(CNN) – For Newt Gingrich, it's like Bill Clinton never left.
The former House Speaker tells the conservative Human Events the second half of Obama's term has essentially become "the third term of the Clintons."
"I think it's fascinating," said Gingrich in the interview published Friday. "You're sort of seeing the beginning of the third term of the Clintons because the first two years of Obama was such a failure in popular acceptance."
Since overseeing massive midterm losses, the president has installed several former Clinton administration officials, including selecting Clinton commerce Secretary Bill Daley as his chief of staff and former Clinton economic guru Gene Sperling as director of the National Economic Council. Meanwhile, former Clinton domestic policy adviser Bruce Reed has become chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden.
"It's almost a Chicago-machine musical game, and all of it represents an increase in power for Bill Clinton," said Gingrich.
Gingrich, who is thought to be a likely Republican presidential candidate, may just hope his comments needle members of the left wing of the Democratic Party, many of whom think Clinton, and now Obama, are governing too far toward the center.
"It must be fascinating to be one of those left-wing activist groups that spent so much time and energy beating Hillary Clinton because they didn't want to see this kind of administration," he said.
But Gingrich doesn't want to give the impression Obama actually is a moderate president – after all, he will need the support of independents if he faces off against Obama - saying the administration uses "the language of the center-right, while in fact fighting for the policies of the left.
From CNN Politics
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Yes and George Bush's staff was full of Reagan dinosaurs. SOOOO?
C'mon Newt, run for president. Give Obama an easy foe. It'll be a landslide against you.
haha!
I see the Grinch is scared of President Obama rise in the poll. Lol!
Yes, President Obama wants to take the US back to the Clinton days....Newt wants to take America back to the stone ages and to the Bush years!!!!
I'll take Clinton's third term anytime, anyday over GW Bush 8yrs in office that gave us 2 unpaid for wars, shipping of jobs overseas and a great recession!
Every liberal hack columnist is touting Obama's increase in his approval rating. It is because he has caved to the Repubs on the Bush Tax cuts and some other repub issues. Also, they are praising the confidence in the economy improving. Why/ The Repubs tax cuts extension.
this idiot Newt is playing drama....do not believe...o.k,
So the deficit is going to shrink and we will have a budget surplus... Great, there will be more jobs also. I do not see anything wrong with that!
At least most people had a job, money to spend and prosperous. If we can get that back now, I will take it. I am sure this is true for most people.
Gingrich needs to chill.
Gingrich is nothing if not amusingly transparent. As President Obama enjoys popularity ratings higher than anyone the Republicans can muster, Gingrich compares him to President Clinton, who was just rated the second most popular executive, behind only John Kennedy. Brilliant! Maybe Newt can write another imaginary novel in which, somehow, he conceals his bloated ego and pomposity from the American public and manages to crawl above 20% or so popularity. Good luck with that...
Is this a man-crush or what on Newt's part?
No, it's just all part of the Republicans effort to win back the White House, trotting out another "bogeyman" for their base.
Guess that's all you can do when ALL YOUR POLICIES ARE PROVEN FAILURES!
And who does Gingrich represent? The fragment of the GOP that is fighting to get the Flat-Earth Society on board?
The GOP does not represent any center anymore, except self-centeredness.
The more knowledge some people learnt the sooner they find out they forgotten what happen today not to mention yesterday. I beieve our constition state two term only as president of these United States
Poor Newt, he loves the Clinton`s
If only it were true, things might be going better. Only Putin can pull that trick off.
Clinton did great back in the 90's the moment Newt Gingrich became Speaker of the House and Republicans took over and I remember well how smart Clinton was in getting along with Gingrich and Republicans which put his, our economy at the top.
Last time i checked Clinton was the president who had over a trillion dollar surplus in the nations budget and millions of jobs were created during a booming time for this country in the 90's. Clinton's only downfall was getting head in office and getting caught which gave his enemies all they needed to soil over all the good he'd done. If Obama is leading another Clinton term then that's not good for your presidential dreams Newt....
Newt Gingrich, another dreamer, never says anything sensible, surprised not the least...........
It's tough to be a commentator, trying to convince half the people that the President is too far to the left, while trying to convince the other half that he's too far to the right!
Wow, I thought Palin was the only one that is constantly delusional. She will have to make room for Gingrich. When you spout crap all the time and repeat it over and over, it becomes true BUT only to you! It is how pathological liars are able to look at themselves in the mirror!
Where do they get this stuff???
Uh, didn't the second half start just yesterday?
Sure, and according to Newt Gingrich Newt Gingrich is a deep thinker and scholar that people should listen to instead of a pathological liar willing to say everything and anything to further his own selfish ends. Which he has a perfect right to do on his own time, just like any crazy person on a street corner. The question is why does CNN treat his political trash talk as anything but hot air?
Thank you Mr. Newt Gingrich. Now you’r agreeing that Obama’s administration moving on right direction. 1992 to 2000 the best year ever we had.
So stop criticizing
A third Clinton term? Hope the Newter is right on this. It would be a return to what was in hindsight the best of times
Can't argue with those facts. To paraphrase what was said the other day regarding lies and the Nazis, "the analogy is correct – deal with it!"
LOL... The Right's attempts to create division or spur defection are becoming more and more transparent. We welcome the inclusion of the Clintons in governing, but like it or not, President Barack Obama is LARGE AND IN CHARGE!!! Thank you God!
Wow Newt, nice of you to try to divide and conquer. Well, Newt, you also will lose in 2012 if you get the nod. And while you are taking pot shots, President has plenty of people who worked in the Clinton Administration since he started campaigning. By the way Newt, how's that staying faithful to your wife thingy working out for you?