Washington (CNN) - With his busy travel schedule and penchant for wading into heated national debates, Newt Gingrich has gotten plenty of presidential buzz.
But the former House speaker is doing more than just grabbing headlines: he's also starting to put in real legwork on the ground in Iowa, giving political insiders there plenty of reasons to believe he's finally serious about running for the White House.
On Friday, Gingrich will make his sixth visit to the state in recent months to attend the Iowa State Fair, a traditional stomping ground for presidential aspirants.
Gingrich plans to open the day at the Iowa Republican Party booth and sign copies of his book, "To Save America," an appearance sure to help the state party touch a number of potential voters as they seek to re-capture the governor's mansion and a handful of House seats.
And according to a GOP source in the state, Gingrich also has a meeting planned at the fair with several GOP donors.
After a morning dose of glad-handing and livestock-watching, he is slated to headline two fundraisers: One for Sen. Charles Grassley, who is seeking a sixth term in Washington, and another for the People United for Republican Sisters' Election (PURSE) political action committee, a group formed to assist female GOP candidates.
Gingrich's Friday swing will come on the heels of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's visit to the fair, scheduled for Friday. Another likely 2012 candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, will attend the fair later this month.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Here's an activity for ya, Newtie: Tell you wife you are divorcing her while she's in the hospital. And tell her she's "unfit to be a President's wife. OH, you did that already? Nevermind.
Does this has-been really think he can make a political comeback? Especially with the character issues he had in the past? He and Palin make a good pair.
This fat FASCIST and GOP HYPOCRITE hasn't got a chance..... LOSER ON ALL COUNTS
Newt, You will never be president. Get a clue, or are you just doing this to sell more of your BS books? Get a job.
Gingrich left polticis in disgrace for being a liar and a fraud. Nothing new since then. The fact that he is even a consideration is just another of many black marks on today's republican party.
This man talks with fork tongue....
OH YES PLEASE! Let there be a Republican runoff between Newt and Sister Sarah! But please, CNN, don't ask to President to comment on the outcome, a man can only do so much to keep a strait face...
Sara Palin/Gingrich the dream ticket for the Dems.
He's certainly a lot more equipped for the office of President than our current President.
His years in office culminating in Speaker, his life as a professor of history, his sharp political mind, would be welcome as we go from the current trend towards socialism back to capitalism this November 2010 when the House (and possibly the Senate) return to Republican control.
Obama will be a lame duck President and his government takeover of healthcare will be recinded.
His book is "To Save America"? Did they forget the second part of the title "for the richest 5%"? I guess he certainly knows what not to do.
Yes but has Palin approved this?
I want to see his stand on leaving your former wife when she gets cancer and marrying someone else.
That's all we need a Gecko in the White house!!!
The common folk will not stand a chance against big business!!!!
I rarely quote George W. Bush but here goes anyway:
Hey Newt. Bring it on!
Please, America, let us not go backwards by electing a failed and disgraced hack like Gingrich. I am a confirmed Democrat, however, I believe we need opposing ideas and healthy debate in order to form a more perfect union. I beg my Republican friends and family to please find someone, anyone, who can lead your party out of the ditch that Gingrich, Palin, et al, have driven your party into!
All I have to say, he was disgraced from Congress. There's enough corruption in Congress already (from BOTH sides).
Can someone please tell me what the GOP agenda is?? besides tax cuts??
Maybe he will run with Palin and the reptiliCONS will get 3 votes!!!
Good maybe he and the pope can explain how one can become a catholic while living in sin with your mistress.
Waste of time. A simple review of Gingrich's career would make anyone but the most blind, ardent and nasty conservative look to someone else to lead their party and the country.
Heaven help us! Wasn't he bad enough in the 90's?
Voters must not forget that Gingrich was the one who presided over the impeachment of a president for infidenlity while he was knee deep in his own extra-marital affair (his second). What other skeletons are hiding in the hypocrite Newt's closet?
Newt is probably one of the most dangerous politicians to insert himself into the fray. A certifiable radical right wing zealot who's gift for gab makes him a threat to all Americans....even those who like him. A race baiting, war mongering buffoon who avoided military service himself, but would not have any problem sending our young men and women into harms way. Typical for rethugs to do.
He'd sell his momma up the proverbial creek for political gain. There is a reason he was tossed out to begin with. Maybe it's time to revisit HIS indiscretions !
Gingrich does not have the moral or ethical "cojones" to lead this country.
Gingrich/Palin in 2012....a landslide reelection of Obama. The hypocritical adulterer and the quitter is a dream ticket
Just go away