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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Judging by that picture they chose, Newt may melt into a puddle of fat before the 2012 election.
Anyone that runs against Obama in 2012 will beat him if he doesn't get job growth going and get the economy moving. The big question that will be asked in 2012 is, Are you better off now or when Bush was president? Unless you have one of those newly created government jobs, the answer is no.
The last line of your article about Newt should have read. "Gingrich said he would make a decision about his own political future next year after discussing the prospect of a presidential bid with whomever his wife is likely to be come time to campaign."
Why would he discuss it with his wife? He just dump her like all the rest of his wives. Nothing like a family values candidate.
Newt-Another Republican loser. Let him run with Palin as his V.P,Glenn Beck as court jester and Rush Limbaugh as minister of lies.
Also add Dick the loser Cheney for Sec. of Defense so we will have wars forever.
I'll get out my old "Neuter Newt" bumper stickers now
THANK GOODNESS! You have made yourself available. Gingrich has the most knowledge and is capable of any candidate . Go for it Newt!
When will the GOP learn that rolling out tired, old, recycled white guys to run for President is not a winning strategy. I mean, I'm glad they're doing it because it will be an easy win for Democrates – but when will they ever get it that the country has moved on......
WHICH WIFE?????
Please, please, please, pleeeeease run, Newt! Your candidacy will be one of the final nails in the coffin of the Republican party, not to mention a complete and utter joke.
Raj A....something tells me you are hard-core republican trying to sound politically correct. You are no independent and certainly did not vote for Obama!
Quit lying!
While I voted for Obama in 2008 hoping for change like transparent political negotiations (so much for that), the GOP had better come up with better candidates to take on Obama in 2012 than serial womanizing Gingrich and airhead Sarah. Otherwise it will be a cakewalk for Barack.
Somewhere out there must be a true conservative, both fiscally and socially. Lately all the GOP has had to offere are a bunch of free-spending social fundamentalists.
I hope that either him or Palin runs... It would almost guarantee that Obama would be voted back in, and if he didn't win, it would be the straw that breaks the GOPs back!!!
Certainly American can do better than him.
Gingrich?
BBBWWAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Are we going to see another version of "The Contract On America"?
Hey Newt! What ever happened to that 'Contract with America" thing? Oh yeah, turned out to be a total lie. And you want to be President? Don't think so.
I'm sorry, is this news? We haven't seen the next republican president yet. I would take Bush's Dad over all of this rift-raft.
GOOD LORD, I AM IN INDIANA, AND WE HAVE HAD FOUR YEARS OF MITCH DANIELS. PLEASE TAKE HEED OF ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR BUMPER STICKERS IN OUR STATE "DITCH MITCH."
LOL Have the Republicans not learned from this man? What's God's plan now? Geez
If the country doesn't go bankrupt before then he might just be able to bail us out. He was always a fiscal conservative
Gov Palin certainly has said she does not for sure plan on running for President. I would like to see her in a VP position for sure at least.
Newt is right when he says "Drill here,drill now ,drill everywhere" in referral to his mistresses and future wives
A great example of how the GOP offers no solutions – just complaints about the government.
I can't befriend anyone who says they're a Republican these days.
They're America's Taliban.
For this man to even think he stands a shot shows how delusional he is! There is no way Newt Gingrich will be president of the US and deep down he knows it, I guess no harm in humilating yourself though!
Which wife is that you will consult with Newt? The first one that pressured for a divorce while she recovered from cancer? Or the second one that you cheated on while trying to oust Clinton over Monica? Or the currrent future ex-Mrs. Gingrich? How do you plan to dispose of her when the time comes?... Is it time yet? Can't wait to see. You are such an inspiration and a true model American citizen. HEY!!! You should lead our country!