Newt Gingrich Still Thinks Political Consultants Are 'Stupid'

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Today's Washington Post includes a somewhat controversial quote from former Speaker Newt Gingrich on the subject of political consultants: "Consultants, in my opinion, are stupid," he tells them.

... It turns out, this is not a new revelation. In fact, three years ago, I reported on Gingrich's disdain for political consultants when I interviewed him in in Atlanta, Georgia.

Here's what he had to say back in 2007:

I think Republican consultants are mostly very stupid. I think they have no education. I think they have no sense of history. ... If I throw away African Americans, and then I throw away Latinos, and then I throw away suburban women, and then I throw away people under 40, and then I throw away everything north of Philadelphia -- there's a morning where Republicans can't get to a majority.

It's worth noting that back in 2007, Gingrich said consultants were "mostly" stupid, but in today's Washington Post column, he seems to have removed the qualifier.

Interestingly, when I wrote that 2007 post, I also asked some of the top GOP consultants in America to respond to Newt's condemnation. Surprisingly, most of them (sort of) agreed with him.

On another note, that same Washington Post column also notes that after Labor Day, Republicans plan to unveil a "blueprint of what Republicans will do if they take back control of the chamber." Might I suggest they check out my "Contract With America, 2.0"?

Filed Under: Matt Lewis and the News

Tagged: contract with america, newt gingrich

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kingnus

O no , not another contract on america. I believe republicans should stick with thier current platform, tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations, kill social security and medicare and more middle east wars.

July 17 2010 at 1:03 PM Report abuse Permalink -3 rate up rate down Reply

NKW

I agree with comments from Steven Accuosti. "Agree with Newt." Consultants are a waste of money. A politician should represent himself/herself "as is." Period. No fluff, no packaging. We have made too many mistakes in our voting because we have believed the aluring wrappings, not the contents of what the candidate is really intending. Obama is a perfect example. What a mistake.

July 17 2010 at 11:29 AM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Reply

Vito

I have to agree with Newt... consultants are a waste of money... As a consultant one realizes that the powers that be call in consultants because they want change. For better or worse consultants "suggest" changes that for the most part don't help or hurt the company except for their consulting costs. We suggest centralizing this or decentralizing that, if we really get a dupe we can collect 6 to 12 months of consulting fees... In general we have found if a company used the fees we charge to hone their systems on their own to an art, they always will find excess fat that can be measured and eliminated.

July 17 2010 at 11:10 AM Report abuse Permalink +4 rate up rate down Reply

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