Newt Gingrich Campaign Leaking Hot Air Ahead Of Florida Primary, GOP Insiders Say

WASHINGTON -- What happened to Newt Gingrich? Less than a week after Gingrich's stunning triumph in South Carolina, air is leaking from his momentarily front-running campaign faster than a parade balloon's after Thanksgiving.

Besides the obvious fact that the new combat-enabled, armored-up Mitt Romney clobbered Gingrich last night, are there other reasons? Yes, based on conversations with Republican and campaign insiders here and in Florida:

• The Palin Factor. Some D.C.-based establishment types were preparing to reconcile themselves to former House Speaker Gingrich, if not outright endorse him, before or after the South Carolina primary last week. But according to one such insider, who asked not to be identified because of her prominent corporate lobbying role, Gingrich fatally said on Jan. 18 -- three days before the primary -- that he would offer former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin a "major role in the next administration if I'm president." That one statement scared the accept-Newt, Republican-establishment types. "That sure did it for me, and I think for a lot of other people in town," the lobbyist said.
• The Rubio Factor. The popular Cuban-American senator from Florida has not endorsed a candidate, but he doesn't need to. He devastated Gingrich by complaining -- vehemently -- about an ad the Gingrich campaign had run calling Romney "the most anti-immigrant candidate," and implying that Romney had parroted the words of Fidel Castro. On Wednesday, Rubio denounced the ad as "inaccurate, inflammatory and doesn't belong in this campaign." The Gingrich camp withdrew the ad.
• The Moon Factor. A science-fiction fan and self-described "grandiose" thinker, Gingrich took it all too far when he vowed to establish an American space colony on the moon by the end of his second term. Even in Florida, where they love them some space exploration, it seemed an extravagant notion at a time when half the home mortgages in the state are under water. Former Massachusetts Gov. Romney, well prepared to capitalize, said that he would "fire" any staffer who brought him such an idea.
• The Wolf Factor. Gingrich was unable to bully his way past the savvy and imperturbable Wolf Blitzer as CNN moderator last night when the former speaker tried to decry the role of the mainstream media. And rather than lamely stand by in silence, Romney cleverly sided with Blitzer as he asked probing questions.
• The O'Donnell Factor. Debate coach Brett O'Donnell, formerly working for Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.), earned his pay by coaching Romney in his answer about the role of faith in presidential decision-making. It was deftly pious without seeming to break the wall between church and state.

Comments

[TarzanaGirl]

07:48 PM on 01/29/2012

"Newt Gingrich Campaign Leaking Hot Air Ahead of Florida Primary, GOP Insiders Say"

There's something wrong with this sentence. The word "campaign" shouldn't be there.

[fattbastird]

07:38 PM on 01/28/2012

The profile of a Bagger is easy: NASCAR, Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, Spousal Abuse, High School Drop Out, Drives Trashed illegal car, Broke, Angry, In Denial.

[aztrukin]

11:33 PM on 01/28/2012

Quit profiling me. I am/used to be all of the following. I grew up on the same county road as Mid Ohio Raceway, moonshine is goooooood, I beat my wife at least three times a day if she is good, drop out, no, I beat them real good tooooooooooo ta give me a passin grade, my bestest car was a 67 Impala with the fenders missin, note how I spelled Impala, give it some respect, do you know where the nearest coinstar is caus the fillin' station is shut down. I once sat in a tub as big as yur in but it was full of corn cobs, hehehe.

[aztrukin]

11:35 PM on 01/28/2012

Okay, now take your large whatever out of that jac-uknowwhat and be a big boy with big boy words if you really know any. What a joke.

[thecannula]

07:28 PM on 01/28/2012

What NOONE gets is that Obama Cannot Defend his Healthcare Reform when he runs against Romney- since he COPIED Romney- He just made the mistake of applying the SAME plan to Massachussetts and Mississippi! Last time I looked, they were different in every way...and Oregon..and New Jersey. The Difference between Republicans and Democrats is that the GOP gets that! Mittstheeconomy (and Healthcare) Stupid!

[fattbastird]

07:34 PM on 01/28/2012

I defend HCR. I OWN A BUSINESS> We get a 30% Tax Credit for contributions to employee HC Bagger! Go sign on to Fox.

[aztrukin]

11:38 PM on 01/28/2012

Clown and a liar.

[Chris Carlen]

04:57 PM on 01/30/2012

Selling yourself for jukebox quarters does not count as a business.We always recieved a 30% tax cut via the deduction.Learn to make a better Faux case their goombah.

[fattbastird]

07:15 PM on 01/28/2012

I talked with a Tea Party person today. He is 27. He is an NRA member. He has juvenile possessions like Chinese blades and throwing stars. He is on drugs. He is a heavy drinker. He is a father that cannot provide for his 7 year old daughter. The mother of his daughter (They never married) is now married to a former police officer and Blackwater employee that is unemployed as the result of a shooting/drinking incident. The mother has been beaten by the old befriend AND the Husband. All of the people I mentioned above are dedicated Tea Party backers. None have ever voted, and none are registered to this day. This 27 year old is my stepson. He doesn't know this is an election year, and he doesn't know who is running against President Obama. He cannot name a single candidate. He hates Obama. He cannot afford health insurance for himself or his daughter. He is the perfect BAGGER.

[aztrukin]

11:42 PM on 01/28/2012

Sounds like your kind of people. Guess what, hicks come in all political parties. Get some.

[l78lancer]

06:33 PM on 01/28/2012

Newt is a self-destructive fire starter.

[fattbastird]

07:33 PM on 01/28/2012

He is an inhuman convict that has backing from the christian right.

[l78lancer]

08:49 PM on 01/28/2012

Wow - strong stuff. Let's bottle it and party! LOL.

[cutsonpaints]

05:58 PM on 01/28/2012

Wonderful!! Now our Republican "leaders" think they are democrats. What happened to " We The People" choosing the candidates. Romney is nothing more than a progressive Republiican on a puppet string. And since I'm on a roll I also am sick and tired of these self proclaimed superior liberals and their bias and malice towards anyone and anything that doesn't agree with them. Everytime they spout off about Rpmney and Gingrich feuding I remember the exact same cra^ going on between Obama and Clinton, how soon you loons like to forget, I didn't hear your sorry a**es whining about it then though

[TheoRealist]

08:36 AM on 01/29/2012

"We the people" choosing the candidates is still in place--everyone who's qualified still gets to vote, so take off the tin foil hat.

Actually there was a lot of hand-wringing going on in 2008 during the Democratic primary, about the two candidates beating each other up through August and making it easy for McCain in the general. Maybe you just weren't paying attention, since it appears from your comment that you are comfortably ensconced in your echo chamber. Anyway, some at the time said that the battle would actually sharpen the eventual nominee, and as it turns out, that's what happened.

The one place where you do have a point about the "we the people" thing is in Virginia, where the GOP insists on keeping Newt off the ballot through crazy and ever-shifting rules.

[cutsonpaints]

11:21 AM on 01/29/2012

No Actually we the people is losing. at least to some extent. UNfortunately, many people still think the media is a reliable source of information, and consider what they report as truth. So with the Romney Super PAC ( which by the way is largely funded by Goldman Sachs and Bain ) spending 30 MILLION on negative ads in Florida . We the People might vote. But we the ones that are rich will manipulate that vote. Personally I think there should be election laws limiting how much can be spent on campaigns and Super PACS should be illegal period. But say for instance Santorum. I am personally not a supporter but he seems to be ...maybe one of the less controversial candidates. BUT his chances are mainly limited solely through limited funding. Meaning basically money talks and everything else falls to the wayside. To some degree whoever spends the most wins. Limit campaign expenses ( maybe that would get a president to stay at work now and then ) and level the playing field to BOTH parties

[soopined]

05:29 PM on 01/28/2012

Funny I was “doubting myself” cause after viewing the entire Jan 26 GOP debate I didn’t get the sense that Romney “clobbered” Newt. Romney had a coupl’a good seconds and that was that.

[cutsonpaints]

06:03 PM on 01/28/2012

I have become a reluctant Gingrich supporter. Personally Newt did not show as strong as he has in the other debates...in my opinion and I think it has greatly affected his odds of winning the primary Tuesday. Rubio just lost a lot of credibility to me as well. With all the anti Gingrich assaults Romney has launched including several well documented lies Rubio never mentioned them at all. His Bias is abundantly clear, Shame on him and his self righteous claims

[TheoRealist]

09:29 AM on 01/29/2012

I'm pulling for Gingrich too--it's the surest way to re-elect Obama.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/26/10245644-nbcwsj-poll-gingrich-leads-romney-but-badly-trails-obama

[Ramon Noches]

04:52 PM on 01/28/2012

What, you mean you can't fool all of the people all of the time? What a noble and fresh idea that we need to ensure our politicians know what we know. In addition, the Nine Commandments used to say something about bearing false witness; however, that has all changed. You see the politicians are using up Earth's supply of lies so only truth should prevail in the future and no need for Ten Commandments anymore. I suggest we start a Whopper Party that admits upfront it does not intend to tell the truth. In many ways it would be the most upfront, transparent and honest party. Its platform would be "We promise you nothing, but what you see is what you get, and nothing more.

[FunKevin]

04:46 PM on 01/28/2012

Please let me get in on this one... See none of them are any good, not to be president of USA. Look the one's that will vote for them are fools them self's. People flat out need help right now. Not just blacks people but every one. Yea, run Newt o.k. go Romney. In the end its going to be the guy we already have in the chair. But let me go one more step. DO YOU HEAR THESE GUYS TALK? THEY LIE, CHEAT, AND STEAL. Tell me you really want them in office and I will tell you to go to the moon with Newt...

[Cream Rises to the top]

05:00 PM on 01/28/2012

And Obama didn't cheat.. He first got into office by using voter registration tactics against his oppenent, which literally threw her out of office by getting her people invalidated. His people then told Hilary voters at the Texas caucus that the meeting had been re-scheduled. The Republicans at least are presenting alternatives who have proven track records of accomplishments.. Obama came into office with none.. And that's how he's leaving.

[SavvyWire]

05:54 PM on 01/28/2012

A tragic point in the history of the United States. Black? There have long been very victims of prejudice in this nation, unfairness, hatred, bigotry and those people just kept on going, they made it, they arrived, and by comparison with Obama and Pincess Michelle?

[FunKevin]

12:47 PM on 01/30/2012

Think what you want, Dude. If you really think these two guys can beat Obama then places your bet. You will not be at the winners table.

[Cream Rises to the top]

05:01 PM on 01/28/2012

And now we are finding out that in Indiana Obama did not qualify to be on the ballot. Lots of fishy stories.

[FunKevin]

12:53 PM on 01/30/2012

So what are you saying? I'm unclear as to what your point of view is... Did you know there are fishy stories about you and your mom's. My point is that these kind of stories have every one's name on them. Get My Point!

[bsdiana94]

04:44 PM on 01/28/2012

sarah the quitter a place in newton's cabinet?

In the wordsa of the respected phuilosopher, flounder, "This is Great"!!

Obama landslide!!

VOTE OUT ALL REPUBLICANS IN 2012 !!!

[SavvyWire]

05:56 PM on 01/28/2012

You have not gotten the word? It is not about party any more. It is about country and leadership and filling the void. Newt Gingrich has important background; government, history (you have heard to beware of history repeating?) He has a PhD from Tulane. He and Romney would be a great team.

[cutsonpaints]

06:08 PM on 01/28/2012

Ohh Yeah let the miserable dummocrats who have single handedly put us on the brink of inhilation have another crack at it. That's real bright

[bsdiana94]

07:44 PM on 01/28/2012

"singelhandedly"

Is amnesia now a rerquirement to be considered a republican these days?

Let's see... 2001 tax cuts creates jobs.. tell me, cuts.. Where are all the jobs?

2002 (?) in there somwhere when republicans owned both houses. Let's repeal Glass Steagall.. It's banks gone wild!! Deregulation , get the gummint out of the way!! How did that work out for the country, dittohead..

2003.. Let's invade Iraq AND afghanistan at the same time we cut taxes .. Hmmm. how are we going to pay for that?

2004.. medicare part D. Let's make sure we wrap up the senior vote before the election.. How are we going to pay for that? hmm..

hello . China..

yes, long term memory loss is DEFINITELY mandatory for being a teapublican ,isn't it?

Get a clue..

[3catwoman3]

04:38 PM on 01/28/2012

Newwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwt would have to establish a whole new cabinet post in order to offer the ex-half gov something suitable for her skills - Secretary of the InFERIOR.

[Rudman44]

04:38 PM on 01/28/2012

There has been this unpopular tag that is laid on President Obama as a lunatic Socialist. Some have been even more vile.
My son asked me a very poignant question, he asked "What if everyone in the United States was rich and there were no poor people to mow the lawn, wait on tables, fix the roads, or pick up the garbage? i pondered and answered.

[Cream Rises to the top]

05:02 PM on 01/28/2012

your son sounds like he has a great future.

[protodan]

04:35 PM on 01/28/2012

Newt could make Sarah W.H. social director.. Maybe she could get Callista to change her helmet every now and then.. I'm gettin' tired of that helmet with the swept wing on one side..

[screwitall]

04:32 PM on 01/28/2012

Which end is Newt's hot air seeping from ?

[William Greene]

03:17 PM on 01/30/2012

BOTH ENDS!

[screwitall]

03:26 PM on 01/30/2012

Precisely my thought

[fishing101]

04:30 PM on 01/28/2012

TELL ME WHY THEY RUN EACH OTHER DOWN. CALL EACH OTHER NAMES. KEEP TELLING THE PEOPLE DON'T VOTE FOR HIM OR HER YET WHEN THEY DROP OUT THEY TURN AROUND AND ENDORSE THAT SAME PERSON. HIPACRATES OR WHAT. AND YOU WANTTHESE PEOPLE WITH RICH DEEP POCKETS TO RUN AMERICA. OMG!!!! WE THE PEOPLE NEED HELP BIG TIE. BRAINS ARE FRIED

[Cream Rises to the top]

05:03 PM on 01/28/2012

and that is called an election.. so what.