Newt Gingrich Blasts Mitt Romney, Vows To Press Forward Despite Poor Iowa Showing

CONCORD, N.H. — GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich pummeled front-running rival Mitt Romney as "a moderate Massachusetts Republican to the left of the vast majority" of their party, displaying a tough new tone in New Hampshire after a disappointing performance in Iowa's caucuses.

Gingrich launched a blistering attack on Romney in what is essentially the home turf of the former Massachusetts governor, who owns a house here.

The former House speaker said Romney had run a Senate race "to the left" of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and had transformed into a moderate to run for governor. What's more, Gingrich said, Romney was once an independent who repudiated Reagan-Bush policies and voted for "liberal" Paul Tsongas in his 1992 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

And Gingrich disputed the idea that Romney is the most electable candidate in the GOP field, arguing that three out of four Republicans rejected him in Iowa.

"The fact is, Gov. Romney has a very limited appeal in a conservative party," he said.

Gingrich effectively broke a pledge to run a positive campaign, although he didn't see it that way. The former House speaker contended that as long as he stuck to facts and accurately portrayed Romney's record – in recent days he has called Romney a liar in regard to Gingrich's own record – the strategy was not negative.

Gingrich was battered by a barrage of attack ads in Iowa that deflated his frontrunner status. A number of them were run by a political action committee backing Romney.

Gingrich is seeking to reboot his White House bid. He is campaigning in New Hampshire, which holds it primary Jan.10, but has his eye on South Carolina, the first Southern primary where evangelicals and social conservatives hold sway.

The pro-Gingrich super PAC Winning Our Future posted online a 2008 ad from John McCain's primary campaign highlighting Romney's flip-flops on abortion and gun rights and on being a Republican.

McCain endorsed Romney on Wednesday in New Hampshire. But in 2008 they were rivals for the GOP nomination for president and the McCain camp pummeled him for swapping positions.

"Mitt Romney's flip-flops truly are masterpieces," the ad concludes.

Gingrich didn't congratulate Romney Tuesday night in Iowa and declined an opportunity to do so Wednesday in New Hampshire.

"I know that's a rhetorical question," Gingrich told a reporter who asked why he hadn't offered the traditional postelection congratulations to the victor.

"I suspect it's going to be a very lively campaign. I am delighted to be in New Hampshire to talk about big ideas, big solutions and a big contrast," he said.

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Comments

[inmyelement]

08:00 PM on 01/04/2012

Newt --- what is good for the goose is good for the gander. IOW enjoy a bit of your own medicine.

[Cunningham]

04:21 PM on 01/04/2012

BlingRich, head to Tiffany's. Maybe something shiny will cheer you up.

[Omentum]

03:56 PM on 01/04/2012

just a little over a month ago he was blasting the debate moderator for trying to pit them against each other....

oh what a difference a p.a.c. makes

[aaacs1]

01:48 PM on 01/04/2012

LOLOLOL...After reading a majority of the posts made thus far. What happened to all of those posters that were so insistant that Newt was going to win it all and they couldn't wait for the debates with Obama so Newt could cream him.? Are all of those posters now hiding under rocks? Sorry...I couldn't resist playing devil's advocate. Oh! Let's not forget the Ron Paul rabid followers too. LOLOLOLOL

[Celeste5793]

01:44 PM on 01/04/2012

I always thought of Newt as a Pit Bull type because that's how he acts, but now he just sounds like a cry baby. "Romney is lying about me", he says. Like elections are always honest and no one ever talks the other guy down. Plus he thinks he's Ronald Reagan.

Now I clearly remember Newt going after Clinton in the 90's for doing the same thing that he (Newt) was doing. But now he says he's Mr. Nice Guy??

[sxp4135x]

01:35 PM on 01/04/2012

He said he wouldn't vote for Paul and now he's blasting Romney. Does this mean he no longer believes that every person on this stage would be a better president than Obama?

[aaacs1]

02:10 PM on 01/04/2012

Maybe he wants to vote for Obama...LOLOLOL

[sylvia wadlington]

01:32 PM on 01/04/2012

If it is not negetive to tell the truth about a candidate, what's Newt complaining about, everything negetive anyone can say is the truth about Gingrich. My crystal ball says Newt will spend all his money and still lose and have to go live under the bridge with all the other unemployed. Calista meanwhile can scope out the field for a younger, more compromising book signing partner cum republican city dog catcher.

[proudcalib]

12:52 PM on 01/04/2012

Romney is still the most likely GOP nominee, so by all means, Newt, beat him up as much as you like. President Obama thanks you in advance.

[tjeastrich]

12:35 PM on 01/04/2012

Newt is a street fighter. I expect the long knives to come out and things are about to get down and dirty. The only thing that may hold him back is that Romney has PAC support and deep pockets that can easily swamp the remaining candidate field. Perry has a war-chest, too, but he's ineffective and irrelevant at this point.

[krenzny]

12:23 PM on 01/04/2012

Oh Goody... This election cycle has been so boring since hermie dropped out. I can't wait to see mitt and newt duke it out over who is the grimiest! Replenish your popcorn stash folks!

[perturbedintexas]

12:12 PM on 01/04/2012

Newton did not win one county in Iowa. Go figure....

[rock121645]

12:00 PM on 01/04/2012

OK lets look at Newt:
1. Was he convicted of ethical violations? Yes of No.
2. Has he had three wives? Yes or No
3. Did he commit adultry while married to wife No 1 and wife No 2? Yes or No
4. Did he take millions from Fannie and Fredddie? Yes or No.
5. Is he just an angry OLD man? Yes or No

If the answer is yes to these questions why would anyone want him to be President.

[Dodsworth Fandango]

12:28 PM on 01/04/2012

Because he looks like the stay puff marshmellow man?

[Sunnyside37]

12:00 PM on 01/04/2012

How fast can you say POOR LOSER. People don't want you & ms. tiffany. Get over yourself already.

[P Markham72]

11:56 AM on 01/04/2012

I love sore losers

[JaimitoMiguel]

11:54 AM on 01/04/2012

It's almost terrifying to contemplate what Gingrich could possibly say about Romney that could be worse than the horror show Gingrich inflicted on the United States when he was speaker. Gingrich argues "change in Washington" from a position of an entrenched Washington insider. He claims he changed Washington as Speaker, but most would say it was in worse shape when he was chased out of the House like a mangy, incontinent dog. He has always preached "Family Values" from a position complete moral bankruptcy. I wouldn't trust his sincerity in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, much less an oath to protect and uphold the Constitution of the United States. It would be pitiful if he wasn't so dangerous.