Newt Gingrich Wants Freddie Mac Records Released Before Florida Primary
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In response to lobbying accusations from his opponents Newt Gingrich told me it would be “very helpful” if his former company, Center for Health Transformation, released the consulting contract he had with mortgage giant Freddie Mac before the Florida primary on January 31.
“I think it would be very helpful and our attorneys are talking with the company. You know I left the company so, it’s their decision and Nancy Desmond, the president of the company, has to make the decision. But I’d be very comfortable releasing them,” he said.
Since Gingrich won Saturday’s South Carolina primary, Mitt Romney has upped the attacks on the former Speaker. In Florida last night Romney questioned the work Gingrich did for Freddie Mac and asked for him to release those records.
“Over the last, what, 15 years, since he left the House, he talks about great bold movements and ideas. Well, what’s he been doing for 15 years? He has been working as a lobbyist. He was working as a lobbyist and selling influence around Washington,” Romney said. “He was working for Freddie Mac — heard of those guys? He says that he’s just been a historian, I would like him to release his records, what was his work product?”
Gingrich said his former company is working around the confidentiality agreements and added that he found it “ironic” that Romney is the one advocating for this release.
“Here’s someone who has released none of his business records, who has decided to make a stand on transparency without being transparent,” Gingrich told me.
“I did no lobbying, period. [Romney] keeps using the word lobbyist because I’m sure his consultants tell him it scores well. It’s not true. He knows it’s not true. He is deliberately saying things he knows are false. I just think that’s what the next week will be like,” he said.
With nine days until Floridians vote, Gingrich previewed his criticism of Romney, who is currently leading in most polls in the sunshine state.
“I want to talk about big issues. I want to talk about Romneycare. I want to draw a contrast between Romneycare and Obamacare, which are virtually identical and what I would do in developing patient power and allowing people and their doctors to be in charge,” Gingrich said. “So we’ll see, I think the people of Florida will prefer big solutions to small negative attacks. And I think in the end just as happened in South Carolina, Governor Romney’s liberal record in Massachusetts plus the style of his campaign will end up I think having him lose.”
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Posted by: newcountryman | January 23, 2012, 8:16 am 8:16 am
“You show me yours and I’ll show you mine!” ridiculous! Both of these men are pathetic and will lose in November. Vanity Fair has a very good article about Romney. As for using the word “lobbyist” because it scores well with the voters; Gingrich literally wrote the book on the catch phrases so he should not be surprised when it is used against him.
Posted by: pksk531 | January 23, 2012, 8:24 am 8:24 am
Everybody knows he played the lobbyist and was payed as one. Yet he insists he wasn’t one. Like Clinton and his “no sexual relations” line. Ok, whatever you say. The moon is made of green cheese and lobbyists don’t own DC.
Posted by: sameagain | January 23, 2012, 8:43 am 8:43 am
If Newt Gingrich receives the nomination, I’ll be voting for Obama in November. I think Gingrich is a consummate politician and not executive office material. I think he is very clever and knows what to say, how to say it and when to say it. For me personally, who he is speaks so loudly, I cant hear what he’s saying. I see him as an influence peddling, pandering, philandering, wordsmith. I think he hates Romney vehemently because he sees Romney as a threat to his influence peddling way of life. I’d vote for Romney, Paul, Santorum, but not Gingrich. He should have a doctorate in Politics but not the presidency.
Posted by: Mike | January 23, 2012, 9:18 am 9:18 am
The folks in the media are clueless.
In the debates:
Mitt Romney’s attitude and stuttering when asked tough questions reminds us of a shady used car salesman and that is why we don’t like him.
Rick Santorum seems like a nice guy but when he attacks in a debate he doesn’t attack face to face which shows a weakness in his character or slight dishonesty on his part.
Ron Paul is like that crazy uncle that most people have and can’t be taken seriously.
Newt Gingrich is like the bully in school who wants to fight with everyone to show just how tough he is.
Americans want someone who is a fighter.
Obama is going to be a tough fight and we know there is only one GOP candidate who could fight him and win and that is Newt.
It’s time for the media to stop badmouthing Newt because he will be the GOP candidate for President.
Get on board and support Newt or we will all be stuck with Obama for 4 more years.
Posted by: Dave | January 23, 2012, 9:24 am 9:24 am
@ Mike – You would vote for Obama anyways. What a loser!
Posted by: Steve | January 23, 2012, 9:30 am 9:30 am
Gingrich bounced checks in the congressional check-kiting scandal. He violated federal tax law and got censured by his political peers. He lied to the committee and ended up paying a fine. He resigned in disgrace as speaker. He took public money for influencing Congress. He cheated on his wives. Now he wants us to believe he is a conservative who can reform Washington. What a joke!
Posted by: Steve S | January 23, 2012, 9:38 am 9:38 am
This is going to be fun…
Posted by: Nobland | January 23, 2012, 9:50 am 9:50 am
What Type OF CONSERVATIVE would be UNLOYAL TO TWO different WIFE’S who were both Terminally ILL, and than divorced both of them while they were DYING?? was it his personal conservative doctrine that got him $300 K ethics Violations FINE even he’s unloyal his belive’s?? ARE these example of CONSERVATIVE BEHAVIOR?????? Hey, Newt, how bout clarifying why the ENTIRE CONGRESS REPRIMANDED YOU AND FINED YOU $300,000 BY A VOTE OF 395 – 27,,,,, AND FORCED YOU TO RESIGN IN DISGRACE FROM SOH????? First SOH to do that??? And you’re worried about Romney being dishonest…… Hundreds Poll demorat want crook newt because obama win land slide..only mitt can beat
He’s a curmudgeon of the highest order
Posted by: lis | January 23, 2012, 9:52 am 9:52 am
We know Newts past. We know about the Freddi/Fannie mess. We know there isn’t one credable politician who will represent the people unless forced to. Once again it’s a choice on who is not the worst of the bunch. Ansd once Obama has had his next 4 years, the only choice we will have is a pack of Republicans like we see now. The only real solution is a tax payer revolt. The people have to scare the politicians out of their ever loving minds.
Posted by: Wayne | January 23, 2012, 9:59 am 9:59 am
Lis (9:52 AM); Now this comment is funny. Lis, go to the investigation tab on ABC and look at Gingrich’s second wife…she’s ALIVE! Better yet, Google snopes to see how this rumor got it’s legs.
Posted by: newcountryman | January 23, 2012, 10:05 am 10:05 am
It’s time for the media to stop badmouthing Newt because he will be the GOP candidate for President. Get on board and support Newt or we will all be stuck with Obama for 4 more years. Posted by: Dave | January 23, 2012, 9:24 am.
Badmouthing him by reporting what he’s said and what he’s done? Yeah, how dare they! If the Right is really stupid enough to select him as their man to beat Obama, it will absolutely positively guarantee four more years of Obama. Newt, for some inexplicable reason, has a modicum of appeal amongst some on the Right, all of his many many problems notwithstanding. He does NOT have a shred of support among the Independents, who actually select the president. He will not have the support of the Evangelicals, or most women for that matter. He’s burned too many bridges with stupid statements to appeal to any Minority demographic. So he would get crushed in a general election. Obama is praying that the Right picks him…
Posted by: A Cynic | January 23, 2012, 10:11 am 10:11 am
It’s easy to call for the release of your records when you know your former employer has confidentiality agreements in their contracts they can’t break. How convenient for Newt…
He can call for their release knowing full well that they won’t. So he can appear to be transparent without having to deal with the consequences of actually BEING transparent.
Posted by: James | January 23, 2012, 10:40 am 10:40 am
is influence peddling different from lobbying? What did he do for Mill.s of dollars then? If he did nothing, he was just stealing form the taxpayers.
Posted by: Ken Stocker | January 23, 2012, 10:40 am 10:40 am
Newt has a perfect strategy – tell his partners to “wink, wink” release the documents, knowing that they have his back – the members of the firm will cover for him and themselves – don’t want the tax paying rubes to see how much they rake in from influence peddling.
Newt is a flim flam artist. He’s been making a living as a DC insider for years. Why is it that congress-folk never move home after they finish their stints? Once in the DC fraternity, always in the club.
Posted by: Mary in CO | January 23, 2012, 10:48 am 10:48 am
A thought – doesn’t NEWT have a copy of the contract? Since Fannie/Freddie likely cannot release due to government regulations, why doesn’t HE do it? Not what he says, but what he DOES that gets him in trouble.
Posted by: pksk531 | January 23, 2012, 10:55 am 10:55 am
All records from Fannie and freddie should be shown just like all the Mortages banks and financial institutions including Irs deductions they claimed for so called losses ! All Debt collectors (illegal debt collectors ) should also have to follow suit since they are all corrupt and charging false charges for the people and placing so much fraudulant false information destroying peoples credit records !
Posted by: Mary | January 23, 2012, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
POSTED BY: LIS | JANUARY 23, 2012, 9:52 AM 9:52 AM, ok they democrats got him on ONE ethnic violation after they tried with 86 other which had no foundation. How about the MORE than ONE violatioin from WATERS and RANGLE, right they are democrats and they are as white as new fallen snow.
Posted by: Lizzie | January 23, 2012, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
Note to Newt: The only patients that have “power” are those that can afford health insurance. Forget any “patient” with a pre-existing condition. I was quoted a rate of 3200 a month WITH a 15000 deductible. Can’t afford it. So you and your audience would, of course, cheer on my death. Thankfully, it looks like I’m going to make it to 65 this April and medicare. Well, at least I’ll be insured until one of you republicans get in.
Posted by: kateo | January 23, 2012, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
I guess having someone in the white house who has been found guilty for ethics violations and his multiple marriages is the all American way? You are absolutely right America has become aware of the new Republiklan party! Read the records of Santorum and Gingrich then come back and continue the hateful teachings of the party of no!!! I certainly did not hear nos coming from you party when Bush was in office, you seem to think America forgot who put us in this position, so stop playing these games, and talking down about this president, when we all know Bush did more harm to this country and for 8years could not catch Bin-Laden!!!
Posted by: anan | January 23, 2012, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
”Joe Paterno was a good friend. I had used him while I was Speaker as an advisor in personnel issues. He was remarkably wise,” said Newt Gingrich at the start of the GMA video attached to this story. Excuse me???? (A) Why would Newt or anyone use Joe Paterno, a college football coach, as an advisor on personnel issues (presumably in the U.S. Congress) and (B) why would possess Newt to admit that he did so now in spite of Joe’s well reported UTTER MORAL FAILURE in personnel management that was clearly far from “remarkably wise?” What could be gained by mentioning that? SERIOUSLY??? ABC News – are you going to follow up on that? Hello?
Posted by: Shocked | January 23, 2012, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm