Gingrich Not Presidential Material

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich not only seems to be on a downhill slide in the polls, he can't help but to trip over himself on the way down.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Former Speaker of the House and Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich made a town hall style campaign stop to Oskaloosa Tuesday evening, that’s the good part.

I saw Newt recently at the Reagan Dinner held by the Iowa GOP in Des Moines recently, and was fairly impressed with his ability to engage the crowd and his stage presence. He spoke of engaging Obama in debates and didn’t attack his GOP rivals, an entertaining speech.

Gingrich has recently released a TV ad here in Iowa where he’s calling for civility in a campaign, but yet, he acts aggressive towards the media. This approach has won him some applause, but also some scrutiny.

Like it not Mr. Gingrich, the media does serve a purpose in American society. They stand as a check and balance for the government and the people. If politicians believe they can act this way, not only towards the media when they are a candidate, but also to American citizens by telling them to go vote for Obama because they may not agree with something, it will do nothing but alienate you even further.

The Speaker was working the floor of Smokey Row in downtown Oskaloosa when I was finally able to approach him for my question. I started with “I was just curious, today’s endorsement from The Family Leader”, and I was cut off by the Speaker with him telling me, “oh, I’m not getting into that.” He then turns around to correct me to tell me it was Bob Vander Plaats and not the Family Leader that I was referring to.

Of course if the Speaker had allowed me to finish the sentence that made up my question, he would have heard I was well aware of who didn’t endorse him (the CEO of Family Leader Bob Vander Plaats endorsed Santorum) and to also talk about the endorsements he had picked up during the day.

This is the first time a candidate has openly refused to even finish hearing the question since I have been doing this. What does this speak of the character of the man? Will he be unwilling to listen to those around him in the future if he were elected President?

Some local people had become aware of what had just happened and approached the Speaker’s staff over this concern, but the Speaker was now busy getting his makeup on for his appearance on Fox News – ‘The O’Rielly Factor’ that was broadcast from the square in Oskaloosa. I was told by the staff that I would have an opportunity with the Speaker. Time clicked away, and when I asked the staff about this, they asked me if a phone call would work. I agreed.

I have yet to get that phone call to help clear this up.

I also want to remind you, Speaker Gingrich, that indeed the town you were in was indeed Oskaloosa. You stood before the bright lights of the Fox News camera asking them, “What town is this? This is Oskaloosa right?”

I understand you being upset Mr. Speaker about the loss of that endorsement, but to act in this manner is not becoming of a president.