Coburn: Gingrich the last person I'd vote for
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/02/art.newt0402.gi.jpg caption="Sen. Tom Coburn had some harsh words on Friday for former Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich."](CNN) – Newt Gingrich's camp refused to respond Monday to some sharp words spoken by fellow Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, just days after the Oklahoma senator said Gingrich is the "last person I'd vote for" during a town hall meeting.
"I'm not going to respond to that," Gingrich spokesman Rick Tyler told CNN.
Coburn ripped GOP heavyweight Newt Gingrich on Friday and took a shot at the possible 2012 contender's politics and his personal life.
"[Gingrich is] a super-smart man," Coburn said at a town hall meeting in Wagoner, Oklahoma, but added, "he's the last person I'd vote for president of the United States."
"His life indicates he does not have a commitment to the character traits necessary to be a great president," Coburn said.
The comments were first reported by Tulsa World, and Coburn's Senate office confirmed their accuracy to CNN.
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Actually, there are others I would eliminate just as quickly.
I wouldn't either!!
If candidate Coburn speaks does any one listen?
[Generic Republican / Tea Bagger] The last person I'd vote for
Comparatively speaking, Gingrich and a revised Contract For America is exactly what America needs vs. Tax and Spend Progressive Socialism which we are dealing with the current so-called leadership! By comparison, will opt for Newt or someone passionate about Conservative Principles like him!
It's good to see that even Republican pigs call Gingrich a swine.
Wow...Coburn and I agree on something.
I'm going to the bathroom now to check for monkeys flying out of my butt.
I couldn't agree more!
Newt Gingrich was an effective speaker –but unmatched? Hardly. That sounds like the statement of someone who has not read much history.
In many ways, Gingrich diminished the Office of the Speaker. Let's not forget, Gingrich was forced to resign; hardly the mark of someone who is unmatched.
Speaker Pelosi has actually been incredibly effective and Tip O'Neill practically redefined the office. Then there is Sam Rayburn who may be the most respected speaker in modern times.
Gingrich is intelligent, no doubt. But he is often contradictory and hypocrtical –again, not traits of an unmatched statesman.
But, by all mans, Gingrich should run for President.
Wait a minute - when did the Newt get "supersmart?"
Superself-serving, yeah, but he's always been like that. I certainly wouldn't vote for him as dog catcher.
And the conservatives tout family values? Newt? Bwhahahahaha!
@valwayne - But Republicans excel at appearing petty and stupid. Like when they holler for fiscal restraint, but are perfectly willing to dole out $600B on top of the over $1T they've handed the wealthy because if we don't it will kill economic growth (yet the policy was in place when the economy tanked - go figure). Or like when they say they want a commission to put forth a long-term deficit reduction plan, and when that bill comes before the Senate, seven Republicans change their minds. Or when Republicans are holding up a bill in the Senate that will provide money for small businesses that is fully offset (i.e. it won't cost anything because spending reductions have been found to offset the costs), but won't let it come to an up or down vote because it will add to the deficit.
Republicans have no credibility with the economy, and that goes far beyond the last Republican we had as President. It was Ronald Reagan that turned American from the biggest creditor nation in the world to the biggest debtor nation in the world. It was Republicans who swore that a 50 cent gas tax increase would kill the economy when Clinton was President (yet he managed surpluses). It is beyond me why anybody listens to Republicans when it comes to the economy, because their track record absolutely stinks.
All you naysayers, get a life! The guy hasn't even commited. Every one is due a fair trial!
People say the same thing about Obama every day. Smart guy but he does not have the traits or experiece to run the country. POTUS is a big job for a well rounded and broad shouldered leader. We don't have that right now and hopefully that person will rise up for 2012.
It clear to most we do not need another amatuer running the country either way.
It would be hard for me to pick the absolute last person I would ever vote for in 2012. The Repugnant line up looks like one psychotic after the next schizophrenic. They range from ultra pathetic to "Nightmare on Elm Street".
At least on a game show, you get a shot at Door Number 3, but with this bunch of sad cases, there's not even an unknown quantity or wild card. We know them all, and there's not one I'd trust alone for 5 minutes with my dog. You look at the potential Repugnant candidates, and it's like watching a horror movie.
At least, the Texas Chainsaw Governor is out of the race. Phew!
The same 3 or 4 people on here argue even when they're own cite the truth! They ought to just stick with Fox where the the "news" they hear resonates with them.
This is one of a very few things that he's said that make sense and aren't totally estranged from human decency.
I was going to say I would sooner vote for Gingrich than Palin, Angle or Ben Quayle – but then, evil and stupid is more likely to botch the job (of ruining this nation for fun and profit) than evil and smart. I guess Gingrich is out.
Amen to that! Gingrich has always been corrupt, a multi-offender adulterer (while one wife was battling cancer) and was thrown out of the House for severe ethics charges.
I'd take Coburn's statement one step further – THERE IS NO REPUBLICAN I WOULD VOTE FOR.
Newt is a "has-been" recirculating the same old Bush policies.
Its sad that people like ValWayne blames Obama on the failed unemployment and economy after Obama took over the biggest 8 year mess any President had to endure> It always sounds as if jealousy plays a big role in the disappointment with Obama. The republicans and scandals did them in this term and instead of jumping on the band wagon and trying to help correct this whole mess dropped in Obamas lap, they the Republicans want to look the other way and not help get our country out of George Bush's mess. Its a shame the republicans sit back and hope for failure instead of looking back on what mess they created and help the cause. Maybe they can be re-elected one day again if they indeed tried to help and take blame. But they still today act like children and think they will be elected at the end of this term. There is no way the republicans can get back into office until they grow some ballz and help fix there screwup.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day. 🙂
The buffoonish Gingrich stands about as much chance of winning the presidency as Micky Mouse. Come to think of it, more people would probably vote for Micky Mouse. Ginngrich is nothing more than a bigoted, blowharded hipocrite with too much time on his hands.
Keith in Austin August 30th, 2010 4:48 pm ET
"Comparatively speaking, Gingrich and a revised Contract For America is exactly what America needs vs. Tax and Spend Progressive Socialism which we are dealing with the current so-called leadership! By comparison, will opt for Newt or someone passionate about Conservative Principles like him!"
Conservative principles like cheating on your wife and lying about it while trying to impeach the president for the same behavior? I guess hypocrisy is a conservative trait. Have a nice day!
Please give me back the keys so I can play chicken with the other cars on the highway.
Tom, there isn't any republican candidate, national, state or local I would ever vote for with their support for Big Business, Big Oil and Big Wall Street. This party has been corrupted by the extreme right and needs to get its house in order.!