Can Gingrich Save His Campaign by Emphasizing…Alzheimers?
- Posted on July 4, 2011 at 4:11pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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Newt Gingrich’s 2012 presidential campaign has been on life support since the mass departure of key staff made major headlines two weeks ago. As charismatic new faces have entered the race, more and more media attention has dwindled away from the former Speaker of the House. In a move to perhaps shake things up, Gingrich has devoted recent events and fundraisers to “pet causes,” such as Alzheimer’s, in order to work his way back into the 2012 discussion. Washington Post:
“For most presidential candidates, Alzheimer’s is a third- or fourth-tier subject, at best.
But as Gingrich sees it, Alzheimer’s, as well as other niche topics such as military families’ concerns and pharmaceutical issues, are priorities for passionate patches of the American electorate. By offering himself as a champion of pet causes, Gingrich believes he can sew together enough narrow constituencies to make a coalition — an unconventional one, yes, but a coalition nevertheless.”
Gingrich focused on Alzheimer’s heavily at a private fundraiser last week in Newport Beach, CA, in addition to championing the issue among others on Fox News this Monday:
“‘I’m going to campaign on, how do we deal with Alzheimer’s, which really affects millions of Americans,’ Gingrich said. ‘I want to campaign on issues such as, how do we fundamentally reform the Food and Drug Administration so we can create American jobs with the best new medicines?’”
The move to focusing on more distinct and neglected issues may not come as too great of a surprise considering Gingrich is often associated as a thinker capable of producing “big ideas.”
“‘Newt has been seen for the better part of 20 years as somebody who can look at problems and come up with conservative solutions to those problems,’ said Republican lobbyist Robert Walker, a longtime Gingrich confidant. ‘The issue that needs to be established is whether or not he’s able to translate those ideas into real action as president.’”
The change of pace is perhaps needed for a lagging Gingrich campaign. The former Speaker finished sixth in the Republican Leadership Conference straw poll on June 18, and tied for fourth in the June 25 Des Moines Register Iowa poll. Some of the departing staffers complained about Gingrich giving his wife too large a role in the campaign. One former advisor said, “I think the world of him, but at the end of the day we just could not see a clear path to win, and there was a question of commitment.”
Considering the statements of his former staff and his new focus on underrepresented issues, the question on Gingrich moves to “We know he can find problems and suggest solutions, but can he follow through in implementing them?”
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Comments (61)
Rayblue
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 8:48pmGive Newt the Bewt.
Report Post »SheriS
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 8:47pmNewtie’s arrogance has caught up with him—-now he can go back home to his Callista and stay there out of the limelight—few Republicans still support him and I‘m proud to be one of those who will not and who can’t stand to listen to his self-promoting of his garbage!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 8:36pmNO Newt .. no RINO’s …
TEA!
Report Post »Look4DBigPicture
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 8:19pmz-z-z-z-z-z-z He lost me at hello.
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 8:03pmI love to listen to Newt but sorry to say, his time for a presidential run has past. Please help the right person win….
God Bless you Newt
Report Post »Skip63
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:45pmNewt has a lot of good ideas and is one smart man.
Report Post »Problem is he’s so old school, nobody takes him seriously. A career politician to boot.
He, along with any republican candidate applying for the presidency will be better than what we have.
dontbotherme
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:32pmI think Newt Gingrich is a brilliant man. His books are amazing, he is a true Patriot and a wealth of knowledge. But, as for the Presidency, he’s done. He would make a great Advisor.
Report Post »USMarine0311
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:25pmI knew Newt had lost some of his luster but seriously a coalition of pet issues to make a voters base. Don’t these people get it we are sick of the speacial treatment for certain groups. It’s about America and what is best for the country not for the individual. Don’t give welfare out to secure votes of the poor, side with women choice groups for their votes or give special treatment to pharmacutical companys for their money. Do the right thing for the people as a whole and then you will get my vote.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:19pmGod love you, Newt for wanting to help people, but your talent is best used as an advisor-I reall believe that! Please stop wasting money best spent elswhere helping the right candidate win. Please Newt,help elect who we choose and we cannot in good faith nominate you. Be our hero teacher, advisor and problem solver for the party and the next president.
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:13pmNewt is a patriotic American. He walks the walk. As a candidate hes not electable because of past disgressions and present problems. I would like to see Newt in an advisor type position if possible.
Report Post »kerf
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:11pmOh, he trying to raise money for Alzheimer’s, I thought he was trying to blame his support for Nancy Pelosi and Climate Change and throwing Ryan under the bus by claiming he had it.
Report Post »stanbeck
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:06pmWe love ya, but it’s over…. Move on….
Report Post »roadhog
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:06pmDoes He have It
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 6:48pmNewt is part of the problem – he is not the solution.
Report Post »David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 6:23pmNewt is a VERY intelligent man, but he is the epitome of what is WRONG with Washington DC. He is the establishment. We do not need men like him to lead, we need men like him to teach and let others carry the firebrand. I read over at Human Events where his articles are printed, many a conservative have called him out for his capitulation to the establishment. Why is it that we have people that DO NOT NEED to continue their careers of public service yet still to this day attempt to curry favor?
We need zombie Washington or zombie Reagan to hold the torch of freedom? Why do we need or even acknowledge those of the past? We need…………NAY crave, our very own Washington of today!
CRY FREEDOM!
Report Post »SkiTuna
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 6:01pmI agree with BANJARMON, Newt is a gold mine of knowlege and experience. The republicans should seriously tap into him and he should welcome them with an open mind. No way is he going to win the nomination, he’ll come to that conclusion at some point. Newt can be a tremendous asset to a Republican administration and our country.
Report Post »crapgame
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 6:01pmNewts choo-choo, has gone of the tracks. He needs to shut up, and go home, never to be heard from again.
Report Post »Fight for America
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 5:40pmNewt – your 15 minutes of fame is over. We remember and wish we could forget. Retire, spend more money on jewelry, stop already.
Report Post »Love glenn protect glenn
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 7:53amPsyc analysis from a female point of view:
Newt’s wife Callista married him because Newt was in such important position. Newt has been trying to appease her, giving her that glamor and prestige by buying Tiffany jewlery. But, that is not enough, so Newt has to run for the President to generate that admiring crowd, even giving Callista the power to control his messages and campaign.
Why? Because Newt has just graduated from a Stage 1 “Good Choir Boy” to Stage 2 “It is Teenager Time!” To Newt, to have a glamor wife hanging on his arm when they go out is very important. He needs that emotional satifaction of telling the world, “A pretty girl is finally paying attention to me!!” Newt will do anything to make Callista happy.
Report Post »YankeeBlue
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 5:30pmMay I just ask, if Gingrich is basing his campaign on Alzheimer’s, how can he expect to get any votes at the polls? Won‘t his voters simply forget why they’re there?
Report Post »Heitah
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:51amepic point
Report Post »ensemble
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 5:24pmI dig Newt, I really do. He is a fine scholar and a public servant with an admirable history. His talents and intellect should not go unused by the republicans. At the same time, he is not the leader that we need for the republican party as president. There seems to be a disconnect as to what the people want in a leader. He is emblamatic of old school republican party. The party should not come first, the people should come first. Newt and Karl Rove are the faces of elitism and the ruling class of the repubs. We need representation not self appointed overlords. The road to serfdom has been paved on both sides of the street.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 5:12pmNewt, keep it up and you won’t even be worth a cabinet post.
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 5:11pmAlzheimer’s, so that’s whats wrong with him…….
Report Post »Steve
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 5:08pmI’m sorry to say that not even interviewing on Hannity a dozen more times is gonna save this man. Save your money Newt.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 5:00pmHe is yesterdays news……. you had your shot 20yrs ago
Report Post »TelepromoterNChief
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 8:36amI agree.
Newt HAD his chance, but as a speak of the house, he BLEW IT.
His time with Fox News did not help him win any points either.
Besides, America does not need another adulterer in the White House.
Just ask Obama about Vera Baker.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 4:55pmNo, he can’t.
Report Post »Revere1
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 4:57pmYeah somehow I think the answer is, no, Alzheimer’s disease is not going to win Gingrich the nomination. http://www.elephantwatcher.com/2011/06/newt-gingrichs-challenge-win-debates.html
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 5:13pmIf I were pres I would use Newt’s knowlege…I hope the Winner will TOO.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:21pm.
Report Post »Newt has one person in mind……..
that would be Newt.
MONICNE
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 8:02pmI was going to say something very clever…. Oh, well –IS THAT A STARBUCKS over there? I could use a coffee drink. Wait a minute I have a cup of hot Starbucks coffee in my cup holder!
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:27pmI respect Newt but he is floundering .
Report Post »ecurbyy
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 1:31amWhen i first saw the headline here I thought he was claiming he had alzheimers. That would explain and account for his stupidness.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:21amAlzheimer’s… you mean that is his excuse for sounding like an idiot every time he opens his mouth.
Report Post »nysparkie
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 1:23pmExrepublisheep: Exactly. What is that phrase? OOOHHHH YA! He’s TOAST!
Report Post »Clive
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 5:24pmagreed
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