Gingrich: 'I am Running for President'

Ending months of speculation, Newt Gingrich has told close friends and prominent Republicans in the state of Georgia that he will run for President in 2012.  And even though 2011 has just begun, Gingrich is not waiting to put political wheels in motion.

Gingrich has already contacted several prominent Republicans in an effort to begin his campaign.  Amongst those likely to aid Gingrich in the near-future are Nathan Deal, the governor of Georgia, and Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson.

Before this news broke, Gingrich had given a press conference tying himself to Georgia, stating:

“My offices are here. My grandchildren are here. I’m here regularly.  I helped create the modern Republican Party in Georgia starting in 1960. I have a certain fondness for being back in Atlanta.”

Gingrich

However, whether he can revitalize his political base is being questioned.  For example, Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss wondered aloud about Gingrich's ability to produce a successful campaign:

“Newt is my friend. He’s been a mentor, in some respects, since he was speaker when I got elected [to Congress].

“But it’s a different world right now, and we’ve got to make sure that whoever the nominee is, that he can win in November. That’s the goal of every Republican right now. John Thune[, the U.S. senator from South Dakota,] is a very close friend. He’s talked to me about his potential campaign.

“I’m going to keep my powder dry.”

Saxby later continued:

“[Gingrich is] obviously aware of all the negative aspects of the campaign. And I’d be curious to hear from him why he thinks he can win in spite of that.

“In presidential campaigns now, you have to do something in Iowa. You may not have to win Iowa, but you’ve got to make a good showing in Iowa. Then you’ve either got to win or make a good showing in New Hampshire – if you don’t win Iowa.

Then if you don’t win New Hampshire or Iowa, you’ve got to win South Carolina. Can Newt do that?”

These statements echo statements by moderate Republicans concerning former VP candidate Sarah Palin.  However, Gingrich's campaign will certainly interest conservative Republicans, who make up the majority of the party.  Particularly, conservatives will be torn over Gingrich's assertion that he is conservative and the fact that he supported moderate or liberal candidates, like Dede Scozzafava.

It will certainly be interesting to see where this 2012 campaign takes the country, as the race slowly begins.


Please bookmark!