Newt Gingrich 2012: Sarah Palin Could Play 'A Major Role' (UPDATE)

Newt Gingrich seems poised to inject some 2008 flavor into his 2012 presidential campaign.

In a CNN interview set to air on Wednesday, the former House speaker is prepared to ask Sarah Palin "to play a major role" in his administration, a producer from "The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer" tweeted.

Gingrich's interest in Palin comes hours after the former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate had some supportive words for his campaign. In a Tuesday Fox News interview, Palin said "If I were a South Carolinian, I would vote for Newt" to keep the primary process going.

Despite coming up short in Iowa and New Hampshire, Gingrich is still a presence in the overall 2012 Republican primary picture. A CBS News/New York Times poll released on Wednesday shows Newt in second place at 21 percent. Frontrunner Mitt Romney registered 28 percent of the vote in the poll.

This is not the first time that Gingrich has pegged Palin for a role in Washington. In late December, the GOP presidential hopeful told a tele-town hall that he would consider her as a vice presidential running mate or candidate for a cabinet secretary position.

While Sarah Palin has not fully endorsed Gingrich, her husband is officially in his corner. Todd Palin announced last Monday that he is behind the Georgian for the GOP's 2012 nomination. Once that news entered the public sphere, the former Alaska governor said the "first dude went rogue" -- noting that her husband did not consult with her before making that decision.

After running alongside Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) during the 2008 election, Palin's own 2012 presidential aspirations came to a halt in October. She cited family and faith as primary factors in her decision not to run.

"When we serve, we devote ourselves to God, family and country," she said in a statement. "My decision maintains this order."

UPDATE (5:40 p.m. ET): In the interview with Wolf Blitzer, Gingrich labeled Palin as a person he'd call on for advice, but added that no official step has been taken regarding an administration position.

"I would ask her to consider taking a major role in the next administration if I'm president, but nothing has been discussed of any kind," he said. "And it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss it at this time."

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Comments

[Khione]

06:55 PM on 02/02/2012

Could someone answer a real question - WHY does Sarah's endorsement matter? Is there actual value? Seriously, does anyone care?

[Starry Cross]

11:43 AM on 01/25/2012

Newt, have you lost mind?
Palin was a ridiculous choice for McCain.
Ron Paul for President.
The Revolution 2012.
A Righteous Man for the People.

[mtnman2001]

08:21 AM on 01/25/2012

This alone is a major inditement against the Newt. Has he forgoten the negatives that she conjures up. This should be enough to sink him with the vast independent voters.

[venice6]

12:40 PM on 01/22/2012

Oh my God and Helmut Newton , I mean Calista Newton looks just like Cindy McCain.

I don't think Cindy is into open marriages though.

[venice6]

12:35 PM on 01/22/2012

Love the photo of Newt and Sarah at the top of the page...

" Newt : Sarah could play a major role "

LOOK AT NEWT'S FACE!

LOOK AT SARAH'S FACE!

gee, I wonder what that " role " will be?

Open Marriage anyone??

[latterdaywhacko]

08:25 PM on 01/20/2012

Palin 2012!

[labman57]

10:47 AM on 01/20/2012

Newt will offer Palin a position in his administration -- doggy style.

[latterdaywhacko]

08:26 PM on 01/20/2012

the fact that you, with so many fans, and huffpo letting your comment slide, says it all about huffpo.

[indy girl]

09:48 PM on 01/20/2012

aaaand yet here you are.

[venice6]

12:36 PM on 01/22/2012

It will be Nail'n Pailin'

In Newt's office..

" palin will play a "major" role...

Does Newt really think he is that big in size... man, what an ego.

[snowyphile]

09:30 AM on 01/20/2012

It's the same tune that pushed McCain's buttons: `Fool for my hormones blues'. Dream on Newt. Of all the dirty old men to choose from, do you really think you have a chance?

[AvgPlumber]

12:27 PM on 01/28/2012

Well Newt does have that big line of credit at Tiffany's and we all know Sarah's track record of running amuck with credit cards acquiring the accoutrements and trappings of the rich like all that clothing and makeup she bought on the GOP's dime during the 2008 campaign.

[julietrecamier]

10:45 PM on 01/19/2012

Why? She's great in her present capacity; she brings in ratings, money, and attention wherever she goes; who wouldn't want to draw that kind of attention, and remain beholden to nobody except herself? Getting back into politics puts her under the gun again, something she didn't like before, that's why she quit.

And then there's the media attention, because if Newt gets in and calls on her for a post, there will be a frenzy wherever she goes. We have seen that in the past, WHETHER WE LIKE HER OR NOT.

[cheikp23]

04:25 PM on 01/19/2012

That would be the most vicious attack on Obama ever. Newt needs to understand three things:
1. Picking Palin was the kiss of death for McCain's campaign.
2. Newt will NEVER be win the general election, everyone KNOWS his history.
3. Newt will NOT win the nomination, no matter how arrogantly confident he is.

[ljkcan]

04:24 PM on 01/19/2012

He would ask Palin for advice, that is reason enough not to vote for him.

[Chivasery]

12:28 AM on 01/22/2012

Actually, it is helpfull for any man to know a woman's point of view on any particular subject because, in case you haven't noticed, men and women are different from one another.

Sarah isn't much of a politician, that requires being able to say one thing and mean another. She is too genuine to compete with accomplished liars and win on the national level.

Still she is a treasure and anyone who gets her endorsement is very fortunate.

[mahaliajackson1]

08:56 AM on 01/24/2012

How is she a "treasure"?

[venice6]

12:37 PM on 01/22/2012

Newt, " Palin will play a " major " role "

can you spell:

THREESOME!!

[ljkcan]

06:52 PM on 01/22/2012

Thanks I just ate dinner !

[wolfenstein81]

04:22 PM on 01/19/2012

Implying that one would dole out an appointment to a cabinet level position before someone has been endorsed is a felony. How is that not the headline?

TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 29 > § 599
§ 599. Promise of appointment by candidate

Whoever, being a candidate, directly or indirectly promises or pledges the appointment, or the use of his influence or support for the appointment of any person to any public or private position or employment, for the purpose of procuring support in his candidacy shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

[savanahrose]

08:39 AM on 01/22/2012

How do you know what that major role is? He could just ask her to help with his campaign if he wins the nomination. Hopefully not as the vp nom.

[AbeMartin]

02:37 PM on 01/19/2012

"In a CNN interview set to air on Wednesday, the former House speaker is prepared to ask Sarah Palin "to play a major role" in his administration." Whatever could that be? She has no understanding of economics, so the Director of the Office of Management and Budget is off the table. She has no experience in foreign policy or defense, save her totally choreographed foreign trips to Israel (where she suddenly started wearing a Star of David). She has had no experience as a teacher or educator, so the Secretary of the Department of Education won't work. And she thinks the United Nations is another name for the United States of America. So, puleeze, Mr. Neut, share with us what role she would have in your administration. You've been with Callista for a number of years and must be getting a bit jumpy. Some young, comely office assistant young enough to be your grand daughter must be giving you the looks that you have never been able to resist. Press secretary? Could be. St. Sarah does have her journalism degree from Backwater State University of Idaho. Wait. I got it! She can manage the Presidential bowling lane which is in the second subterranean level of the White House. I am certain she would be great at buffing up the bowling balls and pins.

[venice6]

12:38 PM on 01/22/2012

Newt and Sarah did discuss this over a corn dog , in Iowa.

[Cakey4814]

02:32 PM on 01/19/2012

I don't know anyone who believed that Todd went "rogue"..please...that's like saying Bruce Jenners wears the pants in the Kardashian household. His endorsement was calculated just like everything Sarah Palin does...

[Nescobar]

01:54 PM on 01/19/2012

Gingrich/Palin 2012......the dream team fo' sure.