The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
May 7, 2008
 
Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said Wednesday that Hillary Clinton’s bid to be the Democratic presidential nominee is looking grim.
 
“I think the mountain is very, very high, verging on a cliff,” Gingrich said in Atlanta following a bill-signing ceremony with Gov. Sonny Perdue. “On the other hand, the Clintons almost never give up.”
 
The legislation signed by the governor boosts high-premium health insurance plans that are paired with health savings accounts, and Gingrich has championed similar proposals.
 
The former House speaker talked politics after the formalities with my state Capitol colleague, Aaron Gould Sheinin.
 
Gingrich said he assumes Clinton will win primaries in West Virginia, Kentucky and Puerto Rico, but doubts they’ll provide her with the momentum she now needs. Her victory over Barack Obama in Indiana on Tuesday was not big enough, he said.
 
“There are a lot of unanswered questions about Senator Obama,” he said. “And people in the Democratic Party have to wonder whether he is the next John F. Kennedy or he’s the next George McGovern, Mike Dukakis — and they don’t know yet.”
 
He suspects Democratic party leaders are putting pressure on Clinton to drop her bid, but knowing the Clintons as he does, “I wouldn’t bet anything that they’re going to get out.”
 
As for the strong warning he gave this week to Republicans in Congress, Gingrich said the stern tones are warranted.

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