Rush Limbaugh: Newt Gingrich Conservative Media Attacks Appear To Be 'Coordinated'

Rush Limbaugh took aim at the conservative media on Tuesday, saying that there seemed to be a "coordinated" effort to tarnish Newt Gingrich.

Gingrich's meteoric rise to the top of the Republican polls has been swift. He's earned the title of frontrunner for now, with little help from a key segment of conservatives.

In October, the former House Speaker was laboring toward the back of the pack with a meager seven percent of the vote. Sitting four weeks away from the Iowa caucuses, Gingrich logged 25 percent of the vote in Saturday's Des Moines Register poll.

Yet Gingrich has notably gained this jump without significant support from conservative media. Limbaugh took note of that fact on Tuesday, pointing to "the hit pieces" against the candidate.

"Today there is a coordinated -- well, I don't know that it's coordinated, but it sure appears to be," Limbaugh said on Tuesday. "Regardless, no matter where you look in the Republican establishment media today, there looks to be a coordinated attack on Mr. Newt."

HuffPost's Sam Stein and Michael Calderone chronicled Gingrich's complicated relationship with the conservative press, noting that "the list of conservative commentators who have penned anti-Gingrich tomes in recent days is lengthy and impressive." From Washington Post columnist George Will deeming him the "least conservative candidate", to National Review senior editor Ramesh Ponnuru unveiling his endorsement for Mitt Romney, Gingrich's ascension among a crowded field has come without any type of firm right-wing media backing.

While Limbaugh cautioned that he was not defending Gingrich, he denounced the idea of downing the Georgian in favor of another term of Barack Obama as president.

"I feel like calling some of these people, which of course I would never do, I don't call anybody 'cause I actually don't like talking to people. I would say, "Do you really at the end of the day prefer Obama to Newt? 'Cause that's what you're gonna bring off here if you keep this up," he said.

Gingrich seems to have benefitted from his ability to embrace the role of being the antagonist. The Associated Press looked back at his knack for confrontation, citing tenuous times in the 1990s that included memorable budget battles resulting in government shutdowns. As Arianna Huffington noted on Monday, Gingrich has exuded confidence that has him poised to profit when the real polls take shape.

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Comments

[ScottMcInnis]

01:55 PM on 01/27/2012

I can't wait till we get rid of that inexperienced, Universal Healthcare, Liberal, pro-abortion, pro-guncontrol, pandering, elite, that's been running for president the last 6 years.......
MITT ROMNEY!!!!!!!!

Gingrich is the best conservative choice. Rick Santorum is also a great conservative. He's just not what the country needs right now.

Gingrich is the author of the Conservative Revolution in the 90's producing the first republican congress in 40 years, Nancy choose him as Ronny's successor to carry the torch, the only mention of him in Reagan's diary was him telling Reagan they needed to freeze spending to avoid a deficit (prophetic), he shut down the federal government to balance the budget took alot of flack for it, faced ridiculous "ethics" charges for teaching a history class-rose above it, passed welfare reform, and yes resigned after 4 great years while we maintained a republican congress. He then went on to do some great consulting where he was able to WARN congress NOT to give Freddie and Fannie any money.

Gingrich is the best choice.

[tiji]

05:12 PM on 12/15/2011

Rush is right. Conservative Media are against Newt, thinking that Romney will give each of them 10,000 dollar bet.

[snesich]

11:57 AM on 12/13/2011

"Mr. Newt."

It looks like Limbaugh is now in full deferential mode regarding his "on again - off again" love affair with Gingrich.

But this is truly hilarious: Rush Limbaugh, the long time "King of the Right-Wing Echo Chamber", which actually predates Fox "News" and even the Internet, complaining about "coordinated" attacks against someone!?!?

The only reason Limbaugh is talking about "coordinated" attacks is that he speaks from almost daily experience, where his show, and Fox "News", and the Wall Street Journal editorial page, and the New York Post, and the Washington Times, and Andrew "Tape Doctor" Breitbart and numerous right-wing extremist websites all share the same "Daily Attack Points", using virtually the same language, and emphasizing the same manufactured "story", desperately hoping it will eventually be picked up by what they publicly castigate as the "Mainstream Media".

So, now, when there is a split within the Right-Wing Echo Chamber, Limbaugh whines publicly about "coordinated" attacks. Hilarious.

Hey Rush: Didn't anyone, like your pal, Roger Ailes, tell you that you're revealing some fraternity secrets? Keep your mouth shut, boy!

[afriend1974]

02:58 PM on 12/12/2011

The speaker sits on the top of the polls in PA, IA, FL, and SC. He has widespread support even without the media helping his campaign. Also, his campaign itselt has been less active than any of the other nominess and he still garners the most support, which continues to trend upwards. What does this say about his current position? It is very, very strong.

You can continue using the bored term "baggage" when commenting on Mr. Gingrich. However, this baggage is already incorporated into the polls as voters are well aware of some of his shortcomings. But the fact remains that he is the only candidate that can demonstrate any results in congress, despite a democrat president in office during his tenure. The more libs attack a consercative like Newt, the stronger his resolve as well as his supporters. Evangelicals in this country very well understand the virtues of repentence and the self destruction that is caused by judgment of others. His support is widespread even without the media on his side at this point.

He will tear Obama to pieces in a debate - they don't allow teleprompters for our reader-in-chief. He will be our next president. Take it to the bank.

[lv777lv21]

10:44 PM on 12/12/2011

Right on!!!!! Obama can take a teleprompter with him to the debate and Newt will still make him look like a rag doll !!

[snesich]

12:00 PM on 12/13/2011

Hey Newt: Do you actually have so much time on your hands that you can pose as "afriend1974" on the Huffington Post?

Also, the public is just learning about Newt's lobbying for Fannie May. Stay tuned...

[wanagiakicita]

01:44 PM on 12/12/2011

Tarnished??? Concerted effort to "tarnish"?? Give me a break.....there isn't another politician out there who was more tarnished at the outset of this campaign than Newt Gingrich. He was on a bookselling tour and using campaign funds to sell his books. He's more surprised than anyone that he was actually taken seriously. The man has so much "tarnish" that he can hardly bear the weight of it.

[afriend1974]

03:11 PM on 12/12/2011

And yet he leads almost every poll. You are clearly out of touch with the sentiment and resolve of his supporters. The more you try to bring him down the stronger he will become. Sorry libs but Mr. Gingrich will be the next president of this country.

[lv777lv21]

10:45 PM on 12/12/2011

Newt will be a great president!!

[rbmcdonald]

02:32 PM on 12/09/2011

This whole thing is surreal. I think Alice and Wonderland is now fact. I mean really, Newt is running around telling people he wasn't a lobbyist? Give me a break. I think I really might prefer Obama to Newt, at least with Obama you know what you are getting. With Newt you are getting someone who will lie to your face and then turn around a pick your pocket all the same.
rbmcdonald

[Stan DaMann]

02:22 AM on 12/09/2011

Rush, you don't get it, even though it is obvious.

There are many Republicans who WOULD prefer Obama to Newty.

Wake up, Rush.

[lv777lv21]

10:57 PM on 12/12/2011

I haven't met one yet!!! Name one??

[mannapat]

08:53 PM on 12/08/2011

Gingrich tarnished himself over and over again throughout most of his public life. And there is no way to hide that truth. It will come out sooner or later...all of it. I just hope it comes out later, after he gains the nomination. The possible "gab-fest" between the Newt and the Donald will be a media event to try and make both of those characters more acceptable. It's just another clown show, folks.

[Stacy Ann Tucker]

02:54 PM on 12/08/2011

No Rush, the "co-ordinated" effort is just the immediate sense of panic in the few GOPers that still use their brains that they haven't got a snowball's chance in heck if Newt gets the nomination.

[desertdweller]

02:27 PM on 12/08/2011

Rush's real conspiracy theory is that Gingrich is standing in the way of an 11th hour entry by Jeb Bush. Flame on!

[csmomo]

12:42 PM on 12/12/2011

Oh boy, wouldn't THAT BE FUN!

[tro1231949]

02:20 PM on 12/08/2011

They soon will eat their young.

[manofmystique]

12:57 PM on 12/08/2011

The problem with Republicans/conservative is that they are desparate and scared of losing to Obama.
The election is to far off for them. They want to get it on, unfortunately they have one dimensional candidates. Obama is versatile, knowledgeable, wise and issue oriented. Republican candidates are petty, childish, immature and hateful.
They want to beat Obama without competing with Obama first, as a result they are taking the John McCain and Sarah Palin approach to campaigning: put down the black man, run negative ads, attack, undermined and criticize him at every turn.. Although McCain and Palin lost, this is all you will get from Republicans no matter who wins the GOP Nomination.

[RoadtoSurfdom]

01:22 AM on 12/09/2011

The only one who has a shot at beating Obama is Ron Paul.

All the other candidates have dirt and/or similar positions that do not give the American people a truly different choice.

Obama *wants* Romney or Gingrich. Please give me those guys. He'll tear them up on record and similar stances, i.e. environment, war, police state, health care mandate, spending, bailouts/stimulus, etc etc.

[manofmystique]

08:11 AM on 12/09/2011

I agree to a point: Ron Paul has a huge problem too. Not only does he talks like a madman, he hates govenment, yet he wants to be President. I will NEVER trust a man like that.
It is hard to defend that position if you want to be President. Obama will offer the American people a choice that will take America into the future, ALL Republican hopefuls want to take America back to the past. They want to take everything that is sacred and beneficial away, such as voting rights/collected bargaining rights, Social Security as we know it, affordable healthcare, environmental protection, Food protection ( etc,etc), from ordinary Americans, while protecting and defending Rich people at poor people's expense. Such is some of the things Ron Paul advocates. Many people will vote against the President because of hatred (the President does not worry about that), but Obama will have an easy time debating issues and solutions with people who are driven by hate, ignorance and stupidity. None of the Republican candidates are different than John McCain and Sarah Palin (they are now sitting on the side line).
Never underestimate the power of influence, knowledge, intelligent and wisdom. I have listened to conservatives and Republicans since Obama came on the scene and I have come to the conclusion: If Obama lose, America lose. I also know, THEY CAN NOT BEAT THIS PRESIDENT FAIR AND SQUARE.

[TheLibraryOfCodex]

12:30 PM on 12/08/2011

Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich

Kindred spirits, when it comes to broken marriages

[RoadtoSurfdom]

01:18 AM on 12/09/2011

and at the buffet line

[csmomo]

12:44 PM on 12/12/2011

And quite a few other things. What I can't fathom is how those guys get so many idiotic women to marry them? It is evident that their "vows" mean absolutely nothing. Guess it is for the MONEY AND FAME.

[kareemachan]

12:15 PM on 12/08/2011

No more coordinated than your attacks on President Obama, dude.

[datenutloaf]

11:42 AM on 12/08/2011

PusLimbaugh speaks and his adherents lap up the ooze.........