry.
At least Newt is showing up, unlike "W"...
Then again, with all the strip clubs in Tampa, how could Newt possibly resist?
Wonder why Georgie Boy is staying home?
Keeping the crazy uncle locked up GOP?
With the list of clowns attending, it sounds more like a comedy roast than a convention, with Mitten's as the guest of honor......Feisty, get your popcorn ready.....
Obama/Biden 2012
I think George W. Bush remains the Albatross around the GOP's neck; they can't risk the reminder that Mitt Romney = George W. Bush. I imagine if he were asked, he'd attend but I'm guessing the GOP doesn't want him anywhere near Tampa.
George W staying home, because Bush the Homely got a popularity problem.
At least Newt is showing up, unlike "W"...
Inviting W to speak at the convention, is like inviting Nixon to speak at the Watergate hotel......
Obama/Biden 2012
There used to be a tradition that former Presidents and Vice Presidents would not speak against their predecessors in office. Cheney broke that rule. He has repeatedly insulted President Carter, President Clinton and President Obama, often in the same sentence.
Cheney is the scum of the Republican Party, from whom the latest round of hate has been spewing forth. Besides being the designer of the downfall of the American economy, he is the creator of the plan for the demise of USA. Just as they call Satan the father of lies, they call Cheney the father of the big lie.
It is no wonder the GOP don't want him or George W. Bush to speak, they don't want to remind the American public of the source of the downturn of the economy and the hatred consuming the political landscape.
Newt Gingrich prefers to operate behind the scenes, like he did in calling a meeting (along with Frank Luntz) on the day of the president's inauguration. The treasonous tactic that Teapublicans have been using -- to protest and obstruct any governance in congress, and jam through radical abortion laws, voter suppression laws, etc. in red states -- is very similar to the shenanigans that got Newt thrown out as Speaker of the House.
Along with FOX State News, now Karl Rove and other "turd blossoms" have joined Newt in the shadows with diabolical plots. Add to this Teapublicans blocking transparency of SuperPACS, and welcome to the new Christian Republik of Amerika.
The republicans don't want Georgie back just his failed policies.
They count on the republicans being so dumb that they don't realize it was the republican policies that destroyed our American economy and not just bush by himself. The very same policies that Rmoney is pushing. Tax cuts and wars and the he!! with the American people and the jobs they want.
Republicans just voted to protect the special tax cuts for the job creators sending our jobs overseas.
Why would anyone believe that republicans cared about America or jobs?
newt!..hahahahaha....wasn't he running for something?.....running for the bus he just got ran over with......Obama/Biden 2012
America voted to move the zoo to the White House 2008.
@Dirp Cheney may have broken that rule but he's not the first. Clinton did it all the time after he was out of office. Who cares though, do you think when Biden isn't in office anymore he's going to keep his trap shut?
Gingrich is viewed as too extreme. Either he is talking about pre civil war days
or taking a colony of red supporters to a red planet.
what a Lunatic, that Grinch guy.
what's him real name..Grinch?
I will be the Republican nominee. Newt 12/1/11
there is a whole new generation of candidates out there and people who represent the future,” Gingrich said
In other words, you guys blew it picking the non-christian. It will be up to Rubio to bring back the party down the road.
Newt "very comfortable" with not making an ass of himself (and his very large ass).
Thankfully Bachmann will be there for entertainment.
It would take several Newt butts to make one Michelle butt.
you lefties are all yapping about the republican convention, look how many democrats have backed out of their own convention with the incumbent potus. that's because any affiliation means they won't get elected. they can't get far enough away from his failure.
Bachmann and Palin? Will mud wrestling be the entertainment?
Change and Hope. Change the current President and Hope it is soon.
Yeah, Donkeys and Elephants. They are all animals.
To all, I saw about 30 cars with bumper stickers that said OBAMA SUCKS! Is that legal?
I love the bumper stickers, I have been seeing, "Republicans for Obama," "Informed Voter for Obama,"
"If Corporations are people then Romney is a serial killer"
Job1,
LOL I have seen those also, and they are funny. But I have never seen the ones about Obama. So simple, OBAMA SUCKS, and so telling.
Reminds me of Colbert's "Mitt the Ripper" video.
That is an ole one "Obama Sucks" from 4 years ago that was brought back. Also they have the "Romney Sucks" out there.
Mitt the Twit........................my favorite and so true needs to be a bumper sticker.
Of all the republicans in America and they choose the one who is most like the doofus bush.
Just where are those tax returns showing what an honest person mitt the twit is? While Rmoney would like you to believe he has nothing to do with shredding the papers from the Olympics, he won't release his tax returns which have not been shredded yet, because he is so honest and trustworthy.
The republicans have demanded the birth certificate for our sitting president but think it is too much to ask to see Rmoney's tax returns.
I think what is in Rmoney's tax returns is so bad that even republicans wouldn't vote for him if they knew. Otherwise Rmoney would have already released them.
Concerned
I am surprised there are 30 cars in your part of the Ozarks that have bumpers.
Why do people assume that keeping his tax returns private is Romney's way of concealing illegal activity? I don't believe that's the case at all. What's being overlooked is the possibility that Romney made a killing off the 2008 recession through short-sells. While most of our 401Ks took a 40% nose-dive, Romney had the ability to sell early, wait till the market bottomed out, then buy back those same stocks at a huge discount. That in itself would be a good reason to conceal his wealth in foreign accounts - so he wouldn't have to reveal that his net worth doubled while ours collapsed!
My God Ursula, where did you get all that on Romney. The MSNBC print that? or was it the NYT?
Please do tell. I will tell you what. If it is true, I will not vote for Romney.
Romney 2012.
Ursula said "the possibility".
More bumper stickers Romney is a Liar, Crook, Greedy, Flip Flopper!
Runken,
I know she said the possibility.
We can have many possibilities about the President also, or Romney. I know just what she was trying to do.
Then if you had read your post you would see if was she that was speculating.
That way, you wouldn't look like an idiot when asking for a source.
Concern Citizen - I didn't read it anywhere, it's my devious mind at work! Remember that Romney turned over multiple tax returns to John McCain when he was being vetted for VP, but that would not have included 2008 since no one had filed at that point. I think 2008 and 2009 are the critical returns that could reveal huge gains in Romney's net worth.
By the way, I saw a political ad this past week saying President Obama wants to tax everyone's "dividend income" - nice play on words, but capital gains are capital gains and only low-information voters are fooled.
Ursula,
I remember that Romney turned 8 years of so to McCain and McCain said that there was nothing wrong with them.
I also saw an ad about President Obama lying thru his teeth about taxes and I know about capital gains also, and I'm not fooled. Romney 2012 and correct the error of 2008.
Ursula - you have to realize you have a mind to think things through. Concern? Not so much!
Obama/Biden 2012
Oh no.. Mitt did 'nothing' illegal.
He has pretty much come out and said it - he paid exactly what he had to pay and not a penny more. Just like how General Electric paid 'zero' in taxes last year, Mitt also has good tax lawyers and taking advantage of all the tax loopholes available to the rich, Mitt paid next to nothing.
I agree, he and many rich did very well during the downturn in 2008-2009. It takes money to make money and that is what we all lack - which is why we are NOT Mitt.
If Romney did nothing wrong, then release those tax returns for 2008 and 2009.
Prove all us liberals wrong about the crook we think Romney is by not releasing his tax returns.
All you republicans know you would be wetting you pants you would be so excited and hateful if it was President Obama not releasing his tax returns.
No one, not even the republicans would be saying trust him he is rich like they are saying about Rmoney.
if romney did anything illegal on his returns, isn't that why the irs exists?
Talk about speculating, where's your source?
Romney didn't have to do anything illegal to pay little or no taxes in 2008/2009 (which McCain would not have seen), or even use of gray market tax shelters to look very bad in the public eye. How Romney got so much money in his IRA, that might cause some trouble. The IRS no doubt missed some things, hmm?
Poor Newt Gingrich. Of course, he'll say he's comfortable not speaking at the convention; it wouldn't look good if he threw a temper tandrum. Gotta love the spin about Mitt's taxes, though; by republicans making the claim that it doesn't matter, they're hoping to convince voters that it doesn't. Sorry, but it does matter, Newt. Maybe not to the GOP base but it matters to everyone else. No one is saying Romney did anything illegal but voters have a right to know how much he has stashed off-shore in tax havens after all he wants to be President of the United States not the Cayman Islands. They have a right to know how involved in Bain Capital he was from 1999 through 2002, etc. and countless other things. If Romney has nothing to hide, then he should do like every other presidential candidate since his own father started the precedent, release 12 years of taxes.
I don't trust any candidate, R or D, who seems determined to hide information from voters. Romney is requiring his VP candidates to provide at least 12 years of taxes yet Mitt refuses to provide the same information to voters. Trust him? No way.
.
Hi Jody,
What if they were done by Turbo tax? like the guy in charge of the IRS. Hey Obama gave him forgiveness why wouldn't they forgive Romney.
Sorry, I'm still voting for Romney in November
Why won't Romney allows us to see his tax returns if he is so honest?
It has got to be so bad that republicans wouldn't vote for him if they knew or he would release his tax returns.
Romney is the one who thinks you won't forgive him. And you can't be very concerned if you don't even want to know what he is hiding from those you think will forgive him anyway.
if you are concerned about tax fraud you should be focusing on your boy geithner. plus the fact he has been implicated in the libor scandal. as the libs like to say bush drove us into the ditch, while this administration has not only left us in the ditch, but they have also given us 4 flat tires.
In a related story, I'm very comfortable not having to listen to him.
DA Noid,I never did like Newt, but I do like Romney.
And what about his platform do you like specifically?
Runken:
Romney promises Capitalism which is what this Country thrives on.
Ask not what your Country can do for you, but what you can do for your Country.
Keep the Government small and spend less.
Help small Business.
Again these are all promises just like Obamas. The President did not keep his promisses so we will give a chance to another and in four more years if Romney does not delivered, than someone else gets a chance.
You mean like when bush and the republicans crashed our economy and we voted for someone else and the republicans have blocked anything that would help improve our economy.
Why are we not allowed to give President Obama's ideals a chance?
The disaster the republicans created takes longer than 4 years to fix especially with them blocking our recovery. I wonder how well Romney would have done with the Olympics, if half his staff on his first day said the most important thing they could do is make him fail like the republicans did to President Obama?
If the republicans are so proud to bring back the failed policies of bush with Romney, then why are they so ashamed of bush?
i hope you don't believe your own drivel that you write - if you do, please don't vote.
Ah Gee! The circus is going to have one less clown.
So... for the "Obvious, I am going to be the nominee" to not even having a speaking part at the convention.... A bit humbled, are we there Newt?
I knew the minute he said that ridiculous line he had no hope for 2012...
That's really a shame. There are precious few Republicans who will articulate the truth about Obama as directly and forcefully as Gingrich.
Amen! And then he must be prosecuted and sent where he and all like him belong--the firing squad
Barack needed a black Communist ghetto Wife to get ahead in black Chicago politics. A queer cokehead Communist Kenyan couldn't get elected to the IL Senate without the appearance of a heterosexual relationship.
Barack is not just a gay member of The Mans Country Bathhouse, but he was in Jeremiah Wright’s Trinity Church "DownLow Club" (DLC), for the gay black politicians who have front "families". Three of the young black "homies" in the Church that had homosexual relations with Barack were executed (random drive-by shootings) by his Chicago Communist handlers when he began his Presidential Campaign in 2008.
These are more solid, and verifiable facts than anything the lamestreamers would need to do a frontpage hit on a conservative in the sordid NYT's.
shame. It could've been the most articulate, clear, concise message of the convention. The only one that could clearly picture, with facts and accuracy, the failure these last 3-4 years have been. Libs, mock all you want, you are just catching a break on this one. It truly takes ignorance to oohh and aaaahh when Obama speaks with a teleprompter and still manages to get it wrong, then turn around and call Newt a clown. Such is the state of this country
Mitt the barber's 2011 extended tax returns due 10/15/2011. Gives the Dems about 3 weeks to pick them apart.
I'd love to hear Newt debate Obama directly to illustrate for America again just what a Marxist punk destroyer Obama has been and will continue to be. But since Newt won't get to debate the Food Stamp President, I'd like for Newt to speak at the Republican convention. All of the former candidates should get to speak. This will be an historic election, with Americans that matter united in defending America from the Marxist aggressions of the Obama regime and the greedy-butt liberal sucklings that dried up the economy and burden the civilized working people with their self-inflicted life incompetence aggravated by their knowledge incontinence.
Gonna take his marbles and go home, eh?
Through his feckless inability to defend himself from the democRATS smear campaign (and Oblameo putting all his failure on dubyah) it's best he doesn't show up. Can anyone remember GW Bush sticking a snarky question from a troll (Brian Williams)---back up his a$$ like Romney did.......././. and can when he feels like it?
Romney needs to be pushed into showing a little fang......./I pray he prosecutes the whole lot of these traitors and enemies of the US Constitution.
Gonna take his marbles and go home, eh? Ho hum.
What happened to PMSNBC. lol? The only time anyone wants to read this site is from a Drudge link. The only reason to watch PMSNBC is to watch Al Sharpton try to speak English.
Romney in 2012; what a President should be.
I have a bumper sticker for you….
Obama Sucks Big Time and Always Has! Liar! Cheat! NO Brain!
Obama is the worst president ever! He couldn't tell the truth if it was shoved up his a$$.
Mitt Romney will win in a landslide in November because Obama is the most hated man child in America!
Go Newt! Still by far the most intelligent politician out there. Probably the only one who would have the guts and the brains to lead our country out of the hole that Obama's dug us into.
So the force left you behind? The best speaker of the bunch is Newt. The other mormon was the most intelligent of the bunch.
I understand this is a NBC site, what I would like to know from all of the commenters posting about the size of Gingrich`s ass to the multiple references to teabaggers and other ignorant things is this - are you Americans? Do you support and stand up for socialists, marxists and communists? Are you aware that your hero in the White House is and has been, for all his life, anti American? Have any of you even researched what Obama believes and wants this Country to become? Do you want your children to grow up knowing nothing but waiting for a government check in the mail? If that is your goal for the future, I feel very sorry for you - and your children.