New York Times profiles Newt Gingrich
March 2, 2009 at 12:39 pm by Thomas Wheatley in News
Newt Gingrich received the glossy treatment from the New York Times Magazine this weekend.
The former Republican House Speaker wants to become a guiding light for the once powerful political party that’s trying to find its way.
On a possible 2012 run for president:
Gingrich said he was focused on building his own movement, his party of the American people. “Now, if in that process I end up helping to shape the ideas and the language and the solutions that for a long period of time define the choices in America, then I’ve succeeded,” he said. “If in that process personal ambition leads to the presidency, that’s fine, but it’s a secondary achievement, I think.”
I said I doubted anyone could be elected president if he actually felt that way.
“I think I’m closer to Benjamin Franklin than to George Washington,” Gingrich told me. “I’m a contributor to my country and to my times. If it turns out that there’s a moment when it makes sense to run, then I’ll run. But if I end up never being able to run, then it won’t devastate me.”
Not a lot of new Newt news there, but it’s worth a read. Even if only for the mental image of Gingrich blurting out “The 1913 Girl Scouts’ Manual!” while discussing steel plants closing.
(Photo by Joeff Davis)
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