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
- Grand jury indictments, explained
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- US flying surveillance drones farther south over Black Sea after collision with Russian fighter jet, officials say
- US to send Patriot missile systems and tanks to Ukraine faster than originally planned
- Bruce Springsteen, Gladys Knight among group honored at the White House
- Untitled
Time will tell regarding the state of the economy and world affairs as the Obama Administration continue to clean years of failure from the Bush Administration.....it took time to make the mess and it will take time to straigthen out; therefore the republicans can continue playing musical chairs for their leader.......Newt is definitely bad but good for the Democrats and a slam dunk for Obama!
Our democracy has gone down the tubes. Our President has been in office less than a year after a huge eight-year debacle that left our country in a shambles and already those responsible for such a mess are gearing up to grab power.
What is it about human beings that make them want to grope for power without a clue how to serve the people?
Are we Americans that blind that we cannot see the forest for the trees? Do we want to have our leaders constantly campaigning without taking the time to reflect, consult, analyze and come up with viable solutions rather than play dirty politics constantly. This is atrocious and I believe we should all be outraged.
The meaning of SERVICE is certainly not the same for us as for our Politicians.
One moment's reflection is worth seventy years of pious worship to the Gods of our idle fancies and vain imaginings!
I thought you couldn't be elected the National Buffoon more than once..
When I read these names, I think as a country we need more help than conservatives could ever give us, especially the old, the tired, the square, the whacky, and the mavericky. We can do better America!
I hope people learn exactly how family-friendly he is (cheating on 2 wifes, divorce, not paying child support) and boot him out. How two faced he is – during the 90 claiming family friendly, Christian, then repeats himself by cheating on his second wife.
Any Republican would be better then this loser who is in the White House now. Big Republican victories in 2010. Help is on its way. Defeat Socialism now.
A Democratic dream come true. Another failed Republican politician who thinks they are still relevant.
Sigh, it's not a joke, it's for real, he is really THAT delusional.
OK, suppose that you are NOT liking the current presidency's politics and plans and actions and that you decided to NOT vote Democrat in 2012, then by the way the Republicans are looking you should vote in an Independent (Ron Paul?), because if they are dragging unburied corpses like this man's political career (and credibility) as their probable candidate against President Obama, then they are out of touch with reality!!!!
Come On!! We want the DREAM TEAM – Palin, Steel in 2012!!
Newt must be trying too find a new secretary to replace his wife. I think thats how he found this one. I have one word to describe Newt that word is Hypocrite !!!
I am beginning to think that ANYONE would be better than Obama. Well not Palin, but ANYONE ELSE!!!
YUK!!!!!! I'd never, ever vote for this loser.
All of those writing against Newt in the comments section can be sure of one thing. If anyone in Newt's list of possibilities is elected, you can be absolutely sure that there won't be any Marxists, Communists, Tax cheats or criminals in his or her Administration.
To Raj J. So you voted for President Obama and now will vote for the GOP in 2012??? So because nothing in your mind, of note has happened in the ONE YEAR, this president has been in office, you will return those who got us in this condition in the first place, to power.
If it would'nt affect me, I would hope that you get your wish, because voters like you deserve to return to the past 8 years when the GOP WAS in power.
For all you dittoheads and/or conserva-whatevers, the media is not liberal! Get That Straight!
All media are driven by profits – I know that may come as a huge shock to you Palin followers that have trouble with that pesky thing we call learning. Importantly, understand that if a media outlet promotes things that are said by Racist Rush, Or Overboard Beck, or Happless Hannity, then sponsors will run for the hills because even minorities are part of their customer base. And which one of us would patronize an organization that openly promotes hatred of you and those that look like you?
Again Dittoheads – Conserva-whatevers, remember that your racism, hatred and your conscious efforts to promote lies and misinformation has its drawbacks! These being the reasons I left the Republican party. Plus I can actually read and write.
Newt must be smoking dope. The right-wing can't trust him, he a wife cheater. Just another example of what the republican party has become....a bunch of mindless twits.
Anything would be better than the fascist bastard Papa Doc Barack who is hell bent on destroying this country. .
Yeah.... a lot of people are going to vote for this old, fat, racist, serial adultering pig!
They are all losers
Well, if they were looking for a contender with less charm than Cheney, they've found him.
Oh please please do it!! I would love to see President Obama smack this man down go for it Newt make the Democrats day!!!
I'd like to hear how that Contract With America worked out and the fact that you were going to personally bring Bill Clinton to his knees, Newt!
So, please run, I can't wait to see you and Caribou Barbie dueling in a debate – classic!
You can also clarify your stance on dead-beat dads, too, as you have a plethora of experience there, too! You are the party of Family Values & Morals after all, right?! Right?!?!?!
Well, at least Gingrich isn't an idiot. And he's probably not a creationist, as fond as he is of zoology and science.
But he certainly stretches the truth beyond comprehension, and uses lots of "commie phobic" terminology, like "welfare state." And comments on "failed programs" are utter BS. Without the stimulus packages of Bush and Obama, the banks would have collapsed, the markets would have collapsed, unemployment would be in the high double digits, folks would be dying due to starvation of no heat this winter, another Great Depression. Thanks to bailing out the banks, the DJI and other indices are now back at nearly the levels before the collapse. Think about that a minute. Those of us with retirement plans, whether or not we have personal investments in the market, now have them back where they were before the collapse. Those of us with personal investment portfolios (which includes all of the Republican pundits lying through their teeth), are back where we were before.
The next great task is jobs, and most of all of this year's proposed legislation (which the Party of No will no doubt oppose in its entirety) will be devoted to job creation through building infrastructure and tax incentives for small businesses.
We can pretty much count on Republicans wanting all economic recovery to be channeled though big oil and bogus wars.
Why do Republicans hate America?
Always the same names running for office. REGISTER & VOTE FOR A THIRD PARTY!!!!!! Together we can send them a message they can't ignore.
Yes please run Newt. You can run as the "family values" candidate. Of course don't forget to mention how you went to your DYING wives hospital bedside with divorce papers! Yes a real "family values" Republican you are! I forgot to mention your a "serial" wife cheater! Love those GOP "family values".