Former Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich took a hit at 2012 GOP candidate Mitt Romney and his infamous "47 percent" comments at a gathering of Republican leaders Thursday.
“I would like to say to every consultant in this party, if you think you can target less than 100 percent, you’re not going to get any more business," Gingrich said, according to National Journal.
At a private fundraiser in 2012, Romney made contentious remarks about the 47 percent of Americans who don't pay federal income taxes. After video of his remarks were made public -- sparking controversy at the height of the 2012 election -- Romney said they were "just completely wrong."
Gingrich told GOP leaders he believes Republicans "are at a turning point where over the next two or three years we're going to make enormous decisions," calling the upcoming choices "controversial."
"It will involve a great deal of arguing and a large amount of passion," Gingrich said.
Gingrich argued the GOP should "learn to be the happy party" while referencing some of his recent, more lighthearted media appearances, including appearances on NBC's "Parks and Recreation" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
This isn't the first time Gingrich has criticized Romney. In December 2012, he said he "would have probably done better" against Obama than the former Massachusetts governor.
Before You Go
