August 30th, 2010
04:32 PM ET
13 years ago

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.


Filed under: 2012 • Newt Gingrich • Tom Coburn
soundoff (199 Responses)
  1. TOTALFACT

    I wouldn't vote for this man if he were the last Republican. From ma former 50 year Democrat. PALIN 2012

    August 30, 2010 05:45 pm at 5:45 pm |
  2. manemang

    Why is this shocking? Well Republican't's rarely tell the truth so yes, be shocked.

    August 30, 2010 05:48 pm at 5:48 pm |
  3. Dale

    The fact that these folks (Gingrich, Palin, Romney) are even being considered is a statement on the shameful and pathetic state of the Republican party. I used to be Republican, but now I am independent. The extremist wackos, teabaggers, racists and American Taliban Evangelicalists have taken over the Republican Party. They no longer represent anything close to a normal reasonable viewpoint, and they are slowly being crushed under their own hypocrisy. Take Gingrich and his "family values." He values families so much he has started three, that we know of. And then there is the health care thing. Republicans claim to be Christian but they are fine with letting thousands of Americans die of treatable illnesses. Christ would be ashamed of what they do and don't do in the name of Christianity.

    August 30, 2010 05:49 pm at 5:49 pm |
  4. Ricky

    One of the last people I would vote for also... I remember his & the republicans party "Contract With America" all to well.

    August 30, 2010 05:51 pm at 5:51 pm |
  5. Texas Granny

    I wouldn't vote for Newt either... but let me tell you, we have others we need to keep an eye on even more than Newt. These nut cases that are winning primaries– like Miller in Alaska– those people have a screw loose. When your supporters show up at your rallies carrying their automatic rifles, etc. then it's time to actually be afraid of these people– and not just in a "they might win" kind of way. These people are nuts!!!

    August 30, 2010 05:52 pm at 5:52 pm |
  6. zedlok

    never thought id see the day when Newt Gingrich becomes the moderate of his party.

    August 30, 2010 05:53 pm at 5:53 pm |
  7. George Sales

    Hey GOP, regarding NEWT, garbage in, garbage out!!!

    August 30, 2010 05:55 pm at 5:55 pm |
  8. Ancient Texan

    Newt is one of the smartest people on the political scene. Coburn is........not that bright. For you folks that liked the Clinton years and the decent economy.....Newt was the reason. The Republican Congress of which Newt was leader, passed the balanced budget act. The economy was good in spite of Clinton, not because of him.

    August 30, 2010 05:55 pm at 5:55 pm |
  9. Rick Beagle

    "The fact is, you cannot praise Bill Clinton's economic record without simultaneously praising Newt Gingrich."

    Nor can you point to Bill Clinton's immorality without acknowledging Newt's moral hypocrisy.

    August 30, 2010 05:56 pm at 5:56 pm |
  10. ??

    It is heartening to see honest conservatives like Tom Coburn. We *want* a thoughtful opposition, it strengthens both sides.

    Then there are the commentators here ... why are you Repug clowns on with this "alias" bit? Lost steam on the birther nonsense eh? You don't have any substantive ideas so you run on and on with utter crap. It's fine not to like Obama, but do it on his policies, not on your wack-job conspiracy theories.

    August 30, 2010 05:56 pm at 5:56 pm |
  11. anthony

    Well, if the choice is between Gingrich and Palin, I will vote for Gingrich. I am no fan of either person, but the decision comes down to who I want to be in charge of the nuclear button. One thing is clear- McCain should be impeached for bringing Palin to the national stage, and forcing us to read items after items about Palin in the CNN political ticker.

    August 30, 2010 05:57 pm at 5:57 pm |
  12. 8 Years of having a drunken driver at the wheel put America in the ditch, why would working Americans return the keys to the crowd drinking at the same bar?

    It would appear Senator Coburn prefers the "blunt trauma" approach!

    I have a new found admiration for the good Senator, at least on this one issue.

    August 30, 2010 05:58 pm at 5:58 pm |
  13. Becky

    THANK GOODNESS someone from the GOP has spoken up against
    Newt Gingrich as a presidential condidate for the GOP!!!! He is SO
    OUT...why in the world would anyone endorse Gingrich??? His contract for America was nothing more than a publicity stunt. He
    did nothing with it. It was a joke. The GOP had EIGHT (8) years to make a difference in our country and all they did was spend, spend, spend, take away more of our rights as Americans, and now he actually wants to be considered as a viable candidate in 2012???
    Please!!!!!!!

    August 30, 2010 05:58 pm at 5:58 pm |
  14. Ron

    Never trusted this Gingrich. I think are yet to know the person that will beat Obama in 2012, although he will lose the election after one term in office.

    August 30, 2010 06:01 pm at 6:01 pm |
  15. Anonymous

    telling the truth is a very risky move in politics...good for you senator!

    August 30, 2010 06:02 pm at 6:02 pm |
  16. gg

    I disagree with Coburn only because I do not think Gingrich is "super smart". I think he's a 3rd rate pseudo-intellectual with a big mouth. He is in large part responsible for the disaster we now find our country in. HIs far right ideology put into action under Republican leadership has caused the destruction of the American middle class and the complete degradation of our way of life. My words to Newt: Thanks for nothing!

    August 30, 2010 06:03 pm at 6:03 pm |
  17. exrepublican

    Newts are slimy creatures that like a muddy environment... why would any one consider voting for him.

    August 30, 2010 06:06 pm at 6:06 pm |
  18. Ron Lee Denter

    2012 Will not be a good day for Barack Obama. Worst pres. of all time!!! And we thought we had it bad with Bush. Obama should not be bowing to other countries or saying sorry for anything. We are the only nation who always shows up in time and need. We need to worry about ourselves as a nation again, become what we once were.

    As far as Newt goes, well he's a very smart man. I think he could help with turning our nation around, but he shouldn't be president.

    August 30, 2010 06:07 pm at 6:07 pm |
  19. Peggy

    I totally agree with Mr. Coburn's comments. Newt Gingrich has a brilliant mind but his sole purpose in life is to make Newt Gingrich adored by the masses and he will do whatever is required to be sure that happens. He is morally bankrupt. We have one of those now. Why would we follow up with another of the same caliber? We need to have a morality revolution in this country and only then will we have some possibility of regaining the greatness we had many years ago. Please, people, don't push him to run.

    August 30, 2010 06:10 pm at 6:10 pm |
  20. jules sand-perkins

    Gingrich? Unto every thing there is a season.
    How about Scott Brown for president?

    August 30, 2010 06:13 pm at 6:13 pm |
  21. Dave

    I have a question for Newt and Republicans in general.

    You broke your Contract With America in multiple ways.

    This was how Newt got you to power in 1994.

    Now fast forward to 2010: why should we ever trust you again?

    You have the reputations of lying, scheming con artists. I'm sorry but none of the conservative movement's most powerful practitioners can be trusted. Even under your own terms!!!

    August 30, 2010 06:16 pm at 6:16 pm |
  22. SueEllen

    Coburn vs. Newt...hot scumbag-on-scumbag action!

    August 30, 2010 06:18 pm at 6:18 pm |
  23. TT

    I'm a lifelong Republican, and even I am put off by Newt. He's only good at fomenting false and overblown outrage, and I get enough of that from the MSM.

    August 30, 2010 06:18 pm at 6:18 pm |
  24. W.N. Sanabria, Escondido, CA

    I would like to ask folks like "Eric" a question. When the Supreme Court elected Bush, Gore made a classy concession speech and recognized Bush as "his president". Is it too much to ask you right wingers to do the same when a clear majority of us, the people, elected Obama? The name calling suggests that your real motivation is racial bigotry. If that is the case, get used to the fact that you are part of a shrinking minority and hope like hell that this emerging majority has stronger democratic values than you do.

    August 30, 2010 06:20 pm at 6:20 pm |
  25. Billy

    The guy who posted, "[Palin] is best leader this country has right now, and the one that makes sense" owes me a new t-shirt. Coke blew out of my nose when I read that one. We commie-socialists aren't afraid of her, we love her! Run Sarah run!

    August 30, 2010 06:23 pm at 6:23 pm |
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