Newt Goes Back Home to Georgia as a Presidential Candidate
EmailABC News’ Arlette Saenz reports:
Newt Gingrich returned home to Georgia Friday night to deliver his first major speech as an official presidential candidate. Gingrich, who served as a representative from the Peach State for 20 years, headlined the Georgia GOP Convention in Macon, Ga., presenting his quest to extend American exceptionalism, revitalize the economy, and redirect the foreign policy interests of the United States.
“The United States of America is in trouble and it needs every possible citizen to come to its aid if we are to remain the great center of freedom, the great developer of prosperity and the provider of safety to our citizens and our friends around the world,” Gingrich said.
Gingrich stressed the importance of focusing the election on policies and initiatives instead of personalities by reinforcing his achievements as speaker of the House and laying out his plans for economic revival and foreign policy.
Gingrich’s plan to reinvigorate the economy rests largely in tax cuts, specifically the elimination of the capital gains tax and the "death tax," setting the corporate tax rate at 12.5 percent, and allowing industries to expense all new equipment.
Gingrich criticized President Obama’s foreign policy positions, saying he “doesn’t understand the real world.”
“We have to fundamentally reset our homeland security and our national security policies building around American interests, to protect American lives, working with those countries that are truly our allies.”
The former speaker of the House acknowledged he doesn’t possess the deep pockets of some potential 2012 contenders but remained determined to conduct his campaign through outreach and the mobilization opportunities available through the Internet.
“I realize in trying to get from here to the nomination that I’m faced with some very fine people, and at least three of them could personally write checks for $60 million or more and not notice it,” Gingrich said. “Well, I want to report to you that while we’ve had a good few years out of office, they ain’t been that good and, furthermore, the kind of campaign I want to run isn’t about somebody writing a giant check.”
Gingrich will address the 150th commencement at Eureka College, the alma mater of President Ronald Reagan, on Saturday before engaging in a 17-stop tour in Iowa next week.
- Arlette Saenz
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Posted by: Doug | May 14, 2011, 1:08 am 1:08 am
This is going to be very interesting every step of the way. The GOP, including Newt, has set such ridiculous standards in their zeal to discredit Obama that none of their candidates will be able to meet those same standards. Plus, Newts’ comment about Obama not understanding the real world is an insult that’s really code talk that discounts Obama’s intelligence. He could have said that Obama doesn’t see the world as he does. But, noooo ! He’s hinting at the stereotyped idea that his insight(and intelligence) is superior. This, in spite of the fact that Obama is a bona fide scholar. He just doesn’t boast about it like Newt does. The fact is that Obama’s academic credentials are superior to his, So, how can his understanding be limited? This is a very sophisticated insertion of racial bigotry. Of course, it’s highly deniable because none of the verbage has racial content.
Posted by: Mike from Carolina | May 14, 2011, 1:26 am 1:26 am
The last time we had a President from Georgia, he destroyed the US economy with give away programs, and it took 8 years to undo, what he did, in just 4 yrs.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | May 14, 2011, 10:52 am 10:52 am
Uh, Georgia…let’s see. Unregulated builders (no good, falling apart after 5 years), Unregulated businesses, (don’t pay workers if they don’t feel like it, no recourse but civil courts..costly to an 10 dollar per hour worker)Literally “right to work” State (hired u yesterday, fired u today without explanation..don’t have to)
Murder capital of the Nation (hidden statistics, Homelessness and HIV capital of the nation, hidden statistics) State and local governments ran like “cowboy” country. Segegrated by race..no mistaken WHO and WHAT really is “running” it…brainwashing in their schools on idealogues, blacks doesn’t Speak up for fear of being FIRED. Illegal immigrants rampant in the State..now the crooked, used car salesman that was elected as governor, signed an anti-illegal bill to “con” for votes, knowing full well those companies there fire Americans and give their jobs to illegal Mexicans for cheaper than 10 dollar an hour jobs…not to many more jobs pay much more. What happened to the “new” south that were paraded..NOT! Next to nothing Public Transportation (haves and have nots) No cover from the Scorching Sun and rain for the elderly that ride the Expensive transit system)
This is what your Country will become under this racist maggot’s administration. You always know a Greedy ignorant when you look at the amount of “dough” he carries on his Frame. “Doughboy” will NEVER be President.
Posted by: raven | May 14, 2011, 10:54 am 10:54 am
Go to Grady..their healthcare and county hospital..wait time for Emergency 2 Days! Unprofessionism and an “I don’t care attitude”…they’ll give you “pills”…that’s it. This is what he’s proud of and will not be Elected to the Presidency of the U.S. Why does these little boys have so many unresolved boyhood issues? Until they know WHO and What they are…wouldn’t follow them “around the block”…
sorry, writing a comic, real life experience book about the mentality and modern life in Georgia.
MLKJr. would be soooo disappointed that heads remains in the sand down there. Egotistical maniacs that are satisfied with their “chevy” C-Class following the “devils” down the materialistic path of self-destruction. Pastors raping boys while being defended by their phony “followers” Uses the word GOD, all the while “robbing” and misusing another (sound familiar)? Yep, they are being “taught” to speak “self-righteously” of themselves to fool others…visiting there anything soon? Just observe and listen. It’s sad. But for those that has their head in the sand…or “clay” mess…it’s NORMAL.
Posted by: raven | May 14, 2011, 11:12 am 11:12 am
Newt is counting his “chickens” to run on a “racial agenda” and name calling. This man don’t measure to the gum on Obama’s long arse shoes!
Posted by: raven | May 14, 2011, 11:19 am 11:19 am
Watched you on Meet the Press and saw you try to wiggle out of the Kenyon nonesense you spread daily and at the same time I read the Atlanta Journal Constitution and realized you owe back taxes on many of your companies which by the way not all were successful and to say as you did things (payments?) got lost in the mail is the lamest thing I heard you say. Also in the AJC is Politico claiming your facts on you reducing the unemployment rate to 4% during your term is FALSE> I see you are starting off trying to fool the public once again and you fluffed over the part where Gregory asked you about the country being the cause of your affairs as you said. You are a good talker but not a good enough one to fool all of us. Thank God. You are still the same sleezy person you always was but with a little more polish.
Posted by: Talmag | May 15, 2011, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm
I forgot to mention that Gingrich said Obama is weak on international policies and keeping this country safe. By the way, did you read OBAMA captured Bin Laden and not with a war but with intelligence. Bush had no interest in trying and he said so. One comment was I don’t know where he is and I don’t care. That from the president who promised to get him and was a part of the 9/11 fiasco. This president promised to find him and kill him and HE DID. Take that Gingrich.
Posted by: Talmag | May 15, 2011, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm