Newt Gingrich: 'I Can Beat Barack Obama' (VIDEO)

The first question during Thursday night's GOP presidential debate went to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Moderator Bret Baier of Fox News, citing Gingrich's steady rise in the polls, questioned him on the uncertainty felt by many members of the conservative elite, who respect Gingrich's contributions but consider him to have problems with temperament, discipline, and insufficient fealty to conservatism. (As an example of such criticism, consider the editors of the National Review, who have opined that Newt winning the nomination would "blow this opportunity" to beat President Barack Obama in 2012.)

"Can you put to rest all doubts?" asked Baier, giving Gingrich approximately a minute and a half to accomplish this feat.

Gingrich quickly cited the 1979-80 election cycle, when Ronald Reagan was running 29 points behind, to make a case for his electability. Gingrich said that voters eventually came around to a candidate who proved that "he believes what he's talking about ... has big solutions, and can grow the economy."

"I believe I can beat Barack Obama," Gingrich said, adding, "and in seven three-hour debates, he will not have a leg to stand on" as far as defending his record.

Baier followed up with some more specific criticism, saying that some felt Gingrich wasn't sufficiently conservative, and quoting Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as saying he "lacks discipline and focus."

Newt insisted that his voting record was "pretty conservative."

"It's sort of laughable to suggest that someone who campaigned with Ronald Reagan and Jack Kemp is not a conservative," he said.

As for the latter charge, Newt mostly shrugged it off. "I think that people will have to watch me and decide," he said. "I think my discipline is fairly obvious."

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Comments

[XtfrM2]

12:23 PM on 12/17/2011

"I believe I can beat Barack Obama," Gingrich said...."

Yes, but even *I* could beat Newt Gingrich, so your point is moot, Newt.
You're enjoying your 15 minutes and already counting the pennies you'll make flogging your perfectly awful books, but you've not yet seen the degree to which Americans dislike you. That'll be a jagged little pill, sir.

[Pastori Balele]

09:45 AM on 12/17/2011

Gingrich kids say they won't vote for their father. I would be surprised ordinary Americans voting for Newt. Newt is adulterer, liar, corrupt, air-head and inhuman. That's what his kids charaterize Newt.

[Ken Stover]

09:02 PM on 12/16/2011

"I think my discipline is fairly obvious?" Don't you mean, "It's fairly obvious I discipline thinking?"

[vwjan]

06:37 PM on 12/16/2011

Will he do it with one hand tied behind his back......

[Hufrelief]

05:56 PM on 12/16/2011

I have never witness so much dis-stain for one man undeserving. They are willing to lie, deceive, place Newt, or Willard against him; even tear up the economy. Watching the debate last night. They all talked about how weak this President's foreign policy is. This President has a foreign policy they all wished could be theirs. What more unfairness must this President endure, before they give him the respect of President of the United States of America. It will only be 8 years out of well over 200. Learn to suck it up with maturity, and start to love this nation and the people of this nation once again. The people of Israel even think the Republican attacks on this President look ridiculous. When is the media and the Republicans going to think so and act accordingly?

[Hufrelief]

05:40 PM on 12/16/2011

This election can really mark the openness of the media willing to help destroy a President. Not because the President is weak. Not at all. The media feels a greater story coming on if the first Black President was taken down by any circumstance. The media hates this President more than the Republicans do. They to, are angry at this President's political intellect, and they will use any scenario that comes to them to push their third party agenda or any other agenda that spelled a defeat for this President. We all must grow up here. Bring your minds out of slavery, the Jim Crow Laws, the 50's and 60's. We have a nation to advance, not a storyline. If the media truly called a spade a spade. The Republicans would have had to abandon their obstruction strategy at least 2 years ago. This lopsided political attack has been the story of the century, and they have deliberately stayed away from it. To see if any more chaos could come from such a destructive political strategy. If I were a journalist, or called myself a true professional in the business. I would be embarrassed to be affiliated with the business of journalism.

[ariadne104]

04:05 PM on 12/16/2011

"I can be meaner, nastier than all of my fellow republican candidates"

That's how he can beat Obama

[anothervoter]

04:05 PM on 12/16/2011

"I can't beat Obama."

There, fixed that for you Newt.

[Randi Grogan]

04:02 PM on 12/16/2011

What planet is Newt on? There's no way he can beat Obama and Romney will be the chosen candidate.

[captainigor]

03:59 PM on 12/16/2011

Newtie sure is fond of himself. . .

[getoffmedz]

03:58 PM on 12/16/2011

Well, Gingrich is losing weight and talking real fast.

Is his boast a "symptom?"

; o }

[Headshaker1]

03:51 PM on 12/16/2011

What an absolute joy and relief it was to listen to someone like Newt last night. Just the thought of someone who can speak with authority (without a teleprompter) just renewed my hope that change will be coming our way soon.(not soon enough) . He knows his facts and policies that are demanded by the people, his ideas are fresh and attainable including the ability to see it through without a checkbook! The masses will come together and vote the right man for the job on experience this time, not just because of his color or likeability! If you are a hard working individual and not a silly lazy protester put this man where he belongs! Bring back some self worth to our country.... Go Newt GO.

[MsMoon]

04:00 PM on 12/16/2011

Still drinking the Kiool-Aid?

[Headshaker1]

04:28 PM on 12/16/2011

After the first year of Dope and Change! IT was leaving a bitter taste so I switched flavors and feel much better thanks.

[Jennfizzer]

04:11 PM on 12/16/2011

"Put this man where he belongs..." Do you REALLY want us to do that?

[JEdgarH]

04:37 PM on 12/16/2011

Haha, good one.

[SarahSarah]

03:47 PM on 12/16/2011

I am so glad that Republicans can't seem to figure out that Romney is their only remotely electable candidate.

[camelias and sweet tea]

03:33 PM on 12/16/2011

What an arrogant S.O.B. this man is.... He will have no fans soon, but it does not matter to him HE is his biggest fan.

[NelsonC]

03:22 PM on 12/16/2011

It's almost like he's playing it up for the sheer entertainment value, like a 1930's slapstick comedian. His boasting only makes the inevitable banana peel slip down a flight of stairs and landing in the back of a dumptruck all the more enticingly hilarious.

[getoffmedz]

03:59 PM on 12/16/2011

Very visual.

Thanks.

FnF