Candidate Betting Game Continues: Gingrich Wagers $10
EmailLONDONDERRY, N.H.–Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry might not be a betting man, but Newt Gingrich is.
Gingrich said today that he wants to make a bet with Mitt Romney after Romney went on “Fox and Friends” this morning and said Gingrich should give back the money he made as a consultant for bailed-out home mortgage corporation Freddie Mac.
“I love the way he and his consultants do those things. I would just say that if Governor Romney would like to give back all the money he’s earned on bankrupting companies and laying off employees over his years if being, then I would be glad to then listen to him, and I’ll bet you $10, not $10,000 that he won’t take the offer,” Gingrich said.
Romney on Saturday night offered to bet Perry was wrong at the ABC News debate when Perry suggested Romney left a line out of a reprint of his book, No Apologies concerning backing healthcare mandates. Romney said he would bet $10,000 that Perry’s comments weren’t true.
“He must have been really sure of himself,” Gingrich said about Romney’s bet. “I wouldn’t bet that amount of money.”
Gingrich said he was “startled” by the bet comment because he knows Perry very well. “I couldn’t imagine he could cover a bet like that. He’s been a public servant all his career,” Gingrich said.
Perry said the Romney bet was “out of touch” and “pocket change for Mitt.”
The most costly part of Gingrich’s $10 bet for Romney today isn’t the money, but the possibility that Gingrich is actually going to bat with the Romney campaign, retorting the negative ads being put out by the Romney campaign with catchy and digging lines against Romney. One example is in the ABC News debate when Gingrich said the only reason Romney wasn’t a career politician is because he lost to Ted Kennedy in 1994.
Another possible costly situation for Romney is that Gingrich is gaining in the polls in New Hampshire and threatening Romney’s former place as front runner across the nation. But Gingrich said today that the candidates are “all vulnerable everywhere.”
“I think every voter is very worried about this country’s future. Every voter is going to reserve the right to change their mind up until the last minute and anybody who thinks any lead is safe anywhere is very foolish,” Gingrich said.
Gingrich will continue to campaign today, holding a debate with Jon Huntsman and a town hall later this evening Windham, N.H. before going back to Iowa Wednesday.
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The fact Gingrich talks this way about the fortune he got for “not lobbying” shows he is at least as out of touch as Romney.
Posted by: Greggw | December 12, 2011, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
Both Newt and Mitt are giving Democrats tons of great ad ideas……….
Posted by: Searambler | December 12, 2011, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
Whenever Ron Paul speaks or answers a question, he is very clear and unambiguous. He seems to have no contradictory baggage that the other candidates can use to attack him. I think that’s why he’s in second place, despite the fact that the establishment media has marginalized him since the get-go. It stands to reason that the “establishment” would try to sideline a candidate that wouldn’t be their puppet after being elected. Ron Paul is the real deal!
I’m voting Ron Paul!
Posted by: David | December 12, 2011, 3:46 pm 3:46 pm
Gingrich has no standing. Romney made money the old fashioned way; he earned it. The ONLY reason this is a story is because idiots tweeted the hell out of it. It is uncontroversial as all get out.
Newt did rather well in the debate, but got booed loudly when calling Mitt on the 1994 loss to Ted Kennedy. If you’re a statesman, the adult in the room, stay away from low blows like that. And if you’re caught in a lie about what’s in Mitt’s book with a worldwide audience, and you can’t face the challenge of backing up what you say, just step off of the train, please. Perry will not be missed.
Posted by: safari man | December 12, 2011, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
@SAFARI MAN By Romney’s own admission in the debate on 12/10/2011, he said he didn’t grow up poor, which is an understatement to say the least. So, to say he made his money by EARNING it is a little misleading. When you start off with your dad’s connections and wealth, you’d have to be a fool to not be able to grow richer. You make it sound as if he didn’t have that enormous advantage.
I’d say that Romney did make his money the old fashioned way, he inherited it and acted as though he did it on his own. Hubris is typical with the financial and political elite. Another thing that is typical of the financial elite is their use of politics and legislation to keep their kind on top. Romney is both a part of the financial and political elite. Doesn’t that give you pause?
Posted by: David | December 13, 2011, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm