Newt Gingrich Writes New 'Contract,' Calls Dems 'Secular Socialist Coalition'

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich led Republicans' 1994 take-over of the House of Representatives with the "Contract with America," a document telling voters what a Republican-led Congress would look like under his leadership.

On the same day that PD's Matt Lewis drafted his own proposal for a Contract with America 2.0, Gingrich has outlined an updated contract for Newsmax Magazine, along with instructions for today's Republican leadership, titled "How I'd Create a New Contract with America."

Before he gets to the meat of his proposal, however, Gingrich notes, "It is clear that the country is increasingly angry with the Obama-Pelosi-Reid team. But it is equally clear that Americans still distrust Republicans almost as much as they fear liberal Democrats."

This document, he says, can help energize Republicans, who should focus on the country, rather than fixating on Democrats, whom he refers to as a "secular socialist coalition seeking to change America radically." Gingrich then gives the history of the first contract, as well as a lengthy how-to guide for Republicans to use his new one.

Finally, Gingrich outlines an extensive list of priorities he'd like to see Republicans tackle:

1. Jobs, jobs, jobs.
2. Balance the budget.
3. An American energy plan.
4. Appropriations reform.
5. Litigation reform.
6. Real health reform.
7. Every child gets ahead.
8. Protect religious liberty.
9. Protect Americans, not the rights of terrorists.
10. Defending America is job one for government.

Although House Minority Leader John Boehner and Republican Whip Eric Cantor have said for months that they will unveil a similar Republican agenda, they have yet to do so. But they will have plenty of time to discuss Gingrich's and Lewis's ideas at the Republican issues conference, set for Baltimore later this week.

Many Republicans credited the 1994 Contract With America with helping the party seize control of the House after 40 years of Democratic dominance. The original document included promises of an independent audit of waste and fraud on Capitol Hill, a trimming of the House bureaucracy and term limits for committee chairmen.