Newt Gingrich's Race to '08 Predictions

ABC News
February 8, 2008
By Diane Sawyer, Robert Morrissey and Jonann Brady

Former House Speaker Says Obama's on the Rise and Names McCain VP Possibilities

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said today that last year he would have picked Sen. Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic presidential nomination, but now he's not so sure, calling Sen. Barack Obama a "phenomenon" and comparing him to John F. Kennedy.

"I am surprised how she underperformed and how well Senator Obama is doing," Gingrich said on "Good Morning America." "I think Senator Obama is slowly and steadily pulling away. The difference in fundraising capability is getting wider. They had 16,000 people in Boise turn out for Senator Obama Saturday. That's an unheard-of kind of turnout."

"I think he's becoming an unusual phenomena in American politics, almost harkening back to John F. Kennedy," Gingrich continued. "I think he's going to be very formidable for Clinton to stop."

Clinton and Obama came out of Super Tuesday in a virtual tie and are battling for delegates this weekend in Washington state, Louisiana, Nebraska and Maine.

Republican Sen. John McCain came out of the Super Tuesday nominating elections with a big lead, which became an apparent lock on the GOP nomination after his main rival, former Gov. Mitt Romney, suspended his campaign Thursday.

In spite of being the presumptive Republican nominee, McCain has raised the ire of many conservatives, who have opposed his positions on immigration, campaign-finance reform, taxes and abortion, among other issues.

Conservative pundits like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter have gone so far as to say they would campaign for Clinton if McCain is the Republican nominee.

Gingrich said that while he has opposed McCain on a number of issues, the Republican party has to unite behind a candidate.

"I think on balance, you're looking at a total person, and he's a moderate conservative," Gingrich said. "He's had a lifetime voting record that's dramatically more conservative than Clinton and Obama."

Gingrich predicted that McCain would choose Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida, Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, or his current opponent in the race, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, as his running mate.

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By AmericanPatriot @ Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:10 PM

I'm sad to say that after being a life-long Republican, after the primaries, I re-register to Independent. Oddly enough, when I spoke with Congressman Bilbray's (R) office and told him that, the aide admitted that his father has done the same thing. This is a sad commentary on how the Republican Party has abandoned us, the conservatives. After being abandoned continuously on very serious issues, such as illegal immigration, it's time for us to stay conservative YET abandon the party. When Lindsay Graham calls law-abiding American citizens "bigots" because they want their immigration laws enforced that is a Republican leader abandoning conservatives. I WILL NOT vote for any person who calls good American voters "bigot", "xenophobes", and has Juan Hernandez, a well known open border lobbyist, as his Hispanic Outreach Director. Abandon me, I walk away. PERIOD.

By Darvin Dowdy @ Sunday, February 17, 2008 1:29 PM

Newt. Think you're right about Crist of FL. He's an absolute RINO just like McCain. Who helped the dem's give felons the right to vote in FL.
McCain has become so blinded by his arrogance that he will believe that he can choose a "moderate" VP candidate and get away with it. After all, he's gotten off scott free w/so much else during this campaign. McCain is way over-confident.
What he forgets is that this will simply seal his fate in the general. Those who've voted gop over the past 2 decades will simply stay at home on 11/4/08. More so than they did on 11/7/06. And the dem's will get a victory on a small number of votes.
Of course folks like us on this board will turn out, hold our noses and vote gop like we always do. But gop vote turnout will fall far short. As it has so far in the primaries. Darvin Dowdy

By DECram @ Friday, February 15, 2008 9:48 PM

Everyone is assuming that John McCain is the Republican nominee. The Republican establishments expect all of us Republican voters to join behind McCain in lock step. There are tens of thousands of us that will not. They don't trust John McCain to be the conservative that he is trying to make himself out to be. For too many years he has sided with the Democrat's liberal wing and voted against conservative issues. Why should we believe that he is conservative!

There is one true conservative left in this race, Mike Huckabee. He is getting my vote.

By reverendcolin @ Wednesday, February 13, 2008 2:18 PM

I'm disappointed in this anti McCain bullsh*t. Many of you rather win a battle and lost the war on liberalism.

MaCain is a Conservative, not an Ultra conservative. He's the only chance the Republican party has to win this election. Not that there's much of a chance anyway.

Without total support, we'll have a Democratic president, I still think Hillary will pull it out of the bag.....It should make the "hanging chad" incident look like a joke. The Clintons are old school politicians.

If this should happen I think I'll quite work, become a Democrat and go on welfare. Maybe that will carry me through this next Depression.

By javalife0724 @ Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:14 PM

How about rick santorum - great on both character and conservatism?

By Navy83 @ Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:31 AM

Here's something I'm sure about: Sen. McCain will not win the Presidency. So what should conservatives seek to accomplish? Righting the ship that has rolled too far left (a little Navy lingo that my fellow Annapolis grad McCain should understand). The Vice Presidential nominee has to be a leader with bold, proven conservative accomplishments and ideas for the 21st century. The only way I will support the Republican ticket is if Newt is there. I feel that only Reagan has proved worthy of the money, time and talent I've invested in the Republican party-and I'm a more careful investor now.

By jamjus1 @ Monday, February 11, 2008 12:38 AM

Every one should check out Michele Malkin's site scroll to post titled "I have a plan to destroy America" by Richard D. Lamm. Former Co governor. Nothing good can come of conservatives being forced to accept a lying liberal as their leader, for the good of the RNC. Some entities become so weakened by internal disease they should be allowed to expire. That the driving force could arise anew. With enough intensity to defeat deceit. Will of the people, not the party.

By ericrobinson @ Sunday, February 10, 2008 6:51 PM

Prediction? Hmmmm, let's see. Er, well, any of you guys out there remember another [old] war hero the GOP put up for the White House? Here's a hint. "Pineapple"????? How about "Viagra"??? Prediction? How about a question? Could McCain really bring about ANY change? What will it take to undo what 8 years of Clinton or Obama can do with a Democrat controlled Congress, while the Republicans just sit there, quietly, with their pork stained little paws out? We need a PRESIDENT who knows what changes need to be made, and who has the ability to articulate the need to the American people. McCain ain't that person, and the changes the Democrats are talking about aren't changes, they're simply expansions of the same failed policies and bureaucracies.

By tinmanfrisbie @ Sunday, February 10, 2008 2:28 PM

I think Romney should be VP because it would be great for so many conservatives that were distraught at his leaving and because that would set him up very well for becoming President in the future

By jp1264 @ Sunday, February 10, 2008 12:45 AM

I was disappointed when Newt decided not to run for president. I had to regroup thoughts once he officially declined to run. I voted for Huckabee in Georgia. Would love to see Newt in office -- even as VP.

By weatherguy08 @ Sunday, February 10, 2008 12:34 AM

I have read that Governor Bobby Jindal has been considered a potential VP candidate. Despite his youth, he won on 100% conservative values and defeated the century-old Democratic political machines in Louisiana. Then again, I would like to have him for at least a month as our governor! :)

By Tracie @ Saturday, February 09, 2008 7:15 PM

Newt For VP in '08 to prepare America for his Presidency in 2012!

By Alison M @ Saturday, February 09, 2008 1:03 PM

Huck would be a very bad choice for VP as he is weak in the same areas McCain is.

Whoever he chooses would probably become the next Republican president!

How about Newt!?

By Wally @ Saturday, February 09, 2008 6:50 AM

Yes. Unpredictable year.

By trauma1 @ Friday, February 08, 2008 9:53 PM

My short list for VP includes Romney, Sessions, Boehner and the Newt.

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