Gingrich Criticizes Payroll Tax Deal 2 Days After Urging GOP To Sign It

NEW YORK -- The reaction among Republican presidential candidates to the payroll tax cut deal has been fairly muted, in large part because the process ended in such a dispiriting fashion for the party. On Friday, however, Newt Gingrich's campaign weighed in with a statement, in which it it described the leadership exhibited by the president and Congress as a "complete failure."

"We need a long-term plan for jobs and economic growth, not short two-month Band-Aids," Gingrich said. "We must move now to cut taxes, reduce regulations, fully utilize America's energy resources and take steps to stabilize the value of the dollar."

Putting aside the fact that Gingrich is adopting Mitt Romney's "Band-Aid" metaphor to describe a temporary extension, the statement is surprising in its condemnation of the chief negotiators. After all, on Wednesday, Gingrich was advising House Republicans to take the two-month deal and put their best face forward.

"Incumbent presidents have enormous advantages," he said on Wednesday. "And I think what Republicans ought to do is what's right for America. They ought to do it calmly and pleasantly and happily."

It isn't necessarily a direct contradiction to criticize GOP leaders for passing a two-month deal just days after encouraging them to accept it. Gingrich's ire is directed at the legislative process more so than the product. He is also placing at least part of the blame on the president. But it isn't exactly fair to pile on Congress members after they followed your advice.

Few people may understand the tension between base politics and party leadership responsibilities better than Gingrich. And clearly, he is calculating that conservatives continue to hate the deal even after it was passed and would have been willing to hold out for more.

Comments

[uniquindividual]

12:19 PM on 12/26/2011

This is as much an indictment of the republican base as it is of Newt. The two - Newt and base republicans (pun intended) deserve each other.

[TexianLife]

11:56 AM on 12/26/2011

Gingrich is a "flip-flopper" just like Romney but the GOP ignores that because he's not Mormon robot.

[treabeton]

11:33 AM on 12/26/2011

Newt: "I have so many things swirling around in my head."

You have been caned.

[johntangier]

11:33 AM on 12/26/2011

HALLELUJAH, I WAS BORN AGAIN AND NOW IM AGAINST IT. GOD IS SO FORGIVING.

[MosesDidItBest]

09:33 AM on 12/26/2011

Newt can't be faithful to his wives or his own concepts, radical failed ideas and stupid ideas, he's already divorced some of his grandiose "stances" after only a day. What a waste of all that skin and air.

[johntangier]

11:34 AM on 12/26/2011

REMEMBER HE DIDNT PAY CHILD SUPPORT TO HIS FIRST WIFE, AND THE LOCAL BAPTISH CHURCH HAD TO TAKE UP A COLLECTION TO FEED AND SUPPORT NEWTS 2 KIDS. NEWT IS A LOW LIFE AND I DONT SEE ANYTHING CHANGING.

[chefacree]

08:57 AM on 12/26/2011

My take on republicans in general is they have been looking for the most extreme candidate they can find. They all settle on someone who then says something stupid dumb or not true. They have to start walking it back thereby looking weak. As soon as that happens, that person starts to slip and bingo they are off that one and on to another.They are as disjointed as the candidates they sort of support. My hope is eventually a candidate will emerge that most of them won't support. They will stay away in droves and the Dems regain the house and get a super majority in the senate. If that should happen the country would move forward leaving the republicans behind.

[LeftySansPancho]

04:12 AM on 12/26/2011

I do not like this Gingrich man.
I do not like him, Sam I Am.
I do not like his lying voice.
I do not see him as a choice.

The Gingrich who stole Christmas pleads -
"Revere the wealthy - meet our needs!
You Whos exist for our sole service,
Dust speck votes? What are their purpose?

They ask us to sit back and wait
For jobs while bankers feast on cake.
Well, Newt, you've gotten one thing right
We Dems are spoiling for a fight
We do not like green eggs and ham
Or pols who do not give a da*n
About the folks who cast their votes
Despite the yoke around our throats
It's growing ever tighter still
Since greedy pigs can't get their fill.

[Bob Merlin]

10:06 AM on 12/26/2011

loved it lefty!! fanned and fav!

[jteschke]

02:19 AM on 12/26/2011

I remember another candidate who made the unfortunate statement that he voted against something before he was in favor of it.

[ttsgw]

02:15 AM on 12/26/2011

As I understand this guy has always been acting according to republican values.

[larueskee]

01:03 AM on 12/26/2011

Even republicans know their candidates are complete jokes. Who knows when they will flip or flop.

[FredSanders]

11:31 PM on 12/25/2011

I read Gingrich's comments, and they are identical to the inane_postings of the TP people here, about the 2 month extension "not being long enough", when they did not want it in the first place!
Are Presidential aspirants now taking their sound bites from blog commentators? Or the other way around?

[FreedomMan]

06:02 PM on 12/25/2011

He waffles more and faster then an waffle house . .

[bronceye]

04:29 PM on 12/25/2011

He doesn't flip or flop, he practices predictable absurdity.

[FreedomMan]

06:03 PM on 12/25/2011

Preposterous as well. . .

[brotherez]

11:57 AM on 12/25/2011

Have you ever noticed how often the words "Gingrich" and "criticizes" appear in the same sentence, usually in that order?

[AlCu]

11:44 AM on 12/25/2011

This is why Newt is failing. "Just cut taxes and reduce regulations" is what CAUSED the mess the Republicans have put us in over the past 30 years.