Gingrich: I would lose to Obama in a personality contest
(CNN) – While Newt Gingrich insisted on Friday he would be the best candidate to compete with President Barack Obama in November, he added there was one match in which he would lose against the president.
“He’s likeable. I would never beat Obama in a personality contest,” Gingrich said on CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront.” “But the presidency is not about likeability. The presidency is about are you capable of doing the job?”
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In the interview, Gingrich also argued the recent controversy over his marriage history helps him connect with voters, claiming the timing of a new ABC News interview with his ex-wife has fueled supporters to rally around the candidate.
“I don't believe anybody who's going to vote tomorrow didn't already know I've been divorced and married,” Gingrich said. “It's all been out there for months. It was a sense of 'But why would ABC bring it up now?’”
The former House speaker received a standing ovation after he forcefully chided CNN for bringing up the interview in the first round of questions at the Republican presidential debate Thursday night.
He said South Carolina voters on Friday thanked him for attacking the media, with some supporters telling him he was “in their prayers.”
While Gingrich said presidential candidates should be prepared for conversations that are “amazingly detailed and amazingly open,” he said voters should not focus on his past, but the person he is today.
“Look at who I am now. Look at how close Callista and I are as a couple,” he said.
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You've got that right!
who isn't ???
He needs a reality check. He'd lose to Obama in ANY AND ALL contests. Maybe morals, ethics, temperament don't mean anything to him.
We don't need another "W" that thinks of ONLY the wealthy. The majority of this nation is NOT super wealthy,
Our family doesn't like him Newt, but we'd like to meet you and ask a few key questions.
Newt, who was behind trying to get rid of Clinton, is guilty of extramarital affairs. So was McCain. The BETTER THAN YOU party that throws out religion and Christianity are the BIGGEST HYPROCRITS!!!
I love this.
To all of you who are not aware of the GOP cast of characters. I said this before but I am even more convinced of it now that the cable news stations and internet are saying it. Jeb Bush 2012 GOOGLE it, if you are up to the challenge.
Everything the GOP candidates are saying is another nail in their presidential coffin. They cannot, like every other GOP candidate of years past cannot even comprehend what it is like for the middle class and the poor.
For some odd reason some American’s vote BUSH. Not sure why, the always tank this country. Start wars for whatever reason. Bush did not get the popular vote.
This is so fun watching the GOP Caucus!
Aww, stuff it Newt. You have to be liked to get elected. Why don't you attack Fox News while you're at it.
Mr. Gingrich is wrong. It is a likability issue. Think of cheerleaders, homecoming queens, student council, office promotions, local elections. The "Likability Factor" weighs in. I have been saying this for 20 years before someone wrote a book about it.
Obama is more likeable than Newt? Heck, Putin is more likeable than Newt...
why is it that when mr. obama was running for the presidency and declaring we must change our way of thinking he was cheered, but when a republican candidate says that he has changed his way of thinking that it is said he has flip-flopped?
Mr. Speaker Gingrich, Voting is all about like-ability! Working with somebody has a lot to do with that person's like-ability.
Obama is also smarter, better- looking, more honest, and much more concerned about the country and the good of the American people.
Gingrich would also lose the character contest. As the poster child of the GOP/Tea Party religious evangelical social conservative wing, Gingrich is a poor choice: wife cheater, greedy lobbyist, career insider politician, and censored ethics violator as Speaker of the House.
It's true, Gingrich can lie, cheat, steal, misbehave and be downright nasty much more effectively than anyone else running. Apparently, many Republicans don't see those often displayed qualities as disqualifying for President of the United States. Fortunately, most Americans do.
Newt, if you are the candidate, you will lose to Obama, regardless.
The country knows your unsavory history, and not only your adulteries. A president has to be more than just a chest beater, a bloviator, a narcissistic pig who is not "country-first", but rather "ME FIRST".
“He’s likeable. I would never beat Obama in a personality contest,” Gingrich said. And Obama would also beat Gingrich in every other aspect! (Gingrich said that South Carolinians should email, Facebook, Twitter and 'You Tube' their friends regarding todays primary. 'You Tube'?????? He obviously doesn't know a thing about social networking!)
This isn't about the "cutest couple" award from the Senior Class Poll, Newter. You'd lose that vote, too, btw.
And smarter, and more ethical, and more faithful to his wife, and....... well ahem.
It's like this guy got divorced and re-married one, two, THREE times – and each time married the bimbo he was messin' with on the previous wife! What's wrong with this picture? Nothin', I guess. He is a pompous, self-centered guy who is always blustering about something or other and that speaks to instability and poor life-choices made routinely. He's no dummy like Perry, and he's not a super-altar-boy Catholic like Sanctorum (who naturally wants to cut off any birth control), but doubt he's stable enough for the Presidency. Of course Obama is more likeable, he's at least open minded and educated enough to listen and learn!
Sir, there is not a contest you wouldn't lose to him in, personality, temperment, intelligence, decency, capability. the last thing this country needs at the helm is a hand grenade with the pin pulled! Obama is level-headed and calm under fire. he's exactly what we need in this troubled world. heard Santorum is now knocking him for thinking!!! God forbid we should have a president who thinks!!! What is wrong with these rethugs? what alternate universe do they live in? whatever it is, i wish they'd all go back there and stay there!
Sorry, Mr and Mrs. Gingrich. You don't have the right personality to be our president and the first lady. Don't blame on media or anyone else but yourself.
I disagree with Newt when he say's being likable is not important in voting for President. Personally, I can not vote for a man who I find repugnant and a total hypocrite. The President has to work with other heads of state and heads of other countries. If you are a total jerk, personality wise, then you would be unable to have any kind of worthwhile relationships with others. Who wants to work with or support a man who is a bully and a liar.
He's also the .Democrats best chance for victory. Go Newt
So does Romney too....Obama2012.
Kim Jong Il would win a personality contest with Newt Gingrich.
I consider myself a moderate and I vote across party lines. I can say 100% that if Newt is the republican nominee, I am 100% behind Obama, without ever hearing one word come out of that other slob's mouth. I know enough about Newt to last me a lifetime – it is inconceivable to me that people are behind this man.