Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich announced Thursday that he had formed an exploratory committee, taking one of the most colorful and controversial political leaders in America closer to launching a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
Speaking at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta, Gingrich said he is launching a website for his exploratory committee, but he did not formally announce he is running for the Republican nomination.
"We will look at this very seriously and very methodically and lay out a framework for what we will do next," Gingrich said.
The former House speaker played up American exceptionalism in his remarks and at the website.
America's greatness lies in 'We the People.' We are a nation like no other, noted Gingrich. To remain so will require the dedicated participation of every citizen, of every neighborhood, of every background. This is the responsibility of a free people.
We are excited about exploring whether there is sufficient support for my potential candidacy for president of this exceptional country, added Gingrich.
Gingrich has placed third or fourth in most early polls. While almost every poll had found that Gingrich has placed behind two candidates who ran for the Republican nomination in 2008 -- former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee -- Gingrich has usually run even with or closely behind former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Most polls have found Gingrich far outpacing the other possible candidates in the field, including former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, former Gov. George Pataki of New York, former Gov. Bob Riley of Alabama and former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton. Three other candidates -- former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer, businessman Herman Cain and activist Fred Karger -- have already launched exploratory committees prior to Gingrich.
First elected to Congress in 1978, Gingrich, who is 67, wielded the gavel for four years. During that time, Gingrich commanded attention, including being named Time magazines Man of the Year back in 1995 for his leadership style and confrontations with Democrats led by then-President Bill Clinton. While Gingrich was able to lead Republicans to some victories in implementing the Contract With America, including welfare reform, the Republican majority failed to deliver on passing term limits and a federal balanced budget amendment. Gingrich was blamed by a good section of the American public for the federal government shutdown in 1995 and was targeted by a leadership challenge from fellow Republicans and faced accusations about ethics violations.
After the Republicans lost seats in the 1998 election cycle, Gingrich stepped down as speaker and left Congress. Since that time, Gingrich has been advising Republicans on policy, writing books and producing documentary films with his third wife Callista. Gingrichs committee website prominently features his wife, with whom he began a romantic relationship in 1993 while still married to his second wife.
The former speaker considered entering the 2008 Republican presidential primaries but declined to do so. Gingrich converted from the Southern Baptist faith to Roman Catholicism in 2009.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
