Newt Gingrich 2012: How Close Is The Former House Speaker To Deciding Whether To Run?

Over the weekend former House Speaker Newt Gingrich hinted about his timeline for a presidential run in 2012, saying that he would make his decision in the early part of next year.

"I think that's a decision we'll make in February or March," Gingrich said on "Fox News Sunday." "This is a very hard family decision because it's such a deep commitment and it is so absorbing."

Though he declined to be more specific he was not shy about talking about his recent travel: "I've been in 10 states in the last 14 days", Gingrich said. His trips have taken him to several battleground states. And everywhere he goes, he offers more hints.

This February, Gingrich told the National Journal that "I was very acutely aware of how hard '08 was going to be and how likely it was that we were going to lose," but that "12 is different."

A week later, speaking to reporters in Iowa, Gingrich stated that his family will be engaged in the decision. He added, "We'll look seriously at whether or not we think its necessary to do it. And if we think it's necessary we'll probably do it. And if it isn't necessary we probably won't do it."

Gingrich offered further hints about his possible presidential ambitions in mid-July, saying that he's "never been this serious" about running. Confirming that the decision has not already been made, Gingrich said that "by February the groundwork will have been laid to consider seriously whether or not to run."

But this Sunday, the former House Speaker shot down accusations that he is "playing the candidate card" for attention, reiterating that it is a decision he will make in February or March. The interview also revealed a surprising endorsement of sorts for Gingrich from former Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean, who said "I hope he does run" because the Republican Party needs "some intellectual leadership, and whatever you think of Newt Gingrich, he can supply intellectual leadership." Dean said that although he does not "agree with very much that Newt Gingrich wants to do...Newt has a ton of ideas to move the country forward, he did when he was speaker."

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Comments

[awarg]

07:33 PM on 08/15/2010

I'd like to hear more from his ex wives!! If they would speak out, he may just decide against the whole 2012 election!

[UnelectedDOTorg]

07:33 PM on 08/04/2010

I like how Newt Gingrich calls Obama a socialist, but has SOCIALIST stances and has passed "SOCIALIST" legislation!

http://www.unelected.org/2010/07/21/socialist-of-the-week-newt-gingrich/

Newt Gingrich is a joke.

[enigma2]

07:33 PM on 08/15/2010

Yes, a Really Big one..

[LinkSync]

11:07 PM on 07/31/2010

I hope he runs!

The left will have a field day with his life and his record.

There are reasons he was ousted you know... not just his fat face and phat lies either.

He is a pig and deserves the slaughter that will be wrought on him if he makes a bid to be the most powerful man in the world.

[PicardRikerIn12]

12:40 PM on 07/31/2010

So let me see, these are the choices to oust that evil Obama in '12. Palin, Newt, ANOTHER Bush? Who am I missing. I wouldn't get too confident, but I do like his chances.

[pennsykid2000]

04:52 PM on 07/27/2010

"This is a very hard family decision because it's such a deep commitment and it is so absorbing."

Newt's probably also not sure he'll still be with Mrs. Gingrich #3 by next year. Newt would need a dump truck to haul all the baggage he's carrying into any political contest. His pomposity and hypocrisy would kill him in the first few primaries.

[CarlIII]

04:42 PM on 07/27/2010

Neuter Newt

[Osama Bin-Goldstein]

04:31 PM on 07/27/2010

Newt: "There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza"

[ricitizen]

04:30 PM on 07/27/2010

Please run, for it would be a pleasure to work towards your defeat. Please Newt...please!

[BambooHarvester]

04:20 PM on 07/27/2010

A 'piece of chit' can run for president ? is that in the constitution ?

[PWM]

04:12 PM on 07/27/2010

If you want to run Newt, then run and stop wasting our time acting like a child trying to make up his mind if he wants McDonald's or KFC

[aonemandog]

03:50 PM on 07/27/2010

Newt Gingrich is a liar, an adulterer, a disgraced former speaker and that is just for starters. His hubris is amazing. Does he really think people will vote for him? The only reason Howard Dean said such decent things about him was becasue he knows that if Gingrich ran in any capacity, his party would be defeated.

[ladydragon]

03:54 PM on 07/27/2010

oh aonemandog: you stole my words! but thanks for saying them anyway. I was gonna add that Obama needs to say nothing, the other candidated are gonna tear Newtie to shreads

[dormouse2]

03:59 PM on 07/27/2010

a perfect GOP candidate eh! The epitome of arrogance imo.

[Colmore]

03:41 PM on 07/27/2010

These crooked politicians seem to think voters have short memories. Apart from the ethics violations, his personal life is a soap opera. If only wife #2 would write a book, she would make millions.

[Bluedanube]

03:37 PM on 07/27/2010

Gingrich, an original dead-ender.

[HLL]

03:36 PM on 07/27/2010

Lest we forget who Gingrich is ~

Facts: "On January 21, 1997, the House voted 395 to 28 to reprimand Gingrich for ethics violations dating back to September 1994......

Facing another rebellion in the Republican caucus, he [Gingrich] announced on November 6, 1998 that he would not only stand down as Speaker, but would leave the House as well."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newt_Gingrich#Ethics_sanctions

[solomon sez]

03:19 PM on 07/27/2010

Run,Newt,Run. Obama wins 40 State Landslide.Please run Newt.We Democrats need you!