Newt Gingrich 2012 Announcement Expected Thursday

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is expected to announce plans to form an exploratory committee for a presidential campaign in the next election cycle on Thursday, CNN reports.

According to Fox News, Gingrich will make his intentions known in Atlanta, Georgia.

Fox News has learned that members of Gingrich's inner circle are in the process of changing their email address away from Gingrich's political organization, American Solutions, a tell tale sign that a campaign is on their horizon.

On Tuesday morning, ABC News first reported that Gingrich would likely announce his plans for 2012 by the end of the week. Per Michael Falcone and Amy Walter:

His advisors say a Gingrich campaign would tout his accomplishments as Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999 -- most importantly under his speakership the budget wasn't just balanced but generated more than $400 billion in surpluses. Advisors say this sets him apart from the field.

However, Gingrich would still likely face bumps along the way should he run. The AP reports:

The biggest obstacle to a Newt Gingrich presidential bid might be Gingrich himself.

The twice-divorced former U.S. House speaker has admitted an affair with a former congressional aide who is now his third wife. His career in Congress is remembered as much for his dramatic fall - the federal government shutdown, his censure and the loss of Republican seats in the House - as his rise. His polarizing style sometimes leaves would-be voters cold.

Nevertheless, Gingrich appears to be optimistic about his political standing.

"I've had a life which, on occasion, has had problems," he said, according to the Associated Press. "I believe in a forgiving God, and the American people will have to decide whether that's their primary concern. If the primary concern of the American people is my past, my candidacy would be irrelevant. If the primary concern of the American people is the future ... that's a debate I'll be happy to have with your candidate or any other candidate if I decide to run."

Comments

[SeattleSage]

04:00 PM on 03/06/2011

I hope he runs on a family values platform. No one values marriage like Newt.

[virginiawest]

11:41 AM on 03/03/2011

Also look forward to these announcements this week from better choices for the presidency:

Asparagus 2012
6 pack of beer 2012
Smurfette 2012
Tree Branch 2012

[Theresa Allen]

03:05 PM on 03/02/2011

This person for president..He is racaist and he dosen't like working with anyone at all. He is a lobbies for big banks, oil and etc. He has friends on wall street that buy his office for president.
This is just a big laugh..He is a failer

[ChrisInAR]

10:02 PM on 03/01/2011

Newtie is an incredibly intelligent man, but I would HATE to see him become POT.US. He's a globalist neo-con, a CFR member & has a history of low morality.

I would love to see Reps ALLEN WEST or RON PAUL become the GOP nominee. BOTH of them are class acts!

[hrc04]

03:53 PM on 03/01/2011

Yes! Ok, Sarah, don't let this guy show you up. You either, Bachmann. Jump in that race!

[lachihuahua]

02:43 PM on 03/01/2011

Newt would be better off sitting on the sidelines and watching. (nn)

[kodak]

02:11 PM on 03/01/2011

Boy this is great news!! Cue up the moral issue along with the past shutting down of the goverment. That should be enough to sink the good ship Newt before he sets sail from his bathtub.

[gevan]

01:10 PM on 03/01/2011

Announcement of what? A new lover? His next wife? His trip to Libya?

[teron678]

01:04 PM on 03/01/2011

Someone tell this Reptile he is an irrelevant has-been