Examine individual changes

'{{Infobox U.S. federal election campaign | committee = Newt Gingrich for President 2012 | logo = [[File:Newt Gingrich 2012 logo.png|200px]] | campaign = [[U.S. presidential election, 2012]] | candidate = [[Newt Gingrich]] <br />Former U.S. Congressman <br /> Former Speaker of the House | cand_id = P60003654 | fec_date = 2011-09-30 | affiliation = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] | headquarters = [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. State)|Georgia]] | key_people = Michael Krull <small>(Manager)</small><br>Joe DeSantis <small>(Communications Director)</small><br>Amy Pass <small>(Finance Coordinator)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.p2012.org/candidates/organization12p.html |title=Talent and Organization - Building Towards 2012 |publisher=P2012.org |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/2012-election/newt-gingrich/campaign-insiders/index.html |title=Newt Gingrich : Pictures, Videos, Breaking News |publisher=Politico.Com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> | receipts = 2.9 Million | slogan = | homepage = [http://www.newt.org/ Newt 2012] }} Former U.S. Congressman from [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and Speaker of the House [[Newt Gingrich]] began preparing for a possible campaign for the [[Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2012|2012 Republican Party nomination for President of the United States]] shortly following the [[United States midterm elections, 2010|2010 midterm elections]]. He was politically active during the midterm elections, and helped several Tea Party-backed Republicans with his endorsements and fundraising abilities. In early 2011, he chose to run for President and left his position as a political analyst for Fox News. He suffered a campaign implosion in June but by November had revived his campaign through strong debate performances and the introduction of a new "Twenty-First Century [[Contract with America]]". In November and early December 2011, Gingrich was the frontrunner of the Republican primaries, gaining momentum in the early states of Iowa, Florida, and South Carolina. In one month, his campaign organization has enjoyed greater fundraising success than it had in all its previous months put together, and polling found the electorate had a more favorable opinion of him among conservatives, Tea Partiers, and moderates, who had long been Romney's strongest constituency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111206/NEWS90/111209826/-1/NEWS01 |title=Gingrich tops polls in Iowa, South Carolina, North Carolina and Colorado |publisher=PoconoRecord.com |date=2011-12-06 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> By December, however, Gingrich's polling success had attracted renewed media scrutiny and the criticism of Republican [[Opinion leadership|opinion leaders]]. Gingrich's support began to wane and he was fourth in the first two contests of the 2012 primary season held on January 3 and January 10, a result he attributed to a wave of opponent-financed attack ads. Ahead of South Carolina's January 21 primary, the Gingrich campaign focused its fire on front-runner [[Mitt Romney]]. ==Background== [[File:Gingrich at Iowa fair.jpg|thumb|upright|Newt Gingrich speaking to voters in Des Moines, Iowa]] {{Main|Newt Gingrich}} Gingrich was first elected to the [[United States House of Representatives]] in 1978, and served as the 58th [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]] after co-organizing the 1994 [[Republican Revolution]] in part with the ''[[Contract With America]]''. He served as Speaker of the United States until exiting the House of Representatives in 1999. Since that time, he has published several historical novels and served as a [[political consultant]] and recently as a [[Fox News]] contributor. He was [[Newt Gingrich#Declined 2008 presidential run|previously speculated]] as a candidate in the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 election]], and has supported the [[Tea Party Movement]].<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/01/gingrichs-presidential-step-raises-questions-for-fox-news/ |title=Gingrich's presidential step raises questions for Fox News |publisher=CNN |date=2011-03-01 |accessdate=2011-03-01}}</ref> For most of 2010, Gingrich spent a considerable amount of time campaigning throughout the early [[United States presidential primary|primary states]], particularly [[Iowa]] and [[New Hampshire]]. In 2011, he took part in the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]], fueling further speculation of a potential run.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/10/news/la-pn-gingrich-obama-20110211|title=CPAC: Newt Gingrich criticizes, challenges Obama|last=Oliphant|first=James|date=2011-02-10|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2011-03-04}}</ref> Within the Republican Party, Gingrich faced several political liabilities for his failed marriages. In March, he appealed to Christian conservatives, saying he regretted that part of his past and made poor moral judgements. Moreover, he has confess to asking God for forgiveness upon joining the [[Catholic Church]]. These acts have in turn made him a leading Presidential contender. <ref>{{cite web|author=by josta45 |url=http://blogs.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/archive/2011/03/08/newt-gingrich-tells-brody-file-he-felt-compelled-to-seek.aspx |title=Newt Gingrich tells The Brody File he 'felt compelled to seek God’s forgiveness' |publisher=Blogs.cbn.com |date=2011-03-08 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> ==2011: campaign kick-off and developments== ===Announcement=== Gingrich had maintained that he would not officially decide whether or not to pursue the office of [[President of the United States|President]] until at least February 2011, and would announce his decision sometime in March.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2011/02/newt_gingrich_moves_closer_to.html |title=Newt Gingrich moves closer to running for president|publisher=Cleveland.com |agency=Associated Press|last=Espo|first=David |date=2011-03-01 |accessdate=2011-02-27}}</ref> It was erroneously announced on May 1, 2011, that Gingrich had formed an exploratory committee, and would officially announce the committee in Georgia after a meeting with Governor [[Nathan Deal]].<ref name="cnn"/> He actually launched an exploratory committee on May 3, when he started his new website.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/03/03/gingrich-dips-toe-in-2012-waterswith-a-website/|title=Gingrich Dips Toe in 2012 Waters|last=King Jr.|first=Neil|date=2011-03-03|work=The Wall Street Journal|accessdate=2011-03-04}}</ref> The website, entitled "Newt Exploratory 2012", features a photo of Gingrich with his wife, [[Callista Gingrich|Callista]], superimposed over a background of flag-waving Americans. The [[Getty Images]]-licensed background was found to have been previously used on the website of the late Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] of Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/03/03/gingrich-2012-website-uses-kennedy-stock-photo/?mod=google_news_blog|title=Gingrich 2012 Website Uses Kennedy Stock Photo|last=King Jr.|first=Neil|date=2011-03-03|work=The Wall Street Journal|accessdate=2011-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=http://replay.web.archive.org/20070724102745/http://www.democraticmajority.com/ |archivedate=July 24, 2007 |url=http://www.democraticmajority.com/ |title=DemocraticMajority.com Home page |publisher=[[Edward M. Kennedy]] |accessdate=April 25, 2011}}</ref> He officially declared his run for President on May 11, 2011, through Twitter and YouTube, making him the first candidate in American history to do so.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2011/May/Gingrich-Announcing-2012-Presidential-Bid-Wed/ |title=Gingrich Announces Presidential Run on Twitter - Politics - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 |publisher=CBN.com |date=2011-05-12 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> ===''Meet the Press'' interview=== On May 15, 2011, Gingrich was interviewed by [[David Gregory (journalist)|David Gregory]] on ''[[Meet the Press]]''. Questioning Gingrich on the issue of entitlements, Gregory asked: "The Medicare trust fund, in stories that have come out over the weekend, is now going to be depleted by 2024, five years earlier than predicted. Do you think that Republicans ought to buck the public opposition and really move forward to completely change Medicare, turn it into a voucher program where you give seniors some premium support and--so that they can go out and buy private insurance?" Gingrich answered: "I don't think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing [[social engineering]]. I don't think imposing radical change from the right or the left is a very good way for a free society to operate."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43022759/ns/meet_the_press-transcripts/t/meet-press-transcript-may/ |title=May 15: Gingrich, roundtable - Meet the Press - Transcripts - msnbc.com |publisher=MSNBC |date=2011-05-21 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Perceived to be criticism of the Republican Party's plan to reform Medicare for the [[2012 United States federal budget]], the comments were met with a great deal of backlash from the GOP and various political pundits.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20063202-503544.html | work=CBS News | first=Lucy | last=Madison | title=Gingrich slams GOP Medicare plan despite the fact he once said he'd vote for it | date=May 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/20/the-increasingly-poor-dec_n_864782.html |title=The Increasingly Poor Decisions Of Newton Leroy Gingrich |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> The following day, Wisconsin Representative [[Paul Ryan]], the chairman of the [[House Budget Committee]] who outlined the 2012 budget proposal, told guest host [[Raymond Arroyo]] on the ''[[The Laura Ingraham Show]]'': "With allies like that, who needs the left?"<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Brien |first=Michael |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/161371-paul-ryan-swipes-at-gingrich-with-allies-like-that-who-needs-the-left |title=GOP Rep. Ryan swipes at Gingrich: 'With allies like that, who needs the left?' - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room |publisher=Thehill.com |date=2011-05-16 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Rush Limbaugh advanced a theory that Gingrich intended to be provocative in his "social engineering" statement, and wanted to sacrifice short-term political capital in order to be a stronger candidate in the long term race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailycaller.com/2011/05/17/rush-limbaugh-offers-theory-on-newts-implosion-its-intentional/ |title=Rush Limbaugh &#124; Newt Gingrich &#124; Paul Ryan |publisher=The Daily Caller |date=2011-05-17 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Two days later, Gingrich appeared on ''[[On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren]]'' in order to respond to criticism he had received over his earlier comments.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/05/17/gingrich-apologizes-paul-ryan-right-wing-social-engineering-criticism/# | work=Fox News | title=Gingrich Apologizes to Paul Ryan for 'Right-Wing Social Engineering' Criticism | date=May 17, 2011}}</ref> During the interview, Gingrich explained to [[Greta Van Susteren|Van Susteren]] that Gregory's question was "a hypothetical baloney question" that he should have refused to answer.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite news| url=http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/on-the-record/transcript/gingrich-admits-039mistake039-over-ryan-medicare-comments-vows-not-play-washington-039tri | work=Fox News | title=Gingrich Admits 'Mistake' Over Ryan Medicare Comments, But Vows Not to Play Washington 'Trivial Pursuit' and 'Gotcha' Games - Interviews | date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> After telling Van Susteren that he had contacted Ryan to apologize for his earlier comments, he added: "I want to make sure every House Republican is protected from some kind of dishonest, Democratic edge. So, let me say on the record: Any ad which quotes what I said Sunday is a falsehood and because I have said publicly, those words were inaccurate and unfortunate."<ref name="foxnews1"/> [[Sarah Palin]], former [[Governor of Alaska]] and the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, defended the former Speaker of the House on the [[Fox News Channel]] show ''[[Hannity]]'', stating that Gingrich was a victim of [[gotcha journalism]] and that his apology was forced by the "lamestream media".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-sarah-palin-newt-gingrich-20110519,0,6232930.story?track=rss | work=Los Angeles Times | first=Michael A. | last=Memoli | title=Sarah Palin: Newt Gingrich fell into 'lamestream media' trap | date=May 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20064322-503544.html | work=CBS News | first=Lucy | last=Madison | title=Palin attacks "lamestream media" for forcing Gingrich apology; calls for Tea Party candidate in 2012 election | date=May 19, 2011}}</ref> Gingrich later said on [[CBS News]]'s ''[[Face the Nation]]'' that he was not referring to Ryan but to a general principle "that neither party should impose on the American people something that they are deeply opposed to."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/FTN_052211.pdf |title=Face the Nation 5/22/2011 transcript |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22 |work=CBS News}}</ref> ===Debt to Tiffany & Co.=== On May 17, 2011, ''[[Politico]]'' reported that Gingrich may have owed [[Tiffany & Co.]] as much as $500,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/55125.html |title=Newt Gingrich owed six figures to Tiffany's - Jake Sherman |publisher=Politico.Com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Tiffany's spokesperson Carson Glover stated on May 24 that Gingrich currently has a zero balance with the company, and that "all payments were made in a timely manner".<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/update-tiffany-says-newt-gingrich-has-paid-off-his-12-month-no-interest-charge-account/2011/05/24/AFvrFiAH_blog.html Update: Tiffany says Newt Gingrich has paid off his 12-month, no-interest charge account], Glenn Kessler, The Washington Post, May 24, 2011</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' described his revolving line of credit with the jewelry company as one of "the long list of rich-guy foibles that turned into defining campaign moments".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/25/us/politics/25gingrich.html | work=The New York Times | title=All That Glitters May Redefine Run by Gingrich | date=May 24, 2011}}</ref> ===Staff resignations=== On June 9, 2011, Gingrich's campaign manager, his press secretary, and senior aides in early primary states had resigned from his campaign ''en masse'', leading to questions about the viability of the campaign.<ref name="foxnews2">{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/06/09/sources-gingrich-aides-resign-en-masse-from-campaign/ |title=Top Gingrich aides resign, leaving campaign in question |author=FoxNews.com |date=June 9, 2011 |accessdate=June 9, 2011 |work=Fox News}}</ref> One of the aides who resigned cited differences in vision between the candidate and the staff.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/09/breaking-gingrich-campaign-aides-resigns/ |author=CNN Political Unit |publisher=CNN |title=BREAKING: Gingrich campaign aides resign |date=June 9, 2011 |accessdate=June 9, 2011}}{{dead link|date=December 2011}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' cited aides complaining of the influence of Gingrich's wife, [[Callista Gingrich]], on the campaign, the candidate's unwillingness to devote more time to campaigning in early primary states, and recent spending on a chartered jet despite fundraising troubles.<ref name=NYT0609 /> Fox News also reported that staff had argued with Gingrich over a luxury cruise in the Balkans, Greece and Turkey he took with his wife just before the resignations.<ref name="foxnews2"/> ABC News printed a report claiming that his charity, "Renewing American Leadership", was making payments to for-profit businesses he also ran.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jun/15/gingrich-slams-hit-job-departed-staffers/ |title=Gingrich slams 'hit job' by departed staffers |publisher=Washington Times |date=2011-06-15 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Gingrich flatly put down the smears, saying, "It’s just a falsehood. Patently false. Period." By late June 2011, the campaign was rumored to be $1 million in debt.<ref>{{cite web|last=Elliott |first=Philip |url=http://dailycaller.com/2011/06/21/apnewsbreak-gingrich-campaign-finance-team-quits/ |title=Gingrich &#124; Fundraisers Quit &#124; Campaign |publisher=The Daily Caller |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Two of the aides had previously worked for [[Rick Perry]], who is running for president. Gingrich vowed on his [[Facebook]] page the same day to begin his campaign "anew".<ref name=NYT0609>{{cite news |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/gingrich-senior-campaign-staff-resigns/ |author=Jeff Zeleny and Trip Gabriel |newspaper=The New York Times |title=Gingrich senior campaign staff resigns |date=June 9, 2011 |accessdate=June 9, 2011}}</ref> He compared himself to Ronald Reagan and John McCain, who experienced large staff resignations during their presidential runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9P28AFG1.htm |title=Gingrich says he will 'run on ideas' |publisher=BusinessWeek |date=2011-08-11 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Gingrich continued to campaign on a promise of restoring competitiveness to the United States, promising to eliminate the capital gains tax and slash corporate taxes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Whitesides |first=John |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/17/us-usa-campaign-gingrich-idUSTRE75G0CH20110617 |title=Gingrich promises to restore competitiveness |publisher=Reuters |date= 2011-06-17|accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> In August 2011, Gingrich called for the adoption of the [[Six Sigma]] business management model by the United States government, arguing that as much as half a trillion a year in waste could potentially be eliminated.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20093238-503544.html |title=Gingrich blasts deficit super committee at Heritage - Political Hotsheet |publisher=CBS News |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref><ref>[http://www.newt.org/leansixsigma Lean Six Sigma - Reforming government and creating jobs] ''newt.org''</ref> ===Revival=== [[File:Gingrich at Ames, Iowa.jpg|thumb|Gingrich did not purchase a booth or speaking slot at the Ames poll. Here he is with a crowd of voters.]] Gingrich changed direction on campaign spending, and began using commercial flights and recruited professional volunteers to save money. By July 2011, he announced that he had raised $2 million in the past 3 months and was on-track to paying back his campaign debts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/58381.html |title=Newt Gingrich raises $2M, reveals significant debt - Alexander Burns |publisher=Politico.Com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Gingrich said the hardest aspect of his campaign was fundraising, as the media had detracted potential donors through stories saying he was not a serious candidate<ref name="paycheckprez">{{cite web|last=Rusin |first=Carolyn |url=http://triblocal.com/barrington/2011/09/06/gingrich-vows-more-pay-checks-than-food-stamps-during-barrington-stop/ |title=Gingrich vows more pay checks than food stamps during Barrington stop — Barrington Area news, photos and events — |publisher=Triblocal.com |date=2011-09-02 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> He underscored the size and scope of his fundraising outreach, saying, "It’s September and I’m here. Every day that goes by we’re fundraising. We will be on the road 24 days this month,” he said. “I will be in 50 states. This campaign is fully underway."<ref name="paycheckprez"/> On the campaign trail, voters complimented his "intellectualism" and called him a "man of ideas".<ref>{{cite news|author=<!---->By Shira Schoenberg, Globe Correspondent |url=http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/09/gingrich-says-obama-foments-class-warfare/BGC2xqEVmrE3rE32zLP2TL/index.html |title=Gingrich says Obama foments class warfare - Political Intelligence - A national political and campaign blog from The Boston Globe |publisher=Boston.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Gingrich approached his political campaign based on a model from Walmart and McDonalds, saying that instead of carving a niche for himself from among his fellow Republican contenders, he would court nontraditional interest groups for the GOP, including Asian Americans and Latinos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2011/aug/27/gingrich-campaigns-ga-focused-breakout-ar-2330395/ |title=Gingrich campaigns in Ga., focused on breakout |publisher=WRBL |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Reporters characterized him as "[[wonk|wonkish]]" and "unconventional" in his approach to campaigning; he spent hours discussing brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and autism with scientists, for instance, and spoke with voters on the importance of investing in brain science research.<ref name="gingrichwonk">{{cite web|url=http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/article/york-gingrichs-wonkish-unconventional-campaign|first=Byron|last=York|title=York: Gingrich's wonkish, unconventional campaign|work=The Washington Examiner|date=2011-11-01 |accessdate=2011-11-14}}</ref> Gingrich was one of several candidates, including Mitt Romney, who did not contest the 2011 [[Ames Straw Poll]]. Gingrich did not purchase a booth or speaking slot at the Ames poll, and made no serious effort to win the Ames poll. He finished 8th out of 10 candidates listed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/60681.html |title=Newt Gingrich 2012 campaign aims for Iowa, without Ames - Kendra Marr |publisher=Politico.Com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Gingrich put effort into his Internet social networking, and developed a strong following on Facebook and Twitter. He also held a handful of video "hangouts" where he would have webcam discussions with potential voters.<ref name="abcnews1">{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/08/newt-gingrich-campaign-pushes-back-on-fake-twitter-followers-accusation/ |title=Newt Gingrich Campaign Pushes Back on Fake Twitter Followers Accusation - ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=2011-08-02 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Politico found his Twitter account impressive, and wrote a positive article on how his Twitter account had developed to 1.3 million followers from its start in 2009. Gingrich posted 2 or 3 tweets per day, and included science and history in addition to political topics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/58812.html |title=Newt Gingrich miles ahead in Twitter primary - Emily Schultheis |publisher=Politico.Com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> The next day, an anonymous former staffmember who had left the Gingrich campaign said that about 80% of the followers were inactive or invalid accounts, and that the campaign paid an Internet service to add followers.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/08/02/2011-08-02_newt_gingrich_accused_of_paying_for_twitter_followers_boosting_profile_with_fake.html | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Holiday shopping: Tips to find the best deals on Cyber Monday 2010}}</ref> Gingrich's spokesman confronted the allegations as false and said his inclusion to the Suggested User List was "responsible for a large, but indeterminable amount of followers."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/03/gingrich-denies-allegations-that-most-his-13-million-twitter-followers-are-fake/#ixzz1aMGYVYOv |title=Gingrich Denies Allegations That Most Of His 1.3 Million Twitter Followers Are Fake And Paid |publisher=Fox News |date=2010-04-07 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> ABC News identified two other "Suggested" users, [[Gavin Newsom]] with 1.3 million, and [[John McCain]] with 1.7 million followers, suggesting it was not an anomaly.<ref name="abcnews1"/> ===Debates and polling=== ''The Washington Post'' reported that Gingrich had a "solid performance" at the [[Republican Party (United States) presidential debates, 2012#September 12, 2011 – Tampa, Florida|fifth Republican debate in Tampa, Florida]].<ref name="Weiner">{{cite news |title=Newt Gingrich needs to compete in present, not past at Fox News GOP debate |author=Rachel Weiner |first=Rachel |last=Weiner |authorlink= |authorlink2= |author2= |author3= |author4= |author5= |author6= |author7= |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gingrich-needs-to-try-harder/2011/09/22/gIQAfX8unK_story.html |agency= |newspaper=The Washington Post |publisher= |location= |isbn= |issn= |oclc= |pmid= |pmd= |bibcode= |doi= |id= |date=September 22, 2011 |page= |pages= |at= |accessdate=September 27, 2011 |language= |trans_title= |quote= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |deadurl= |ref=}}</ref> A [[CNN]]/[[ORC International]] poll released shortly after the [[Republican Party (United States) presidential debates, 2012#September 22, 2011 - Orlando, Florida|sixth Republican debate in Orlando, Florida]] had Gingrich in third behind Perry and Romney.<ref>http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/images/09/26/rel16a-1a.pdf</ref> His former rival, Bill Clinton, suggested it was possible for Gingrich to pull off the same success that McCain had in 2008, saying, "The one thing that makes it very hard to count him out is he’s always thinking. He’s always got a bunch of new ideas and some of them are pretty good."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/bill-clinton-gingrich-2012/2011/09/20/id/411722 |title=Bill Clinton: Gingrich Could Be GOP Nominee in 2012 |publisher=Newsmax.com |date=2011-09-20 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Gingrich increased his fundraising after consistently performing well in the Republican debates. Pollster Kellyanne Conway, who worked for Gingrich's American Solutions, reviewed his debate performances and said his focus and ability to stay on-point during the discussions helped him enormously, as compared to past speeches where he would entertain many different topics.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jane |first=Mallie |url=http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/09/27/is-newt-gingrich-2012-gop-campaign-back-on-upswing |title=Is Newt Gingrich 2012 GOP Campaign Back on Upswing? - US News and World Report |publisher=Usnews.com |date=2011-09-27 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> In September 2011, he was able to increase his ground operations in Iowa, South Carolina, and New Hampshire. Tea Party founder [[Judson Phillips]] endorsed him, praising his "presidential" appearances at the debates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/64429.html |title=Newt Gingrich endorsed by Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips - Maggie Haberman |publisher=Politico.Com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Gingrich personally was in-favor of having unmoderated debates, and advocated for a series of [[Lincoln-Douglas]] style forums, which he believed would produce a better "adult Conversation with the American people." He explained, "It's difficult to get past the elite media's passion for trivia. It's difficult to deal with presidential debates that say, in 30 seconds, 'What's your position on balancing the budget?' You know, I don't think we're geared, outside maybe of C-SPAN, to the kind of conversations that we really need in order for the country to make decisions that are really very fundamental."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/223031/20110930/newt-gingrich-contract-america-republican-presidential-race.htm?cid=2 |title=Newt Gingrich 2012: New 'Contract with America' Marks an Outdated Campaign - International Business Times |publisher=Ibtimes.com |date=2011-09-30 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> [[File:Gingrichbooksigning.jpg|thumb|Gingrich during a book signing in November 2011.]] ===New "Contract with America"=== {{main|Political positions of Newt Gingrich}} Gingrich introduced a new "[[Contract with America]]" that he said would be "much bigger and much bolder" than his original 1994 Contract.<ref>{{cite news|author=AP |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/09/29/gingrich-fired-up-ex-speaker-tries-to-regain-traction-in-gop-2012-race/ |title=Gingrich Fired Up? Ex-Speaker Tries To Regain Traction In GOP 2012 Race |publisher=Fox News |date=2010-04-07 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Among his proposals would be a Balanced Budget Amendment, a strong training program for new hires in his administration, an individualized learning program for American students, and the signing of 50-100 executive orders beginning on his first day as president.<ref>{{cite web|last=Saunders |first=Gwyneth J. |url=http://www.blufftontoday.com/bluffton-news/2011-10-05/gingrich-pitches-contract-america-sun-city#.To2yeZzElXJ |title=Gingrich pitches contract for America at Sun City |publisher=Bluffton Today |date=2011-10-05 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Mr. Gingrich proposed the building of a fence on the U.S.-Mexican border by Jan. 1, 2014, telling a Tea Party audience it was long overdue, "We won the entire second World War in 44 months, and now in 25 years we can’t control the border when the entire Texas side of the border is a river."<ref name="doylestown">{{cite web|url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/the_intelligencer_news/gingrich-speaks-in-doylestown/article_e299fae8-8ad2-5a3d-bf78-5c9368858816.html |title=Gingrich speaks in Doylestown - phillyBurbs.com : The Intelligencer: newt gingrich |publisher=phillyBurbs.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> He emphasized the balance of powers between the executive, judicial, and legislative branches, and proposed an elimination of policy czars and the reduction of power for the judiciary. Gingrich said the United States faced "an increasingly arrogant judiciary" and argued that the [[Federalist Papers]] had established the judiciary as the "weakest of the three branches".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/09/ftn/main20117838.shtml |title=Gingrich: Congress, president can ignore courts |publisher=CBS News |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> Gingrich promoted a reduction in the size of the federal government, pushing for the states' rights authorized by the [[10th Amendment]].<ref name="doylestown"/> Certain federal agencies, including the Department of Education, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Homeland Security would be reduced or eliminated entirely, and federal programs such as [[student loans]] would be done by private companies instead of the government. He believes the EPA should be eliminated and replaced by a smaller agency which would be more aggressive in getting companies to use new science and technology to help the environment.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pratt/SourceMedia Group Admin |url=http://thegazette.com/conversations/gingrich-would-eliminate-epa-would-you/ |title=Gingrich would eliminate EPA. Would you? |publisher=TheGazette |date= |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> He opposed [[carbon pricing]], which was especially unpopular among conservatives, saying it was an overreach of the EPA's authority. He said the EPA, which was founded in 1970 by Richard Nixon, a Republican, began on good conservative principles but has become too bureaucratic and litigation-focused to be successfully innovative. In particular, he is an advocate for nuclear power, and wants government regulations rewritten from an "outdated" model based on large complex nuclear plants so they take into consideration the systems inside smaller nuclear power plants.<ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Glover |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/25/newt-gingrich-epa-should-_n_813873.html |title=Newt Gingrich: EPA Should Be Eliminated |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> ===Top tier candidate=== {{Wikinews|Poll shows former U.S. Speaker Newt Gingrich as latest GOP presidential frontrunner}} By November 2011 Gingrich had moved ahead of Rick Perry in the polls, behind Mitt Romney and [[Herman Cain]] who were both contending for the lead. On November 10 an independent PAC not bound by [[Federal Election Commission|FEC]] donation limits, [http://timefornewt.com/ Solutions 2012], was launched to fill the fundraising gap that existed since Gingrich's [[527 group]], American Solutions, closed down in August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/11/newt-gingrich-super-pac-presidential-race-/1 |title=Gingrich gets help from super PAC |publisher=Content.usatoday.com |date=2011-11-10 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> At a debate, Gingrich was pressed about his past relationship with [[Freddie Mac]], as his consulting firm was paid $300,000 by Freddie in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|author=By NBC's Alex Moe |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/10/8740887-gingrich-campaign-plays-defense-on-ties-to-freddie-mac |title=First Read - Gingrich campaign plays defense on ties to Freddie Mac |publisher=Firstread.msnbc.msn.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> Gingrich said he did no lobbying for Freddie Mac, which was then under scrutiny by the White House, Alan Greenspan, and some Congressional Republicans ahead of the [[subprime mortgage crisis]]. Gingrich said he was approached by Freddie and told, "we are now making loans to people that have no credit history and have no record of paying back anything, but that’s what the government wants us to do," to which he replied, "this is insane."<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/gingrich-leaves-open-possibility-of-at-least-16-million-in-consulting-fees-from-freddie-mac/2011/11/16/gIQAzYiORN_story_1.html ]{{dead link|date=December 2011}}</ref> At the time, Freddie Mac had paid over 52 Congressmen as part of its [[Capitol Hill]] lobbying efforts.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rubin |first=Jennifer |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/gingrich-fannie-and-freddie/2011/11/10/gIQAYxw28M_blog.html |title=Gingrich, Fannie and Freddie - Right Turn |publisher=The Washington Post |date=2011-02-24 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28103095/ns/business-real_estate/t/how-freddie-mac-paid-avoid-regulation/#.Trw2Vk96N_4 |title=How Freddie Mac paid to avoid regulation - Business - Real estate - Mortgage Mess - msnbc.com |publisher=MSNBC |date=2008-12-08 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> Gingrich's campaign conceded that Freddie Mac was interested in reaching out to more Republican lawmakers but said the contract terms precluded any lobbying.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/11/gop-candidates-stumble-facts-debate/31Eu8pwV2rKEuZ1c4aP4uM/index.html | work=The Boston Globe | title=GOP candidates stumble on facts in debate}}</ref> Media investigations noted that Gingrich's relationship with Freddie Mac extended beyond 2006, with [[Bloomberg News]] revealing an earlier consulting contract that lasted from 1999 to 2002.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/16/usa-campaign-gingrich-idUSN1E7AF16P20111116 | work=Reuters | first=Kay | last=Henderson | title=UPDATE 3-Gingrich acknowledges Freddie Mac consulting fees | date=2011-11-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Benson |first=Clea |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-16/gingrich-said-to-be-paid-at-least-1-6-million-by-freddie-mac.html |title=Gingrich Said to Be Paid About $1.6 Million by Freddie Mac |publisher=Bloomberg |date= |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> It ultimately became apparent that Gingrich's consulting company had received $1.6 million from Freddie Mac.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57325790-503544/gingrich-fends-off-questions-on-freddie-mac-fees/ | work=CBS News | title=Gingrich fends off questions on Freddie Mac fees}}</ref><ref>Hayley Peterson, [http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/iowa-voters-decry-negative-ads/285226 Iowa voters decry negative ads] ''[[Washington Examiner]]'' December 31, 2011</ref> Scrutiny of Gingrich's "[[inside the Beltway]]" ties continued with the ''[[Washington Post]]'' reporting on November 17 that the [[Center for Health Transformation]], a private, for-profit [[think tank]] founded by Gingrich in 2003, made at least $37 million over 8 years by billing health care companies and industry groups who as members paid up to $200,000 annual fees.<ref name=eggen>{{cite news| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gingrich-think-tank-collected-millions-from-health-care-industry/2011/11/16/gIQAcd72VN_story.html |author=Dan Eggen| |title=Gingrich think tank collected millions from health-care industry| publisher=Washington Post |date=November 17, 2011| accessdate=November 19, 2011}}</ref> Although the Center denies lobbying, on its website the organization suggests that it can help clients bridge the link to government agencies and build a "network of allies" within the Federal and State governments.<ref name=eggen/> Gingrich received the endorsement of the New Hampshire newspaper the ''[[Manchester Union Leader]]'', which praised his "innovative, forward-looking strategy and positive leadership".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/27/gingrich-gets-big-new-hampshire-endorsement/ |title=Gingrich Gets Big New Hampshire Endorsement |publisher=Foxnews.com |date=2010-04-07 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> Gingrich claimed confidently on Dec. 1, 2011 that he would be the nominee. He based his prediction on recent polling, which showed him surging in the early states of Iowa, South Carolina, Florida, and closing on frontrunner Mitt Romney in New Hampshire.<ref name="gingrichwillwin">{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/gingrich-tells-abc-news-im-going-to-be-the-nominee/ |title=Gingrich Tells ABC News: ‘I’m Going to Be The Nominee’ |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=2011-12-01 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> He avoided intra-party squabbles with Mitt Romney and other candidates,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/12/ron-paul-makes-case-against-gingrich-brutal-ad/45608/# |title=Ron Paul Goes Negative on Newt Gingrich |publisher=Theatlanticwire.com |date=2011-12-01 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}{{Failed verification|date=January 2012}}</ref> saying that his focus was going to remain on defeating Barack Obama.<ref name="gingrichwillwin"/> Gingrich gained some tongue-in-cheek maligned 'support' from Democrats,<ref>{{cite web|author=Paul Begala |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/11/20/newt-gingrich-would-be-a-godsend-to-the-democrats.html |title=Newt Gingrich Would Be a Godsend to the Democrats |publisher=Thedailybeast.com |date=2011-11-21 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> who said having him as the Republican nominee would be a "heaven-send" for Barack Obama.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://okhenderson.com/2011/12/01/harkin-gingrich-as-gop-nominee-would-be-heaven-sent-audio/ |title=Harkin: Gingrich as GOP nominee would be “heaven sent” |publisher=Okhenderson.com |date=2011-12-01 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> Polling among likely Republicans found Gingrich ranked just as capable as Mitt Romney to defeat Obama, and received higher levels of enthusiasm from men, evangelical Christians, and conservatives, while Romney received more support from those who labeled themselves as moderates.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/us/politics/gingrich-leads-gop-rivals-in-iowa-poll-finds.html?_r=1&ref=politics</ref> Gingrich said Romney was a "competent man" and said he was considering Romney as a possible running mate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70039.html |title=Newt Gingrich: Mitt Romney could be 'on the list' for vice president - Emily Schultheis |publisher=Politico.Com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> In November 2011 Gingrich argued for relaxing child labor laws so that children could work and develop a work ethic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/01/gingrich-stands-by-anti-child-labor-law-comments/ |title=Gingrich stands by anti-child labor law comments|publisher=Politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com |date=2011-12-01 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> ===Frontrunner=== As Herman Cain's campaign stumbled in November, Gingrich began polling at the top of the Republican field and received solid leads in early states, establishing himself as a frontrunner with serious opposition coming only from [[Mitt Romney]]. Romney's campaign attempted to paint Gingrich as "unstable" and "inconsistent", and bought TV ads in Iowa and New Hampshire against Gingrich.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/05/group-launches-another-anti-newt-gingrich-ad/?odyssey=obinsite |title=Iowa group launches another anti-Newt Gingrich ad |publisher=Caucuses.desmoinesregister.com |date=2011-12-05 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/mitt-romney-attacks-new-ad-hits-newt-gingrich-on-paul-ryan-budget/ |title=Mitt Romney Attacks: New Ad Hits Newt Gingrich On Paul Ryan Budget |publisher=Mediaite.com |date=2011-12-09 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2011/12/09/pro_romney_ad_is_frontal_attack_on_rival_gingrich/ |title=Pro-Romney ad is frontal attack on rival Gingrich |publisher=Boston.com |date=2011-12-10 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> After Romney suggested that Gingrich give back the money he was paid by Freddie Mac, Gingrich responded: "I would just say that if Gov. Romney would like to give back all the money he's earned from bankrupting companies and laying off employees over his years at Bain, then I would be glad to listen to him and I'll bet you $10 dollars -- not $10,000 -- that he won't take the offer."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/12/mitt-romney-freddie-mac-newt-gingrich_n_1144548.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HP%2FBusiness+%28Business+on+The+Huffington+Post%29 |title=Mitt Romney Unleashes Freddie Mac Attack, Newt Gingrich Fires Back |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> This statement was criticised by conservative opinion leader [[Charles Krauthammer]].<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/12/12/krauthammer_newts_attack_on_romney_is_what_you_expect_from_a_socialist.html |title=Krauthammer: Newt's Attack On Romney Is "What You'd Expect From A Socialist" |publisher=Realclearpolitics.com |date=2011-12-12 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> {{Wikinews|Republican hopeful Gingrich fuels controversy over Palestinian 'invented people' remarks|Republican hopeful Gingrich fuels controversy over Palestinian 'invented people' remarks}} Gingrich stirred international attention and controversy for an interview he gave to [[The Jewish Channel]] on December 9, 2011, in which he said "Palestinians are an 'invented' people" who could have chosen to live elsewhere. His comments differed from official U.S. policy which recognizes Palestinians as a people.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/newt-gingrich-palestinians-are-an-invented-people-1.400596 | title=Published 01:41 10.12.11 Latest update 01:41 10.12.11 Newt Gingrich: Palestinians are an 'invented' people | publisher=Haaretz | dahttp://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Newt_Gingrich_presidential_campaign,_2012&action=edit&section=11te=December 10, 2011 | accessdate=December 10, 2011 | author=Natasha Mozgovaya and Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/12/10/gingrich-describes-palestinian-people-as-invented/ | title=Gingrich Describes Palestinian People as 'Invented' | publisher=Foxnews | date=December 10, 2011 | accessdate=December 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2011/12/201112108493783540.html | title=Gingrich calls Palestinians 'invented' people | publisher=Al Jazeera | date=December 10, 2011 | accessdate=December 10, 2011}}</ref> The [[Palestinian Authority]] strongly disagreed with Gingrich's statements, which were common arguments among Zionist Jews in the early decades of Israel's existence, but have since been abandoned by mainstream Israelis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2011-12-10/Palestine-Gingrich/51781624/1 |title=Palestinians outraged by Gingrich remarks – |publisher=Usatoday.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> The Republican field called his statements "incendiary" and could stir up trouble in a tumultuous region, but Gingrich stood firm by his comments, adding that Palestine never existed as a separate state and "Palestinians" did not gain common recognition until after 1977.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geiger |first=Kim |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-gingrich-palestinians-20111210,0,7898960.story?track=rss |title=Newt Gingrich defends calling Palestinians 'an invented' people |publisher=latimes.com |date=2011-12-10 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> Gingrich also took a hard line against Palestine's government, saying both [[Hamas]] and [[Fatah]] were intricately-linked terrorist organizations and shared hostility towards the Jewish people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2011/12/2011121134849161706.html |title=Gingrich stands by 'invented' Palestinians remark - Americas |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date= |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> Although Gingrich supports a [[two state solution]] to the [[Arab-Israeli conflict]], Palestinians found his statements to be highly insensitive and insulting to their cause.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chabot |first=Hillary |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/2011_1212arab_league_condemns_newts_palestinian_remark/ |title=Arab League condemns Newt Gingrich’s Palestinian remark |publisher=BostonHerald.com |date=2011-12-12 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> An advisor to the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] (PLO) suggested that Gingrich's information on the subject was obtained from one-sided "Israeli propaganda" published in the [[Palestinian Media Watch]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Phoebe Greenwood in Ramallah |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/11/newt-gingrich-palestinian-comments-criticised?newsfeed=true |title=Newt Gingrich condemned for calling Palestinians 'terrorists' |publisher=Guardian |date= |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> Gingrich's fears of a possible [[electromagnetic pulse]] attack in the United States received more media attention. In 2004, Gingrich had advocated that the United States create defense systems and carry out pre-emptive military strikes to prevent such a threat in front of the [[United States House of Representatives]].<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/12/us/politics/gingrichs-electromagnetic-pulse-warning-has-skeptics.html?pagewanted=2</ref> In 2009, he gave a speech to AIPAC proposing attacks on Iranian and North Korean nuclear sites to prevent a possible nuclear disruption attack. The scientific community has been divided on the potential effects of such an attack, and there is skepticism as to how relevant the threat is in the post-[[Cold War]] era.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/12/us/politics/gingrichs-electromagnetic-pulse-warning-has-skeptics.html?pagewanted=1</ref> ==="Establishment" opposition=== [[File:Gingrich on National Review.png|thumb|150px|right|Gingrich parodied on the cover of National Review]] Gingrich's rise to front-runner status provoked renewed skepticism from the party [[The Establishment|establishment]] and heavy scrutiny from conservative [[Pundit (expert)|pundits]], who questioned his character and his record. [[David Brooks (journalist)|David Brooks]] complained that Gingrich is subject to "[[narcissism]], self-righteousness, self-indulgence and intemperance" while [[George Will]] called him a "rental politician" who "embodies almost everything disagreeable about modern Washington." [[Peggy Noonan]] expressed concern that after winning the nomination in 2012 "and the GOP is fully behind him, he will begin baying at the moon."<ref>Alexander Burns, [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70178.html Conservative pundits turn down Newt] ''[[Politico]]'' December 9, 2011</ref> A ''[[National Review]]'' magazine cover parodied Newt for his futurist ideas, illustrating him as [[Marvin the Martian]] to poke fun at his support for U.S.-built moon bases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/when-magazine-covers-attack/2011/12/15/gIQAMDaOwO_blog.html |title=When magazine covers attack |publisher=The Washington Post |date=2011-12-15 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> The magazine urged its readers not to vote for Gingrich, calling attention to his past marriages, his "irresolute action" as speaker, and his absence from government since 1998.<ref>{{cite web|author=The Editors |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/285787/winnowing-field-editors?pg=1 |title=Winnowing the Field - The Editors - National Review Online |publisher=Nationalreview.com |date=2011-12-14 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> In the last few weeks before the Iowa caucuses, established Republican politicians came publicly for Romney and became more vocal against Gingrich, arguing that he was not as "electable" in a general election as Romney.<ref name="star rises"/> Gingrich received such criticisms from [[Peter T. King]] and [[Nikki Haley]], and from pundits [[Glenn Beck]], [[George Will]], [[Charles Krauthammer]], [[Brit Hume]], and [[Jonah Goldberg]].<ref name="star rises">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/us/politics/as-newt-gingrichs-star-rises-so-do-gop-concerns.html?_r=1&hp</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/16/entertainment/la-et-gingrich-20111216 |title=United on the right, against Newt Gingrich|publisher=Los Angeles Times |date=2011-12-16 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> Responding to the criticism, Gingrich said "[t]he Republican establishment is anti-intellectual and anti-change. They’re for winning as long as it’s meaningless."<ref>Matt Bai, [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/newt-gingrich-glory-days.html "Newt Gingrich’s Glory Days"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. December 28, 2011</ref> On December 23, Gingrich, who had already failed to file the paperwork to appear on the ballot in Missouri, failed to meet the requirements to appear on the ballot in Virginia before the deadline, leaving the state to the only two candidates who met the requirements, [[Mitt Romney]] and [[Ron Paul]]. According to political scientist [[Larry Sabato]], "[t]his sends yet another signal to Republicans that Gingrich is not able to organize."<ref>Katharine Q. Seelye, [http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/us/politics/gingrich-falls-short-of-signatures-needed-for-spot-on-gop-primary-ballot-in-virginia.html "Gingrich’s Ballot Miss Could Shake Voters’ Confidence"]. ''The New York Times''. December 24, 2011</ref> ==2012: primaries begin== ===Iowa=== On January 3, Gingrich won 13 percent of the vote in the [[Iowa Republican caucuses, 2012|Iowa Republican caucuses]], finishing fourth behind Mitt Romney, [[Rick Santorum]] and Ron Paul.<ref>Khan, Huma (January 4, 2012). [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/iowa-caucus-results-mitt-romney-defeats-rick-santorum-8-votes/story?id=15283406#.TwcOOSNkvcY "Iowa Caucus Results: Romney Edges Santorum by 8 Votes"]. ABC News.</ref> Gingrich blamed negative advertising for his decline in December polling, saying "anybody who has eight or nine million dollars of negative advertising, much of it false, thrown at them is going to slide for awhile."<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/12/29/gingrich-plays-down-slide-in-iowa-polls-says-race-up-in-air/ "Gingrich Plays Down Slide in Iowa Polls, Says Race 'Up in the Air{{'"}}] [[Fox News]], December 29, 2011.</ref> When asked if he felt he had been [[Swiftboating|swiftboated]], a reference to the negative ads that partially derailed [[United States presidential election, 2004|John Kerry's presidential bid in 2004]], Gingrich replied that he'd been "Romney-boated".<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gingrich-reeling-from-attack-ads-contends-romney-would-buy-the-presidency-if-he-could/2012/01/01/gIQAHQHMUP_story.html "Gingrich, reeling from attack ads, says he feels 'Romney-boated{{'"}}]. ''[[The Washington Post]]''. Associated Press. January 1, 2012.</ref> The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' noted that a [[Political action committee|PAC]] supporting Romney launched "more than $1.2 million of negative ads in Iowa, mostly aimed at Gingrich", the content of which included "at least one false statement and several misleading ones".<ref>Jensen, Kristin (January 6, 2012). [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/01/05/bloomberg_articlesLXCDEE07SXKX.DTL "Romney Backers Stretch Truth in Gingrich Attack Advertising"]. ''San Francisco Chronicle''.</ref> Writing in [[Politico]], [[Vanderbilt University]] political science professor John Geer agreed that there was "an unprecedented number of negative ads aired against" Gingrich in December, but argued that the ads were not the sole explanation for Gingrich's decline in support, since the decline was national while the ads were airing only in Iowa. In Geer's view, Gingrich's problem was "the bright lights of the news media", writing that during the summer and early fall "many voters&nbsp;... focused on his much-praised performance in the GOP debates&nbsp;... Once Gingrich became a credible candidate, however, the media began to scrutinize him more carefully".<ref> Geer, John G. (January 3, 2012). [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71021.html "Newt's slide is not about attack ads"]. ''[[Politico]]''.</ref> [[File:Newt & Callista Gingrich Derry NH Jan 2012.jpg|right|thumb|Gingrich and his wife in New Hampshire]] Following release of the Iowa results, Gingrich gave a [[concession (politics)|concession speech]], in which he appeared angry at "a Massachusetts moderate" for his campaign's attack ads.<ref>Gibson, Ginger (January 4, 2012). [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71056.html "Iowa caucus results: Angry Newt Gingrich bolts after bad finish"]. ''Politico''.</ref><ref>[http://www.clipsandcomment.com/2012/01/04/newt-gingrich-iowa-concession-speech-january-3-2012/ Newt Gingrich – Iowa Concession Speech – January 3, 2012] ''clipsandcomment.com'' January 4, 2012</ref> ===New Hampshire=== Following the Iowa caucuses, Gingrich promptly flew to New Hampshire, taking part in two debates the weekend prior to [[New Hampshire Republican primary, 2012|that state's January 10 primary]]. Romney won the primary with 39 percent of the vote while Gingrich narrowly edged Santorum for fourth place with 9.4 percent.<ref>[http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2012/01/11/santorum-comes-up-short-wont-appear-on-ballot-in-three-ohio-districts/ Santorum comes up short, won't appear on ballot in in three Ohio districts] ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]'' 11 January 2012</ref> ===South Carolina=== Ahead of the January 21 [[South Carolina Republican primary, 2012|South Carolina primary]], casino magnate [[Sheldon Adelson]] donated $5 million to the [[Super PAC]] that supports Gingrich, Winning Our Future.<ref>Gillum, Jack. [http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57355887/big-change-in-12-big-gop-money-from-super-pacs/ "Big change in '12: Big GOP money from 'super PACs{{'"}}]. [[Associated Press]]. [[CBS News]]. January 9, 2012.</ref><ref> {{cite news | title = The Republican candidates and their “super PAC” benefactors | date = 2012-01-16 | publisher = [[The Washington Post Company]] | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-republican-candidates-and-their-super-pac-benefactors/2012/01/16/gIQADasB4P_graphic.html | work = [[The Washington Post]] | accessdate = 2012-01-18}}</ref> The SuperPAC allocated $3.4 million for TV ads in South Carolina, including the trailer for a 27 minute documentary titled "When Mitt Romney Came to Town" that purported to tell the tale of a "predatory corporate raider".<ref>Holland, Steve; McLure, Jason (January 9, 2012). [http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/09/us-usa-campaign-idUSTRE8081SI20120109 "Romney defends business record from Republican rivals"]. [[Reuters]].</ref> This line of attack drew disapproval from some other Republicans and after the ''[[Washington Post]]'''s "Fact Checker" gave the film their most damning rating of "4 [[Pinocchio]]s", Gingrich called on the PAC to "either edit every single mistake or pull the entire film".<ref>[[Glenn Kessler (journalist)|Kessler, Glenn]] (January 13, 2012). [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/four-pinocchios-for-king-of-bain/2012/01/12/gIQADX8WuP_blog.html "Four Pinocchios for 'King of Bain{{'"}}]. ''[[The Washington Post]]''.</ref><ref>[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june12/campaignwrap_01-13.html "In South Carolina, Romney Fights Back, Defends Record to GOP Voters"]. ''[[PBS Newshour]]''. January 13, 2012.</ref> A Reuters/Ipsos poll announced a week before the primary showed Gingrich slipping to well back of the front runner.<ref>Mason, Jess (January 14, 2012). [http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/14/us-usa-campaign-poll-idUSTRE80D0U420120114 "Romney opens 21-point lead in South Carolina"]. [[Reuters]].</ref> {{wikinews|Rick Perry withdraws from U.S. presidential race, endorses Gingrich}} Gingrich put in a rousing debate performance on January 16, earning a standing ovation. ''[[Washington Post]]'' analyst [[Chris Cillizza]] dubbed it "the former House Speaker's best debate of the entire race".<ref>Cillizza, Chris (January 16, 2012). [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/south-carolina-republican-debate-winners-and-losers/2012/01/16/gIQAFvLT4P_blog.html "South Carolina Republican debate: Winners and losers"]. ''[[The Washington Post]]''.</ref> The following day, former Governor of Alaska [[Sarah Palin]] urged voters to vote for Gingrich in South Carolina, because it would keep the primary season "going".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/283748/20120118/sarah-palin-endorses-newt-gingrich.htm|title=Sarah Palin Endorses Newt Gingrich – Almost|date=January 19, 2012|work=International Business Times}}</ref> Three polls published on January 18 showed Gingrich overtaking Romney's lead in South Carolina.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/19/gingrich-leads-in-three-south-carolina-polls/|title=Gingrich leads in three South Carolina polls|work=The Daily Caller|date=January 18, 2012}}</ref> On January 19, Republican presidential candidate [[Rick Perry]] dropped out of the race and endorsed Gingrich, whom he described as a "conservative visionary".<ref name="perry"/> ==Endorsements== <!-- Note: Adding endorsers without a citation (preferably footnoted) to a reliable published source subjects the addition to removal. end note --> <!-- = = = don't edit next six lines for Navbox below = = = --> {| class="navbox collapsible collapsed" style="text-align:left; border:0; margin-top:0.2em;" |- ! style="background:#cff; font-weight:normal;"| '''List of Newt Gingrich endorsements''' |- | style="border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:white;"| <!-- = = = don't edit above six lines = = = --> Gingrich has received endorsements from: ;United States House of Representatives * [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Joe Barton]] of [[Texas]], Chairman Emeritus of the [[House Energy and Commerce Committee]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Strauss |first=Daniel |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/160795-rep-barton-endorses-newt-gingrich-for-president |title=Rep. Barton is first lawmaker to publicly endorse Gingrich - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room |publisher=Thehill.com |date=2011-05-12 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> * [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Michael C. Burgess|Michael Burgess]] of [[Texas]]<ref name="thehill">{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/173757-2012-lawmaker-endorsements-for-president |title=2012 GOP Lawmaker Endorsements for President|publisher=The Hill|date=2011-7-20 |accessdate=2011-11-13}}</ref> * [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Phil Gingrey]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]<ref name="thehill"/> * [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Jack Kingston]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newt.org/news/georgia-congressman-jack-kingston-endorses-newt-gingrich-president |title=Georgia Congressman Jack Kingston Endorses Newt Gingrich for President &#124; Newt Gingrich 2012 |publisher=Newt.org |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> * [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Tom Price (U.S. politician)|Tom Price]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americasradionewsnetwork.com/05132011-ARNN-interviews-Congressman-Tom-Price |title=Congressman Tom Price endorses Newt Gingrich to be the next president of the United States - America's Radio News Network |publisher=Americasradionewsnetwork.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> * [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Austin Scott (politician)|Austin Scott]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]<ref>[http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/lawmakers-line-up-for-1259548.html Lawmakers line up for Gingrich, as GOP hopeful launches Georgia robocall]</ref> * [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Lynn Westmoreland]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/gingrich-gets-westmoreland-endorsement/2011/12/08/gIQAPjf9eO_blog.html|title=Gingrich gets Westmoreland endorsement |publisher=The Washington Post|date= 2011-12-08 |accessdate=2011-12-08}}</ref> * [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Andy Harris]] of [[Maryland]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/article_35e780f4-f39a-5c5c-9c6b-a9e9f42f0fac.html |title=Harris endorses Newt Gingrich |publisher=stardem.com |date= 2011-11-30 |accessdate=2011-11-30}}</ref> * [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Trent Franks]] of [[Arizona]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/13/rep-trent-franks-backs-gingrich/|work=CNN|title=Rep. Trent Franks backs Gingrich|date=13 January 2012}}</ref> * [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[David Rivera]] of [[Florida]]<ref>[http://www.local10.com/news/politics/Gingrich-visits-Versailles-in-Little-Havana/-/1895020/7979930/-/2enawc/-/index.html Gingrich visits Versailles in Little Havana]</ref> ;Governors and State Constitutional officers * [[Governor of Texas|Governor]], former [[Rick Perry presidential campaign, 2012|Presidential candidate]] [[Rick Perry]] of [[Texas]]<ref name="perry">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/01/19/145446676/reports-rick-perry-to-drop-out-of-gop-presidential-race |title=Rick Perry Quits GOP Presidential Race, Endorses Gingrich | publisher=NPR |date=2012-01-19 |accessdate=2012-01-19}}</ref> * [[Governor of Georgia|Governor]] [[Nathan Deal]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]<ref name="Gould">{{cite web|last=Gould |first=Aaron |url=http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/perdue-will-back-gingrich-881051.html |title=Perdue will back Gingrich for president in 2012 |publisher=ajc.com |date=2011-03-21 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> * Georgia Insurance Commissioner [[Ralph Hudgens]]<ref name="GeorgiaEndorsements">{{cite web|url=http://teamgingrich.blogspot.com/2011/08/newt-2012-press-release-on-georgia.html |title=Newt 2012 Press Release on Georgia Endorsements |publisher=teamgingrich.blogspot.com |date=26 August 2011 |accessdate=6 November 2011}}</ref> * Public Service Commissioner Stan Wise<ref name="GeorgiaEndorsements"/> * Public Service Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald<ref name="GeorgiaEndorsements"/> ;Former officeholders * Former Senator [[Robert C. Smith]] of [[New Hampshire]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newhampshire.com/article/20111203/NEWS0605/712039989|title=Former U.S. Sen. Bob Smith endorses Newt Gingrich|publisher=unionleader.com|date= 2011-12-03 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref> * Former Senator and [[Governor of Georgia|Governor]] [[Zell Miller]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] <ref>{{cite web|last=Gosser |first=Josh |url=http://teamgingrich.blogspot.com/2011/08/newt-2012-press-release-on-georgia.html |title=Team Gingrich 2012: Newt 2012 Press Release on Georgia Endorsements |publisher=Teamgingrich.blogspot.com |date=2011-08-26 |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> * Former [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Fred Grandy]] of [[Iowa]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioiowa.com/2011/12/14/former-iowa-congressman-fred-grandy-endorses-gingrich-audio/|title=Former Iowa Congressman Fred Grandy endorses Gingrich (audio)|date= 2011-12-14 |accessdate=2011-12-18}}</ref> * Former [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Greg Ganske]] of [[Iowa]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20111213/OPINION01/312130025/Greg-Ganske-Here-s-why-Newt-should-be-president?Opinion|title=Greg Ganske: Here's why Newt should be president|date= 2011-12-12 |accessdate=2011-12-18}}</ref> * Former [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[J. C. Watts]] of [[Oklahoma]]<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/2011/12/27/gingrich-picks-endorsement-jc-watts Gingrich Picks Up Endorsement From J.C. Watts], Fox News.</ref> * Former [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[John Light Napier|John Napier]] of [[South Carolina]]<ref>[http://springvalley.patch.com/articles/rep-napier-endorses-bold-gingrich Former Congressman Napier Endorses 'Bold' Gingrich]</ref> * Former [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]], former [[Attorney General of Florida|Attorney General]] [[Bill McCollum]] of [[Florida]]<ref>[http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2012/01/bill-mccollum-to-co-chair-newt-gingrich-florida-campaign.html Bill McCollum to co-chair Newt Gingrich Florida campaign]</ref> * Former [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] Gary Lee of [[Florida]]<ref name="flor"/> * Former [[Governor of Georgia|Governor]] [[Sonny Perdue]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]<ref name="Gould"/> * Former [[Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina|Lieutenant Governor]] [[André Bauer]] of [[South Carolina]]<ref name="Peter Hamby"> {{cite news| url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/28/gingrich-nabs-high-profile-endorsement-in-south-carolina/ | work=CNN | title=Gingrich nabs high-profile endorsement in South Carolina}}</ref> ;Former diplomats, board members and other officials * Former [[United States Ambassador to Tanzania|Ambassador to Tanzania]], former Commerce Secretary of South Carolina [[Bob Royall]]<ref name="hunper"/> * Former member of President [[Ronald Reagan]]'s Economic Policy Advisory Board [[Arthur Laffer]]<ref name=humev>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=48459 Gingrich Endorsed By Art Laffer, Michael Reagan; Pivots to Economic Message]</ref> * Former Director of White House speechwriting for President [[Ronald Reagan]] Bently Elliott<ref>[http://www.newt.org/news/another-reaganite-endorsement-america-needs-newt Another Reaganite Endorsement: 'America Needs Newt']</ref> * Former chief justice of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit]], partner at the [[Nexsen Pruet]] law firm, [[William Walter Wilkins|Billy Wilkins]]<ref name="sc2">[http://www.thestate.com/2011/12/17/2083167/sc-political-briefs.html S.C. Politics briefs: Gingrich names SC endorsements]</ref> * Former member of the board of visitors at the [[Medical University of South Carolina]] Debra Wilkins<ref name="sc2"/> ;State Legislators :'''Florida''' * Former [[Miami]] Mayor [[Joe Carollo]]<ref name="flor">[http://www.newt.org/news/newt-2012-florida-announces-florida-statewide-leaders-and-steering-committee Newt 2012 Florida Announces Florida Statewide Leaders and Steering Committee]</ref> * Former [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]] Mayor [[Rich Crotty]]<ref name="flor"/> * Vice Mayor of [[Bradenton]] and Bradenton City Councillor Patrick Roff<ref name="flor"/> * State Senator Jim Norman (District 112)<ref name="flor"/> * State Senator Thad Altman (Dist. 24)<ref name="flor"/> * Former State Senator John Grant, Sr. (R-Hillsborough)<ref name="flor"/> * State Representative Michael Bileca (Dist.117)<ref name="flor"/> * State Representative Gayle Harrell (Dist. 81)<ref name="flor"/> * State Representative Deborah Mayfield (Dist. 80)<ref name="flor"/> * State Representative Carlos Trujillo (Dist.116)<ref name="flor"/> * Former State Representative Kurt Kelley<ref name="flor"/> * Former State Representative Monica Rodriguez<ref name="flor"/> * Former State Representative Luis Rojas<ref name="flor"/> * [[Brevard County]] Chair William Tolley<ref name="flor"/> * [[Hillsborough County]] Chair Sam Rashid<ref name="flor"/> * Honorary [[Brevard County]] Chair Coy Clark<ref name="flor"/> * Duval County Co-Chair Bert Ralston<ref name="flor"/> * Pinellas County Co-Chair Dr. Miguel Fana<ref name="flor"/> * Jacksonville City Councillor Ray Holt<ref name="flor"/> * Brooksville City Councillor Kevin Hohn<ref name="flor"/> * Former Chairman of [[Calhoun County]] Commission Dan Wyrick<ref name="flor"/> * [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Miami-Dade County]] Commissioner Xavier Suarez<ref name="flor"/> * [[Palm Beach County]] Commissioner Steve Abrams<ref name="flor"/> * Former [[Leon County]] Commissioner Ed Depuy<ref name="flor"/> * Gingrich Florida Chair College Republicans Nathan Meloon<ref name="flor"/> * Gingrich Florida Chair of Young Republicans Christian Waugh<ref name="flor"/> :'''Georgia''' * State Senator Judson Hill (R-Marietta)<ref name="GeorgiaEndorsements"/> * State Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta)<ref name="GeorgiaEndorsements"/> * State Representative Joe Wilkinson (R-Sandy Springs) Wilkinson is chairman of the House Ethics Committee and served in the Reagan Administration.<ref name="GeorgiaEndorsements"/> * State Representative Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell)<ref name="GeorgiaEndorsements"/> * State Representative Sean Jerguson (R-Canton) Jerguson is chairman of the Cherokee County legislative delegation.<ref name="GeorgiaEndorsements"/> * State Representative Paulette Braddock (R-Hiram)<ref name="GeorgiaEndorsements"/> * State Representative Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin)<ref name="GeorgiaEndorsements"/> * [[Hall County, Georgia|Hall County]] Commissioner Ashley Bell<ref name="hallcounty">[http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/154/article/61438/ Area Republicans still behind Gingrich, Perry after Iowa]</ref> * [[Hall County, Georgia|Hall County]] Commissioner Craig Lutz<ref name="hallcounty"/> * [[Hall County, Georgia|Hall County]] Commissioner Tom Oliver<ref name="hallcounty"/> :'''Iowa''' * Speaker of the House Kraig Paulsen<ref>[http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/21/gingrich-condemns-the-senate-for-collapse-of-payroll-tax-cut-extension/ Gingrich Condemns Senate on Payroll Tax Vote]</ref> * House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer<ref>{{cite web|author=7:15 PM, Jan 25, 2011 | by Tom Beaumont |&nbsp; |url=http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/01/25/gingrich-in-iowa-spouts-ideas-nets-endorsement/ |title=Gingrich in Iowa spouts ideas, nets endorsement &#124; Des Moines Register Staff Blogs |publisher=Blogs.desmoinesregister.com |date=2011-01-25 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> * State Senator James Seymour<ref name="newt"/> * State Senator Randy Feenstra<ref name="newt"/> * State Senator Shawn Hamerlinck<ref name="newt"/> * State Senator David Johnson<ref name="newt"/> * Former State Senator Larry McKibben<ref name="newt"/> * State Representative, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee [[Scott Raecker]]<ref>[http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/30/newt-gingrich-endorsed-iowa-house-appropriations-chairman/ Newt Gingrich endorsed by Iowa House appropriations chairman]</ref> * State Representative Bob Hager<ref name="newt"/> * State Representative Chris Hagenow<ref name="newt"/> * State Representative Josh Byrnes<ref name="newt"/> * State Representative Linda Upmeyer<ref name="newt"/> * State Representative Jeff Kaufman<ref name="newt"/> * Former Iowa Republican Party Chairman Ray Hoffman<ref name="newt">{{cite web|url=http://www.newt.org/news/team-55-iowans-back-newt-gingrich-president |title=News &#124; Newt Gingrich 2012 |publisher=Newt.org |date= |accessdate=2011-12-28}}</ref> :'''New Hampshire''' * Speaker of the House William O'Brien (R-Hillsborough)<ref>[www.concordmonitor.com/article/299808/obrien-endorses-gingrich?CSAuthResp=1325460563%3A75q60aom1k651qp992fj6srpq6%3ACSUserId|CSGroupId%3Aapproved%3AE9F7731D077E571015B8A89E54C395AB&CSUserId=94&CSGroupId=1 O'Brien endorses Gingrich]</ref> * State Representative William Panek (R-Strafford)<ref name="Brian Montopoli">{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57333290-503544/two-cain-backers-in-n.h-decamp-for-gingrich | work=CBS News | title=Two Cain backers in N.H. decamp for Gingrich}}</ref> * State Representative Sam Cataldo (R-Strafford)<ref name="Brian Montopoli"/> * State Representative Greg Sorg (R-Grafton)<ref name="newhamrep">[http://www.newhampshire.com/article/20120105/NEWS0605/110609989 Primary Status: NH Tea Party leaders splitting on endorsements; MoveOn slams Romney with new TV ad]</ref> * State Representative Donald Andolina (R-Strafford)<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative J.C. Daugherty<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Robert Elliott (R-Rockingham)<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Gregory Hill (R-Merrimack)<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Frank Kotowski (R-Merrimack)<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Kathleen Lauer-Rago (R-Merrimack)<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Joseph Pitre (R-Strafford)<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Frank Sapareto (R-Rockingham)<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Ken Sheffert (R-Rockingham)<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Laurie Pettengill (R-Carroll)<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Glen Hill<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Don McClarren (R-Hillsborough)<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Joe Osgood<ref name="newhamrep"/> * State Representative Brandon Giuda (R-Merrimack)<ref name="newhamrep"/> * Former New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Jack Kimball<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portsmouth-nh.patch.com/articles/former-nh-gop-chairman-backs-gingrich|title=Former NH GOP Chair Backs Gingrich |publisher=Portsmouth Patch|date= 2011-12-08 |accessdate=2011-12-08}}</ref> :'''South Carolina''' * Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell<ref>[http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_19_2264.aspx What the GOP field faces in South Carolina]</ref> * House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/bingham-gingrich-endorsement-southcarolina/2012/01/02/id/422792 S.C. Majority Leader Endorses Newt Gingrich]</ref> * State Senator Rick Quinn<ref name="hunper"/> * State Representative Peter McCoy (Dist. 115)<ref name="sc2b">[http://mauldin.patch.com/articles/kenny-bingham-endorses-gingrich Update: Gingrich Adds Two More to his S.C. Team]</ref> ;Academics and commentators * [[Hoover Institution]] economist and columnist [[Thomas Sowell]]<ref>[http://hotair.com/archives/2011/12/28/thomas-sowell-gingrich-for-president/ Thomas Sowell: Gingrich for president]</ref> * President of the [[Center for Security Policy]] [[Frank Gaffney]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/288473/newt-s-right-sharia-frank-j-gaffney-jr|title=Newt’s Right on Sharia|date=January 18, 2012|work=National Review Online}}</ref> ;US Armed Forces * Retired [[United States Marine Corps]] Major General, [[Medal of Honor]] recipient [[James E. Livingston]]<ref>[http://www.newt.org/news/medal-honor-recipient-major-general-james-e-livingston-usmc-ret-endorses-newt-gingrich Medal of Honor Recipient Major General James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret) Endorses Newt Gingrich]</ref> * Retired [[United States Army]] Colonel [[Michael D. Steele]]<ref>[http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20111231/NEWS01/312310010/Colonel-endorses-Gingrich-calling-him-professional-doer- Colonel endorses Gingrich, calling him a 'professional doer']</ref> ;Newspapers *[[New Hampshire Union Leader]]<ref>[http://www.unionleader.com/article/20111127/NEWS/711279999 An Editorial: For President, Newt Gingrich], Joseph W. McQuaid, publisher, ''[[New Hampshire Union Leader]]'', November 27, 2011</ref> ;Celebrities, political activists, and commentators *Allen Olsen, Columbia Tea Party<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestate.com/2011/09/13/1970117/tea-party-leader-to-resign-post.html |title=Tea Party leader to resign post - SC Politics Today |publisher=TheState.com |date=2011-09-13 |accessdate=2011-10-22}}</ref> *Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/64429.html |title=Newt Gingrich endorsed by Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips |publisher=Politico.com |date=2011-09-26 |accessdate=2011-11-06}}</ref> *Des Moines Tea Party founder Charlie Gruschow aka "Tea Party Charlie"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/tea-party-charlie-endorses-newt-gingrich/ |title='Tea Party Charlie' endorses Newt Gingrich' |publisher=TheStateColumn.com |date 12-08-2011 | accessdate=12-08-2011}}</ref> *Conservative Club of Des Moines and Des Moines Conservative Breakfast Club founder Darell Kearney<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/activists-choose-gingrich-while-politicians-choose-romney/|title=Activists choose Gingrich while politicians choose Romney|publisher=TheStateColumn.com |date 06-12-2011 | accessdate=09-12-2011}}</ref> *[[Carl Paladino]], [[New York gubernatorial election, 2010|2010 New York gubernatorial Republican nominee]] and conservative activist<ref>Illuzzi, Joseph (December 10, 2011). "Carl Paladino will head up the WNY Newt Gingrich for President campaign. Paladino will be joined by Donna McCartney-Henry & my friend 2nd vice chairman Erie County GOP Committee John Schmidt. ..." ''PoliticsNY.net''. Retrieved December 10, 2011.</ref> * Former Shreveport Mayoral and Caddo Parish Commissioner candidate, Tea Party and Young Conservative Activist and Pastor Parker G. Ward of [[Shreveport, Louisiana]]<ref>[http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20111119/OPINION0106/111190339/Newt-Gingrich-has-answers ]{{dead link|date=December 2011}}</ref> * Former radio host and Republican strategist, son of former President [[Ronald Reagan]], [[Michael Reagan]]<ref name=humev/> * Iowa radio talk-show host Steve Deace<ref>[http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/iowa-radio-host-steve-deace-endorses-gingrich-20111231 Iowa Radio Host Steve Deace Endorses Gingrich]</ref> * Former Iowa director for [[Herman Cain]]'s presidential campaign Larry Tuel<ref>[http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/gingrich-continues-to-struggle-1284000.html Gingrich continues to struggle in polls, gets nod from key Cain ally]</ref> * South Carolina Young Republicans liaison, daughter of [[Lee Atwater]], Republican strategist and former Republican National Committee chairman during the administration of former President [[George H. W. Bush]], Sally Atwater<ref name="sc2b"/> * Christian researcher [[George Barna]]<ref name="chr">[http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=1512996 Christian researcher endorses Newt Gingrich]</ref> * Retired founder of the [[American Family Association]] [[Donald Wildmon|Don Wildmon]]<ref name="chr"/> * Pastor Jim Garlow of [[Skyline Church]] in Southern California<ref name="chr"/> * [[Todd Palin]], Husband of [[Sarah Palin]] and former First Spouse of Alaska <ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/01/todd-palin-endorses-newt-gingrich/ Todd Palin Endorses Newt Gingrich]</ref> * [[Tim LaHaye]], author of eschatological fiction <ref name="lahaye">{{cite web|url=http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/12/exclusive-newt-snags-support-of-left-behind-author-tim-lahaye/|title=Exclusive: Newt snags support of ‘Left Behind’ author Tim LaHaye|accessdate=January 13, 2012}}</ref> * Michael Youssef, founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef<ref>[http://www.newt.org/news/dr-michael-youssef-endorses-newt-gingrich-and-joins-faith-leaders-coalition-national-co-chair Dr. Michael Youssef Endorses Newt Gingrich and Joins Faith Leaders Coalition as National Co-Chair]</ref> * Former top South Carolina strategist for [[Jon Huntsman]]'s presidential campaign, adviser to Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign Richard Quinn<ref name="hunper">{{cite news|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/19/10193564-gingrich-collects-support-from-former-perry-and-huntsman-backers|work=MSNBC|title=Gingrich collects support from former Perry and Huntsman backers|date=January 19, 2012}}</ref> <!-- = = = don't edit next three lines for Navbox below = = = --> |- | style="text-align:center;" |''</span>'' |} <!-- = = = don't edit the above three lines = = = --> ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== *[http://www.newt.org/ Newt 2012] ''official campaign site'' *[http://www.youtube.com/user/ngingrich Newt Gingrich] at ''[[YouTube]]'' *[http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Newt%20Gingrich Column archives] at ''[[Human Events]]'' *[http://www.americansolutions.com/ American Solutions], founder and former general chairman *{{CongLinks | congbio=G000225 | votesmart= | washpo = Newt_Gingrich | govtrack = 404587 | opencong = | ontheissues = Newt_Gingrich.htm | surge = | legistorm = | fec = P60003654 | opensecrets=N00008333 | followthemoney = | c-span = newtgingrich | rose = 756 | imdb = 1096881 | nyt = g/newt_gingrich | wsj = G/newt-gingrich/6579 | guardian = world/newt-gingrich | worldcat = lccn-n85-812205 | nndb = 487/000024415 | findagrave = }} *[http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/H6GA06033 FEC reports (U.S. House)] *[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/newt/ The Long March of Newt Gingrich] [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] [[Frontline (US TV series)|Frontline]], Peter Boyer and [[Stephen Talbot]], January 16, 1996. [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/newt/newtscript.html transcript] [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/newt/newtchron.html chronology] [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/newt/interviews.html interviews] [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/newt/bynewt.html work and writings] *[http://health.scribemedia.org/2006/12/15/chw-gingrich/ The Gingrich RX] ScribeMedia.org, December 15, 2006 *[http://www.aei.org/scholar/20 Former Senior Fellow] at [[The American Enterprise Institute]] *[http://www.hoover.org/bios/gingrich.html Former Distinguished Visiting Fellow] at [[The Hoover Institute]] *{{dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Government/Elections/President/2008/Candidates/Gingrich,_Newt/}} {{United States presidential election, 2012}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Newt Gingrich presidential campaign, 2012}} [[Category:Campaigns in the United States presidential election, 2012|Gingrich, Newt]] [[Category:Newt Gingrich]]'