We always thought Newt should never, ever have cozied up on that love seat with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2008 to do that goofy climate-change ad for Al Gore.
And, indeed, it appears he’s still working hard to explain himself — about that and many other matters.
GOP endorsement game: Guess which presidential candidate each Republican insider will support, and come back later to track your progress.
We got an invitation the other day from legendary conservative fundraiser Richard Viguerie and veteran Republican strategist Diana Banister telling us that, “at the request of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich,” they had “arranged a private time for him to meet with a small group of conservative leaders and ask that you be part of the group.”
The meeting is in Rosslyn on Wednesday — Pearl Harbor Day — from 9 to 11 a.m. The duo acknowledged that “this is short notice, but we think it is important that leaders of the conservative movement receive a personal update” from Gingrich “on the status of his campaign for president, his strategy for winning the nomination and beating Barack Obama and the role that conservatives will have in the Gingrich campaign and, if elected, a Gingrich White House.”
Yes! Now you’re talking jobs. Okay. Not going to be greedy. We don’t need an ambassadorship. (Senate confirmation would be dicey.) But consul in Florence would do just fine.
“This will not be a typical meet and greet,” the e-mail said, “but an opportunity for you to engage in a serious conversation about the future of our country.”
But it’s only two hours, so “we want to hold a tight schedule.” During the first 45 minutes “we will mingle, take photos and have informal conversations,” the e-mail said. Then “Newt will make his formal remarks” for 30 minutes, and the last 45 minutes will be Q&A.
“Time is short,” the invitation noted. “The Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida nominating contests will conclude in just two months,” and this meeting “is one of the few opportunities conservative leaders will have” to get together before then.
“This is not a fundraiser nor is this an endorsement,” Viguerie and Banister said, noting that they hadn’t endorsed anyone yet. They went on to specify that if the invitee is actively supporting another candidate, “we certainly respect your decision but we must request” that you don’t come.
This meeting “is a chance for leaders of the conservative movement to see if Newt would govern as a conservative, including filling his administration with conservatives.” (Jobs galore!)
The meeting is closed to the press, photo ID is required, “and we would appreciate it if you kept the date and location confidential,” Viguerie and Banister said.
No problem. Mum’s the word.
Parties go on at 1600 Penn
Various agencies, including the Justice Department and the CIA, are cutting back on holiday parties this year, noting the budget crisis and the president’s executive order last month directing them to cut spending on travel, swag, smartphones, printing and so on.
But when it comes to fancy holiday parties, nothing beats the two dozen or so at the White House that will see 12,000 or so guests munching on wonderful hors d’oeuvres and dining in the State Dining Room on the lamb chops, shrimp and other fine cuisine laid out on a long buffet. And the eggnog.
Campaign 2012 tools
The Post Most: PoliticsMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hours
Featured Blogs & Columns
Loading...
Comments