Mitt Romney, Ron Paul Launch Fresh Attacks On Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich was hit with new criticisms from two of his opponents for the Republican presidential nomination Monday, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), as he continues to enjoy a boost from his widely praised performance in last weekend's debate.

The Romney campaign launched an anti-Gingrich website that is perhaps most notable for its unsubtle web address: unreliableleader.com.

The site shows a picture of Gingrich, the former House Speaker from Georgia, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), highlighting their joint appearance in an ad supporting legislation to curb carbon emissions and reduce global warming. It also features a research document that reminds readers of Gingrich's criticism of Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) plan to overhaul Medicare.

Gingrich earlier this year called the Ryan plan "right-wing social engineering," before later apologizing for the remark. At issue is whether a voucher or premium support system for Medicare would be optional or mandatory. Ryan's plan made it mandatory, and Gingrich's point was that it should be optional. (It's worth noting that Romney's plan for Medicare has an optional premium support feature.)

Also on Monday, Romney knocked Gingrich's work for mortgage giant Freddie Mac on Fox News. His campaign sent out a release calling on Gingrich to give back the money he made, which is estimated to be about $1.6 million.

"One of the things that I think that people recognize in Washington is that people go there to serve the people and then they stay there to serve themselves," Romney said.

Romney also implied that Gingrich has been dishonest about the amount of money he was paid.

"By the way, a very different number than he said in the first debate, he said $300,000 and he was there as an historian," Romney said.

But Gingrich never claimed he was paid $300,000. When CNBC's Maria Bartiromo asked him about his work at a Nov. 10 debate in Michigan, she cited the $300,000 figure. Gingrich did not correct her, and Bloomberg News later reported that his compensation over the better part of a decade had been closer to $1.6 million or $1.8 million.

Paul's campaign, meanwhile, launched a nearly two-minute web video Monday morning attacking Gingrich as an "insider" who was "selling access" as an adviser to Freddie Mac.

"If you've been Speaker of the House, you're always an insider," Gingrich is shown saying.

The ad also hits Gingrich for flip-flopping on the 2008 TARP bailout of Wall Street and for his support for a health care mandate.

Watch the ad here:

Comments

[Bill99887]

02:20 PM on 12/13/2011

Romney, Newt, Bauchman and Perry are status quo and none of them can win against Obama. Why? Because they can not win with only the Republicans, they have to have the independent vote and the cross over Democrat vote, which non of them can get. There is only one who can come up with those votes against Obama and we all know who that is. Yes it is Ron Paul. The independents and the Democrats can not stomach Romney, Bauchman, Newt or Perry. If Ron Paul does not get the GOP nomination then Obama is back in. Remember this if RP does not get the nomination then you can wet on the fire and call in the dogs because it will be all over for this country. Go with Newt, Romney, Bauchman, Perry or Obama and by by U.S.A. We are so close to cashing it in right now that it is no longer funny. If Paul does not get the nomination then I sit at home during the general election and save some gas. I will be better off.

[Zach M]

10:59 AM on 12/13/2011

I hope Newt gets out. He has way too much baggage. The media would destroy him in a general election against Obama. Romny will win the nomination not for what he is but for what he isn't. Good article http://hubber088.hubpages.com/hub/Election-2012-The-Republican-Dilemma

[jufrgs]

08:58 AM on 12/13/2011

The Christian right has gone wrong. What Bible are they reading?

[jufrgs]

08:56 AM on 12/13/2011

In order for Republicans to save face they should allow President Obama to run unopposed and take all of their campaign millions of dollars and donate it towards bringing down the deficit. Oh, this is too much like being an American isn't it.

[jufrgs]

08:36 AM on 12/13/2011

Newt Gingrich act like a gangster, hoodrat, kingpin, of course no one wants to give a white man in a suit such a reputation. Newt is about Newt and power and he does not care how he get what he wants. I am personally frighten of this man especially with foreign leaders. He seems as if he would sell his mothers sole for profit. He is full of trickery and hate especially when it comes to the poor and middle class.

[johnny strike]

08:15 AM on 12/13/2011

By looking at the HP 2012 election page (except for this mention) you wouldn't think Ron Paul had anything to do with it. There's Perry, Bachmannn, there's usually articles about Santorum, but for Paul who is polling second in Iowa and New hampshire, and who has moved into the top tier
in South Carolina and Florida, and who Jon Stewart pointed out killed it at the debate, there's pretty much nada. Could the media bias be any more blatant?

[PerotVentuSheehCarte]

08:02 AM on 12/13/2011

Neocons prefer an Obama reelection
Ronald Ernest Paul MD is too honest

[Zec]

07:55 AM on 12/13/2011

The Bubble Gum , Newt, cashing in by selling his political ties from being speaker of the house as "strategic consultant" to the tune of $1.6 million courtesy of Fannie/Freddie bailout money on the backs of the American people.
I don’t remember any history professor getting paid this sort of money , for, WAIT , “history lesson” on housing.
The Gingrich is an unethical, immoral, slimy, deceitful, vile, corrupt criminal.
www.notonewt.com provides links and references to his corrupt deeds. There is enough skeletons in there, to produce blockbuster trilogy “Lord of Spivs”.

SPIV

Brit slang a person who makes a living by underhand dealings .

A flashy, slick operator who makes a living more from speculation or profiteering than from actual work. The kind of guy who wears a shiny medallion, goes bankrupt from a dodgy swampland development scheme, but still has a big house in his wife's name.
This real estate boom is a spiv's paradise.

[terra33]

06:51 AM on 12/13/2011

If you go to Ron Paul web site he is the only one with a complete plan with figures and info. He will cut $1 trillion the first year. He is the most honest and trustworthy person who will work for the people and prosperity.

[Lawyer13]

01:31 AM on 12/13/2011

As an Englishman it seems to me that the GOP T/Republicans would be better occupied coming up with some credible POLICIES to put before the American voters, instead of bickering at each other.

[l78lancer]

01:12 AM on 12/13/2011

"Gingrich earlier this year called the Ryan plan "right-wing social engineering," before later apologizing for the remark."
--------------------------------------------------->

Gingrich has the same problem as Romney. He's a flip flopper. He's torturously conflicted. That makes him a liar and a hypocrite. It is not believable that he would excoriate Ryan for his plan and think that he will just apoligize and the matter will just go away. His views don't change even if his words do. He can't be trusted so he will never be able to get cooperation let alone lead the right as president.

Newt insists on hitting the self-destruct button as often as possible.

[Lane Campbell]

12:57 AM on 12/13/2011

I think that instead of playing this constant game of "attack the leader", it would be better if the various candidates emphasized what they would do in a positive sense if elected. They're not winning any points with all the negativity.

[Bill99887]

06:39 AM on 12/13/2011

So can you tell me who is going to inform the American public about Newt? The biased news media will not do it. When some one puts out the truth I see no negative in it. Being from GA I know good old Newt. We here in GA would swap him for Mickey Mouse.

[diannafatso]

11:30 PM on 12/12/2011

The only reason Obama was elected in the first place was because the big $$$ lobbyists wanted him in and had the big $$$$$ to accomplish it......and, I am afraid, if Ron Paul is not nominated to run against him, he (Obama) will be Pres again in 2012. Therefore, the country will continue to go down hill and Obama will continue to take his orders from ????...definitely from big $$$$$ interests....and he will enjoy taking $400K for just giving a speech from time to time.....

[Chestnut horse]

11:11 PM on 12/12/2011

I can't get past the fact that Gingrich looks like Simon Bar Sinister.

[Tea for me]

11:11 PM on 12/12/2011

The most successful Speaker of the House in history..our Nancy....and science still scare the bbeeggeezuzz out of them
Pathetic..just pathetic. Little fraidy pants:>)

Can't wait until Nancy gets the gavel in 2013:>) Go DEMS Go!!

Tea

[Lane Campbell]

12:58 AM on 12/13/2011

Successful? What did she do in her term, besides preside over a leftist mutual love-in?

[Tea for me]

01:06 AM on 12/13/2011

Google is your friend.
Look up the over 200 bills that passed House and Senate..and the 200 plus more that passed the House and then Senate Repubs filibustered or secret held.

Tea

[Bill99887]

06:46 AM on 12/13/2011

You are a very disturbed person. Aren't you?