Newt Gingrich sees the GOP facing deep political peril

Virtually every professional politician in America may be totally focused on today's results in the Indiana and North Carolina Democratic presidential primaries, but Newt Gingrich -- ever the contrarian -- can't get over what happened in Louisiana last Saturday.

In case you missed it, what happened was that in a special election, a Democrat captured a House seat that had been in the Republican column for more than 30 years. For public consumption, some GOP officials sought to discount the outcome, insisting that a flawed Republican candidate was the problem. But Gingrich, in a column posted today on the website for Human Events magazine, will have none of that.

The article is headlined "My Plea to Republicans: It's Time for Real Change to Avoid Real Disaster," and he warns that the Louisiana election is the latest bit of evidence that unless his party heeds his call, it is "going to suffer decisive losses this November."

He notes polls showing John McCain a potentially strong GOP presidential candidate, but then immediately argues that there is little reason "that this extraordinary personal achievement should not comfort congressional Republicans."

He also cautions that if the problems afflicting the Republican "brand" persist, McCain's candidacy ...

could be doomed, as well.

Gingrich, who rose to national prominence as the head of House Republicans, calls on the man who now fills that role, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio to convene an "emergency members-only meeting" of his flock before the end of this month to start an effort to remake perceptions of the GOP.

Not surprisingly, he urges a tactic that he embraced shortly before the 1994 midterm vote that gave his party a House majority for the first time in 40 years: make a list of "nine acts of real change that would begin to rebuild the American people's confidence that Republicans share their values, understand their worries, and are prepared to act instead of just talk."

What is surprising is that Gingrich resists the temptation to label such a manifesto as an updated Contract with America (that's him above at its unveiling).

Gingrich's analysis of his party's woes and his prescription for righting the ship is available here.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[dave]

is it only don, or did gingrich really manage to address the 'problem' without even once mentioning RON PAUL, who of course is the finalist among the presidential candidates this is all about, as he offers all the actions gingrich proposes, and far more; and as always, means what he says. in case gingrich thinks it would stop the r3VOLution just to copy in part RON PAUL's ideas and try to use them to drain and divert his massively growing support with the people to mccain or even someone else now, he clearly hasn't understood either. maybe he might want to read or reread, RON PAUL's latest book, 'the revolution: a manifesto.'

[tedson]

What moron would vote for the party that lowered taxes on the rich only to put the nation trillions of dollars in debt.

[ReFUDlican]

Maybe the Republicans need to take another contract out on america.

Osama accepted the Republicans last contract, lets see who they can stir up this time!

[tlsmith1963]

Whatever problems the Republicans have, they deserve them. I have no sympathy after the mess they have made.

[Don Doner]

The "Big Tent" Re[ub;ican Party (Main Street Business, Christian Conservatives, State Righters and Rich Kids) allowed the Rich Kids to take over with predictiable results -- Judicial Nominees favorable to Big Business instead of Conservative Ideas, Reduced taxes on the wealthy and the budget be dam**d, A messy war to protect their friend, Saudia Arabia, instead of American Interests. And now, Newt is concerned that nobody wants to march in their parade?

[Obamarama]

McCain's poll #'s show what an extrodinarly weak canidate he is, albeit the best the GOP could put up this year. He has only rising to slightly level w/ the Dems in national polls, eventhough they have been fighting themselves and each other up for months.

If McCain can't pull out ahead of Obama after Wright, Bittergate, 3am, etc etc, he's going to sink fast once the attacks start coming his way. He's been quietly making huge gaffes that are being mostly ignored now, but will haunt him come summer and fall. His base support is weak, he's broke, and prone to mis-statements. GOP is SOL in '08.

[GOP-No-More]

I have for two years been writing the GOP leadership - the RNC and elected officials - calling for change... to a citizens-first agenda that does not leave one citizen behind... change like real health care reform for all US Citizens.. change like full-disclosure of transcripts of every word spoken or written by an elected official(national security issues exempted) ... change like a $1000 cap on all donations and turning-in to the IRS any left-over balance exceeding $5,000... change like increased benefits to US Citizens who are homeless or US Citizens who are physically and/or developmentally challenged including those who are employed. Every letter I have written has fallen on deaf-ears and been responded by nominating John McCain who has extreme arrogance towards US Citizens. The RNC has called me extreme and my ideas too costly for businesses.

The only two who have truly listened are Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith - senators from Oregon.

In Oregon, thousands upon thosands have switched from the G-O-P to Democratic parties... fueling an increase of almost 70,000 new Democrats. The net increase of new registrants is 65,000 - to the Democrats.

2008 is the time for change ... and then rebuild the G-O-P from the ashes of the 2008 elections.

[bryn]

Newt is correct! He should have John Boehner gather all Republican law makers and put them all in one room. He should then show them excerps of the "Mission Accomplished" scene / the two press conferences by Bush in New Orleans, including "Your doing a heck of a job Brownie' / take a ride in my neighborhood, and try to make it from point B from A without your car going out of ailgnment / then show bush 3 weeks ago when asked about gas reaching $4 a gallon. His response was that he had not heard about that. Then show pictures of the 2.2 million mostly young African Americans in over crowded prisons / oh yea, the drug policy never worked so let's reward Columbia with a free trade agreement. Let's then show them Bush's State of The Union address where he told falsehoods some 200 times about Iraq.ON & ON & ON. After all of the Republicans are in the room watching this, Pelosi should sneak in and padlock the door for 6 months.

[bemusedsceptic]

The republican leadership has fostered extremism everywhere. They typify the failure of the ruling class around the globe. They and like minded 'leaders' everywhere deserve to be kicked / dragged out of office for good.

[Susan R]

1. The Democrats have been in power for a while in Congress. Two of their Senators are out seeking votes rather than doing what we pay them to do...McCain is included. Want to run for office...resign the one you have first so you aren't cheating who pays you.
WHY HAVEN'T THEY CLEANED UP THE MESS??

2. WE all owe the government , not just the rich. Want good jobs? Well, no poor man is going to hire you and if you tax the rich too much, where is the incentive to hire you? I am so sick of everyone expecting the rich to pay their way with abusive taxes( I am far from rich)

3. The Republicans are in trouble because they realize life isn't fair, what is yours is yours not the governments, and the governmnet isn't there to make sure you are not last to get picked for recess kickball. Democrats have been promising minorities since LBJ and I haven't seen much change. Obama promises change...but what, how and who pays??? Democrats want to let illegals get a pass...who pays? Tired of being told I have to be taxed to cover deadbeats and illegals. Republicans are being made to look like bigots because we do not want to take over Mexico's welfare cases when they sneak in.

Universal health care? Why should I be taxed because someone would rather buy an expensive new car or season tickets to a sporting event rather than buy insurance? I drive a used car. I may be MY BROTHER'S keeper but not everyone downtown or sneaking across the border.

I used to be a liberal, but I have seen to many who just refuse to take responsibility for their own mistakes and Democrats won't make them take that responsibility...they foist it on the taxpayers.

[Elole]

Newt's contract was trampled upon. The Republican Party co-opted any middle grounded people. My Dad is a Republican, but lying was never a virtue he espoused, nor was contempt for varying or vying viewpoints. The Bush Administration has left the rest of us with massive debt, war, and rampant corruption. Are these what Newt meant by his "contract?" Are these Republican ideals?

All I can say is Obama '08. I do hope that we attain new leadership with a capital "L." If W and his henchman had chosen to address real critical problems that our nation faces now and our children must conquer, rather than feed greed and divisiveness, Newt would have had his legacy. Instead it's like the roll of toilet paper the cat played with...shredded...but they had their chance.

[clay]

What moron would vote for the party that lowered taxes on the rich only to put the nation trillions of dollars in debt.

The same ones who are saying that if Hillary doesn't get the nomination, they will vote for McCain...do not underestimate the stupidity of middle america, they will vote against their interest to satisfy their outdated views....and then complain about jobs, the economy...etc

[Tom in Alabama]

Much of the economic and foreign policy crises the United States faces today can be traced back directly to the Newt Gingrich era. George Bush copied the Gingrich "take no prisoners" model and took those excesses to a higher level. What is good for the super rich, we have unfortunately learned, is not good for the working classes and middle classes.

[gerald clough]

I really hate repiglicans; I really do. Thankfully, it's time for them to go and the American people know it.

[gerald clough]

I really hate repiglicans; I really do. Thankfully, it's time for them to go and the American people know it.

[Skyblue]

Newt was mute on Iraq. Doesn't he think Iraq exemplifies all of the failures of the Republicans in power? Corruption, big government, worsening national security, tax-money for corporations, no legal accountability for abuses such as torture, gigantic national debt and deficits, the black hole that is Guantanamo? Note he is asking for a "change of perception", not a "real change" of the party. He is dancing around the elephant in the room.

[ApostasyUSA]

Republicans did this to themselves I don't feel the slightest sympathy fro Republicans either.....

Newt Gingrich is to BLAME for Republican problems. He is the polarizer......the fire starter..........

I don't care about the conservatives anymore. Why? Because they are cowards......how many of them stood up against the invasion of Iraq? One.....two.....? Talk about mis-guided spending………...I don't mean votes either.......

I mean stand UP and BE the dissent........in the media…....in Congress......in public of YOUR Party.......cowards.....

oh.....I'm sorry.......thanks Ron Paul...

In the last 8 years or so Republicans have shown me that they will do anything and everything in their power to keep you from retaining an opinion based on the facts that their incompetence is comprised of.

Why is it that in the GOP/Republican party there are no dissenters, no independent thinkers, no moderates? Where are the real conservatives who would laugh at how conservatively the current Republican Party has been spending taxes, and creating big government? Has the Republican Party lost its identity? Can the ideology of the GOP be so easily summed up in Karl Rove talking points like “support this and support that”, and angry rhetoric like “liberals are traitors”?

Hello REAL Republicans! Anybody out there?

[Abby Somebody]

Problem for the repubs is any effort to move their party in line with public sentiment would move them out of the republican party. If they opt to end the war, raise taxes on the rich, clean up the environment, fix the nation's infrastructure, etc., then they will no longer be republicans. They will be democrats.

'Rebranding'? How about realizing that this is a nation of all peoples, not just the rich. When they begin serving all the people of this nation, then they will start winning elections.

[dmac]

Both parties have lost touch with the every day citizen. They get elected to get rich and do "wonderful things" with someone else's money. Wow, That must be hard work.This country is completely torn apart because of their insipid politics. They have succeeded in dividing us all into groups that have an axe to grind with each other. Big bloated, fat government that no longer looks to the constitution that sets absolute limits to their powers. Now, THEY pass out rights. Long live the 10th amendment.

[Tim_CA]

Newt hit the nail on the head. The Republican "brand" has been horribly damaged by this failed, dumb, stubborn jack@ass of a president. He spends like a drunken Liberal, he encourages criminal Illegal aliens to come skipping unfettered accross the border, and has done vitually nothing to encourage energy independance. Honestly, this goofball has forced me to become an independent.

Then what does the party do, they offer up a tired old RINO (who stood next to the bloated Senator from Massachusetts and called anyone who wanted our borders enforced "Racist") to continue the Bush Legacy. I'm done! I'll be writing in "Sponge Bob" for president, and will be looking ahead to 2012.

[Scott]

Are you sure this was actually written by Newt Gingrich and not a prank? He actually seems to make sense -- until you get to the manifesto. Then it seems like such a farce that you couldn't get something funnier if you locked John Stewart and Stephen Colbert in a room with crew from The Onion.

We have a nation of voters worried about the economy, the war, healthcare, and the environment. So what does Newt insist we need to fix America? A space-based air traffic control system. Seriously! Talk about being seriously out of touch.

[howard]

I do not think that the Republican party needs rebuilding, just brush it aside and start a american or conservative party. The republican party already has enough rot in it and let them go hang around with Bush and talk of the good ole days. It would be a good example for the democratic party, they would have to straighten up their act. Then the parties would actually work for the inprovement of this country and not special groups like they do now

[Curtis]

Does anyone look at the facts?
There was only one period over the past 3 decades where government spending was under control. It was when Newt and the Contract of America was in place. It lead directly to a budget surplus. Everyone wants to focus on the revenue side of things when the problem is on the other side--in spending.
I see so many people posting opinions on this board as facts. This may confuse you, but let's look at the facts.
After the Clinton tax hikes, tax revenues increased by an average of 3% in the three years following the hike.
After the Bush tax cuts, tax revenues increased 9% on average over the following three years. This is no joke. Go to CBO website and take a look for yourselves. Do you want 3% increases or 9% increases?
There is demand elasticity of pricing in taxes. If you don't know what that is, Google it, and you will understand. If you increase the cost to work or operate in this country, you decrease demand to work, and thus tax revenues FALL. This is so important for everyone to understand. It is the fundamental difference between the two main parties. Republicans understand taxes are demand elastic and Democrats, who tend to be more idealist, usually don't know what it means. And thus, they say silly things like "tax cuts for the rich". Educate yourself before you punch the wrong chad.
The media and liberals are selling us a huge snow job that individuals are buying into. The media doesn't understand elasticity either. Tax cuts are a win win for the government and the people.
When Bush implemented the cuts, the % of revenues paid by high income individuals increased, not decreased. You can not factually state "tax cuts for the rich". A family making less than $75k, with a mortgage and two kids, generally doesn't pay taxes at all with Bush's tax cuts. You can not argue these points. They are the facts. It's quite disruptive when you look at the facts, versus all of these incorrect opinions. Please, please educate yourself now. Do not rely on the media and pundits. Question everything as there is a generally misunderstanding on so many things that are going on right now.
The continued success of our country hangs in the balance and what is left of our competitive advantages will be lost, potentially forever with tax increases.
All of Asia ex Japan, and most of Europe have figured out the key to competitve economies...lower taxes to grow the economy and help the people. It is only the US who is slipping backward not forward.
Another fact: There is only one country with a higher corporate tax rate and that is Japan. Japan has been an economic morass for the past 17 years. Make the connection before it's too late.