(CNN) - Newt Gingrich said Tuesday he wouldn't vote for Ron Paul if the Texas congressman won the 2012 GOP nomination.
Speaking to CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Gingrich slammed Paul as out of line with mainstream Republican viewpoints, including his stance on Israel, Iran, and September 11.
"I think Ron Paul's views are totally outside the mainstream of virtually every decent American," Gingrich said on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."
Gingrich continued: "He's got to come up with some very straight answers to get somebody to take him seriously. Would I be willing to listen to him? Sure. I think the choice of Ron Paul or Barack Obama would be a very bad choice for America."
When asked if he would be able to vote for Paul if his rival won the 2012 GOP nomination, Gingrich said unequivocally "No."
"I think it's very difficult to see how you would engage in dealing with Ron Paul as a nominee," Gingrich said. "Given the newsletters, which he has not yet disowned. He would have to go a long way to explain himself and I think it would be very difficult to see today, Ron Paul as the Republican nominee."
Paul's role in writing newsletters with racist remarks came under increased scrutiny last week as polls showed the Texas rising in popularity among Iowa voters. The most recent, from the American Research Group, shows Paul, Gingrich and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a dead heat for first place. Paul has indicated he did not write all of the content in his newsletters and had not read some of it before publication.
In responding to negative ads Paul's campaign has released slamming Gingrich's record as a conservative, the former House speaker said the spots were inaccurate.
"You look at Ron Paul's record of systemic avoidance of reality, his ads are about as accurate as his newsletter," Gingrich said.
Gingrich named Paul's stance on Iran as representative of Paul's extremist viewpoints.
"He's not going to get the nomination. It won't happen," Gingrich said. "The people in the United States are not going to accept somebody who thinks it's irrelevant if Iran gets a nuclear weapon."
Paul's campaign responded to Gingrich Tuesday, calling his remarks "childish."
"Frustration from his floundering campaign has Newt Gingrich showing who he really is: a divisive, big-government liberal," Paul Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton said. "Newt has a long record of standing against conservatives dating back to his support for liberal Nelson Rockefeller over Barry Goldwater, so this sort of childish outburst is nothing new."
From CNN Politics
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"Gingrich said. "Given the newsletters, which he has not yet disowned." This is a lie. He has disowned them...
the G NO P are eating themselves
TO: New Jersey
"The Revolution WILL NOT be televised.. Keep it up Mainstream Media.."
Why is it that the crazy right Republican Party has to blame the media EVEN when one of their own is the one doing all the slashing? I guess it's the media's fault for covering what these clowns say?
This is why tigers eat their young....go at it boys (and Bachman)...every word is one step closer to Obama's re-election!
Nominate anyone but Ron Paul and Obama will win, it's that easy.
That's OK, Newt will probably fail to register in time anyhow.
Given that Lucille doesn't live and Iowa and that he's on the ballot himself, I wasn't expecting him to vote for Ron Paul.
I heard Newt Ball lives in Virginia. He can't even vote for himself. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Attacked by the media + Attacked by the Establishment + Attacked from both sides of the aisle = What's good for America. Ron Paul or who wins doesn't matter. Newt is dangerous.
"I think Ron Paul's views are totally outside the mainstream of virtually every decent American," Gingrich said on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."
of course they are... simply because Ron Pauls views are not self serving as yours and that of all the other contestants up there. and in view of all that has happened to our freedoms in the past few years and what is yet to come...i mean really who in their right mind would even care about anything BUT our freedom and Liberty...Our freedom and Liberty is paramount who is going to care about foreign policy if we are all living like they did in old russia or nazi germany with no freedom at all...I put this as simply as i could i mean even a mainstream liberal can understand it if they choose to. wake up people at the moment the only logical choice we have is Ron Paul for our freedom and that or our kids ...if you care about yourselves at least care about our children
Yes Newt, Ron Paul's ads are full of lies because they are YOUR lies and YOUR flip flops. All Ron Paul had to do was compile soundbites of NEWT throughout the years and presto – campaign ads!
Gingrich should take his last few pennies, leave the race, and buy his wife some new earrings.
Of course Nuke Gingrich won't vote for Ron Paul, he doesn't like conservatives.
Oh good grief, get this on a NORMAL story so we can comment on it.
I guess I should add to the chorus.
When will Newt be asked about running on a third party ticket?
Well, this being a CNN site, (you know, the group that tried to mislead everyone about Ron Paul "storming" out of an interview with deceptive editing) I wouldn't count on Newt having to answer that question. CNN loves big government just like Newt, so I'm pretty sure we won't hear about this again.
@Doug
Are you insinuating CNN is all about the Franklins ?
I could recommend a few good real estate weekly s you might enjoy , MLS listings are always bottom line worthy.
Amazing! I actually agree with something that Newt said!
Of course, I wouldn't vote for Newt, either.
OBAMA 2012!
Newt needs to go buy some more jewelry for himself and his wife. After all wealth is what he and Romney worship! Ron Paul is a man of faith and principle. I trust him and some of the other candidates on the Republican side but not these two! Michelle Bachmann had it right when she called them "Newt Romney"! They are two peas in a pod!
Who cares what Newt thinks. Let them continue to think they know what main street wants. They will surprised. They are on another planet. All but Ron Paul. The American people know the truth when they hear it. The news media is no longer trusted.
Isn't Gingrich the monkey and most hypocrite is way far from the mainstream!!
Newt, FYI, MAINSTREAM REPUBLICANS suck right now.
Ron Paul = Patriot
Newt Gingrich = RINO
"I think Ron Paul's views are totally outside the mainstream of virtually every decent American," Says Mr Im not paying her electric bill.
I think you have that backwards Newt.
Good to know that Newt Gingrich sees me, a Ron Paul supporter, as not a decent American. Thanks NEWT! Guess if you get the nomination the decision of who to vote for will be easy. #anybodybutNewt.
So all the decent people that vote for him are no longer decent?
Hey, Newt – Herman Cain's holding a seat for you down at the bar -
Newt keeps convincing me to vote for Ron Paul.