Gingrich on Misleading Media Reports: I Never Said “I Crossed the Line”

Earlier today The Politico reported that Newt Gingrich believed his criticism of Mitt Romney’s record at Bain Capital was a mistake and he admitted he “crossed a line.”

This afternoon the Gingrich Campaign sent out a statement saying the Politico article is misleading.

Newt 2012 released the following statement from Press Secretary R.C. Hammond responding to misleading reports on an exchange Newt Gingrich had with a voter in Spartanburg, SC regarding Mitt Romney’s record at Bain Capital (during which the phrase “I crossed the line” was never uttered from Newt, despite the headline from Politico):

“This issue at hand is neither about Bain Capital, private equity firms, nor about capitalism. It is about Mitt Romney’s judgment and character. It was Governor Romney’s decision to base his candidacy, in large part, on his background as a portfolio manager. Thus, it is entirely legitimate to ask questions about whether he is accurately presenting how he conducted himself during that career.

“Reports by the Wall Street Journal and others contradict Governor Romney’s claims that it was his goal at Bain Capital to make companies more successful. In fact, there were cases where Bain Capital made huge profits and left companies bankrupt. Further reports have cast doubt on Governor Romney’s claim that he was responsible for 100,000 jobs being created thanks to his work at Bain Capital.

“Instead of accepting the responsibility to answer questions about his business background, the Romney campaign is throwing up a smokescreen about an attack on capitalism. That’s just more pious baloney from Mitt Romney and his campaign.”

#1 January 11, 2012 at 5:55 pm
TammyChicago commented:

Surprise, surprise. Pollutico embellished a story???? Yes, and water is wet.
#2 January 11, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Sam commented:

Someone needs to grab Newt by the collar and slap some sense into him. “Huge profits and left companies bankrupt”? This is the language of the left. What kind of Republican says “huge profits” in a negative way. Newt is shooting himself in the foot. First quoting the New York Times about the documentary and now this? The conservatives are supposed to be pushing Mitt LEFT, not coming from the LEFT to push Mitt RIGHT. This is simply embarrasing. Perry’s joined in to, calling Romney a “vulture capitalist”. WHAT AM I HEARING HERE? This is the language of the Democrats. What is Perry doing? Is he trying to appeal to the Occupy Wall Street goons (Not really surprised, he used to be a Democrat).

Simply embarrassing, and they need Ron Paul of all people to tell them that they’re talking nonsense and demagoguing the issue.
#3 January 11, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Gini commented:

A company is taken over not because it is successful, rather due to failing. People invest money to turn the company around. Some employees will lose their jobs as things change, and some new people will come in. The purpose of venture capitalism is not charity, but rather to make the company profitable and make money for the people investing, it’s a gamble whether or not things will work out. It is extremely risky business and one necessary for growth and development.

Only socialists think making money is somehow dirty and beneath them.

I highly doubt if Gingrich and Santorum have any understanding of how business works. They both strike me as being pie in the sky.
#4 January 11, 2012 at 6:22 pm
bg commented:

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Politico = authors of the Bialek bible.. /s/

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#5 January 11, 2012 at 6:24 pm
Brian/MASSS commented:

I am sick to my stomach that I wanted to vote for NEWT! He has just proved to us that he was just as much a wolf in sheeps clothing like Obama, this is antibusiness/antiprofit and he sounds like an “occupy member.” Conservative my b*t*, Mr. Speaker what are you thinking???? I am in management, I have to fire, layoff people (people who I personally like and enjoy working with). If I run for office does that mean we can line up all those people and interview them about why I let them go, that I am a bad guy for making budgets work and being profitable even the worst economic conditions I have seen in my life…..Sorry NEWT, Sorry RICK, I’m voting for Mitt!!!
#6 January 11, 2012 at 6:29 pm
bg commented:

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could be worse, he could have called it “Vulture Capitalism”..

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#7 January 11, 2012 at 6:37 pm
valerie commented:

Guys, it is possible to abuse the corporate form. Here’s one way its done.

http://legalinsurrection.com/2011/12/bringing-up-romneys-bain-problem-is-not-socialist/
#8 January 11, 2012 at 6:46 pm
donh commented:

Our whole country is being fed on by a flock of vultures. I am not at all happy about the prospect of playing defense lawyer for a rich wall street corporate raider for the coming year. The party best do something NOW to gain more cooperation from the Tea Party….Announce Dick Lugie will not seek re-election. Clear out some old timers and let fresh Tea faces into Congress with solid backing and no primary.
#9 January 11, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Skip commented:

Gingrich has nothing to apologize about. Romney trashed him and now Romney will be the GOP candidate vs. Obama.

He has no chance. America will continue it’s path towards Socialism under the guidance of Barack Hussein Obama.
#10 January 11, 2012 at 7:41 pm
ogee commented:

I hope Newt spills all the beans on Romney how Mitt is a closet dem and is not different than obama. Mitt didn’t create jobs-he made his money off unsuspecting lower middle class who lost it all including jobs. Gloves off Newt. Let him have it.

Romney is obama. What are they going to debate about. Romney flip flops on abortion. He has illegals working for him for $8/hr. The list is long. Mitt stands for everything you people are against (or were against just 2 short months ago) Mitt will carry on where obama left off. Yeah mitt will get rid off obamacare just like he got rid of romneycare ……not. Are you people in the dark? Turn the fn light on.

Debate who is supported more by wall street….obama or mitt. Mitt is a one term gov and was run out of Mass. They all know he is really a dem posing as a conservative and a first class crook. He’s no more conservative than my cat is. How to does it feel to be lied to? Go after him Newt! let it rip! You have been doing it for three years speaking your mind. Keep going! ( I’m not a newt supporter-I support the truth)
#11 January 11, 2012 at 7:41 pm
CT commented:

Asshat Newt needs to find his hidey-hole.
#12 January 11, 2012 at 7:44 pm
ogee commented:

geez it looks like there are alot of new mitt supporters here making comments. Must be liberals posing as conservatives just like mitt is and does.
#13 January 11, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Bailout Vulture Capitalist commented:

Before anyone else takes Gingrich to task, there is n unairedvad from 1994, that shreds RINO Romney. Regardless of its creator, the supporting documentation and records has years ago been obtained by newspapers

Bain & Co: The 1994 Ad By Sen. Ted Kennedy Which Will Floor Mitt RomBOT In 2012 (never aired).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdYx19temU8

Mitt has predecessor fire hundreds of employees the day he took over, a federal baillout of $10 million saves the company, Romney’s company fails to pay back at least $10 million to a failed bank and Romney and others rake in $4 million dollars.

Romney the venture capitalist, free-enterprise person?

No, this was vulture capitalism, with a bailout reminiscent of a stunt that Odumba would pull.
#17 January 11, 2012 at 11:26 pm
James commented:

Romney has earned this conservative republicans vote.
#20 January 12, 2012 at 6:36 am
bg commented:

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another fodder poll..

Gingrich Surging in South Carolina

Romney — 23 percent

Gingrich — 21 percent

Santorum — 14 percent

Paul — 13 percent

Huntsman — 7 percent

Perry — 5 percent

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#22 January 13, 2012 at 1:12 pm
befuddled commented: