Saturday, October 16, 2010

Gingrich for…..well, Gingrich!

Former House Speaker and potential 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich raised a staggering $4 million dollars from June – September, far outpacing the fundraising efforts of other possible 2012 Presidential aspirants Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty. Yet despite raising eye popping amounts of cash, Gingrich is acting more like Ging-Grinch, doling a mere $1,000 to a lone GOP candidate, during July and August.

You read that right -- $1,000! Ah, you're a fine one Mr. Grinch, as Dr. Suess would say.

Gingrich’s has two political groups he uses to raise cash. His main operational focus is centered on American Solutions, registered under Section 527 of the Tax Code, allowing it to accept unlimited donations from individuals and corporations. However, unlike other potential candidates PACs, American Solutions can not donate directly to candidates running for office, nor can these funds be used by Gingrich should he stop playing coy and decide on a future run.

Newt’s other group – American Solutions PAC – can raise money and use it to support candidates. However, it raised an anemic $137,000 during July and August. It ended the period with $133, 000 in the till. It managed to squeeze out a $1,000 donation to Iowa congressional candidate Brad Zaun. The PACs set up by Romney, Palin and others rely on donations from individuals, capped at a maximum of $5,000 per year. These PACs can and do donate directly to candidates running for office.

The 527 group uses its cash to pay for Gingrich’s travel, staff and other expenses, thus allowing him to appear around the nation at numerous personal, Radio and TV appearances bashing President Obama, urging Americans to vote Republican this November and airing his trademark inflammatory opinions, as the GOP's Chief Bloviator. However stumping for and donating to GOP candidates running during this cycle does not seem to rank to high on his agenda.

According to Politico: "By comparison, Romney’s Free and Strong America PACs donated a total of $532,000 in contributions the third quarter, while Palin’s Sarah PAC doled out $93,500 in donations and Pawlenty’s Freedom First PACs doled out more than $197,000 in the third quarter."

Gingrich has polled very well recently among Republicans for the 2012 Nomination, but he has coyly sidestepped any confirmation of a run. The former Speaker prefers to act the flirt, rather than accept the invitation to dance. Having the fundraising infrastructure needed for a national run, Gingrich’s complete lack of effort on the behalf of others, suggests Newt is in the fundraising game for the benefit Newt. Come 2012, it is almost certain Gingrich will be the happy traveler, pontificating on the issues, raising cash and remaining on the sidelines, a place he seems the most comfortable.

9 comments:

Bill589 said...

Newt’s glory days as speaker and balancing the budget is before my time. While I know most of what the LSM says about Republicans is not true, if half of the negative stuff I hear about Newt in the ‘90s is true, then he has a lot of baggage that might interfere with a presidential run.

Anonymous said...

There is no doubt in my mind that Newt is only throwing out this maybe I'll run crap, to make himself wealthy, push up the price of his speaking engagements and lastly, to push his new book and religious DVD sales.

How about his spamming of Doctors with the promise of an award, for a price? Gingrich is a phony.

John

Anonymous said...

I used to respect Gingrich. I used to think he put the country first. Now I realize it was a sham. He is only interested in pushing his own agenda. That agenda is making lots of money.

MITT 12

Doug NYC GOP said...

Thanks for commenting. You should all consider registering -- this is going to be a very fun, thought provoking and entertaining site.

Bos has done a very good job creating this. Hope to see you all here frequently.

BOSMAN said...

Great Post Doug, FRONT PAGE MATERIAL! Wait, it is FRONT PAGE!

HaHaHaHa!!!

Nothing surprises me anymore with Gingrich after reading about his Awards for sale scam. It seems to fit his M.O.

John & MITT 12, I agree with Doug. You should sign up. If your worried about giving your email address, then sign up at a free site like Hushmail.com. I use them myself. Don't sign up there as Santa clause or Godzilla, they're already taken.

BOSMAN said...

Doug,

Why do our posts look much better here than at ROS?

HaHaHaHa!

Martha said...

Bosman, this site is waaaay better than ROS! It looks better, and is much more user-friendly. You've done a great job.

Newt is Newt. I really don't understand his support in the polls. It's not like we haven't all had plenty of time to know the man by now.

Good post, Doug. I'm simply appalled at the $1,000 donation. I can't believe ANYONE sends this man money.

Revolution 2012 said...

Isn't nice to be able to raise large amounts of money in a 529 group, then spend it on yourself, any way you want. Gingrich puts the slime in slimy.

BOSMAN said...

Martha,

Upload your avatar to your profile. You can sign in at the very top of the page to do this. I miss those flowers!