Report: Gingrich Stabbed Boehner In Back, Whipped GOP Opposition To Bailout

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was working aggressively behind the scenes to defeat the Wall Street rescue plan minutes before he himself released a public statement in support of the package, NBC's Andrea Mitchell reported on Tuesday.

Gingrich was whipping up votes for the opposition, Mitchell said, apparently without the knowledge of the current GOP leader, John Boehner, who was responsible for recruiting enough support from his caucus to help ensure the bill's passage. Ultimately, the GOP was only able to rally roughly a third of its members.

"Newt Gingrich," she said on MSNBC, "I am told reliably by leading Republicans who are close to him, he was whipping against this up until the last minute, when he issued that face-saving statement. Newt Gingrich was telling people in the strongest possible language that this was a terrible deal, not only that it was a terrible deal, it was a disaster, it was the end of democracy as we know, it was socialism -- and then at the last minute [he] comes out with a statement when the vote is already in place."

Indeed, as Mitchell noted, shortly before the bill's failure, Gingrich "reluctantly" came out in favor of its passage: "Therefore, while I am discouraged at the final collapse of the Bush Administration, and frustrated by the Democrats' passion for the taxpayer's money, I would reluctantly and sadly vote for the bailout were I still in office."

The rest of the set of Morning Joe had some interesting takes on the news nugget. Joe Scarborough called Gingrich's backstabbing of John Boehner "undercutting his own."

Mike Barnicle offered his own bit of reportorial insight: "Andrea, I could hug you for saying that, because I was told last night by two or they members of Congress that this was the opening salvo of Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign four years hence."

And Mika Brzezinski summed it up succinctly: "Talk about a crap sandwich," a reference to how Boehner described the bailout bill.

Comments

[max]

keep listening to Newt repugnantc­ans.....it­'s a great thing for liberal courageous Americans

[nicciaugust]

So much for the Republican claims that they can better lead the country. With all the squabbling, whining, and backstabbing, they're imploding before our eyes.

[VegetableMan]

wtfrick is andrea mitchell doing even reporting this story? at least PRETEND there's no conflict of interest..­.

[norkas]

andrea is NOT mutual and it is very obvious to most people.

[MKinPasadena]

It is because of Obama's measured reassurance that Congress would pass this bailout deal even with a few bumps in the road that we are seeing a rally in the markets today. Newt and McCain are not helping the country as they polarize their party into ineffectiveness.

[PhantomAviator]

..

The last trick of the Brownshirts is to turn on their own.
Now they can't even trust each other. Priceless irony.

.

[marasgram18]

rmember newt quit in disgrace after trying to impeach clinton on monica found to be carrying on an affair at the same time who cares newt

[groucho]

And thanks to all the corporate media for giving this disgraced politician a soapbox to stand on for the last couple of years
This guy has no business having access and influence in the press and congress.

[mafina]

Exactly, the very same person who chided Bill Clinton on his affair with Lewinsky and he cheated on his wife. This ma is a blabber mouth of hypocrisy. GA does not like him representing the state. He needs to visit Jenny Craig for his mouth.

[keepacoolhead]

I hope the glaring Republican hypocrisy is noticed by the American people. If this is socialism it is only SOCIALISM FOR RICH PEOPLE because the rest of us will have to pay for it.

They're trying to play political theatre so that they can BLAME DEMOCRATS for REPUBLICAN FAILURES!!!

[lb458]

Socialism for rich people is called FASCISM or CORPORATISM. We shouldn't be in the business of handing rich people our tax dollars so that they can become even more wealthy. Why aren't we properly funding education or health care? If they want to hand money that we don't have to the rich, why don't they end the ridiculous war in Iraq?

[Nancy84]

Remember..­.. Newt's the one who engaged President Clinton at every turn. I believe he and Rush Limbaugh came on the scene about the same time. Mean, nasty, divide and conquer men. If this is the type of politician the republicans are asking for, then they deserve everything they get. That party has to decide who they want to be when they grow up.

[seattlefemdem]

Another GOP gasbag who doesn't have directions while driving the bus that's heading this country into the biggest ditch in the world.

[zyxt]

What it wasn't Nancy's fault. Bonner got it wrong

[Meah]

Thank you Andrea! Old Joe Scarborough was ranting and raving after the vote. Gosh, Newt has cost the country big time, has he not? Oh yea, maybe we have seen the last of Newt Gingrich. That would be soooo sweet!

[Sammy00400]

If this is so he just pissed off a bunch of very powerful republicans. It wouldnt surprise me the GOP basically disowns him and make him a non-person in their eyes. This is especially true because the 'no' vote will probably cost a few elections. Those politicians that he turned made their own choices and will have to deal with the consequences. But the party is worried about the whole and it doesnt need to lose any more house members.

[BigRockCandyMtn]

'Newt Gingrich was telling people in the strongest possible language that this was a terrible deal, not only that it was a terrible deal, it was a disaster, ..., it was socialism -- and then at the last minute [he] comes out with a statement when the vote is already in place."

Indeed, as Mitchell noted, shortly before the bill's failure, Gingrich "reluctantly" came out in favor of its passage: "Therefore, while I am discouraged at the final collapse of the Bush Administration, ... I would reluctantly and sadly vote for the bailout were I still in office."

The rest of the set of Morning Joe had some interesting takes on the news nugget. Joe Scarborough called Gingrich's backstabbing of John Boehner "undercutting his own."

Mike Barnicle offered his own bit of reportorial insight: "Andrea, I could hug you for saying that, because I was told last night ... this was the opening salvo of Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign four years hence."

And Mika Brzezinski summed it up succinctly: "Talk about a crap sandwich," a reference to how Boehner described the bailout bill.'

How do we know that Mika Brzezinski wasn't taking about Newt Gingrich? That would describe him, too. Mr. Contract With America, we haven't forgotten that you divorced your wife while she was dying of cancer, and that you were agitating against Clinton while YOU yourself was having an extramarital affair.

P.S. Thanks for "making it official", Newtie: "the final collapse of the Bush Administration"

[billkarwin]

When asked why he poisoned the vote, embarrassing his own party and sending the stock market into a tailspin, Gingrich explained, "I'm a scorpion; it's my nature."