Gingrich says he's already endorsed Romney, still critical
Washington (CNN) – A day after a seemingly lukewarm embrace of presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich said Thursday he had fully endorsed the former Massachusetts governor and would enthusiastically campaign on his behalf.
"I thought I was endorsing him," Gingrich said of his speech Wednesday, in which he formally announced he was suspending his bid for the GOP nomination. Gingrich was speaking in an interview on "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."
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The former House speaker said he tried to make clear he was fully backing Romney, despite barely mentioning him during his departure speech.
"I said I want to campaign for him and he will appoint dramatically better judges than the president and he'll do a better job creating jobs than the president and he'll do far more to balance the budget. I went down the list of why Mitt Romney is better than Barack Obama," Gingrich said.
In his Wednesday event, Gingrich mentioned Romney only briefly, focusing instead on a lengthy list of issues he advocated as a candidate. He praised Romney, but portrayed the choice between the Republican and President Barack Obama as a no-brainer.
"I am asked sometimes is Mitt Romney conservative enough? And my answer is simple – compared to Barack Obama? This is not a choice between Mitt Romney and Ronald Reagan. This is a choice between Mitt Romney and the most radical leftist president in American history," Gingrich said in his speech.
When confronted Thursday with an Obama campaign video splicing together some of his harshest comments on Romney, Gingrich barely backed off his assertion, made during the height of the GOP primary battle, that Romney was a liar.
"The governor said some things that weren't true," Gingrich said.
He added he trusted Romney over Obama "100 times over."
As for potential names on Romney's vice presidential short list, Gingrich offered a slate of oft-mentioned politicians: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.
"You always have to consider three things," Gingrich said of the running mate selection. "Are they capable of being president? Are they philosophically compatible and will they help you win, in that order? And that's the order you've got to think about it. I think he's got a pretty wide range. I think our bench is actually pretty deep."
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Well I guess, maybe, Does anyone in the Pubs actually genuinely like the Mittster?? & here is the real question, Is The Mittster ever gonna LOSE THE SKIRT & have a pow-wow with some Journalist????
" I think our bench is actually pretty deep."
If that were true, why were only the dregs of the GOP in the "clown car" racing for the Presidential bid?
the "king of double-talk" is at it again. In a way I don't BLAME Newt if he doesn't come out and really publically endorse Mitt Romney after the way Mitt attacked him in Iowa. How can you come out and call a person a LIAR in public then turn around and back him for POTUS. Santorum and Bachmann have the same problem as far as I am concerned and the DNC has LOTS of video tape to prove it.
When confronted Thursday with an Obama campaign video splicing together some of his harshest comments on Romney, Gingrich barely backed off his assertion, made during the height of the GOP primary battle, that Romney was a liar.
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You didn't endorse him, you ran a list of comparisons.
And to your everlasting credit you stuck to your guns in calling him a liar.
Add these two things to your short list of life accomplishments.
Well done Newt, well done.
"I thought I was endorsing him," Gingrich said of his speech…
People need to learn that Spkr. Gingrich is not one to ever really fully commit. Just ask one of his prior wives.
Yes, the GOP bench is "deep" alright, so is my horses stall....in deep doodoo.
Dave
Well I guess, maybe, Does anyone in the Pubs actually genuinely like the Mittster?? & here is the real question, Is The Mittster ever gonna LOSE THE SKIRT & have a pow-wow with some Journalist????
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No, and No.
I'm sure that just as the DNC will have lots of video tape to prove the things Newt said against Romeny, there were plenty of tapes with Obama saying things he didn't like about Hillary. Just politics. Of course each candidate running for President feels he or she is the best choice. But when reality hits, they DO realize that Romney will be a far better choice than Obama.
What is amazing is that Newt was completely destroyed by Mittens and his $15 million negative ad campaign against him in FL. Mittens represents the worst of the GOP and their attack on women, veterans, workers, college students, seniors, the poor, the middle class, and minorities.
Gingrich calls Romney a liar, a phony, and a vulture capitalist. But, then gives Willard a big wet kiss. Romney responds by calling Newt "his good friend". Really creepy. Newt, is correct abouit one thing. Romney is not Reagan.
Gingrich barely backed off his assertion, made during the height of the GOP primary battle, that Romney was a liar.
"The governor said some things that weren't true," Gingrich said.
HA! This equals "He's a compulsive liar, but what else can I do? He's going to pay off my campaign debt."
The personhood candidate, lying Mittens is trying to get right wingnut bloggers to get his gloom and doom message out to real media.
Yo thanks for reply Dominican mama !!!
Who cares about which candidate Newt endorses? His support may hurt instead of help. Just sayin'.
Gingrich knew he had not endorsed Romney but he is playing his games again. He is trying to con the press for his money raising campaign. Why do the press not let this sick dead dog lie? He is just flim flamming you all.
With New endosing him, Mitt Romney would be a sure loser; after all of the bad things Gingrich said about him, Romney shoulnd acept his endorsement.
" I think our bench is actually pretty deep." – That's not your bench, it's the hole your party has dug itself into.
Newt Gingrich for VP.. Mitt will Newt's advise
"As a man who is running for President who can't be honest with the American people, why should we expect Romney to be honest about anything if he gets elected." Newt Gingrich 2012
"Bain capital engaged in behavior where they looted companies leaving behind thousands of unemployed people." Newt Gingrich
"I don't know any American President who avoids paying taxes by hiding money in Swiss bank accounts. I think Romney should why he's done this." Newt Gingrich 2012
I love that Gingrich must now endorse Romney... Man it's like watching Newt have to catch a face of farts and smile.
Yea newt, you are going with the guy who trashed you. He killed you with his killer ads. With friends like these, you know the rest.
Does anyone really care? Really??
Mitt is a LIAR. Newt is a LIAR.
We should sent these two to the moon colony after Mitt uses his Swiss bank accounts to pay for it.
Latinos for Obama 2012