(CNN) - Former House speaker Newt Gingrich is warning of a third party mutiny in 2012 if Republicans don’t figure out a way to shape up.
“If the Republicans can’t break out of being the right wing party of big government, then I think you would see a third party movement in 2012,” Gingrich said Tuesday. The speech, to a group of students at the College of the Ozarks in Missouri, was recorded by Springfield TV station KY3.
But Gingrich, bemoaning President Barack Obama’s “monstrosity of a budget,” acknowledged that Republicans are partially to blame for the escalation in federal spending.
"Remember, everything Obama’s doing, Bush started last year,” he said. “If you’re going to talk about big spending, the mistakes of the Bush administration last year are fully as bad as the mistakes of Obama’s first two, three months.”
Gingrich told the students that the current governmental system “is so sick, so out of touch and so arrogant that you’re going to have a nationwide rebellion at the polls of people in both parties who are just fed up.”
“You can do a Facebook page, you can Twitter,” he said. “I Twitter right now and I think we’re at like, I don’t know, 18,000 or 20,000 thousand people that follow my Twitter, which I have to say I think is nuts. But there are ways to communicate, you’re not trapped by CBS news.”
Gingrich has repeatedly said that he will decide in early 2011 whether he plans to seek the White House in 2012.
From CNN Politics
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Very truthful words, however, if a third party doesn't start courting the public soon, then the votes are going to be randomly split amongst the egregious amount of minor parties that are floating around out there.
At least Gingrich seems to be showing some honesty and the ability to be reasonable, unlike many of his Republican cohorts.
Oh I don't think it's just the republicans having to worry about a 3rd party, when Obama get's done with this country by 2012, I'm sure a lot of democrats will be ready to look for something new too.
If Gingrich runs as a Republican in 2012, you bet I'll be voting third party. The same goes for Romney and a lot of other Republicans.
A third party has been the hot discussion for over a year now. I guess Newt finally got wind of it.
Vote Libertarian!
This is one of the few times I completely and fully agree with Newt. If the Republicans as they are today do not get their act together, a third, very viable party will form in the near future. The Republican Party, as it stands today, is no longer a party with any power, with any organization, or with any message to any but a very few people. It is obvious that Bush not only ruined vast swaths of the government, but he also ruined his party. The party must realign itself with it's old core values, and then not just talk about the values while doing something completely different, but actually show Americans that the old-style Republican values are back. If they do not do this they are, as they say, "toast".
A third party would be a breath of fresh air. A party that positions itself between the extreme right and the extreme left would be a winning concept. We can only hope that it will happen.
Wouldn't a third party split the Republican vote?
Bravo Mr. Gingrich, become the leader of the movement. You have my vote.
Newt baby. There is a third party. Conact Ross Perot you too could team up. No the Republicans are not ending. But they are out of power, and they deserve to be. How long? As the ticker likes to say "your party is awaiting moderation" good luck with that.
As Independents, Newt Gingrich has always had a way of getting our attention and making a lot more sense then the other leading members of his party. While I don't think the Republicans have much of a chance in 2012, Newt would probably be their best candidate. He shoots straight from the hip and doesn't have a problem telling it like it is regardless of who is at fault, and I like that.
Why is it a "warning" about a third party? I can think of nothing better.
The once-Grand Old Party has become a party of bigotry, intolerance, and self-righteousness. It long ago abandoned the principles of its founding, those of small government, fiscal responsibility, respect for individuals, and a respect for the sovereignty of other nations.
And in abandoning those principles, it abandoned a lot of people like me. I would love to see a third party arise out of the collapse of the Republican Party, a party, call it what you will, that embraces rather than perverts the philosophies of Taft and Goldwater.
The republican party will not be relevant come 2012. It will eventually have to be broken up into neo-cons, conservatives & moderates. If the party splits up, Democrats will rule.
This guy is so out of touch with most Americans. He is the old and proven wrong way to go. If he and the others so call leadership of the republican party is all that is being offered then the Democrats have nothing to worry about nor do we the people.
The best thing that could happen to this country in over 200 years would be the emergence of a strong viable Independent Party. It would be a blessing, and it would shift the balance of power forever. With the Democrats going further left, and the Republicans going further right, and with both staking life long claims to DC power with no term limits, a third party would be just the ticket Americans would flock to. A party where the voters could vote for the person and the issues, and not be swayed by party loyalty and party brainwashing. It would force both major parties to move towards the center, and it would give Americans a chance to break up the career beauracrats and the axis of evil which has manifested itself in red and blue states.
there needs to be a 3 rd party... the 60/40 of the voters in the middle have no voice no matter the party
I would not be surprised to see the mainstream GOP become the party of moderate Republicans and win back a lot of moderate voters who were put off by the vocal far-right fringe. The right wing fringe could then have thier own party with Rush and those guys leading the way. Not a bad idea, really...
Spearker Gingrich is right, the Republicans are so unorganized they look like being on the verge of breaking up.
Newt Gingrich is bloody right. The only problem is that he is badly connected with the OLD LEAGUE. These are a series of all Republicans families, like the Bush (father), The Sheldon Silverstones, Mercedes , Bob Dole and some GOP writeouts.
He will come up with a third party because he wouldn't get the normination of the Republican party and even if he had it wouldn't win.
So it's going to be very hard for him. The truth is that the Republicans need a new breed of Law makers and congress entries. The party is full of old folks, old ideas and out dated principles.
Newt,
We already rebelled at the voting box! That's why you guys are in the minority!
Why did it take so long for a leading politician to figure this out?
It's as if everything filters down the pipeline to the supposed "leaders" for them to actually agree and utter these things about three or four months after someone has already posted this on a blog.
Perhaps they should have their own blog site?
Hey fellow Conservatives, let's rally behind Newt and form a 3rd Party – with strong focus on fiscally conservatism. Our priority should be total spending freeze even on military and healthcare, and no new taxes.
Good idea. Would like to see even more parties emerge from the shadows...independence...green...libs...etc...real competition will help bring out the best qualities of all Americans.
Newt, you have my vote. I think you're the only one making sense in politics these days.
I think the problems the republicans that are In DC they go against everything that the president is trying to do. They have to get over the bitter fact that Sarah and John lost the election. And they better throw out some better canidates then Sarah, Bobby ,Mark. Newt and Mitt arent too bad. It is for sure Sarah and Bobby will go down first.
He's absolutely correct. Unless the GOP can find its way back to the center...and frankly, its moderate roots.....there will a move to either the Democrats as in the last two elections...or another Party such as Ross Perot's Group.
I'm all for a third party. We the people have been betrayed by both Rep and Dem.s, both are incompitent and just puppets of Wall Street. The lobbiest have more influence then the people do. In the next election I will vote for ANY third or even forth party candidate.
Even old Newt admits the Repubs. practiced big gov`t the last several years as they pledged to be the party of "freedom from big gov`t !!!!!!!!
Even Newt Gingrich cannot tolerate the Republican Party in its present state and what the last administration did to this country.
Call it the Bull Moose Party. This would be a fascinating centenial to celebrate the third party of the 1912 election when T. Roosevelt formed a third party to go against the republican incumbent Taft. The democrat W. Wilson won that year, so maybe this third party movement by conservative defections will not yield positive electoral results. Anyway, keep the movement going Gingrich – your loyalists are counting on you for guidance out of the wilderness.
You run for President and I'll vote for you. Everyone in my family will vote for you.
Only a third party? It's high time we had a number of parties. The current two-party system pretty much puts a lock on ideas, and, more important with each succeeding year, a lock on power.
That the US has deteriorated into a two-party system is our loss.
And this would be bad how? Gee... let's not have more than two choices. The founders were against parties to begin with. Gee... I wonder why???
I would consider a Libertarian moderate party...
Lets move away from social issues and concentrate on fiscal and government ones.
There will be a third party in 2012, and hopefully it'll be the Communist Party. Capitalism is destroying our country and the rest of the world.
Go for it, Newt. Start the "Alaska Freedom Party", and split the already dwindling Republican base.
Nothing but good news for the Democrats !!
I would love to see Mr. Gingrich run in 2012..... he is one highly intelligent person, which is probably why the left hates him so much!
By the way, Gingrich would smoke Obama and his teleprompter in a debate any day of the week!
Third party ,all centerist would be nice.
Newt feels people are trapped by having to watch CBS news? And watching FOX News gives us an unbiased opinion of what's going on? Get real!
Interesting...I think Newt is trying to suck us in to believing he is really a person willing to take responsibility for the Republican mess AND maybe even his own.
But, deep down, I'm not sure I trust him!!
He's right... as a supporter of Ron Paul/libertarian Republican (meaning I actually believe in the Constitution, fiscal conservatism/conservative principles), if we don't have a reliable/credible conservative candidate in 2012, I will not wait for one or compromise....
If the GOP doesn't change their ways, we may very well see someone like Ron Paul launch an independent bid.... he might not win, but it might be our only choice for electing a true conservative and for returning the party to their roots.
You'll probably not see a third party, but a fourth. At the rate things are going, the Republicans and Democrats will both split, which could in turn cause chaos in the electoral vote for the 2012 election.
Obama and the Democrats appear to be clusless that public outrage is not just about greedy, reckless irresponsible Wall Street. We are also outraged about reckless out of control government spending, Wall Street bailouts, and wastfull governmnent spending.
If Obama and the Democrats don't get a clue and if Republicans don't win back the trust of being the party of small government and fisical responsiblity, there will be a third party. And I would not be suprised if it included as many ex Democrats as ex Republicans.
I could care less who runs, or what happens in 2012, right now is what matters to me and right now I'm broke, busted and disgusted due to this ecomony. We need to leave Obama alone and let him do his job. I'm tired of all the Republican negativity like they didn't do anything wrong in the past 8 years. What is this selective memory?
If the voters thought the republicans could've done a better job than the democratics in fixing the mess, then we would've put McCain in the White House. Republicans need to realize it is going to be very hard for them to ever win again unless they stop the hate, and be more positive in tone towards the president the majority of Americans voted to be president. It's an insult to our decision to put Obama in the white house for republicans to keep saying who is going to run against the president in 2012. Frankly my dear, I don't give a d....
Newt Gingrich is right; the Republican Party was highjack by the extreme religious right, a minority no matter how you diced. If the party doesn’t move to the center, then it will be relegated to a very small minority, and some other party will fill the void.
I have lived in a few countries during my 50 years of existence, and history repeats itself, Governments controlled by extreme from the right or the left are never good news, the most progressive governments have always been the ones that govern from the center. Centrist Governments are more willing to compromise on delicate issues.
There is already athirsd party dedicated ot conservative values: Teh Libertarian Party. Teh LP supports smaller government, fewer taxes, a free market economy and minding our own business. If Republicans are willing to abandon that weird longing for a Leave-ot-to-Beaver "family values" utopia that never really existed, the LP is the place for them to go.
The third party will be the Libertarians. Mnay Americans identify with them and just look at the support Ron Paul got last year. If any serious contender emerges, it will be Libertarian in nature.
Can we please get a third party established and call it the “Common Sense” party. Then by the name implication we will automatically establish a platform totally in the opposite direction of both the other two parties.
I used to think that the Libertarian stance was a good one, but now I think that we do need government to keep businesses in check. Deregulation of utilities, zero regulation of hedge funds, and inadequate regulation of public companies have created many problems that will be a long time fixing.
I hear the Whig party is accepting applications.
Seriously, Newt's message is 30 years old. The problem isn't whether Government is too big or too small. It's whether the Government is doing things that benefit our citizens or just the privileged few.
There has never been a successful third party. All a third party does is make the other two parties stronger, or at least make one stronger by splitting the vote. Once the third party wins and keeps winning, it eventually becomes part of the two party as one of the older two parties dies off. Then, we are back to a two party system again. If you look at U.S. history, there never has been a third party for very long before it became part of a two party.
Paradoxically, a third party is likely to result in one-party rule, further strengthening the hold the current dictatorship has on America.
I welcome a third party. We need a third party.
I have thought for years that the Republicans were due to split as a result of the marriage between the right-wing fanatical religious zealots and the more logical, sensible business community. I can't believe this realtionship, forged by Reagan, has lasted this long. There interests that once united them have now devided them.
The problem is that Obama has found that middle ground and no matter who wins the Rep nomination in 2012 if they can't find a sensible middle ground candidate they are going to lose worse than they did in '08
American Politial Breakdown
Far Right = 30%
Far Left = 15 to 20%
Middle Ground = 50%
I love how Newt practiced all the same things Bush did and defended Bush throughout... and now tries to change his spots. I don't trust you, Newt. You're named after the wrong lizard... you're more of a chameleon, trying to change to be whatever you think will appeal to the public at the moment. If you ever got into office, though, we can bet you'd go right back to being the same big-government, overspending Republican you were back in the 90's.
That is so true. I have never voted for a Democrat until November 2008. However, Sarah Palin caused me to vote for Obama/Biden. Republicans must get the house in order or I'll never vote for another Republican again. What is going on with our party?
That would be great, Newt. A second conservative party would split an already small GOP vote. You might snare some independents, but Obama also has populist appeal and will have actually done something for the American people by the time 2012 rolls around. A third party would make a difficult task of defeating Obama impossible. But, go right ahead. Teddy Roosevelt couldn't do it, but I'm sure you could .
Funny, every politician 'contemplating' a White House run in 2012 is all of the sudden being gracious to Obama! (e.g. Newt, Mitt).
Both parties should beware though......whatever party the new 'third' party is splitting 'from' will be weakened and diluted for the 2012 Presidential run.......remember Ralph Nader in '04!
Our second president, John Adams, would rather have peace then arm against France; a unified nation under our constitution; with intelligent checks and balances: and true liberty rather then to do what is popular for "party" or "career"
RESULT: one term president...yet I say, a great hero. One of our Best!
"Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people." [President John Adams]
The parties spins true knowledge. TERM LIMITS!
Newt may be right on one thing: I will not vote GOP that does not shape up from Newt's kind of hypocrisy. Personally, I support doing away with that party nonsense altogether and having NO political parties. Politicians should have to stand on their own merits instead of hiding behind a misguided political affiliation.
It has been time for a third party. The world is not black and white, so our politics shouldn't be just red and blue.
with the President's stand on prohibition, and the way he treated those who participated in his online forums, i suspect, that many, who thought this President would be pragmatic on this issue, may go with a libertarian candidate, or someone like Ron Paul. gays, autoworkers, and disappointed, anti-war people, may even move to the far right, if they dont get what they want from the dems.
Amazing. Newt got it right! If the Republicans do not moderate from their radical right wing stance, if they don't find a way to work with the Democrats, and if they don't start taking more responsibility for the shape the country is in, the majority of people will refuse to listen to them.
I've voted both sides of the ticket, and even for a third-party on occasion. I vote for the individual, not the party. Time for more people to do the same? I think that IS what happened this last election. Given a choice between what was perceived as a left leaning Democrat, and a far-right radical Republican, millions of moderates of both parties or unaffliateds voted for President Obama. I'm glad to see that that lesson is finally sinking in.
I am a former Republican who voted for Obama. I now consider myself a political independent. Although I retain much of my economic conservatism as I have grown & matured as a person I am much more of a social liberal. I think Newt makes a good point, although Bush's big government and bloated spending started 6 years, not one year ago. While I am fearful of the big spending by Obama, it worked in the Great Depression (to some extent). There is a fear of high inflation when we pull out of this (which I hope we are doing). The alternative, to do nothing is wrong.
We have been warned in the past that a two party system is a dangerous road. How much more proof do we need? If you only listen to the mainstream media, there were only 2 parties running. There were quite a few brilliant people running that didn't get their messages heard because they don't cater to the corporations which run the country. I doubt this gets posted but it sure would have been nice to give the 3rd party players a good share of the soapbox. Smart people, less corporate suck ups.
I'm not one who often agress with Newt Gingrich, but I can honestly say he has "hit the nail right on the head" in this article. The politicians in DC are so out of touch with the American people it's sickening.
Exactly what we need in this country is a third party movement. Imagine, no bickering, no partisianship and absolutely no "good ole boy network". The Politicians in DC today do NOT represent what we the people elect them to do, and that is REPRESENT US.
We need term limits in both houses.....
Is this all America has to offer? The re-surgence of old politicians who feels the know how best to shape the future of country? what's wrong with grooming others or being a little patient if not with President Obama, your own party? I don't see brilliance here from Newt, rather I see greed, vengence, personal ego, and the lack of commonsense. I think America deserves better than this divisiveness coming from Newt and the rest of croonies. My 2 cents.
I agree with Newt Gingrich.., last year in November, I decided to vote for a Democrat, including the entire Democratic Party in Montana. First time in my life (age 65) that I have done this. I have lost all confidence and faith in the Republican Party. Sorry, Newt. Mike in Montana
We're currently trapped in a dated two-party system that doesn't provide adequate ability for those on the right, the left, and even the center to have a more meaningful voice in the process of electing our President. People are often faced with choosing between "the lesser of two evils". Third parties would thrive if we had a runoff election of the top two vote getters if no candidate reached a certain threshold (maybe 45% of the vote). The additional costs of the runoff would easily be offset by a vastly improved process where people would vote for their candidate of choice without concern that they are throwing their vote away (and essentially to the opposition). The election schedule would need to be tweaked a little to ensure adequate time for a runoff, but that should not be a significant logistical hurdle.
"Obama and the Democrats appear to be clueless that public outrage is not just about greedy, reckless irresponsible Wall Street. We are also outraged about reckless out of control government spending, Wall Street bailouts, and wasteful government spending.
If Obama and the Democrats don't get a clue and if Republicans don't win back the trust of being the party of small government and fiscal responsibility, there will be a third party. And I would not be surprised if it included as many ex Democrats as ex Republicans."
I'll vote for that.
Democrats or Republicans I think NOT.
We need two NEW right and left parties (or a third moderate party) BUT what ever we need is not THOSE TWO. They had their chance.
We can then hope to reverse the economic damage done by congress, Bush and Obama before its too late.
"Obama and the Democrats appear to be clusless that public outrage is not just about greedy, reckless irresponsible Wall Street. We are also outraged about reckless out of control government spending, Wall Street bailouts, and wastfull governmnent spending..."
But to blindly and willfully ignore the lessons of the last 8 years is almost criminal. Bush signed the first bail out package: he could have vetoed it and the Bridge to No Where is a GOP project ... just like the 58 pieces of pork in ol' Mitch's pocket.
Neither party is perfect but to ignore the excesses of one and blame only the other is foolish and non-productive.
Bush was the president of large government and big spending only during the last year of his presidency? Ever hear of no-bid contracts? how about no negotiating with big pharma by government to get quantity discounts on medications? The list goes on. Sounds like Newt is giving only partial truths for a change.-------- And if the Republicans form a third party, who will be attracted to it except the same people who are in the Republican Party now? No right wing religious types? No neocons? Just upstanding moderate Republicans? Yeh, right. That would give that party about 2% of the electorate.
Newt may be right about a third party, but if that party resembles him and his political agenda, such a party would have little hope of capturing a majority of Americans. Why? Newt is simply too far to the right. The number of comments espousing a centrist party resonate with me. I think that the best governing eras in our republic have come when centrist governments are in power (read Avlon's _Independent Nation). While I think Newt will attract quite a number of libertarians who are disgusted with the GOP's reliance on toxic socially and religiously conservative issues, I don't think that Gingrich is close enough to the center to attract a majority of Americans.
I do think there will be a new party emerge..
purple party
But I don't think it will be republican or democrat..
it will be of the new and improved .. a mix of everything.
that cares about
Human rights
civil rights
Real immigration issues ( not keeping good people out)
More of a people's goverment
Globel rights and warming
A party that does .. what is right for ALL.. not just some
traditional goverment is out... people who push, mix religon and beliefs are out.
new generation of goverment and individual beliefs should not be a part of it
I hope this party will go for WORLD.. not just USA
G20.. will be the future power for all
Mr. Gingrich hit the nail dead on. I for one will be registering as an independent after 34 years of voting as a republican. The party has lost there way, and there focus!
There is plenty of blame to go around, Newt...
Now, if only we Democrats could shape up and start paying our taxes!
On a serious note... Professor Gingrich is bringing forth some vital issues.
I am a liberal and a Democrat, but I believe that Republicans must find their voice and not become merely obstructionist. A single party system is not acceptable.
And just how would a three-party or a multiple-party system serve our country? This issue must enter into a longer and broader national discourse.
The Republican Party is done as we know it. Come on third and/or fourth party. There's room in the country for you now.
As a social liberal and a fiscal consevative I would like to see Newt run as a third party. I think he is right, not that I agree with all of his views, but currently we have to pick the lessor of two evils.
I voted for Obama, but he is going way to far to the left on tax and spend. (Hillary would have been better, Romney would have been the best). I think we should focus on education and getting the economy back on track. Social issues such as gay marriage should not be a goverment issue. Sorry, there is no sanctity of marriage everyone gets divorced. Healthcare should be a second term goal, same with the tax increase. We need to see what we can cut before we go off and raise taxes. Essentially I want a party that stays out of my wallet and out of my bedroom.
There are many of us Republicans out here who have been very unhappy with our party and wish to see either some serious reform or a viable third party evolve. Right now, there is no one in the Republican leadership that excites me, and I sure as heck don't agree with the Democrat's big government philosophies. We've gotten to the point where the most capable and qualified won't run becuase of the circus our election process has become.
It's true that the spending is big, budget is huge, the deficits will be bigger. All money is from public fund to spend. All are true. But American economy is huge, to fillup the holes and dents caused by greed yiu need a huge budget too. After all, if you look in a different perspective, all money belongs to public, will be used for the welfare of public. Nothing wrong with that !!!
Mr. Gingrich, you too are talking about huge spending by this government and you too have not proposed an alternative like your colleagues who are saying the same.