(CNN)-Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich picked up a big endorsement Monday, from the head of an influential group.
Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips threw his support behind the candidate for the 2012 GOP nomination, who's candidacy suffered setbacks early in the campaign.
Based on criteria including electability, conservatism, and whether the candidate has a "plan to the vision to put forward plans to dismantle the massive government bureaucracy that we have seen grow under both Republican and Democrat administrations," Phillips winnowed down the qualifiers to Gingrich.
"Gingrich is the candidate who has the vision to fundamentally change the Federal Government. Gingrich has the unique capabilities to be the field general. He is the big idea man, much as Ronald Reagan was," Phillips wrote in a blog post for the Tea Party Nation.
The Tea Party Nation organized the first National Tea Party Convention, which was held last year in Nashville, Tennessee. The group also runs a large social networking site popular with conservative activists.
The tea party movement, in general, prides itself on encouraging individualism and Phillips' endorsement is likely not a reflection of the group as a whole. In fact, in his statement he says "I am thrilled to endorse Newt Gingrich to be the Republican nominee and the next President of the United States."
Calling Gingrich the "best debater" who changed the way Republicans were treated during his leadership in Congress, Phillips said, "Gingrich can rightfully claim credit for everything from welfare reform to balancing the budget. Obama can offer nothing against him."
And facing what he sees as the threat of socialism to this nation, the tea party leader wrote, "Newt Gingrich is the right candidate to not only help us take this country back from socialism, but roll socialism back."
From CNN Politics
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Proof positive TPN is ignorant of politics in general and Gingrich's past. He's toast.
Bye bye, Newtered.
"Bring this country back from SOCIALISM"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
What Socialism? I WISH we had Socialism?
Oh Jesus, I wish we could take a couple of states, put the Tea Baggers, and let them create that pure Libertarian utopia they keep talking about, see how long they last before they start killing each other for food....
This endorsement is a waste of Phillips's influence, however small it may be. Gingrich has no real chance of winning the nomination.
A buffoon backing a buffoon. How appropriate.
Newt is the most qualified candidate in either party and could get this country on the right track.
It is too bad that the people who defended Clinton's moral character will use Newt's past personal behavior against him.
It is not what acts have been committed but who committed the acts.
thanks T-Party Nation. This endorsement would absolutely GUARANTEE a second term for Obama. This bloated hypocrite couldn't win with NY and CA excluded from the general election. He is a complete phony and would get embarrased by losing in a landslide
How about Gingrich/Perry...ha..ha...ha...ha...idiots....you lose the election mercilessly....
I wish Newt had a chance, but the liberal media will try and destroy him with partisanship and outright lies. I would say that Obama is praying to Allah that Herman Cain does not get the nomination, that would be his worst nightmare- a black man that would destroy this inept loser in a debate (no teleprompters allowed).
They would support this stooge ! Tea party, the wannabe Tiffany party !
Rick Perry / Newt Gingrich
What a couple !
Great. A meaningless group endorses a meaningless candidate. If Newt goes away, will the tea party go with him? PLEASE?
Nothing turns a tea bagger into a "socialist with his hand out waiting for some gubmint FEMA money" quicker than a fire or a flood destroying the trailer park!
Who would want the support of a bunch of fat, white biggots ? They have absolutely no intellect at all. It's an embarrassment to the entire country.
When I were young I remember everything now I am old ! what day is this !!. We had that probley in past thing happen in world now it take to much energy for ancient age to catch. Enough said.
Kiss of death for Newt.
Newt's disfunctional campaign is just what the Tea party seems to love.
Nasty Newty Gangrenerich ..... is a minor infection in politics today.
A man whose moral climate is somewhere between being lashed to a coconut tree naked during a hurricane & having to drink your own urine during a severe drought.
Of course the Tea Party would support a person like him.
The Tea Party is actually the "Tea Potty" ... & I am not speaking about a Boston Accent.
Their rhetoric is more like a skid mark on the NAZI GOP Party's solutions for America.
Any republican who is being held hostage by the Tea Potty is not fit to run for office.
Any republican who accepts money from the Tea Potty should not be considered for higher office.
When you think of the Tea Potty movement, think 'bowel' & you will be in the right place.
A place for discarding all that was good as it was being ingested, only to turn into what we need
to dispose of quickly, hygienically & permanently before it infects all of us to some degree.
Which "grassroots" Tea Party does this Phillips guy represent? Dick Armey's TeaParty or David Koch's TeaParty? Or, the hundreds of "other" TeaParty branches all pretending to be "one of us"? I've given up listening to any of them. Not interested in their threats, their whines, or their government stopping temper tantrums. I do wish whoever becomes their leader the best of luck. Apparently the GOP was ripe for the picking, and boy oh boy, is the fruit being offered rotten to the core. I doubt any of the candidates now being bandied about will be able to contain this particular group of millionaire and billionaire lovers. Certainly not Newt Gingrich. The hunger for power has gotten hold, and it looks as if none of them are any too willing to let go, no matter how many are hurt in the process.
That's the guy, Judson Phillips. At the time of the founding Phillips had an office in RNC headquarters. He had a corner office right next to the marketing chief.
The Republicans are holding the country hostage again. Don't forget, America. Sen. McConnell said hostage taking was an effective weapon that they would not hesitate to use again.
Dems socialist? Then the Teapublicans are fascist.
HA! The Patriotic Adulterer gets the founder of the Tea Party's vote. Never a dull moment in the GOP primary season.
Ah, and endorsement from the founder of a bunch of ignorant fools about how our country is actually run. What a great tribute to Newt, the original "government shutdown" guy!