Newt Calls Into Rush‘s Show and Gives ’Frustrating’ Interview
- Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:08pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Earlier this week, Rush Limbaugh delivered some stern words to Newt Gingrich about Gingrich‘s comments regarding an individual health care mandate and Paul Ryan’s Medicare proposal. “Inexplicable” and “mind-boggling” were just some of Rush’s comments from Monday. Being a smart conservative, Gingrich understands that no Republican has a shot if Rush is doubting your conservatism. So, he called into Rush’s radio show today. And his chances may have just declined even more.
Mediaite characterized Gingrich‘s responses to Rush’s questions as “verbose and increasingly complicated,“ which produced ”some priceless expressions” from Rush. And it also produced some priceless comments such as this one, where Rush gets frustrated with Gingrich’s cell phone:
Newt this is very difficult, you’re on a cell phone and because you can’t hear questions I’m trying to ask you. It’s a bit frustrating for me. … This is really uncomfortable for me because you know – we’ve known each other a long time – and I’ve had such, and still do, such profound respect, admiration and even envy for your intellect at times. But there’s just some things that are confusing me.
In the end, despite Gingrich’s attempts, there doesn’t seem to have been much clarifying going on, but rather more confusing statements and maybe even more questions. Listen for yourself:
“Overall, Newt should receive some credit for not backing down from the heat, yet in Rush’s kitchen, it seems unlikely anyone ever walks away looking better than the chef,” Mediate writes. It seems appropriate to use the kitchen analogy, as Gingrich may have just cooked himself.
What do you think?




















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Comments (199)
UpstateNYConservative
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:42pmNewt is just an attention slut. If the MSM ignored him, he’d throw himself on his letter opener just to see himself on TV.
Liberals are bad enough. Attention-slut RINOs are worse.
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:10pmI can‘t stand RINO’s either – BUT, the liberals, progressives, and marxists are far, far worse. If you vote marxist, you KNOW your freedom is gone.
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:19pm@upstatenyconservative, where have you been the last two days??? everything okay up your way??? any ways newt is just another rhino, and should just get out. i know what he is trying to do and in away he is right, but he is the same old same old,career politician, who will give you a bag of food, and then later make you give the bag of food back, plus two more,that is a rhino. have a great day.
Report Post »Amica
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:40pmOK, I’m confused. People keep calling for West to run, isn’t he already a Representative? Before I knew anything else about Obama, my very first objection was that he wasn’t keeping his commitment as a Senator.
I’ll vote for anyone running against Obama, but I wouldn’t vote for West in a primary if he ignores his commitment to the voters who put him in his current office.
My expectation, and my hope is, that he’ll fulfill his commitment to the people of Florida and run for the Presidency in the future.
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:19pmThat is what he said he will do and I take the man at his word. I do also think that if his country asked him to, he would serve them with honor as he has done.
Report Post »wetcloud
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:37pmI listened to this when it happened. I listened to it here. I am not convinced Newt understands that to win an election He must have a simple answer to questions that are Hot Topics. Never give a long answer to an enemy. He is too much egg head and not enough soldier for the Conservative Way. We Need Somebody Else to oppose Obama. Is that easy enough to understand?
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:45pmYes. I, too, listened to all of it…live…and agree with you.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:35pmNewt considers himself an ‘event’. All that he’s looking for is a place to happen, and call the reporters.
This RINO buttnut needs to go quietly into retirement with his fat Congressional package and STFU.
The only thing more annoying than a die-hard liberal is some RINO trying to somehow prove himself as noteworthy.
Pfft!
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:35pmHe would have been better off if he’d just stuck to his guns. If he had the guts to say “I still think the Ryan plan goes too far, here’s what I’d do instead ..” he’d probably have had a fighting chance to win the nomination. Instead, he just looks like a blithering fool who doesn’t understand that when you talk on tv or the radio people keep recordings of it and when you say five different things the same week, they can prove it.
Report Post »hechafteth
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:33pmAfter 235 years of this project called The United States of America, the insidious terminology of “social engineering” leads me to think of a Josef Goebbles quote, “When people start talking about culture, I reach for my gun.”
Report Post »Gripegut
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:32pmBecause of the the Republican selection of Mclame in 2008, who turned out to be a progressive RINO, and who was also in the pocket of George Soros, conservatives will never vote for Newt. Conservatives have already been fooled by a RINO Washington insider, and the Pelosi love fest alone will insure his defeat. Now that he has reinforced what conservatives already knew (that he is a progressive RINO), Newt will only serve to drive more people into the Herman Cain/Michelle Bachman camp.
Report Post »omni
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:30pmNewt is a snake oil salesman extrordinaire. I was surprised how effectively he shunted pointed questions posed by Rush. Newt is glib beyond belief and incapable of giving a straight answer. He is also gettting way too much press with his duplicitouis act. We need to focus on real conservative candidates we can feel good about and work hard for.
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:13pmThe good news is, even he is still a gazillion times better the BHO!!!
Report Post »PNATTMBTCurtain
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:30pmNewt you’re a joke. Please go away and take Mitt Romney with you.
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:30pmHas Newt officially dropped out of the race yet? What is he waiting for? Don’t drag it out Newt, just do it.
Report Post »avi8tor
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:29pmNewt, I think your done,stick a fork in ya…like don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split you…
Report Post »1stAdmendment
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:28pmNewt still has time to fix things up, I’m not worried! He still deserves credit for what he did to bill Clinton!!
Report Post »GODSAMERICA
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:28pmGoing on what Mediaite says????? I listened to the entire show and the only thing that Rush was saying was that it was frustrating to speak with Newt only because of the difficulty of Newt having difficulty speaking with Rush.
Report Post »trooper
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:27pmLooks like old rush turned him into, just’s another imbisile that calls to go heads up in verbal confrentation. Rush is like being cross examined by a good lawyer, you’ll never come out on top!
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:51pmYet all the while, Rush was indeed patient, respectful, gracious, but no nonsense.
Report Post »Challenging interview because Newt called in on a cell phone and could not hear
Rush’s comments and questions when they were actually occurring.
It seemed like Newt was talking “over” Rush, but that was due to his calling in on a cell phone.
jeffyfreezone
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:23pmThere is a downside to Rush being friends with some of these politicians. I‘m sure he doesn’t like seeing his friends self destruct, but I wonder what else Rush might have said about this if Newt wasn’t his friend. Keep a healthy distance from all of them Rush, we need you clear headed and uncompromised by friendship.
Report Post »lyle67
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:27pmNewt has sided with the Democrats in the past and there is no reason to believe he will not do so in the future.
Report Post »TraceyM
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:26pmI will not be voting for him!
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:03pmNewt ………… going nowhere …..Fast
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:26pmNewt is a joke that stopped being funny back in 1992. You know–sort of the same as liberals are today.
Report Post »kerf
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:24pmI was a Gingrich supporter, I read his book “To Renew America” and was a member of his group American Solutions. All of that came to an abrupt end as I watched Newt betray his country to climate change while sitting next to Nancy Pelosi. How can I ever believe in any conservative that accepts such an evil Marxist lie as climate change. The Newt Gingrich I thought I knew is now forever dead to me.
Report Post »Marker12
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:56pmI also would like to hear his reasoning behind that ridiculous commercial. I can’t support anyone who believes in that garbage. Will he bring in Algore ( who would seem to know how to get away with groping a woman in a posh hotel) for advice ?
Report Post »valeriet33
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:23pmaolan West needs to run!
Report Post »wdvander
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:22pmI was listening when Gingrich called in and am in agreement with the assessment of Mediaite. Newt was not answering the Q’s. He was repeating the same talking points that were put out as soon as he put his foot in his mouth on Sunday. He was saying that everyone should pay for part of their health care, but that the federal government should not make them pay for part of their health care. He backed Romneycare, that the state governments should make people pay for part of their health care, but that should be driven by federal direction if necessary.
Report Post »He made no sense. While he should not be the candidate of the marry only once crowd or treat your spouse as if they were you crowd, he still had little chance from my point of view prior to this circus.
American Saint
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:22pmMore important than questioning him being a Conservative is the fact that he’s just the same old politician…like Romney, Pawlenty, etc. We need someone like Allen West or Herman Cain because they want to fix the problem with America and don’t care if they say the wrong thing along the way that upsets the PC crowd.
I’m just sick of politician after politician lying to get in, then run America into the ground. We need to get the country back to a Democracy and stop the Socialist snowball effect.
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:20pmKeep climbing Newt, you may get out of the hole you dug by 2020.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:57pmPlease Newt .. stop “helping” ….
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:17pmIf you heard the whole interview – Newt’s point was that there were people gaming the system and that should stop. NOBODY should be able to get healthcare as a freeloader. His point was that we all should be “required” to have some sort of healthcare IF we expected to be covered when we got hurt.
He wanted to stop (in his words) people from choosing to buy a second house and not carry coverage and then expecting to get help when they got hurt.
Newt is getting the bums rush from Rush.
I think that Newt is one – if not THE most intelligent people around our government that knows how to shut Obama off at the tap. And man – he can do it – with credibility.
Love Alan West – but he doesn’t have the earned credibility that Newt has.
and that is what I think
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:34pmNewt is a career politician that only cares about his own agenda and does not listen to the people of the U.S. Cain 2012!
Report Post »chirodoc007
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:42pmEric,
I hear you. Love Newt books, his ideas in interviews, videos, etc. Why he moves toward the Pelosi’s, Global Warming, Individual Mandate (should have said personal responsibility, individual mandate screams Obamacare), etc makes me scratch my head and say “What the hell are you doing?”
I think the bottom line is that Newt is a Big Government guy. He‘s a brilliant Big Government guy but he’s a Big Government guy. Big Government is what has us in the trouble we are in right now and that is why I believe Newt is now toast. His core beliefs have betrayed him.
When you write for a living you have the option to proofread and edit your thoughts, when you go live on TV and radio questions and topics come fast and furious and editing goes out the window. That’s when you see the core essence of the candidate. Remember “Joe the Plumber” and “Spreading the wealth around is good for everyone”. The MSM swept that out the door and told libs/moderates just move along, nothing to see here.
Now we have a socialist, anti-Isreali/Pro-Palestinian guy in the White House. Don’t sweep this stuff under the rug. Listen to what the man says. We’ll find the right guy if we stay open.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:26pmAlan West for President and Alan Keyes for Vice President. Thats a ticket I could support.
Report Post »GRANNYMOO
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:34pmI think he explained himself very well, He is also very smart and i think Paul Ryan knew exactly where he was coming from, Rush did good letting him explain his views!
Report Post »maryslittlelamb
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:11pmEric, I agree with you completely but I think the little poll up there tells the story – over 85% have no idea what Newt was saying. I‘m not saying they’re stupid but I do believe they’re not interested in looking beyond what the MSM has (and has had) to say about him. America’s loss.
Report Post »BONETRAUMA
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:52pmnewt is a a$$clown
Report Post »Nolan Ryan-s Fastball
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:55amBingo! Well said, Eric. Newt has been unfortunately mischaracterized in this fracas. But he has brought it upon himself. It took until minute 16 of the interview for Newt to finally start clarifying his libertarian/conservative stance in a somewhat adequate manner. Even then, he painfully chooses to immerse us in pointless details and defend himself against meaningless slights rather than get straight to the point of what he stands for…individual responsibility and state rights. Fortunately, Newt is no stranger to this kind of criticism because he’s made this mistake over and over (and over and over) again…I don‘t think he’ll give up until people understand his position. What I fear is that we, having slipped into a blind rage over Obama and this administration, will fail to give Newt a chance to right his having been wronged by an overzealous media and populace. He was one of the few champions of welfare reform, spearheading major entitlement reform. He is one of the few who will be unafraid of criticism while demanding similar changes to Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security.
Report Post »Nolan Ryan-s Fastball
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:04amHave to add that there are still some head-scratchers regarding Newt’s current positions on Global Warming and even on Health Care still. He will have to answer for some poor choices in the past and prove he is no longer fooled by progressive policy. We should all be comforted, however, in knowing that Newt never moves forward without the support of the people. He knows he has to stir the pot to make people think and make a decision, he ultimately follows the will of the majority, which is what made him such a great representative. Still, he has a long way to go to convince me that I want him as a presidential, or even vice presidential candidate.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:16pmahhhh i look forward to the safari in 2012 when we get to remove some more rinos and socialist democrats from the ranks of congress
2012 is going to be fun
Report Post »survivorseed
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:44pm2012 is not far away…..you see any possibilities because it looks like the cupboard is bare. Not a working brain between all the GOP candidates so far.
Report Post »Jediusetheforce
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:50pmYou will in 2012..You will be.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:02pm@ jedi
you will be what? are you responding because i labeled you correctly in another post? how about you respond coherently so we know what your talking about so you dont look like a fool
if not, just go away
Report Post »WHITE LOTUS2x
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:43pmNewt would probably be no better than what we have. He would just be easier to get shed of. Jump out Newt, you are not the one that can do the job that has to be done. Too wishy washy. Put your super ego aside and think about whats best for regular people. The ones that realy keep this country going. The ones that find happiness without hurting one single person. Without others having to pay for our happyness out of their pockets. We pay for our own. We get what we can pay for and rite now we cant afford a whole bunch of happiness what with all the crap going on. You Sir are now part of the crap. Lotus.
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:31pmfun and games
Report Post »Whitey4West
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:16pmNewt needs to pack it up. I used to think he was a conservative…
Report Post »Revere1
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:21pmThings aren’t going so well for Gingrich. He needs to step it up! http://www.elephantwatcher.com/2011/05/gingrichs-campaign-off-to-rocky-start.html
Report Post »RightWrite
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:31pmI like the “Newt”, but he is digging himself a whole so deep, it’s going to cave in on him. When listening to him on Rush’s show this morning, I was as confused and frustrated as Rush. El-Rushbo kept trying to help him, but Newt was incomprehensible.
Report Post »GROVERCLEVELANDRLZ
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:36pmNewt is still the same old Neo-Con he always was. He believes that the only way he can market himself now to the United states is as a moderate. He is taking such drastic measures because that is the best way he thinks he can defeat Obama.
Newt is probably shocked at just how far to the right the Republican party has moved in the last 2 years. He was not expecting backlash at what he thought were moderate opinions. He may also have a point that no matter how much we want a conservative to run against obama, doing so may just hand Obama his next 4 years.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:43pmIt’s anyones game for the nomination. I much rather hear Newt‘s solutions than Obama’s “Ah’s Eh hesitations”
Report Post »six6six
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:52pmSounds like Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 6:56pmLEAVE THE FIELD NEWT. DO NOT take good money from good people for your BAD effort.
YOU are an old school jerk and you have nothing we need…NOTHING.
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:04pmLook, it’s like this. We need to get the best we can on the ticket. That may or may not happen. HOWEVER, a small pile of rat turd with bird poop on top would be better than what is in there now!!!!
Report Post »kritacul
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:11pmI thought Newt was shaky going into this BEFORE he decided he was gonna run, because he has been out of the field for a while.
Report Post »He needs to zip his lips and HOPES the Republican Nom picks him as a VP running mate.
Dustyluv
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:36pmRINOs pffffffffffffftttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
Leave Newt and save your money. I would vote for Obama before I vote for you….RINOS are worse than Marxists to me.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:40pmPlease NEWT when we find a GOOD candidate >>> DON’T HELP!
TEA!
Report Post »Intellectual Honesty
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:52pm….Now for the real debate, a pie eating contest Rush vs. Newt……hmm-errrr-uhhh-huckk…..Glenn- quick hand me the bucket!!!
Report Post »ProRef
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:58pmRush rocks, always has…always will. The voice of the people.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:00pmThis is why Rush is highly respected because he doesn’t tow the company line.
Newt was rambling and the problem he has is that he thinks he’s smarter than he actually is – like most democrats.
Rush nailed it again.
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:17pmScrew Newt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »chalkdust
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:20pmAnyone think this was a political stunt? I don’t have any theories, I just think its odd for a seasoned politician to flop around like a dead fish in an interview. He tried to explain it away on a local talk show and I don’t think anyone was convinced. I think some of the more unknown candidates had a better shot at winning the nomination. More over, I think Ron Paul has a better shot at the nomination and I don’t think Ron can win. I never have trusted Newt and Im from Georgia and if the choice was Romney, Newt, Pawlenty or Santorum against Obama I will vote third party or write in. I will not hold my nose and vote for someone I do not trust so we can possibly defeat Obama. The campaign guru’s count on this and use it to there advantage. We will never break the cycle if we all continue to vote like zombies. If you want to restore this great nation, stop voting for these same old professional pukes.
Report Post »WHITE LOTUS2x
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:24pmHe was never a conservative. I dont know what he is. Lotus.
Report Post »mill
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:46pmtoo much goin on in that man’s life to be the president in such bad times…
NEXT PLEASE..
Report Post »Jedrin
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:05pmNewt was never a conservative. He has some serious ethics problems in his closet. He would make a good Liberal professor most anywhere (or conservative at Harvard). He is about the same as McCain. I lived through his term in office, another failed opportunity for freedom.
Report Post »jeffyfreezone
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:30pmI heard this today (sorry Pat and Stu but Rush was my first love). Newt is tap dancing so fast it‘s like someone’s shooting at his feet. He should accept he’s not POTUS material. We don’t WANT an inside the beltway type, we want a say what you mean, mean what you say get it done American.
Report Post »Veritas vos liberabit
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:37pmEarly dementia?? Newt, go home with your new Barbie wife! I was done with him after the “I cheated because I love my country so much”. That has to be in the top 10 dumbest things a man has EVER said. Go Away!
Report Post »chazman
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:55pmLook, Newt. Ya got money. Get the hell outta here while you still can with a last shred of dignity.
Report Post »TexanRon
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:26pmSadly, what he is, is a poltician.
Report Post »vic138
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:39pmNewt has no emotion. There are times it is necessary. Like when you were asked about being racist by David Gregory for calling Obama the first food stamp president. Get angry, don’t talk in the same tone no matter what the question. You’re just giving rehearsed answers, not speaking from your gut. You’re done, finished, get the f out now!
Report Post »Woody WoodBecker
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:51pmNewt went into a long, detailed dissertation of rules and policies he ould put into place to fix healthcare. My main problem with it was that he sounded like a right wing engineer doing some major social engineering.
Repeal and replace is so much easier to understand.
Also, I want to see the free market strengthened and bolstered in a way that makes it very hard for social engineers to ever engineer again regardless of party.
Report Post »BidBerthaDotCom
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:02amNot seeing anything either new or exciting about Newt. The RINO hunt is on, and Newt will be out of the race because of it.
Report Post »KewlBigDan
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:50amSorry Newt, but we need a Untarnished Fighter in the ring this time round.
Report Post »gofigureinternational
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:47amNewt killed his chances several years ago with the Global Warming infomercial with Pelosi. Just write books and leave the Republican Party to conservatives. Though I think Mickey Mouse could defeat BHO if he ran on a TRUE conservative platform!
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:39amI listened to this live and thought that Newt had come to the conclusion that we aren‘t living in your daddy’s America any more and it ain’t worth the expense and hate gauntlet to run as a conservative candidate.
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 10:35amNEWT, GO AWAY!
We dont want your socialized medicine or your pandering.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:09pmCan’t imagine why even Newt, as sad and silly as he is, would give Rush enough credit to go on his show. Rush is at best a side show and often a national disgrace. It is really amazing that an individual can make so much money feeding the angry mob. But I’m sure he is laughing all the way to the bank.
Report Post »DavidD
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:57pmI see Newty is still making NEWs. Why settle for Newt? There are better candidates out there. He’s a slippery establishment type who has repeatedly (REPEATEDLY) shown his true colors. We need to promote fresh talent! Herman Cain is a good example. And there are plenty of others.
Report Post »Libertyluvnmomma
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:23pmNothing sounds more patronizing than Newt calling me “the American people”
I understand perfectly well Newt, you ain’t one of us.
He’s still a slut. A jowly slut.
Report Post »He asked us to forget not forgive.
Wolf
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 6:23pmNewt’s never been more conservative than any RINO can be. Always an excuse maker for why things didn’t go the conservative way, rather than buckling his belt and fighting for conservative issues. The more he opens his mouth, the farther he gets from the conservative base- and Mars isn‘t far enough away as far as I’m concerned. If he gets the GOP nod, I‘m canelling the election or voting dem so I’ll at least know who’s screwing me
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