Gingrich Rips RNC For Its Blagojevich Attacks

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich sent a rather scathing letter to Mike Duncan on Tuesday, accusing the RNC chairman of engaging in "a destructive distraction" by attempting to tie Barack Obama to Rod Blagojevich. In particular, Gingrich hit the RNC for putting out a web ad that made it seem as if the President-elect was hiding a nefarious chapter of his personal history with the embattled Illinois Governor.

"The RNC should pull the ad down immediately," Gingrich writes.

I was saddened to learn that at a time of national trial, when a president-elect is preparing to take office in the midst of the worst financial crisis in over seventy years, that the Republican National Committee is engaged in the sort of negative, attack politics that the voters rejected in the 2006 and 2008 election cycles.

The recent web advertisement, "Questions Remain," is a destructive distraction. Clearly, we should insist that all taped communications regarding the Senate seat should be made public. However, that should be a matter of public policy, not an excuse for political attack.

In a time when America is facing real challenges, Republicans should be working to help the incoming President succeed in meeting them, regardless of his Party.

From now until the inaugural, Republicans should be offering to help the President-elect prepare to take office.

Furthermore, once President Obama takes office, Republicans should be eager to work with him when he is right, and, when he is wrong, offer a better solution, instead of just opposing him.

This is the only way the Republican Party will become known as the "better solutions" party, not just an opposition party. And this is the only way Republicans will ever regain the trust of the voters to return to the majority.

This ad is a terrible signal to be sending about both the goals of the Republican Party in the midst of the nation's troubled economic times and about whether we have actually learned anything from the defeats of 2006 and 2008.

There has been, it seems, two mindsets within the GOP as to how to revitalize the party in the wake of its '06 and '08 losses: seek political blood against Barack Obama whenever possible, or focus on reaching out to moderates and minorities. In addition to Gingrich, Sen. John McCain -- appearing on "This Week" Sunday -- offered a dig at the RNC for their obsession with Obama's (apparently limited or nonexistent) links to Blagojevich.

A Republican strategist, asked about the Gingrich letter, said he agreed with the former House Majority Leader. But, he added, "I think that Newt wants a change at the RNC, and it is an intervention in the RNC race."

(h/t Ben Smith)

Comments

[IntExec]

A dead party, and Gingrich knows it.

[ChristianEcon.com]

Hopefully it's a dead ideology. Nobody should be forced to suffer this kind of comprehensive disaster again.

[berkawoo]

I hope that they are dead for many generations to come. But the truth is that they are toxic and toxins are often hard to dispose of especially pernicious one like the Neocons. I also believe that they are more powerful than is generally known. Even if they have not been elected to the presidency or have a House/Senate majority they are still powerful in underground wealthy circles. George Soros might be a wealthy and powerful liberal influence. But for every one of Soros on the liberal side there are many more powerful Neocons that can cause alot of trouble in an Obama administration. Cheney might be going away on Jan 20th but his Nefarious Neocon operative skills will continue until the day he dies.

[killmenow]

The letter is very well-worded and smart. It should be published as an 'open letter' in a major newspaper.

If it isn't reported elsewhere, like here on HuffPost, I wouldn't know Newt's thoughts because I can't stand to even look at that man. BLECH!

[Forester]

What fun to watch the dysfunction that is the GOP.

[Cyano]

Whenever Newt says anything I agree with (about once every three months, including observations about the weather), I remind myself it's all about positioning, branding, and otherwise manipulation. He's a jerk, but that doesn't make him wrong 100% of the time. This time he's right, which is why he should be quiet and let the GOP continue to shrink its appeal.

[Tunghoy]

It's not often that I agree with Newt, but -- regardless of his reasons -- I give credit where it's due. Hats off to him for saying the right thing. The RNC should listen and Mike Duncan should get a clue.

[NWRICK]

Agreed. I just hate it when the Repugs start to make sense.........it scares me a little. LOL

[larry278]

It doesn't happen often. It isn't fated to happen again for a century. But it's frightening, nevertheless.

[redneckliberalpostbush]

Newt is just a sick s***head! The GOP is coming out with one of their own every day to KEEP the focus on Obama and Blago.. Go away Newt ewwwwwwwww­wwwwwwwwww­w we had enough of you in the 90s!

[vasta]

Thank you Mr. Gingrich. Finally, someone in that party is acting and sounding like a GROWN UP. Our country is in terrible terrible trouble. We do not have the luxury any more of tearing one another to shreds. We really do have to unite, NOW.

[GlenRast]

Newt never says anything without an underlying sleazy agenda. He's running in 2012

[queotic]

More likely looking for a position in the Obama administration.

[MoniqueF]

"Furthermore, once President Obama takes office, Republicans should be eager to work with him when he is right, and, when he is wrong, offer a better solution, instead of just opposing him."

To play the devil's advocate lets say that Gingrich means what he says, I will argue on what is "right" and what is "wrong", but to go further, his comments (above) should also be used for my liberal friends who already oppose Obama's choice of nominees! As a liberal myself, I choose to wait and see. And re: feeling saddened for the attempt from the RNC to tie Barack Obama to Rod Blagojevich, Gingrich must be suffering from amnesia for his role in his own party. But again, could it be that the man is getting better with age and finally see some light?

[GrkAm]

After listening to Gingrich over the years, I am shocked that he came across with his comments today!! The interesting part is wondering if he has a list of demands in his back pocket.

Sorry for the cynicism, but it's rather hard to look at these repubs with anything but cynicism considering the crap we have been through.

Not from Missouri, but will quote the state motto, "Show Me!"

[Eoin45]

I believe that Newt is cynically trying to position himself as the "reasonable and patriotic" Republican for his next run at the presidency.

[GlenRast]

A WINNER! You get the see through Newt's BS prize

[hmmmmmer]

As long as the RNC is taking their talking points from Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh the Repthuglicans will be in the minority.

Hmmmmmm, I think they should keep the ad up. It makes them look like sore losers. Works for me.

[Serious Lee]

I can't believe I'm writing this: Newt is right!

After record business closings; job loss; foreclosures, stock market and 401K decreases; war casualties and a (sometimes) bitter presidential campaign that lasted 2-years, no one wants to see or hear that garbage.

I am not republican however it is important that this country has "at least" two viable political parties. The RNC's strategy is not going to do it.

It is true in Illinois, and it appears to be true nationwide: The repugs are their own worst enemy!

[enjen]

See, I think Newt's main point is here:

"Furthermore, once President Obama takes office, Republicans should be eager to work with him when he is right, and, when he is wrong, offer a better solution, instead of just opposing him.

This is the only way the Republican Party will become known as the "better solutions" party, not just an opposition party. And this is the only way Republicans will ever regain the trust of the voters to return to the majority."

The whole point of this is a strategy to help Republicans return to the majority.

[jodieez]

WOW I knew old newt was capable of telling the truth every now and again, but this almost made me crap my pants.

He has finally said what all of those who voted democratic party know, and that is, we wanted a change from the old limbaugh, hannity, repuglican party maelstrom and all of their hate-filled, divisive politics
that we have been feed over the past 20 yrs.,

[jcblues13]

While I tend to not have a lot of respect for Newt... my respect has been growing lately... he and John McCain actually realize what's important to the country right now... its to get behind the new President and let him work

[Blain]

that's what they want you to think, hence winning over voters to support their misguided neocon ideology that got this country in this mess to begin with. what gingrich is proposing is to put a happy face on the same ole dogma.

[redneckliberalpostbush]

yeah, right! we know them better than that! It's all show.

[NWRICK]

we'll take common sense anyway we can get it.