Las Vegas, Nevada (CNN) - R.C. Hammond did not have a good morning.
A gaggle of frustrated reporters swarmed Newt Gingrich's perpetually-exhausted traveling press secretary before the candidate's Thursday morning event in Las Vegas, demanding to know why campaign advisers had erroneously informed various media outlets that business mogul and reality television star Donald Trump was set to endorse Gingrich.
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CNN broke the news Thursday that Trump will actually be endorsing Mitt Romney.
But multiple news outlets - including The Associated Press, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Politico - reported the previous evening that Gingrich would be the one to land the endorsement, citing sources inside the campaign.
Was the communications mix-up a sign of the campaign's disorganization?
Or had Trump given Gingrich assurances about his endorsement, and then backed away?
With a raft of digital audio recorders shoved in his face, Hammond refused to answer the questions.
"The only person who knows what Donald Trump is going to do today is Donald Trump," he said, repeating the line at least five different times.
When reporters continued to press, Hammond demanded to know what campaign sources had talked.
"Who are they?" he asked.
No one named names - reporters don't like to reveal their sources, after all – so Hammond, clutching his coffee, tried to meander away.
"I am not talking to you guys anymore," he huffed. "I can only say the same thing 16 times."
Still, some reporters followed, wanting more details about the Trump drama.
"I am already tired of you," he said, brushing them off. "I need to take a nap."
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From CNN Politics
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Well it is easy to see why he works for Gingrich. If things do not go his way he gets mad and stomps away.
Maybe it was wishful thinking that Trump would support Newt? Or Newt was trying to piggy back on the announcement for some free publicity and controversy? Or maybe Newt was just messing with the media because they are, after all, very close friends....hahahaha.
The Donald may be a shrewd businessman, but I think his political compass is off-course.
Sorry Newt. You're just a 1%er. Those 0.0006%ers stick to together.
If he was smart, Newter would say "good. I'm glad he's endorsing Mitens. Now everyone will see how nuts he is"
R. C. Hammond discovered that you can never count on a lying republican to endorse a lying republican when he is endorsing a lying republican.
Do right wingnuts get paid more than the minimum wage to post lies?
Are there really people whose vote would be swayed by who Trump endorses? What does that say about us as a society?
Trump not endorsing Gingrich probably did him a favor. Who would want the biggest joke in reality TV to endorse his campaign for the highest office in the country? I don't know anyone who would vote based on Trump's endorsement.
Looks like Newt got Trumped by the Donald. Lol
""I need to take a nap."" Wasn't that John McCain's campaign slogan?
Go Newt ! , leader of the Immoral Minority
Trump, and Romney both are just idiots. Don't worry. Obama2012.
Why any serious candidate would want Trump's endorsement is beyond my comprehension. I can see Trump endorsing Gingrich being another charter member of the wife-cheaters club like Herman Cain.
wow, Hammond sounds like just as much of a d-bag as Gingrich!
If Romney accepts Trump's endorsement he will loose whatever little respect I have for him.
Who freaking cares what Donald has to say or endorse. Does Donald really think he is all that?
So Trump followed the money.....no surprise and who cares?
Entire Republican party itself not trust-worthy in this nation. Don't worry. Trump and Romney both are idiots...o.k,
Oh no–I thought all the weirdos were supposed to endorse Gingrich: Perry, Palin, Cain...I hope Trumps endorsement doesn't deter anyone from voting for Romney! Mitt 2012!
Sounds like he has Gingrich's emotional stability.
It would have been Gingrich if Trump's hair hadn't seen its shadow this morning.
News flash! Newt drops out. Trump enters the (rat)race. Newt endorses Trump. Trump enters 1600 Pennsylavnia as the victor! Yeh!
I could care less who Trump endorses, but this has to be a big hit against Newt. Romney in 2012!
I'm no fan of Gingrich (or Hammond), but it does seem a bit rich for reporters to be demanding answers from him about why unnamed "Gingrich advisers" told them something, but refusing to say who those sources were. How can Hammond answer their question without knowing who is being talked about?
All the more reason for reporters (and readers) to be dubious about trusting anonymous campaign sources pushing self-serving stories - if they aren't willing to go on the record, why should they be allowed to peddle their spin?
"The Donald may be a shrewd businessman..."
He is not even that. Trump inherited wealth from his father and has run several businesses into the ground. In other words, he is just as shrewd a businessman as G.W. Bush.
whoever is running against the guy trump endorses
It doesn't matter. Gingrich is already self-toasted.
He lied about his divorce to his first wife. He lied during his vows to his first two wives. He's been lying since. Why should this endorsement lie be so important?
Obviously Romney's check was larger than Gingrich's check. Simple as that.
"I am already tired of you," he said, brushing them off. "I need to take a nap."
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Sums up most Americans thoughts about the GOP primary and the so called journalists and pundits covering the GOP primary.
With this announcement coming from the Don on Groundhog Day, does it mean we have 6 more weeks of Newt?
This really sums up Romney's campaign. Trump and Romney are representatives of how I believe Willard Romney will write his policies. It will have a take on Lincoln's address. A government of the rich, for the rich and by the rich.
Trump is endorsing Romney for one reason and one reason only, well maybe two: 1. he is a wealthy businessman who does business just the way Romney does and 2. Trump is an opportunist, he is trying to ride the Romney wave now that Romney appears to be leading in most states. The only ones these guys are loyal to are big oil and wall street, everything and everybody else can go straight to hell as far as they are concerned!
donald (duck) trump endorsing romney?....great perhaps when Gingrich win the NOMINATION trump will keep his big...shut..!
Are they afraid to just come out and say that someone associated with Trump left them with the wrong impression?
The late Bob Guccione (Penthouse Magazine founder and publisher) used to say at his staff meetings that all publicity was good publicity because it kept your name in front of people. Well, in this case the publicity is showing another credibility gap in Newt's campaign. His toadies cannot even get their confidential information leaks correct. Then the chief toady stomps off in a temper tantrum, just like his boss.
Trump is afraid to run for president simply because he doesn't want to disclose how much he's worth. Trump is trying to slide under the radar to Washington without exposing his networth, he's smart but not that damn smart.
No wonder, a guy that is famous for saying "you are fired!' endorses one that likes to say the same!
Isn't it clear by now....?
Trump wants to be Vice President...!!!
Might I suggest to Newt Gingrich's Press Secretary, Mr. R.C. Hammond that when he goes to take that nap he said he needs that he take Newt with him as his "Teddy Bear". Then maybe both of them will sleep for 100 years and wake up right after the elections on Dec. 01st of 2112.
Newt doesn't realize it but he just got an extension on his political life as the endorsement of Romney by Donald "The Chump" Trump is but "A Political Kiss of Death".
I wonder if Newt hand-picks his staff to be grouchy and mean and dismissive so as to better reflect his values?
Claudia, Houston, Tx wrote:
Trump is afraid to run for president simply because he doesn't want to disclose how much he's worth.
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Of course, not. Donald Trump is no position to *seriously* run for POTUS and never will be.
Let's put aside Trump's challenge to Pres. Obama to show his birth certificate and Trump would disclose his financial records for the moment. Donald Trump is a serial bankruptcy candidate. On any given Monday, he has multiple lawsuits in court against him because of his bankruptcy filings. Disclosing any sort of financial information, be it good or bad, would not work in his favor in those court cases. Every candidate must file financial forms. The public always wants to later see tax returns for the front runners, but every candidate must file financial disclosures. That is a path that Trump must never travel.
"Trump is afraid to run for president simply because he doesn't want to disclose how much he's worth." Trump is a genius at assembling groups of investors. He doesn't actually have that much personal fortune as most of his money is tied up in construction projects. His rep would suffer if people knew he wasn't mega-rich.
Newt. Pack it up. You are a LOSER. Go home
Newt's press secretary is cut form the same mold as Newt - gruff, combative, arrogant, and unable to deal with realities.
Gingrich likely leaked the story himself - hoping the Donald would give him the nod -- but not only did Trump thumb his nose at Gingrich, he intimated that if Romney is NOT the GOP nominee, Trump would run as an Independent. Trump wll ask Gingrich to bow out of the race telling him he has no chance of winning the nomination because he has ZERO chance of beating Obama head to head.
Donald Trump is the biggest joke ......the people that think his endorsement is credible are also a joke....WHO CARES!!!
Donald Trump is only rich because his father died and left him million....not a self made ...there are over 20 law sued against Trump. that why he not running for President
Donald Trump never ran for President never held any political office ...NO experience even as vice President Trump would be a embarrassment
Donald Trump endorsement is like Sarah Palin endorsement NOTHING BUT A IDIOT SUPPORTING A IDIOT......SO WHAT!
Donald Trump really lost his credibility when President Obama showed his Birth Certificate...and Trump still does not believe it's real
Donald Trump Now wants to see President Obama school grades and that will solve all American problem as did seeing his birth certificate
Donald Trump is a American terrorist no better then the oversea terrorist attacking the country and the President of the United States
Donald Trump talk about China negatively and said if he was President he would do this and that! YEAH RIGHT and all American will be hurt
Donald Trump the terrorist Sarah Palin the quitter terrorist Herman Cain the pervert terrorist DON'T MATTER!
I hope Trump says something really stupid and demeaning to Romney, like "you're hired!"
All these stupid stories about TRUMP?!?! One of the most irrelevant idiots in America? CNN, I stopped clicking your insipid Palin stories years ago. I'll be doing the same with Trump. Give it rest and start acting like real journalist instead of toadies for the new idiocracy.
Really, could this group get any crazier ? Now who initiated this since they all lie about everything. Heaven help us if any of them get into office.
Newt is not wealthy enough for Trump to endorse.
Is it true that The Donald gets his hair styled by the same guy who used to do Kim Jung Il?
These republican crazies are all the same, make up lies and then try to blame the media. Sharron Angle did the same crap to the media as well as Jan Brewer, Christine O'Donnell and that Joe Schmoe up in Alaska. Love watching them either stomp or literally run away from the reporters.
... and so what is the difference? Trump endorsing anyone in the GOP is meaningless. Not only is Trump's opinion meaningless, the entire GOP is meaningless.
I will definitely vote for Rpmney now, since the Donald endorsed him. LOL
Gingrich campaign continues to get caught in lies. Remember in SC debate where Gingrich went after john king about his second wife and announced that they had tried to get numerous witnesses on ABC but ABC wouldn't put them on. Turned out to be a lie. Now they tell the press that Trump will endorse Gingrich, another lie. As far as diridi the pro obama poster goes, please tell us what obama has done to earn another term? Frankly, i just don't see it.
There are rumblings that Romney's folks were floating the story that Trump would endorse Newt so that when he endorsed Romney, it would look more like a negative for Newt; like Trump had changed his mind and to provide more of the contrast that Trump hadn't endorsed Newt. Smart politics if that's the case.
And this is suppose to mean something to me?
So... a bunch of rich tools want to pat each other on the back, and get all this free publicity to boot?
Lame. Go away.
But I do find it humorous that people laugh at the notion of Trump running for president but Romney running is perfectly legitimate. Romney isn't running on his record as a governor because it stinks. Nobody would run for president on that record. So he is running solely on his "businessman" credentials. Trump is 10 times the businessman Romney is. Before he became a media clown, Trump was a legendary American businessman. Be honest – if you had a million dollars to invest, wouldn't you put it with Trump before you would put it with Romney? Yet we somehow think Romney is qualified to run for president but The Donald isn't? Weird . . .
Trump is doing Romney no favor. Anyone who thinks Trump's endorsement is valuable has excrement for brains.
Oh wait, Gingrich does. Case closed.
Trump likes Romney's hair more than Gingrich's hair. I think that was part of it.
Bald, ugly and backed a loser. It's always endearing when I hear that the questions have to be fought off. Why don't you creeps do something constructive. Like a real job. Maybe, just maybe some of these overpaid, underworked mouthbreathers, would see what the working people have to contend with. Until this happens, no one will catch a break.
"I need to take a nap"? For serious? You'd think this guy was a Republican Congressman or something.
It just go to show you that No Republican know what they are doing ,or know what they are talking about.
Trump,Romney,Gingrich,Obama and that other guy are all idiots. Ron Paul 2012.
If it involves Trump, there will be drama. He knows how to play for ratings. Who knows, he may have even scored some SuperPAC dollars, too.
No rational and reasonable person would do two things. Give a twit about who or what Trump endorses or vote for Romney.
@ Noot
DIS AINT BEAN BAG!
Trump to Mitt...."Now that you have my endorsement let's bring up that birth certificate thing again"
So one weathervane just aligned with another. Move along, nothing to see here!
Who cares. Why are these clowns clamoring for Ronald Rump's endorsement?
Why do politicians think endorsements are important, especially Trump?
Skippy attempts to introduce some of this "conspiracy theory" type stuff. BUT how would Romney get any political points pre-empting an endorsement by Trump. Sheeeesh.....pop these accusations out of thin air.
Not that I think Trump's endorsement is worth the hot air he blows, but Newt's camp must be sick.
Time to pack it up, kids. Newtie's slip slidin' away.
The anonymous sources were probably from Romney's campaign. If reporters would verify their information, as they're supposed to, they wouldn't have to run around looking for someone else to blame when they report falsely. I remember Dan Rather once learned lesson the hard way.
I love my President! He has a real sustainable character! He has had some outrageous insults and deceptive things and comments thrown at him every day that he has been in office. In spite of all these awful lies from all these mean spirited people, he has managed to work hard for all of us! Can you imagine, if the Republicans Party Congressman's and Senators had worked as hard as his administration, how much more would have been done? His administration has managed over as many as 89 major natural disasters in America in three years (while combating the evil men that forgot what their job description is), 2 wars from the 8 prior years of Bush, Gross China trade imbalances from the prior 8 years, millions of jobs lost from the prior 8 years before he took office, millions of homes foreclosed from the prior 8 years before he took office, companies and banks upside down from the prior 8 years. Excuse me!
He has been cleaning up messes from all these past Presidents and has dealt with our enemies while These Republicans have committed treason and terrorism against our government and the office of THE PRESIDENT by taking a check for a salary from the taxpayers and not working. They have constantly criticized him, played back seat driver and been petty about matters that could have helped just one American. The Republican leaders have been disloyal to America and they should be voted out! The Republican leaders have betrayed their office by plotting to overthrow our President while he has managed to work tirelessly for every American and many cases coming up above the fray and being successful. These Republicans have created a double in the minds of some of our enemies of who is in charge in The White House and by doing so; have made his job extremely difficult. Some of these Republicans jumped on planes trying to unmind our President in these foreign countries with no consequences of their treasonous actions, and constantly showing these people a false sense of security. Mitt Romney will spend his time guarding his millions or billions in other countries and his 15% tax rate and Newt is just a flip flopping dog who doesn’t deserve the time of day! By the way Newt bragged about stopping Hillary care. He is a direct result of health care being out of control and it would have been easy to fix it back then! My health care jump 400% since then and my services diminished greatly while my deductibles went up! I like the direction health care is headed and already I have saved greatly by having my college aged children under the umbrella of my policy! Dismantle it is a hell no; correct some of it is a hell yes! By the way, Hilliard Rodman Clinton is one of a kind and the best medicine America has! Democrats work hard in spite of the petty mess. Look at the success of our past Democrat Presidents and the example of service that they give around the world! Don’t vote any more Halliburton’s in, or gun running Oliver North’s or Iran Contra’s in or ease droppers.
Vote for our President. He deserves our loyalty! No one measures up to him!