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
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CANNOT wait!!! Let's air YOUR dirty laundry, Grinch.
He's as delusional as Sarah Palin, but at least he is pretty intelligent.
Really? These are the best options for Republicans? There is not a winner among the group. What about Ron Paul? I think he is 200 times smarter and savvier than any of these nit-wits. Or Olympia Snow? Come on Republicans-you can do better than this.
Anyone who joins a news channel to be a political commentator (Huck and Palin) should automatically be disqualified.
I think Mitt Romney and Haley Barbour are the only credible names mentioned. If either one formally decided to run for President in 2012, you can bet they would have a plan for the country. However, I don't think either would pass the Republican :"purity" test, so they wouldn't be endorsed by the Tea Party conservatives. Marlene in Mich
A list of failures!
David, I am with you. Democrats criticize Republicans and Republicans criticize Democrats with BOTH parties being equally responsible for not solving any problems. Unfortunately, any and all third party candidates are and will continue to be dismissed by the vast majority of Americans. Sad, sad, sad!
How about a Palin-Gingrich ticket? It would be great for Democrats.
I'm still waiting for Newt to fulfill the last contract with America. Is he actually asking people to believe him a second time? Republicans need a new name. That the idiot Palin or Mr. Game Show Romney or Mr. Crazy Huckabee. Deliver a candidate that will shrink government, cut spending and end the war to nowhere. Bring us a conservative that undrstands the definition of conservaive. One that will not spend years playing political games and will focus on rebuilding our country.
Please run...my "Newt Hates Me" t-shirt still fits and I haven't worn it in years...love that shirt!!!!
Why would I vote for someone who went to the hospital where his wife was being treated for cancer to tell his wife he was divorcing her? A real compassionate conservative.
What "goofy' Republican isn't a contended in 2012?????
What "goofy" Republican isn't a contender in 2012????
Can you just imagine all the damage this guy could do? Think about it...another Republican isn't what our country needs.
Which wife? You mean someone actually married this lying weasel again after he abandoned a previous one on her deathbed? Loyalty, commitment, honor?
Every Republican nut-job has come out stating they're a contender...just another nit-wit on the loose.
Newt is a pain
Can you say: "lost his party leadership position due to an ethics investigation over blatant conflicts of interest and misappropriation of funds?" I can. Ask his first couple of wives what a paragon of virtue the serial philanderer, Mr. "Do As I Say, Not As I Do" Gingrich is.
Oh, yeah, he's got a GREAT track record to run on.
Go back to Georgia, you lying BUM!
I don't think it matters who Republicans decide to put on the ticket. Obama's popularity is falling faster than any President in history. By the time 2012 gets here, he couldn't beat Sarah Palin. Obama's only hope is that Republicans gain enough Senate seats to put a halt to his socialist agenda. If his government takeover of healthcare passes when only 35% of Americans support it, he's finished.
Hummm Ole Newter noted he would talk it over with his wife next year...give his track record with marriage and his infidelity I wonder which wife he will be talking with....the current one or the next one he will have an extramarital affair with????
Great, just what we need, another republican promising to repair eight years worth of damage created by a republican. Its been a cold winter, next thing you know cheney will surface out of his hole to proclaim that he just saw his shadow.
as a democrat i welcome nut grengrich on ticket as repbo.wife was dying of cancer and he had her sign divorce agreement while under sedation.divorced second wife. quit congress just like quitter sorry polin.misspelled on purpose.they are both bozos.i will cross party lines and vote in republican primary for gonzo and polin.
"...commitment to replace the current failed programs and to develop a set of solutions that are practical and workable..."
Why is it that rebublicans have such short memories?
Which party had 8 years before this administration to screw things up? Do you think anyone could repair this massive debacle in a year?
According to almost everyone's figures it will take GENERATIONS to fix this mess.
This is your "legacy" George Bush and your merry band of republicans..
Yes, Newt, please run. We need somebody easy to beat...
Unlike Sarah, Newt is intelligent and someone who could actaully pull off becoming president. Sarah will self destruct.
I wish Maobama would quit before he completely bankrupts the country. When the going gets tough Barry blames anybody but himself...