Is Mob boss Newt Gingrich trying to torpedo McCain in preparation for a 2012 run?

[marmar]

from ThinkProgress:



Did Gingrich Give Marching Orders To House GOP To Vote Against Bailout?»

Now that House Republicans are insisting their vote against the bailout yesterday had nothing to do with Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s supposedly “partisan” speech, some are wondering what in fact turned at least 10 Republican votes Blunt thought he had against the bill.

NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reported this morning that conservatives may have been taking their marching orders from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who “was whipping against this up until the last minute” — despite issuing a statement supporting the bill as the vote was taking place:

MITCHELL: I’m told reliably by leading Republicans who are close to him, he was whipping against this up until the last minute when he issued that face-saving statement. Newt Gingrich was telling people in the strongest possible language that this was a terrible deal, not only that it was a terrible deal, that it was a disaster, it was the end of democracy as we know it, it was socialism. And then at the last minute comes out with a statement when the vote is already in place.

Watch it: http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/30/gingrich-against-bailout/


Reacting to the news, NBC’s Mike Barnicle said he had been told by congressional conservatives that the move was “the opening salvo of Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign four years hence.” Speaking at the National Press Club today, Gingrich denied Mitchell’s claim, saying MSNBC is wrong and probably “deliberately wrong” because its a “stunningly dishonest network.” “I was reluctantly helping it get through,” he said.

Even throughout yesterday, Gingrich’s position was nearly impossible to pin down. On Glenn Beck’s radio show, he admitted, “I’m not sure if I were in the Congress I could vote against it” while also declaring that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson “should be fired” and that the bailout plan “is still a bad bill.” On Fox News last night, he seemed to praise the House’s rejection of the bill: “The vote today indicated that even when they’d worked for five days to try to improve what was really a pretty terrible original plan that sent up, it still couldn’t get a majority in the House.”

Apparently, Gingrich was against the bailout before he was for it — before he was against it again.


http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/30/gingrich-against-bailout/

[AlCzervik]

1. the disciples of Gingrich that are still in the house have effectively deballed the Boner.

he's weak and wounded and imo there is no way Boner will be the house minority leader come January. Gingrich must be so excited. Love or hate the bailout you don't go to the floor without the votes, Pelosi delivered her side and Boner thought he had his--wrong!

[caraher]

2. I can only hope so

An incumbent President Obama will easily take Gingrich in 2012, especially if we can clean up the electronic voting mess. My only worry at the ballot box is that this one is still stealable, and I therefore welcome efforts by Republicans to undermine the McCain candidacy.

[OHdem10]

3. No., Newt is trying to force McCain into the Rock Ribbed Republican

Positions.

Newt and Company are making the last stand for CONSERVATISM.

The Far Right is determined to keep the country Center Right.
(This has gotten us into the Mess we face.)
Conservatives are not ready to move to the Center or God forbid
a little left of Center.

This whole bail out fiasco is more about having Conservatism
dominant in politics than anything else. Do not ever forget
that.