The Boy Who Cried 'Newt!'

It's a pretty true testament to the state of our system of campaign finance that we allow politicians to form entities that allow them to legally raise money to assess whether or not they can run for president. Ultimately, if you want to run for President, why is it the people's business while you're deciding whether or not enough people are going to write you checks?

Even more bizarre that a candidate might run around contemplating collecting 'pledges' from people who want him to run for President, in lieu of actual donations. That was what ex-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich was hellbent on doing until this afternoon. Now CNN and the Politico's Mike Allen have both reported in the past hour that Newt was just teasing us.

That means no Monday press conference in which the 1994 Republican Revolution's architect tells us why he's the man who can defeat Hillary Clinton once again. No signs of Gingrich running around and declaring, "If the people want me, they can come and get me," like we all have $30 million more to throw around in order to get his white-haired head in the game. No burdened mail-carriers in Iowa humping around box after box of "Newt!" DVDs, as he threatened the US Postal Service with on Friday. No dorky t-shirts and gym bags carted around by young conservatives with the slogan "Just Say Newt!"

Gingrich was contemplating the establishment of a "Draft Newt" campaign of his own. While various political chatterers were suggesting it was the first time this had been tried, Gingrich would in fact have been putting himself in the same league as another late entry to 2008's Republican Runaround: Alan Keyes. Who can forget Dr. Keyes who just a couple of months ago launched the "We Need Alan Keyes For President" political action committee to build "grassroots support" to encourage the beginning of Keyes' candidacy for the Republican nomination? All bought and paid for by Dr. Keyes himself.

Could this have been decisive in Gingrich's decision to butt out of the 2008 field - just how absurd the whole thing had started to look? While Matt Taibbi might be suggesting in Rolling Stone that Fred Thompson's Hollywood-on-the-Appalachian Trail campaign represents a new low in presidential politics, perhaps it finally dawned on the Newtster that getting into the game like Keyes was starting to sound lower still, and that this year's syndicated repeats of Just The Ten Of Us didn't require an eleventh hour entry on the slate card.

Comments

[LITU]

Elections CANNOT save America. Doesn't get any more poignant than that.

[realpolitic]

The only one who doesn't know Newt Gingrich is a joke is Newt Gingrich! And maybe Fox News!

[seawolf77]

I cannot take seriously anyone named Newt.

[GenXLiberal]

He wanted to feel relevant. He was king of the sewers for along time, now he's just jealous because he has some serious competition. We can always say you were the original of the scumscucing parasites of the GOP.

[historian1900]

Fred Thompson grows on you like warts. Don't confuse integrity with ignorance or poise with duplicity. The former Tennessee Senator, lobbyists, leased pick-up truck driver, and plaid flannel work shirt wearer offers the political scene nothing new. Mr. Thompson is a type, a poseur: similar to the shirt-sleeved elitist we've got now.

[GenericBlogger]

Gingrich has been an academic and a practitioner in politics throughout his adult life. He knows the score better than most.

I believe he was showcasing himself to other candidates as a possible running mate or some position. I also believe he was promoting his publications.

Because of his Republican affiliation and his past activities in Congress, I believe he should not be a government employee, elected or appointed. Because of his extensive knowledge of Washington and politics, he should stay with some think tank and contribute from outside the government.

[Herrington]

Newt Gingrich is more dangerous than and appears to linger as long as nuclear waste. The "genius" of the Republican party is so titled because he can craft the best cover story for the cravenness of his party.

The poor silly man does not realize his "genius" only plays to the right wing hard core, and the remainder of the world hears an atonal mess rather than the symphony of truth for which we thirst. His words are a waste of the air. His thoughts are a waste of calories.

The best news I have heard this years is that his campaign for president will not pollute and corrupt the sound waves that enter my ears.

[Binx101]

This was actually quite interesting - but there is even more meat on this bone.

Associated Press:
"Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will not run for president in 2008 after determining he could not legally explore a bid and remain as head of his tax-exempt political organization, a spokesman said Saturday."

Okay just a snippet but it says so much. This is the excuse ?? This is what he based the decision - A man who may have turned managing shills and vests to do his work, into an art-form with the contract for America ??

Sounds like the Lion in the Wizard of Oz - all Cuh_Cuh_Cu­h_Courage!­!

He could have had absolute control by just appointing a titular replacement. This is addressing the public with little regard other than to have an official exit line. That's what will hit the books. But don't we actually know better.

Wasn't it Dobson and the other usual suspects that warned him - if you run - you will lose more than if you just carry on about your business? It was all the news a few weeks ago.

[falazmah]

I'm relieved Newt's not running. The SOB is nasty! How do you feel about Newt's decision not to run? http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=610

[JohnJames]

If he has any sense he backed out at the thought of being seen on the same stage with wingnut of wingnuts, Alan Keyes.

[hugs4u]

Alan Keyes is a good man, he is just messed up on what political party he should be in.

[BachelorJohnnyCool]

I never believed he was ever really serious about running. From the beginning, it was obvious that his pompous proclamations were all about selling books, and soliciting strokes for his massive ego and adoring smooches for his flabby backside. He had to know he could never be elected, but he craves attention and undoubtedly missed being in the spotlight.

[ColoradoAngryRU]

Oh Puleese! Just another empty suit, your man Fred. If he's the best you got, you are going to lose!

[mommadona]

I would suggest that any entity with

NEWT GINGRICH
and
NON-PROFIT

on ANY of it's filing papers should be immediately investigated for money laundering.

[Nommo]

Either that, or get import licenses for street level drug dealers.

[MyManJones]

I wonder if Newt got some money anyway. I wonder if he repaid Bush Sr. the quarter of a mil he borrowed when he slimed away from DC? I wonder why he made that gimme some money noise after he said he would not run it Fred Thompson did. He has been picking us like a guitar until he got some fame back and some money. Now he hopes to be appointed to some grand job, probably in the Thompson Administration, however Fred has a memory also

Being from Tennessee I know about Fred Thompson. He never tells a lie even if it hurts him politically. If he does not know the answer to a question he will tell you so rather than fake it. He recently stirred up some of the religious followers by being precise in responding to a question about his church attendance. It may have lost him some votes but in the face of God he told the truth. That is why Fred Thompson grows on you.

He tells you the opinion of Fred Thompson, not the opinion of the Republican Party. He slams George Bush and the current Administration if necessary. That is why Fred Thompson grows on you.

Often his speeches roll off the top of his head, rather than copious notes, teleprompters, aide prompters and Hollywood tactics. He talks while he is thinking and thinks while he is talking. Most unusual for a politician. That is why Fred Thompson grows on you.

There are no handlers behind the scene. Fred handles the handlers. When you see and listen to Fred you are seeing and listening to Fred Thompson, not a haircut or rehearsed sound bites or canned responses written by a team of writers. You are enjoying Fred the man, the way it used to be in the old days, like off the back of a train or the top of a load of hay. That is why Fred Thompson grows on you.

Don Jones
MyManFred.com

[Herrington]

All well and good Don Jones. If I can believe what he says, then what he says informs my opinion that I don't want him in the White House.

[RaderBarbarian]

Yep, he grows on you alright,just like a zit. Now if he would just have a thought or two that had some reason or relevance to it, we might even stop noticing that he is nothing more than an ACTOR doing improv. You know "improv," don't you? It's making it up as you go along. But it isn't real. It is ACTING! Often it isn't very good acting.

Okay, Don. You can send in the next clown now.

[CitizenDick]

Yes. Of course that taped response to Michael Moore and his trip to Cuba was clearly all Fred and no political machine attached to him. Clearly off the top of his head there.