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Gingrich in Reno talks of concern for Americans
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU
Updated: Feb. 1, 2012 | 6:04 p.m.
RENO -- Fresh off his crushing defeat in the Florida primary, an upbeat Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich enthralled about 200 cheering supporters today , calling for repealing "Obamacare" and promising as president to never bow to a Saudi king.
Unlike some recent speeches, he did not speak entirely negatively about his chief opponent, Mitt Romney, instead calling all his challengers "my friends" who just have a different perspective on how to improve America.
Gingrich said he was not surprised by his defeat in Florida because he was outspent 5-to-1 by Romney.
"We are going to pit people power against money power in this campaign," Gingrich said. "Governor Romney cannot continue to outspend us 5-to-1."
More than 160,000 people have contributed to his campaign, and 97 percent gave less than $250, he said.
He also said he wants to create jobs for all Americans and is concerned about the poor as well as the rich.
"I'm fed up with politicians of either party dividing Americans against each other. I'm concerned about all American people," Gingrich said. "My goal is to take steps so every American can find a job."
He drew loud cheers when he said he would dismantle the existing unemployment compensation system, which now allows some unemployed people to receive benefits for 99 weeks.
"We never again will pay somebody for 99 weeks for doing nothing," Gingrich said. "In that time they could have earned an associate degree."
He spoke for 25 minutes in the crowded Great Basin Brewery restaurant. He arrived at the restaurant 70 minutes late.
At one point, when the sound system wasn't working properly and Gingrich was working to fix a microphone, one patron said, "That's all right, we're all drunk here."
About 200 other Gingrich supporters gathered outside next to Gingrich's bus; they were unable to fit inside the restaurant. Gingrich spent time signing autographs and taking pictures with them.
A campaign spokesman said the Reno event would be his only campaign event for the day in Nevada. He planned to fly to Las Vegas later today. Gingrich earlier had canceled a meeting in Carson City with Gov. Brian Sandoval. No reason was given.
During much of his speech, he discussed familiar themes, such as his plan to issue an executive order to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and promising to dismantle 40 percent of President Barack Obama's government by the time the "defeated" president returns to Chicago.
Twice during the speech, he referred to Obama as "dumb." Gingrich said the president made an "amazing dumb decision" in deciding to postpone until at least 2013 a decision to build the Keystone Pipeline to move oil from Canada to refineries in the United States. He vowed to issue an executive order on his first day in office authorizing the pipeline.
"You (Canada) won't need a Chinese partner because Obama is so dumb," Gingrich said.
He also accused Obama of "declaring war on the Catholic Church" and pledged to "repeal every anti-religious action of the Obama administration." That criticism was in response to Obama's decision to require many employers under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, even those from religious organizations, to offer their female workers birth control insurance coverage.
Supporters at the brewery praised Gingrich for talking straight to the voters.
"He speaks his mind," said 65-year-old Sandy Caldwell of Reno. "So many politicians try to be politically correct."
"He is fearless," said Teddie Fabian, a Reno woman who declined to give her age. "Newt will do well in Nevada because Nevada likes straight-talkers."
Almost everyone in the crowd was middle-aged or older. Many like Gingrich, 68, had white hair. His wife, Callista, famed for her white hair, did not accompany him to Reno.
Kim Bacchus, the Washoe County coordinator for the Gingrich campaign, apologized for scheduling the event at a location that quickly became overcrowded. But she noted she only had 20 hours to find a place for the candidate's speech and the turnout should be an indication of his popularity.
Bacchus said Gingrich has "big ideas," but that a president needs big ideas since Americans must move ahead and excel.
"I believe he has an excellent chance of winning Nevada," she added.
Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.
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Nwet is a disgusting person, cannot be trusted, for open marriage, family wrecker, partly responsible for the huge foreclosure mess, huge medical and drug costs to all, washington insider..total flip flopper say one thing today and other thing tomorrow depending on the crowds, blaming everyone and anything but himself and his ugly wig wearing wife .
Gingrich is talking about concern for Americans. How much concern did he have for his two wives that he double crossed, while both were very ill. He cheats on his second wife by sleeping with his third wife in his second wifes' bed. Where was his concern for these people? Aren't they Americans? Practice what you preach Newt,your past speaks for itself. You can dazzle people with your speeches but deep down a snake is a snake.
Some, repeat some, guys think Gingrich was pretty cool having his girlfriend sleep in his wife's bed. These guys are clueless. Most men repeat men, have a hard time thinking this is cool. Hats off to them. Florida showed that most women thought Gingrich was despicable. Hats off to them. This guy is a slime ball. President? Not no, but HELL NO. Tea Party is making a big mistake backing this idiot, who Obama would crush. Don't waste your vote on this clown, he doesn't deserve it.
Lets see vote for - Santorum who was named the most corrupt senator by CREW (only 3 with that title); vote for Gringich who lied aboutmoney recieved from Freddie Mack; or Mitt who supported the bank bailouts; or for Ron Paul that actually has a plan to cut spending and who wants to follow the Constitution not Wallstreet. Let me think.....
The Newtster had better lose that rhetoric about Paths to Citizenship. Maybe that "Harry Reid" technique of getting Hispanic votes, will get him SOME Hispanic support, but that is ALL he will get. Nevada has the largest percentage per-population of ILLEGALS, than ANY other state (25%). We also have the highest number of unemployed Americans, at over 13%. (12.6% Seasonally Adjusted PR numbers). If this guy is offering 20-30 million illegals residency, PLUS their relatives,........he wouldn't even get elected as a White House Pageboy.
Another reason you don't want Mitt...with 90% of his money coming from coporate donors, his largest donor being Goldman Sachs:
http://readersupportednews.org/video/4-video/9665-crony-capitalism-and-the-history-of-bailouts
I hope conservatives would coalesce around Santorum. I watched him on Senate floor debating for family value, sanctity of life, marriage between a man and a woman, Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) etc. more than any body I know. His family friendly and manufactoruing centered economic policy is sound and vital for US economic growth. Rupert Murdoch (Fox News Owner) said "Santorum is the one with a big idea. He is strong in national security and foreign policy.
it seems to me many people have not yet paid attention to who Santorum is. As they observe further, they will come to a conclusion that Newt & Romney are unreliable and even unlikable. It is by know well known that Romney has been on both sides of important conservative issues like Newt. Newt changed church three times and he is currently with his third wife. Newt divorced twice due to infidelity. Newt and Romney's record and shiftiness will greatly work against them in the general election. Newt is widely believed to be erratic and even arrogant. He even called himself a presumptive republican nominne in IOWA. In SC he asked Santorum and Perry to get out of the race. When there are 46 more states to go, he has the audacity to say "this is a two man race". Newt is for cap & trade; for individual health mandate,; he was for a man made climate change and has not succesfully defended the money he recived from Fannie Mae and Fredidie Mac ( the two quasi-goverment organizations that caused the housing and economic crisis.Those of you who would like to see the winner with almost no political baggages that could be used against him by BHO in the general election, please consider Santorum instead of accepting the medias and some pundits narratives. He even won the last and previous CNN debates based on substance. A vote for Santorum is a vote for a future of our country. Why bother our selves with those who say anything to get our votes, when we have clearly seen a man of principle who meant what he says?
Newt - Sorry we just do not trust a word that comes out of your mouth......because like Obama, you lie a lot!
Mitt cannot beat Obama. Even if he could he would basically have the same unconservative bank puppet policies!
Only Ron Paul in 2012!
Only Ron Paul!!!!
Mitt nor Newt can't beat Obama. Mitt is Obama in a different suit. Even if he did, we would be Obama part II.
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rYP6mmk2QE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Newt----After you get wiped out in Nevada, Please go home.