A Newt Gingrich run in 2012? Quite possible but...

No one in their right mind announces or confirms a White House run this far out.

Yes, presidential campaign announcement dates have been creeping up. In 1960, John F. Kennedy announced on Jan. 3 of election year. Bill Clinton announced the fall before election year. George W. Bush announced the summer before election year.

And Barack Obama the winter before the summer before the fall before election year. And that successful run cost $750 million in other people's money.

Why ask to be politically targeted this soon?  It's -- what? -- 1,107 days now until Nov. 6, 2012.

So C-SPAN's Mr. Excitement, Steve Scully, knew better Sunday than to ask former House Speaker Newt Gingrich whether he was going to run in the next presidential contest.

Savvy fellow that he is, Scully inquired instead what kinds of things Gingrich would think about as he contemplated that decision. (See C-SPAN video below.)

Gingrich, who engineered the stunning 1994 Republican election victories in....

... both houses of Congress with the Contract with America before quitting after some defeats four years later, walked through the thinking process. 

Callista and I are going to think about this in February 2011. And we are going to reach out to all of our friends around the country. And we'll decide, if there's a requirement as citizens that we run, I suspect we probably will. And if there's not a requirement, if other people have filled the vaccum, I suspect we won't.

Gingrich ran through a lengthy list of other possible Republican suspects, praising Mitt Romney and Haley Barbour and Tim Pawlenty and whats-her-name with the new book and the Nov. 16 appointment with Oprah. Gingrich said, "I have no great personal ambition needs to run for president."

Although, to be honest, he's not exactly hiding himself either, analyzing for Fox News, writing books, gathering nearly 1.14 million followers on Twitter (only 387,000 behind John McCain), giving speeches all over and rising early on an autumn Sunday to answer questions on C-SPAN from even the Democratic and Independent phone lines.

Gingrich also harkened back to the '94 Contract, saying politics needs to be about ideas -- he called them "vivid, powerful alternatives" -- not just maneuvers. "I want to see an alternate Republican Party," Gingrich said, "not an opposition Republican Party."

-- Andrew Malcolm

Why wait for 2011 when you can start receiving Twitter alerts of and links to each new Ticket item instantly by clicking here?  Or follow us  @latimestot  Also on Facebook over here.

Video courtesy of C-SPAN

Comments

[Pizza Royalty]

The "whats-her-name" in the article is SARAH PALIN....yes, she is a woman.....obviously the L.A. Times has a problem with that because you called all the potential "MALE" runners by name. Or was it because she is a conservative & christian......either way you are HYPOCRITES!

[Jason]

Knute is Knutz
He's got less chance than McCain had.

Palin 2012 - for Change.

[nat turner]

Who asked ?

[Mike Mundy, Houston, TX]

When Gingrich defends the "luke warm" republicans, he is not fit to lead the republican party. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH of the RINOs!! THEY are the ones who have RUINED the party and handed the Liberals win after win!! CONSERVATIVISM NOW, or NEVER, Mr. Gingrich!! Start thinking OUTSIDE of the box, Sir!

[Christopher di Spirito]

I see the LA Times left out all the meat and potatoes about Newt.

Let's see: he's the first Speaker of the House in history to be forced to pay a $300,000 penalty for ethics violations, and who shut down the Federal government because his little ego was hurt when the president was rude to him during a ride on Air Force One, and who left his first wife as she lay in a hospital bed recovering from cancer, and who carried on an affair behind his second wife’s back while leading the crusade to impeach Bill Clinton over a a tryst in the Oval Office.

[matt k]

Newt will never get have my support ever again after supporting DEDE BIGRNCLIBFAVA.

[Irondog]

Good luck after endorsing a Republican candidate endorsed by ACORN.

[notyourname]

""..Mitt Romney and Haley Barbour and Tim Pawlenty and whats-her-name with the new book..""

"You people" in the news are pathetic.
So scared of sweet little Sarah..

[jtsgrandmom]

RINO Gingrich, fool me once, shame on you. I remember your contract w/America promising to return to consitutional law. You headed a GOP majority that legislated unfair trade practices against American manufacturing, promoted American companies to build overseas and gutted the ability of American blue collar workers to make a living. The GOP majority ran roughshod over the nation opening doors for cheap labor aka illegal invasion. You sat idly by while the Dems instituted the Community Reinvestment Act which is the direct cause of the loss of trillions in real estate money and value, and set up the circumstances of what the other side of the global governance crowd, the Dems and their henchman Obama are doing today.

A vote for YOU or any other RINO is a vote for national suicide. FORGET it.

[Rick]

I'm not completely with Newt on anything, but the Republicans need to run somebody like him. Someone with ideas. Newt knows the issues and spends his time coming up with solutions. At this point the only other person on that short list that I'd like to see in charge is Romney.

[Newt No More]

This would would be great. I don't think we have ever had a president who divorced his wife on her deathbed before. This is a deserving minority.

[hohn hamilton]

Newt is probably the one who could save the country. But after he was destroyed by the liberal press the last time, I'm not sure he could win. If people could only remember, that was our last balanced budget.

[John Adams]

"and whats-her-name with the new book and the Nov. 16 appointment with Oprah"

Is it ok if I refer to the sitting president as "the black guy who's never held a real job" ? Although, people might confuse him with Jesse Jackson then.

[David Lundeen]

Who is his running mate going to be? Dede Scozzafava?

[Sanity Injection]

Newt Gingrich is an intelligent and experienced guy with good ideas. He does not, however, have the charisma to get elected President, and he knows it. All this talk about running for President is a dance he's done repeatedly over the years that helps keep his speaking fees as high as possible. As long as he is part of the conversation about who will run in 2012, he is in demand to more than just conservative audiences.

[Larry Andrews]

I believe Mr. Gingrich no longer represents my interests politically. He along with many of the past wannabes should back out and allow some fresh air in. These folks have consistently portrayed our party as centrists and have promoted negotiations with the opposing party. Always to our party detriment.Although I am registered Republican Conservative, I vote for whats right.My party has chosen to follow the example of the tax & spend liberals.If the opposition weren't so fearful of Sarah Palin, they wouldn't be so vociferous of her activity. At least she has the courage to speak her mind.Something past candidates refused to do. Her stand to support Mr. Hoffman of the 23 NY district is exactly what we like because it is the correct choice.Hopefuly this will open some blind politicians eyes.

[Michael Rodriguez]

I find it really funny how everyone refers to the United States government as a Democracy. Go ahead and read both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and point out to me where it says democracy or anything relating to it. The founding fathers did NOT want this country to become a democracy. This country is a Republic, NOT a mob ruling Democracy. Around 12minues in, the conversation talks about just the thing that flaws a Democracy each party sees that they can take power through influence. The parties have become marketing tools nothing more. Nobody should have power over someone else.

[Knows Better]

Newt needs to retire from elected office. After his endorsement fiasco in the NY congressional race, he "blew it" for most conservatives. He would be another McCain.

[Phil Lombardo]

Newt, I think you would do a great job but you proved that you don't quite get it. You support the "liberal" Republican in NY and stated that Republicans need to be more moderate in order to gain control. You couldn't be further from the truth. A true conservative will win the election. I actually thought you were too far away from the "Beltway" but your mind is still in DC. Thanks Phil

[Mab Rockwell]

We use to think he would be great as a president, but lately he seems to be less conservative than before, and we love conservatives. I am sure he has great ideas though. He is always good at explaining things and I do like some of his ideas - we just need conservatives, and hopefully he will return to those ideals.

[Chris]

I he would make an awesome president. The man is a genius!!!

[Media Mark]

This guy has got to be kidding! The only republican more beleaugured then the GOP itself, is Gingrich. Why wait until being elected to be a deadbeat, morally bankrupt creep- Gingrich was the first person in the history of congress to be fined and formally reprimanded for his ethics violation (January 1997).

And what about the "contract with America"? Who can name one thing that came of that mess?

No thanks Newt (what's your real name again?!) we can do without YOU in ANY election . Go home and divorce another wife, will ya?!

[Whats my name...]

For non-biased reporting, you sure show ur "true" colors on disrespecting SaRaH pALiN....

[Bryan]

I've always said, if we can't bring Reagan back fromt he dead...there is not a better candidate alive to save this great country than Gingrich! I pray and pray and pray that this man runs in 2012. Otherwise I have given up hope in this nation. He is nothing short of a genius. Not just at debates but also history and ideals. And nothing is more important right now than to realize where we come from, how we got to where we are and then to have the vision to correct it. Gingrich is the ONLY man for the job right now!

[marcus lockwood]

No one makes a stronger more logical case for conservative values than Newt Gingrich. He is an intellectual giant compared to most politicians. BUT, Newt is too flawed. He left his 2nd wife for his current wife who happened to be working for him at the time. He cozies up to liberals ie, Hillary Clinton, Al Sharpton, to keep his name in the headlines.

I would definitely vote for Newt Gingrich but he has too much baggage and would lose handily in a general election. If he's serious about becoming President then why not run for the governor of Georgia, prove himself there and then he has Executive Experience along with his tenure in the House.

I hope he'll end up as the Secretary of State for the next Repulican administration. As for who the next ticket we'll be? It's a long time and so much can happen. But my favorite ticket right now would be Tim Palenty and Haley Barbour. A northern and southern ticket. A pretty conservative Governor with a real conservative governor. Haley Barbour's Mississippi got hit just as hard as Louisiana by hurricane Katrina but they survived and are doing much better than their neighbors because of his leadership. Try to have the Liberals talk about how conservatives don't care about Katrina victims and Haley Barbour will stop them in their tracks.

[JMCarver]

He's got my complete support....financially and otherwise.
He is, without question, the best choice. Period.

[Scott]

If you like Mark Sanford, then you'll love Gingrich. Gingrich has no loyalty to family, yet he boasts about his "Family values." He tries to talk the talk, but when he tries to walk the walk he stumbles around like a drunk. I would never vote for him, and I'm a lifelong Republican.

[Oswald Mandias]

I thought we Republicans were against electing serial adulterers?

[Phil in NY]

Newt can forget about running for president. Between his "me too" stupidity on the global warming hoax...running around, doing commercials with Al Sharpton...and now his idiotic endorsement of ultra-RINO, Scazzofava, in upstate NY's 23rd congressional district race, his chances of winning the GOP nomination in 2012 are about as good as Olympia's Snowe's.

[medina]

Don't bother, Newt. Your stock is falling, BIG time.

[joe shmo]

How about a real conservative run for office - maybe one that's not part of either party that has been raping the country's treasury. This guy is just another shill.

[cluelessinky]

I think Newt has reached the height of arrogance and ignorance. What was he thinking when he did the "global warming ' bits with San Fran Nan? Did he think that the liberals would embrace him, while the conservatives would admire his ability to "reach out?" If he did than he is further removed from reality than I had imagined.

Newt is a politician, not a conservative, not a republican and not a liberal - he is a politician. he will say anything to anyone to get a vote and I for one would never vote for him.

[joe r]

please no! this guy is everything that's wrong with the republican party---gov't solutions for everything!

[sandi]

i would not vote for newt and i am a conservative. i dont think he is a true conservative but wishy washy like mc cain. not nearly gutsy enuf. dont think he has a prayer. too old and we are tired of the old weak republicans.

[Mark McKillop]

Sorry Newt! Don't even bother buddy!! You showed your Progessive colors supporting the Leftist Obama voting republican in the 23rd District in NY. We don't need anymore Big Gov. Republicans in Washington, WE NEED CONSERVATIVES!!! YOU ARE NOT CONSERVATIVE MR GINGRICH; YOU MAY TRY TO CONVINCE EVERYONE YOU ARE, BUT YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK THE OPPISITE!!!
You wouldn't get elected anyways, Obama and his Marxist Liberals would landslide you just like the last Progressive Republican McCain.
Sarah Palin will be our next President, because she is a True Conservative, and because of her returning the Republican Party to True Conservatism, SHE WILL LANDSLIDE THE MARXIST OBAMA INTO SHAME WHERE HE BELONGS!!!
So thanks, but NO THANKS NEWT!!!

[dd]

Like McCain he'll make a perfect loser candidate.

[OBAMANATION at NOTRE DAME]

Newt on the Climate-Change-Couch with Pelosi = GAME OVER!

30 years INSIDE-THE-BELTWAY has gotten to him.

[Darrell]

i think Speaker Gingrich is one of the best political minds of our time . More of a Statesman than a politician-perhaps too enlightened to run for office

[RonnieLongWillImplode]

Newt once said that the role of a leader is to build a majority. Lately, it seems as if this means Newt wants to build one out of anyone with a warm body and an "R" behind their name. There's no progressive he won't ally himself with to make a point that he's a fair-minded intellectual, no RINO he won't endorse to prove he's a loyalist, and no movement he won't attach himself to in order to prove he's a patriot....

Newt used to seem like a genuine conservative, but now he comes across as politically calculating... All of his fantastic solutions, all of his undeniable vision... Tossed away because he won't concede that sometimes, just sometimes, it's not okay to betray conservative principles (and conservative voters) in the spirit of bipartisanship or intellectual honesty. Sometimes, the enemy must be defeated, even if they have an "R" behind their name.

[David Hubbard]

Please Run Newt.

During a PAC event on CSPAN one time I watched you make the point that paying inner city students minimum wage might actually cost less tax payer money than our current education platform. At the same time motivating them to learn at a far greater capacity -

I don't expect or think this will happen but the courage it took to tell that group of constituents that bit of information earned my respect that day.

Americans need to stop funding the epic farce of programs the federal government continually madates.

You are the man for the Job.

[watkins]

I didn't vote for McCain because of his middle of the road tactics and look where that has led us..The last time is was a far lefty, or someone that was left of JFk. Now Newt. I want someone that is going to go in there and remind everyone that every penny they spend either came out of someones paycheck, or will in the future and to try and grow like the private sector is wrong, they shouldn't get raises or increases in funding. The public schools get more money they I paid for College, and yet they act like they are broke... Maybe they should hire business majors to cut the spending and become efficient on less in all aspects of the GOV.

[Dennis Kerr]

Newt Gingrich stays true to his roots. He is opposed to government interference in commerce and has consistently served the interests of businesses that want reduced taxes and reduced government services and regulation.
He is skillful in convincing people, employers, employees and consumers into voting against their own self-interest, economic success and personal safety.
What you see is what you get, but you don't get much.

[Eric Robinson]

I hope Newt does run, at least in the primaries. Can you imagine, the contrast between Newt, and any of the other potential candidates, in a debate? Or, even more funny, Newt vs Mr. Teleprompter???? That would be like Bill Buckley vs Forest Gump!

[Joan]

Newt can forget it - he's become a RINO - his ridiculous stance on global warming did him in - no conservative I know would ever vote for him....we're not looking for "part-time" conservatives, we're looking for "reagan conservatives" - My vote will be for Sarah Palin if she runs, NOT Newt or Mitt...

[1984AnimalFarm]

Newt is a loser. No conservative will vote for him after he sat on that Global Warming Couch.

[Elaine Field]

Newt: How could you say you will support "Dede in N.Y." and not Hoffman - a true conservative? That is the whole trouble w/the GOP - the principles of what is good and RIGHT is a thing of the past. You are a thing of the past. Just stay home w/your lovely wife and write about what principles our country were founded on - because you certainly don't support that way at the present.

Please don't even think of running for president in 2012.
Thank you,
Elaine - Oregon

[Petras Vilson]

I once liked Newt.. but the Hoffman affair has exposed him as a RHINO.

How could any Republican endorse a pro-spending, pro-union, pro-life liberal ?

Newt has spent too much time in Washington : ( Sad really.

[Mike]

The most articulate man in politics... Democrat or Republican...

[Vietvet]

Why is he backing a candidate in New York who has an "R" behind her name...... Even when she has been a PICK OF ACORN and is pro choice. This in the light that there is a Conservative, also an "R" who is not an ACORN pick and is Pro Life. He says he is doing this because the local "Party" is backing her and he relies on the "choices" by the PARTY. Wait a minute.... this is why we ended up with the freak, McCain who was a questionable conservative. Why do we continue to vote "Party" and not "Individuals"? We have seen the RINO's... Specter, Snow and her other cohort in Maine.... they had or have Rs next their name, but..... what were they really???? People... we need to know what we are doing.

[Jeff Barea]

Not bloody likely Newt.

You still haven't apologized for misspelling my name in '92.

Besides Rick Perry is my choice. Good on ya, mate.