Gingrich: Obama to 'extort contributions'
(CNN) - Likely 2012 presidential candidate Newt Gingrich reacted to President Obama's reelection announcement Monday, accusing him of trying to "extort contributions" from supporters.
"Here's a president who 18 months before the election is going to use his office to extort contributions on a scale we've never seen before," Gingrich said in New Hampshire where he addressed the Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College in Manchester. "He's in effect trying to create a Chicago style machine for the whole country with a billion dollars."
President Obama launched his official reelection bid with a video Monday using the slogan "It begins with us" and sources told CNN Obama's campaign team hopes their bundlers will raise $500 million, leaving the campaign to raise another $500 million to amass a $1 billion war chest.
"It's not about us, it's about the money and it's about the president's ability to coerce and run over the American people by building a machine so big nobody can challenge him," Gingrich said.
But the former Republican House Speaker said Obama can still be beat.
"I don't believe he can raise enough money to hide from the American people," Gingrich said. "I believe in the end there will be a debate, in the end it will be clear in October of next year how big the difference is and I think frankly he'll be a one-term president."
- CNN National Political Correspondent Jessica Yellin contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
- Biden administration threatens veto on House GOP-led energy bill
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Former Fugees member faces federal trial as potential jurors are questioned about star-studded witness list
- Biden's student loan forgiveness program faces a new threat from Senate Republicans
- Why Israel's instability matters to the US
- Untitled
Seems as if the GOPer hopefuls are not only running on scared, they all are now talking scared as well.
I think that I speak for humans everywhere when I say GO AWAY LEAVE AND NEVER COME BACK
Newt the Nut!
it's very important that we listen to Newt. after all, he loves this country so much and worked so hard to help us, that "mr family values" was forced to be unfaithful to his 1st wife. or wait, was that his first 2 wives?
If Gingrich really wants to have that conversation about "extorting supporters" then he doesn't need to look any further than at the Republican Governor Walker of Wis. and the Gov. of Ohio who did extort votes and then stabbed them in the back. Republicans are already extorting money from Karl Rove and the Koch Brothers while we as Obama supporters contribute because we know "It's about us" and not the Republicans "Apartheid" political and economic discrimination against the Middle Class.
God, when will this crooked, amoral snake crawl back under his rock?
Does Newt get quoted so much because he says so many really dumb things? The President is going to coerce people to contribute to his campaign so he can hide from them? This makes about as much sense as Newt's justification for all his affairs.
Newt, is short for Fig-Newton, and by the looks of his cheeks, he has a whole package above his neck............now if he only had something else above his neck, we might take him more seriously.
and yet the RNC is using President Obama's campaign to "extort" money from their group to help the Republicans. Hey Newt...."open mouth", "insert FOOT", then sit down and shut up.
This guy is still making the news? Coward blamed his infidelities on working hard? Really?
I have decided to donate to Obama's reelection campaign tonight!
Newt has no right to use the word 'extort' when talking about Obama or anyone... or anything. Just google his own crimes and punishment, his moral and ethical standing while working for us as a public servant, and his public life vs his private life. I have no problem with people living their lives the way they choose~ just do not act one way and vote another. The line up of Gop contenders is stunningly stupid ( Bachman, Palin), and horrifyingly anti-constitution ( Huckabee and creationism), and the rest of them just make me sick. To think we have gotten to this place in our country is simply mind-boggling. But, add in Citizens United and the Koch Bro's and anything can happen. Get out the vote for Obama, donate time and/or money. The season is upon us.
I received an extortion threat from President Obama this morning.
It read, "if you do not send me a check today, I am going to tell my dog to bite you if you ever come to my house."
I sent him one hundred dollars.
Obama scares the daylights out of the Repubs. It really is that simple. He has beaten them at every turn,now they can only disrespect& belittle him. Too bad they dont have ideas how to fix anything with all of the free media they're given. Theyre now a cog in the machine they created. No ideas means no criticism from their party and pass all of the blame to Obama-and make people believe them. An ignorant electorate/people who vote against their own best interests is exactly who they want.
WTF!?!?! When did fundraising become extortion? When did raising more money than the other guy make you a bad guy. For better or for worse, that has always been the staple of our political system, and the Republicans have long been the primary wall preventing change to this system. Don't get all cry baby on us when someone plays the game you created better than you:)
What a small and pathetic little troll.
IBecause of Newt, the Idiot, I just donated to Pres. Obama's campaign!!!!!
Nothing like the rancid scent of rampant paranoid delusional rationalizations in the afternoon, eh?
Listen to me my fellow americans! Obama is going to take your money and run! As a man so passionate for this country I *bleep!* Other women, I will not allow this to happen! Vote for me...the man with morals...and character...
The GOP knows ALL about extortion!!!. Newt is such a miserable, hateful man. Hope he runs then for sure Obama will kick his butt!!! Obama 2012!!!!
As opposed to the US Chamber of Commerce who goes in and extorts millions from a company? way to go Newt back under your rock in the sewage pool. The GOP is nothng but fear mongering and extortion, and all they do is support the upper 2%.
["Here's a president who 18 months before the election is going to use his office to extort contributions on a scale we've never seen before," Gingrich said!!]
ginGRINCH – you need to go somewhere with that NOISE!!! At least President Obama is saying he is running for President!!! What are YOU and your PAC buddies doing? You're taking money from supporters and either have NO INTENTIONS of running and/or know Doggone well you will NOT WIN!!!
YOU, Botchmann, the PA'IN, SantorIZEum, TRUMPet, Barbara, POORlenty and MITTENS – All of YOU – running around the country and WORLD using PAC money. What about those supporters who are being led down the "Road to NOwhere?" Naw, you don't care about them!!!
It's OK for this man to backdoor contributions from billionaires like Sheldon Andelson of the Ventetian in Las Vegas without annoucing so he can still get free presstime, but God forbid the President should be upfront about his intentions.
who is the hypocrit here?
Gingrich has no chance at getting the nomination let alone the Presidency.
Excuses, excuses! What a crybaby loser!