Gingrich: Romney didn't deserve congrats
(CNN) – In some of his harshest words yet, Newt Gingrich explained Friday why he didn't call rival Mitt Romney after the former Massachusetts pulled a decisive Florida primary victory earlier in the week.
Pointing to Romney's post-South Carolina campaign strategy, which turned noticeably negative against the former House speaker, Gingrich said Romney didn't earn any kudos.
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"They outspent me five to one to quote destroy Newt Gingrich?" Gingrich said in an interview on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer." "You know, I think that doesn't deserve congratulations. I think that's reprehensible, I think it's dishonest, and I think it's shameful."
Gingrich took heat over not making the call after Romney's win on Tuesday, given that the former Massachusetts governor had congratulated Gingrich for his South Carolina win just 10 days prior.
Meanwhile, Romney's other rivals, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul, both picked up the phone on Tuesday.
"The other candidates all called, but I guess Speaker Gingrich doesn't have our phone number," Romney said Wednesday on NBC's "Today."
While campaigning ahead of Nevada's Saturday caucuses, Gingrich has largely maintained that Romney's full-throated attack strategy in Florida would come back to haunt him, arguing that voters prefer a positive campaign.
"Pretty hard to see how somebody is going to negatively carpet-bomb their way to the nomination," Gingrich said Friday on CNN. "Pretty hard to see how that nomination is going to be worth much if that's all they've got to show for themselves."
The candidate said he had no regrets over not making the traditional phone call.
"I feel very comfortable with exactly what happened after Florida," Gingrich said.
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I want to thank the republican party for helping to reelect President Obama. They are really doing a wonderful job.
Hoping And praying that this guy newt is not our next president. Then we really wouldn't have improved any as a nation. Romney and/or Paul will be the best possible scenario for the u.s.
he is whining like a little baby just like he did after Iowa and NH too some degree. Everyone before me summed it up correctly. Hey Newt the Brute – doesnt look to presidential by at least congratulate him. Can you imagine a GOP Ticket with Newt and Palin or Newt and Bachmann come this NOvember??? ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!
oh come on Newt! U would do the very same thing if you were in his situation. You want to know whats reprehensible Newt? Its leaving a wife and getting a divorce all the while she is fighting the dreaded disease Cancer. Thats much worse Newt.
Shows how low class he really is, go in a room and eat a box of donuts your PIG
Mark3:24(kjv),this is for the so called Evangelical RIGHT
All I have to say is this: Pot, meet Kettle.
"Pretty hard to see how somebody is going to negatively carpet-bomb their way to the nomination," and of cause, all these “candidates” do not deserve to be anywhere near the WH! Just wait to see the GOP “nominee” behave in the GE! It will be stepping on everything that has to do with facts, ideas, class and integrity. The GOP is showing now for years what they are all about! But, in the end, it is also a question of YOUR character and if you are willing to support this kind of behavior with your vote!
Really wish everyone would guit sucking up to this guy they call the donald sort of tired of hearing how much he loves himself and how smart he is.
I wish Newt would say how he really feels.
We teach little league kids to shake hands and congratulate the other team win or loose. What does this tell you about newt. He is an evil, conniving and deceitful person. Read the interview with him called the inner quest for newt Gingrich. It will scare the .., out of you. He is scary.