(CNN) - Bob Dole, a Mitt Romney supporter and former Republican presidential nominee, issued a scathing statement Thursday blasting Newt Gingrich for being a "one-man-band who rarely took advice."
In an open letter to conservatives distributed by Romney's campaign, Dole said he personally took steps to assist the former House speaker pay off a penalty levied by the House Ethics Committee.
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"In 1997 a number of House members wanted to throw him out as Speaker," Dole wrote. "But he hung on until after the 1998 elections when the writing was on the wall. His mounting ethics problems caused him to resign in early 1999. I know whereof I speak as I helped establish a line of credit of $150,000 to help Newt pay off the fine for his ethics violations. In the end, he paid the fine with money from other sources."
Gingrich has characterized the penalty from the ethics panel as reimbursement for their investigation, which centered on a college course he taught that was misclassified as tax-exempt.
Dole drew on his own experience with the former House speaker to paint the candidate as lethal for the Republican Party.
"If Gingrich is the nominee it will have an adverse impact on Republican candidates running for county, state, and federal offices," Dole said. "Hardly anyone who served with Newt in Congress has endorsed him and that fact speaks for itself. He was a one-man-band who rarely took advice. It was his way or the highway."
Dole, who served in the U.S. Senate when Gingrich was House speaker, harkened back to Gingrich's style during his time in Congress.
"Gingrich had a new idea every minute and most of them were off the wall," Dole said. "He loved picking a fight with Bill Clinton because he knew this would get the attention of the press. This and a myriad of other specifics helped to topple Gingrich in 1998."
Dole endorsed Romney in December, and made calls to allies in Iowa urging them to support Romney ahead of the state's first-in-the-nation caucuses. Dole won Iowa in 1996, but ultimately lost the general election to Bill Clinton.
In his letter, Dole placed a measure of blame on Gingrich for the loss.
"In my run for the presidency in 1996 the Democrats greeted me with a number of negative TV ads and in every one of them Newt was in the ad. He was very unpopular and I am not only certain that this did not help me, but that it also cost House seats that year."
Dole pointed to a particular eccentricity of Gingrich's, saying the former speaker's style was as puzzling as it was harmful.
"Newt would show up at the campaign headquarters with an empty ice-bucket in his hand-that was a symbol of some sort for him-and I never did know what he was doing or why he was doing it," Dole wrote.
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Wasn't Bob Dole known as The Hatchet Man when he was in Congress? Sure glad the American people didn't buy into his bid for the Presidency.
How did he become Speaker if his peer's did not vote for him?
"He was a one-man-band who rarely took advice. It was his way or the highway."
-------------------
We already have that in DC today. It's called the Tea Party. Newt sounds like the perfect guy for the Tea Party.
The way I see it, nominating Newt Gingrich would be like nominating Bernie Madoff.
Normally they say when everyone is upset with you, that you must be doing something right. In Newt's case, pretty much everyone he worked with in the House and Senate (Nancy Johnson, where are you?) has come out against him citing his mercurial personality and constant position changes (if you are his opponent, they are called flip-flops) as making him unsuitable for the office of the Presidency. Even though I voted against Bob Dole in his two national bids (1976 and 1996), I always respected him and his opinions.
Newt will be a bigger train wreck for the Republican Party than Herbert Hoover in 1932 or Barry Goldwater in 1964 if he gets the nomination.
Vernon, it was easy. His Contract with America won enough freshmen seats for the Republican Party that he had the folks who didn't know him except as the guy who made their elections possible vote for him for speaker. This was right around the time he was in the middle of his affair with Callista, too.
Or to put it another way, Newt is a cancer to the republican party that can't be cured, it only ends in death to the party.
The Republican Establishment is worried. THEY get to anoint the Candidate. THEY'VE created a Monster, the Tea Party, & it is now getting ready to eat them.
Bob Dole , you are helping Obama dividing the party
"It was his way or the highway."
That would certainly explain his appeal to the GOP base.
Romney is clearly the only choice. It is time to rally around the candidate that will beat President Obama.
Dat Boy has a lot of plastic surgery going on!! Looks like he should be singing "Billie Jean"!
Bob Dole, at his core, is a decent man. Despite his reputation, he did not sling mud at Clinton in the '96 election, preferring to make his case as to why he should be president around his qualifications and accomplishments, among which was the longest-serving leader in the Senate.He served effectively because he could build consensus, something that is alien to the GOP now. Take heed, GOP.
now, i wonder what pelosi has on newt, the the gop need to neuter newt seems
I'm sorry but the Republican Party,- A Party of HATE has to REAP what it has SOWED-- seeds of TEA-PARTY WING-NUTS. Now with Newt SURGING to the TOP they want to kill the crop. Go FIGURE !!!!!
Go Newt Go! Sink the GOP!!
What has happened to the once-proud Republican Party? Where are the Republicans in the mode of Bob Dole and John Warner of Virginia, men of education and intelligence who cared deeply about this county and who you were proud to represent your state?. What we now have are extreme right wing wackos like Newt Gingrich, Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry and Sarah Palin so totally unsuitable for the presidency and viewed by many Independents as total flakes and lack true leadership. We need two strong political parties but the Republicans have "run-off" all reasonable candidates
HATE is what is dividing this country.
This is only the beginning. The gop brewed this and now have to drink it...
The eventual Republican presidential candidate should be defeated, along with John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan, Michele Bachmann and others. Why?
Because they are simply grossly dishonest and consistently lie without hesitation or conscience. Because they put their political ambitions above all else, at any cost to the people. Because they cater to and patronize “the few”, acting as “puppets” for the influential, powerful and extremely wealthy who strongly support them and who “pull their strings”. Because they are arrogant, obnoxious and stubborn, faulting and blocking any real efforts, as they put their self-interests first. Because, like what was clearly seen with Bush-Cheney, they totally neglect their responsibilities and completely count on, with the substantial covert and overt support of their backers, being able to simply con the people and manipulate public opinion. Because, like with Linbaugh, Palin, Beck, Hannity, the representatives themselves, and the SuperPacs and PACs, they aggressively push their deception and just boldly assume they can control people with their power, money and propaganda aimed to sway emotions and control thinking. Because, for twelve years now, they have insultingly taken the people for granted, focused totally on their political ambitions and singularly served just “the few”. Because when people are really objective and rational, with their emotions checked so they can’t be used to con and manipulate them, they then see and understand these truths ... and fully understand and accept that the only way to “break the back” of “the money”, for the people to ever regain control and have real representation, is to firmly and totally reject “the money’s” candidates.
That is the only way we will ever get money out of politics, ... to render it ineffective. The supreme court wouldn’t do it, the politicians won’t ever do it ... the question now is, can the people do it? We can rationalize that the Democrats aren’t “pure and holy” either, but they simply are no where near as owned and controlled as the Republicans and (contrary to propaganda) we actually have room to come back to the “left”, with it being a first step in the people regaining control. Then we can have representatives receptive to term-limits, caps on political spending, controls on 3rd parties and limits on lobbyists moving in and out of government – all currently significant abuses contributing to the problems. There really is no hope for the majority when they aren’t even honestly considered and rather are just conned and taken for granted; when the “more” mentality is aggressively pushed and the country is continually moved towards being a two-class society with “the few” competing in having it all and the majority struggling to simply survive.
Is this old republican idiot alive?
It looks to me like whoever loses the nomination will be the lucky one. He will always be able to say, "Well, if you'd nominated me, the GOP would have won."
GOP goin' down, down, down!
I thought that Republicans when they became old, would become Democrat to avoid going to hell, but I guess that's not the case with Bob Dole.
So, the extreme right is buying into Mittens' answer to the immigration problem is 'self deportation.' Ever notice that the people who post right wing propaganda on this site are blaming democrats for class warfare, yet the republicans have been fighting and dividing their own party as well as the country? The candidate who will eventually win the booby prize and run against President Obama will be a tax evader, corporate raider, vulture capitalist, a person who thinks that corporations and big banks and Wall Street are people too.
the GOP is way out of step with America and the rest of the world!
I heard Newt's radio PAC ad against murky Mittens today on Gator country radio. What a hoot.
Dole would have a lot more credibility in his expressions of concern for his party if he had honestly mentioned the R-Money, the Elitist Robot with the low tax rate is harming his party just as much, if not more, than Newt. And Dole would do well to confront the reasons for his party's steep decline in popularity if he addressed the obstruction and had the guts to repudiate the GOBP deathcult's failed policies, like deregulation and tax cuts for the filthy rich. Too bad Dole doesn't really have the guts to deal with true problems his party faces.
The GOP establishment, Democrats and Media are all trying to throw the book at Newt. If Newt is such a "God send" to the Dems if he were to be elected and Obama would beat him terribly, why are they joining in with trying to bring him down. Bottom line, Newt has flaws, he has done wrong, he has been wrong and he is not perfect. But in the words of Gov Perry, "who among us is?". There is absolutely nothing wrong with everyone attacking Newt and questioning his character and position. This is fair game. HOWEVER, when all of the over the top constant attacks and many of them are now becoming personal are only thrown at ONE CANDIDATE and the other candidates get a free pass THAT is where the problem come in!! This is just the beginning. Newt's gotta fight back and turn this negativity into a positive. If anyone can turn a bad situation to their advantage, Newt can!
Yeah it sure looks like ol' Newt didn't make too many friends during his stint in Congress!! As is sometimes the case, the revolutionary leading the revolt does not possess the skills needed to govern after the revolt. While I respect the revolutionary Newt is and some of his ideas, one has to look to Romney as the most effective leader. He's has a proven track record of success and accomplishment. He's got what it takes to be a great President. Unlike the current occupant of the WHitehouse, Romney's suit is filled with experience and success, not failure and fingerpointing.
It's interesting how the Democrats only talk about moderation and compromise when there's a divided government. We heard nothing about compromise from them while they controlled both houses and the White House. In fact they rammed their policies through for two years.
Hmm... interesting tactic.
"Dole won Iowa in 1996, but ultimately lost the general election to Bill Clinton. In his letter, Dole placed a measure of blame on Gingrich for the loss."
Dole ran his 1996 campaign much the same as Romney is trying to run his 2012 campaign. Whether Romney wins the nomination is yet to be seen. Blaming Gingrich in 1996 for Dole's campaign loss is a bit of a stretch. The same applies for Mitt Romney. If Mitt can't secure the nomination, the fault is Mitt's and no other. Good to see Republicans finally pointing fingers at each other, though. Sweet justice for all.
I read that in a poll, 91% approved of the President's State of the Union Address, and 9% disapproved. It looks like all the disapprovers post on CNN 24/7 are in a pretty small minority.
Wire Palladin, S.F. - You are soooooo crazy you say the dumbest things. Anyways, everyone listen.. We NEED Romney in the White House.
Romney 2012 !
Bob Dole, he's still alive, and deos his wife know he's out of the house?. Romney is certainly pulling out all his geriatric supporters to woo Florida, first McCain the guy who thaought Sarah Palin as VP was a good idea now Dole, who Clinton didn't even have to campaign against he was so bad. Should be a fun debate tonight now that the front runners are ready to throw blows and pull hair. Wonder who Newt will tell at tonight.
Wow!
The Democrat part of me would like to see Newt as the Republican nominee, but the larger American part of me is scared that there are enough rabid ignorant voters to actually have Next become the president.
God please protect this great country.
From Bob's mouth to God's ear!!
mr. dole, with all due respect, i do not think you lost to bill clinton because of newt. you would have lost anyway. kinda like it does not matter who run for the repugs, obama will still win.
A loser supporting a loser. Nice job Mittens.
Bob Dole. He's the reason why I will NEVER go along with ANYTHING the GOP, GOP Elite, and DC Conservatives say. What a waste.
I thought that Republicans when they became old, would become Democrat to avoid going to hell, but I guess that's not the case with Bob Dole.
Lucas,
It's the other way around. Old Dems become Republicans to avoid hell. Don't know if that would help Pelosi or Reid though.
Didn't Bob Dole win the Presidency in 96? Hmmmm, another winner castigating others.... just like John McCain, another winner in the Presidential race.....
Hey, with friends like McCain and Dole, Romney doesn't need enemies.
Does Carter support him, too?
Bob Dole, the poster child for political erectile dysfunction. I remember your debate prowess, Mr. Moderate. Well, I remember the first few minutes before you put me into a moderate induced coma. Why don't you, McCain and the rest of the establishment Republicans just go enjoy a nice steaming cup of STFU?
LOSER RINO Dole the once anointed just because it was his turn is telling US who we should believe is a conservative or not? Don't make me laugh my Libby's corn out through my nose!-) And BTW Newt did more for the Republican Party than all his attacker put together! And I'll believe Reagan's Wife before I believe any of these other so called Republicans who are attacking Newt! And BTW I'd rather have Santorum but that's just me but Newt will do just fine cause at least we KNOW he loves this Country unlike the current POSocialist occupying the White House!
Is this fossil still alive? Who knew!
Bob Dole, John McCain, and Chris Christie endorsing Mitt Romney should be an absolute warning to all true Conservatives! Mitt Romney is no Conservative, and is a complete fraud. Why is it that the demonicrats give Romney a pass and why is the GOP corraling all of us into voting for Romney? Why does Hannity and Fox News give Romney a pass everytime? That powerful stench is the GOP, and the demonic-rats working in concert.
Here's the thing I really can't stand about Rom-money: He's anti-coffee. Not only that, but anti-tea and anti-Coke. How can I be sure, if he becomes president, that I will be allowed to continue enjoying the drink that has saved my life on more than one occasion? It's un-American to be anti-caffeine, surely. That alone should be reason enough to reject him, and all right-thinking, coffee-drinking, proud Americans should agree with me.
@Rudy You mean the tea party that has no power? You sure you didn't mean the socialist democrats and their barage of government takeovers pre-2010 election? Pretty sure you haven't a clue on what you're talking about but keep at it slugger. 1001 days TODAY with no budget, I guess that is the tea party member holding up all budget votes in the senate as Democrat majority leader right? Think you may want to reassess the situation and your moronity.
Bob Dole and John McCain are war heroes but politically they are RINO's and losers, I am suspect of anyone who puts any trust in what they recommend. Newt will make the changes to this government necessary so our economy can thrive!
Ouch! I was called crazy by a mental midget.
People who support any republican clown are dumber than a . . .a jariv.
Just look at all the "fence-walking" mild,waspy, pasty, moderates coming out of the woodwork, for the"MANNEQIUIEN from MASS"– Check out George H , Loser Dole, Shrub W wasted our treasury, Waspy McCain and now Moderate Mitt is being annointed to follow their lead! As a hard right conservative i will vote for Obama over Mild Mod Mitt. I would rather see our country go down at the leading of an obvious enemy that perish at the lead of these pathetic middle of the road "luke warm elite republicans. Nothin in the middle of the road but dead skunks and yellow stripes.
"His way or the highway" Newt is just like Ø
Dole a loser, who still at the republican party for not making him president. shut-up and sit down has been you had your turn
IT IS NOT your TURN Mitt Romney!
Anti-coffee, I'm telling you! No wonder the Tea Party doesn't like him! (I've gotta go now. I'm feeling jittery.)
Because Dole was such a good candidate himself.
Dole a loser, who still mad at the republican party for not making him president. shut-up and sit down has been, you had your turn
sorry forgot a word
If Dole and Delay are speaking against Newt, maybe there is some value to his candidacy after all. These two former long time Globalist Republican establishment operatives are a true pointer to the Republican Establishment 'favorite son'.
yes, because Bob Dole was so good for the GOP ticket! The Dems picked up 9 seats in the House,a s Dole went down in a huge defeat, garnering less than 41% of the vote and losing in 32 states!
Having pundits criticize Newt for never wanting to compromise is not a good way to get people to turn against hm. Most conservatives' biggest criticism of the other candidates is that all they do is compromise. I'm not fond of any Republican candidates, btw, but saying Newt is bad for not backing down is a misguided, self-defeating pitch.
Dole is just like McCain – A LOSER, A SELLOUT, A RINO. Having the likes of Dole and McCain criticizing Gingrich only makes me like him more. If they hate him so much, then he can't be like they are .... GOOD!!
If Bob Dole does not like Newt that is enough for me. The inside the belt way crowd is scared to death that Newt will win and put an end to their party. He will bring fiscal resposiblity to the goverment and that is what they fear. No more feeding at the trough with tax payers money. I will vote for for Newt. Go Newt Go.
Thanks Bob your candidacy was wonderful...you got whooped by Bill Clinton. Your next job was a Viagra pitchman...need I saw more? Don't be so hard on Newt, Bob... pun intended!
Thanks Bob your candidacy was wonderful...you got whooped by Bill Clinton. Your next job was a Viagra pitchman...need I say more? Don't be so hard on Newt, Bob... pun intended!
Thanks Bob your candidacy was wonderful...you got whooped by Bill Clinton. Bob's next job was a Viagra pitchman...need I say more? Don't be so hard on Newt, Bob... pun intended!
Bob Dole "it's my turn" cost us the Presidency...he was hated and dispised by Conservatives,,,the McCain of his time
I still have hope that the Republican ticket is Romney and Perry. I think that would be a winner!
SouthTexan - God please protect this great country
=====================================
Yes, we need all the help we can get with Obama in the Whitehouse.
Dole. McCain. Romney. All RINOS. All unexciting and cut from the same mold. Obama beat McCain smartly and Obama will beat Romney... maybe not so smartly. Remember that the ONLY thing that gave McCain a boost was choosing Sarah Palin and HE still got pretty much of a shellacking. I look for the Romney race to be about as exciting as the pre-Palin choice. Oy!
Interesrting that Dole isn't concerned that a morally depraived man wants to run the country, just that he would have an adverse effect on other Republicans.
I love the Republican parrty more and more everyday.
You mean RINO Dole who lost miserably to Clinton in 1996 doesn't support Gingrich? Well, that settles it. Now I'm definitely going to support Gingrich.
@Wire Palladin, S. F.
Hey Wire, you made my day! (I'm laughing with you, friend!)
Now all the players that couldn't get the public behind them ...are attempting to knock-out Newt?
I guess Mitt has been making a lot of deals behind the scenes to keep the Washington status quo and stop Newt from turning things upside-down.
Since when was Bob Dole a Conservative? He, like McCain, were Republican nominees for president who lost because they campaigned like LOSERS.
Republican House Leaders before Gingrich were smugly content to let the Democrats rule. Gingrigh bucked these worthless Leaders and was responbsible for gaining the first election of a Republican House in decades.
Dole is of the same cut as those former Senate and House Leaders who went along to get along, and the Democrats walked all over him and them. Give Gingrich some credit for bringiing the Republican Party to prominence for the first time since the Thirties.
Dole and McCain? Why bring out losers? Do you see Obama asking Kerry or Gore what they think?
"He's has a proven track record of success and accomplishment."
You keep repeating that nonsense like some wind-up doll. R-Money had his "success" and "accomplishment" as a vulture capitalist, ripping apart companies (not always "failing" companies as you repeatedly lie), laid off workers and then drained corporate assets to his predatory elitist buddies while sticking the taxpayers with the pension liabilities. Please show how that is the kind of "success" and "accomplishment" we want in a president. You too, Jariv the Groupie.
If you're going to claim "success" and "accomplishment" as a vulture capitalist qualifies one for president perhaps you should also run a serial killer for office because of his "success" and "accomplishment" as a serial killer.
Dole is just another version of McCain.
Those ads with Dole are STILL a drag on Gingrich. Dole was the worst Republican candidate in my lifetime. That Dole blames others for his "let's go back to the 50's" campaign failing is beyond ridicule.
the establishment doesn't lke Newt. Go Newt!
If you Google "tax collector for the welfare state", it brings up pages about Bob Dole. Newt hung that epithet on Dole, and one thing Bob Dole knows is how to hold a grudge.
Bob Dole was the worst republican candidate ever. No wonder he's going for Romney. All the retreads McCain, Dole etc. their for Romney.
Who listens to Bob Dole anyway... Actually the more they push against Newt the More I will only vote for him... Bagage and all!.. It is about time soemone took on the Dems, the Repubs and th media.. The only thing that would make Newt a bigger sucess is if he came out at the next debate , walked up to the moderator without saying a word and Tazed the guy were he stood.
Honestly, I have never known anyone who knows Newt, I mean really knows Newt, say anything positive or complimentary about him. It's only a matter of time before Calista "Stepford Wife" Gingrich moves on and sells her book about being married to a whale named Newt...
Well if this isn't the best endorsement FOR Newt, I do not know what is: ""If Gingrich is the nominee it will have an adverse impact on Republican candidates running for county, state, and federal offices". Current get-along "Republican/so-called Conservatives" A&^holes in Congress and State should be thrown out on their ears!! Bring on the NEWT!!
The great barometer of conservatism, Bob Dole, disses Newt? Now I've seen it all.
"Bob Dole, a Mitt Romney supporter and former Republican presidential nominee, issued a scathing statement Thursday blasting Newt Gingrich for being a "one-man-band who rarely took advice.""
Oh really, Bob? Should Mitt be taking advice from others like Obama? You know, like from Saul Alinksy, Rev .Wright, Bill Ayres, etc? Grow a brain, ya moron...
Dear Establishment,
Your panic is as obvious as a divorced women looking for a bit of action. What will you do if Gingrich wins Florida? Jump? Maybe you can have President Obama install some diving boards on the bridges he is not fixing to make it a bit easier on all of you?
JD
From one loser, Bob Dole to Newt. "Get in line". Right. Bob Dole is the same old , same old; get along to go along. Bob Dole proved conclusively that DIDN"T WORK. How that moderate stuff work Bob??? Growing the welfare state and losing the Presidential election..........................LOSER!!!!!
So McCain and Dole both back Romney? Hmmm....I'm starting to like Newt for his enemies – who, by the way, are both losers.
Another piece of xcrement thrown to the rodeo!!!!
Take it from a fellow Kansan, Bob Dole's brain is the size of a speck of dust.