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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Let's see, do we want a man who saved the government, or one who shut the government down because he couldn't talk to President Clinton....tick...tock..tick...
Obama/Biden 2012
this man is a lying piece of garbage. whatever failures we've had, were brought about during the Bush/Chaney disasterous 8 years in office. and, tell us about Republican values. He divorced his wife while she was in the hospital fighting Cancer so he could marry his mistress, who he later divorced. he and Palin should run on the same ticket. Dumb and Dumber.
Newt has floated his " I might run" balloon every election with the same results.He confuses the reception he recieves by the far right base at book signings and fund raisers as an indication he is popular and then reality smacks him in his doughy face that everybody else hates him.He does not really believe he could ever win, he just likes the attention that saying he might run brings.
Newt and Rev Al 2012
If the GOP really wants to make some noise in 2012 I think they should run Mike Steele against President Obama. That will drive the tea party folks and the right wing neo-cons CRAZY!!
I think he should ask either Pat Robertson or Rush Limbaugh to be his running mate !!! Better yet how about Sarah Palin ??? They could call themselves the "Dynamic Dimwits".
Yes, just what the country's been waiting for, this overblown, dough-face looking gasbag. We really, really want you to run.
Trust me, if Hillary couldn't get it, this hasbeen will never have it.
America wants a president who cares about everyone, not just big oil, bigger insurance and a bigger wall street.
Obama/Biden 2012
To all the naysayers out there, we just had George W. Bush for two terms, do you really think Newt (or Sarah) is that far fetched? Anything is possible, and considering the public in general, never take anything for granted.
Perfect--- The Demos couldn`t wish for a better opponent.
I hope Newt runs...I am going to relish voting for OBAMA knowing that I had an opportunity to keep Newt out of office again....
We tend to forget that we reap what is sown. The economic problems of today were sown with the failed Contract with America...and lets not forget his day and night fight against universal health care reform...we have no time for history to repeat itself.
As for the man personally...lets not forget a guy who would bring his divorce papers to his cancer stricken wife to sign while she was in the hospital after cancer treatment. Newt is exactly the kind of clown we can all do without
Newt would have my vote. He's the most intelligent of the Republicans listed. Of course, any of the Republicans would be a better choice than Obama. (except Palin...She is just way too stupid.)
I wonder if Newt still thinks ketchup is a vegetable, we should set up 'Reform Schools' for kids, and it was worth spending $70 million of Taxpayers dollars to prosecute the Bill Clinton WhiteWater witch hunt (which involved only $750,00 dollars).
Cara Mills = Paid Republican Stooge.
Yes, just what the country's been waiting for, this overblown, dough-face looking gasbag. We really, really want Newt to run.
Trust me, if Hillary couldn't get the position, this has-been will never have it either.
America wants a president who cares about everyone, not just big oil, bigger insurance and an even bigger Wall Street.
Obama/Biden 2012
These comments that are posted just show how dumb and uninformed the majority of Americans are today. This also shows that those who voted for Obama have still not looked at what their goofy President is doing to them. Guys you need to wake up....Obama and the Dumacrats are putting their grimy hands in your pockets and you do not even know it. By the time they get finished with this year, your overall tax bill is going to jump about 40%. And you want Obama and the Dumacrats to stay in office? What a bunch of morons!
the angry crazy immoral old white guy....perfect candidate for the party of angry crazy immoral old white guys....
On the bright side, Newt is a lot smarter than Palin, but that's like being the smartest kid in the dumb class. Additionally, does Newt really believe that the country is ready to elect a thrice married serial adulterer? That would indicate that both he and Giuliani must be delusional. Mitt Romney is probably the smartest candidate available to the GOP, and he'll drive all of the Tea Party zealots into spasms as soon as he announces.
aaaahhh... let's see... what do I remember Newt for? Oh yeah, Newt worked on impeaching Bill clinton over an affair with Monica, while Newt was having an affair of his own... I can bet if he runs, this will be brought up again.
Our country has already been made into the laughing stock of the world through all the arrogance and stupidity of the Bush's years, please if you are patriotic Newt, don't make it worse!!!
Tea bagger MUST have a candidate seperate from the gop in as many races as posible. It is their patriotic duty to do so.
this is for tony r if you really believe that sarah palin should run for office then you really are part of the problem, rather than the solution; you can't possibly believe that she is qualified to lead this country, and if you do, then i feel sorry for you
Just what we need! Another Republican adulterer running for office. Where or where have their values gone? Tch tch tch. Those adulterous values goes well with off-shore nation building, arrogance, hypocrisy, and throw in a tad of blantant lying to the public.
Newt: you'll have to tell your wife that she is unworthy to a president's wife–like you did when you divorced your first wife when she was sick with cancer. Better get it over with soon.
Newt of the scorched earth, defile your political opponents, GOPAC fame? The guy who has ditched multiple wives? The guy who shut down the federal government, and pursued impeaching Clinton while he himself was having an affair? That Newt?
the rehooligans are but an ember smoldering,... Quick! pour some water on them! (GOP). I'm a GOP-STOMPER!
I love how he labels the current programs "failed". How does he know yet. NONE of the programs have even had a year yet to track. HOWEVER, we do know that his "contract on America" failed MISERABLY!!!
I needed a chuckle actually. Thanks Newt.