Gingrich says he's a potential 2012 contender
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/08/12/newt.0811.gi.jpg caption="Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says he's among a handful of Republican candidates who are thinking about running for president in 2012."](CNN) - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says he's among a handful of Republican candidates who are thinking about running for president in 2012.
"I think I'm probably on a list of seven or eight possible candidates at this stage," Gingrich reportedly told reporters in North Carolina Wednesday before speaking to a gathering of conservatives. Joe DeSantis, Gingrich's communications director, confirmed the accuracy of the quotes to CNN.
"We have a lot of people around the country who would like to have somebody who represents a commitment to replace the current failed programs and to develop a set of solutions that are practical and workable," Gingrich also said.
Among the other Republican candidates Gingrich named as possible 2012 contenders included former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Also included on Gingrich's list are Govs. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Mitch Daniels of Indiana, Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Rick Perry of Texas and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. South Dakota Sen. John Thune may also be a potential candidate, Gingrich said.
Gingrich said he would make a decision about his own political future next year after discussing the prospect of a presidential bid with his wife.
Gingrich's comments come days after organizers of The Southern Republican Leadership Conference - a high-profile gathering of party activists considered to be an initial venue for potential GOP presidential candidates - announced the former House Speaker will be among the list of Republican speakers. Palin and Pawlenty are also expected to attend the event.
Gingrich also recently filed government paperwork to form a political action committee, named American Solutions PAC, according to Federal Election Commission records. The forming of a political action committee will allow Gingrich to raise cash and donate the money to federal and state candidates across the country. It could also be a sign that Gingrich is serious about running for the White House in 2012.
American Solutions is also the name of Gringrich's political organization, which is incorporated as a 527 group, and is not subject to the same contribution limits as political action committees. Unlike PACs, 527s can also directly accept funds from corporations but are barred from directly contributing to a candidate or financing a potential White House bid.
- CNN's Paul Steinhauser and Peter Hamby contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
- These 5 states will be the first to kick residents off Medicaid starting in April
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Inside the long and winding road to Trump's historic indictment
- Listen: After negotiating a peace deal, Jimmy Carter taught this Bible class
- Abortion foes take aim at ballot initiatives in next phase of post-Dobbs political fights
- Untitled
Hey that Newt's a hoot. Speaking of failed policies Still trying to fulfill the contract on America. Too Late. You could not get along with your fellow republicans when you were in the house. How would you ever work with both the House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans? And just like Sarah Palin you are a quitter. When the going got tough you quit. That is not the kind of a leader this country needs....
Gingrich would make a GOP loss, a certainty.
Hopefully, the Tea Party, will have more to offer, than that, in a third party choice.
Egads, what a terrible collection of possible nominees to take on an equally terrible incumbent president. When will more of us put off the two party scam?
I thought the "Contract ON America" was successful. We are more divided than ever.
"We have a lot of people around the country who would like to have somebody who represents a commitment to replace the current failed programs and to develop a set of solutions that are practical and workable,"
As an independent voter who voted for Obama, I along with my family are fed up with the "change" that Obama has ushered in. I will be voting for the GOP in 2010 and 2012. Gingrich, Romney and Jindal would be great contenders to kick out the bums in the White House
Good luck Newt in wasting your time and money; there's only one viable candidate, and you know it: Sarah Palin. The earlier you and the others realize it, the better for the GOP.
He is probably the smartest, fastest and most intelligent politician in
the country to-day.
However, he has no EQ, his personality is arrogant, provocative and
aggressive, and he is probably the worst diplomat in the country.
He has absolutely no chance ever of becoming President.
He should use his considerable talents otherwise.
This list of potential GOP candidates reminds me of the 1933 membership of Germany's brownshirts. I am beginning to believe that the writing is rapidly appearing on the wall of doom. Pick out a nice warm, sunny spot to emigrate to before Armageddon strikes.
Geez, seems like the entire GOP is running for President. I think all named including Mr. Thune will be smashed. President Obama, can out debate all of them, at the same time.
Sorry Newt. Your ship sailed years ago.
Ha Ha. How pathetic. Newt's time has come and gone. Had his chance. More and more obvious the GOP has nothing positive to offer the country.
Oh Please Please Please Mr. Gingrich.....I have NEVER put a political bumper sticker on my car or a candidate sign in my yard but I would PLASTER both with your name!
Not only is this man irrelevant, but he is a hasbeen
Well, that a long list of hopefulls. But make no mistake Palin would be a major mistake for this country. She knows nothing, she is brain dead!
We would become the laughing stock of the world.
Well Gingrich: outline your solutions
I hope that he gets the GOP nomination, as it will guarantee that Obama gets reelected!
Obama will MASSACRE this old bastard. Bring it on!
God help us. Newt for President. I don't think so.
When I read this headline today I thought the article would be about how last night Gingrich likened the possibility of Scot Brown beating Martha Coakley to an "earthquake..." Saying "if the earthquake happens next Tuesday," referring to the day of the vote. Pretty insensitive considering Haiti's current plight. Definitely raised my eyebrows. I think he was focused on the wrong earthquake.
Surely he jests...this is a man who, while persecuting Bill Clinton for his affair with Monica Lewinsky, was cheating on his wife who had cancer. And he was essentially forced out of his job as Speaker.....who so cared more about his own and the GOP's power than the country, forced a budget showdown and total government shut-down. Can't the Republicans think of someone who actually cares about the good of the country rather than their own power?
Raj A – January 14th, 2010 12:39 pm ET
As an independent voter who voted for Obama, I along with my family are fed up with the "change" that Obama has ushered in. I will be voting for the GOP in 2010 and 2012. Gingrich, Romney and Jindal would be great contenders to kick out the bums in the White House
____________________________________________________
Ohh yeah. I'm "sure" you voted for Obama in '08....
And, if by some small chance you are telling the truth, then why did you? Because you were sick of Bush's "Change" ? Seems like you're the kind of guy who's never happy with anything...
I guess Newt (isn't that a slimy lizzard?) will be discussing his political future with his present wife, not the one he left with breast cancer.
If she is not down with the program he can serve her divorce papers at the hospital. Got to conserve on that modus operandi, being a traditional family-values kind of guy. What an imp-pathetic trend setter!
"Gingrich said he would make a decision about his own political future next year after discussing the prospect of a presidential bid with his wife."
Another old, white, southern, racists who idolized Strom Thurman. Oh, and don't forget the "family values" aspect of this coot: he's on his 3rd wife after divorcing one while she was dying in the hospital. Nice. Real nice. Yes, go with Gingrich or Palin or Rick Perry. Most of us progressives are disappointed only because there hasn't been enough change; not that we're thinking about wanting to go back to the Bush/Cheney days.
He's got my vote! Go Newt!