Gingrich Admits Mistakes But House Speaker Says He Will Try Harder In ‘96
After a year of conflict and controversy, House Speaker Newt Gingrich acknowledges mistakes and says he’s hoping for a more thoughtful and contemplative new year.
The Georgia Republican reflected on the rough and tumble year just ending in an interview taped for broadcast Saturday on CNN’s “Evans & Novak.”
“Nobody could go from being the minority whip of the House to the speaker of the House in one jump and go from being in the opposition party for 40 years to working with Senator (Bob) Dole and being really the dominant agenda-setting force in the country … and not make mistakes,” Gingrich admitted.
Complaining about seating arrangements on Air Force One, for example.
“There’s no question that there are times, as I’ve described it, where it’s like throwing an interception straight into the other team’s defense. And on several occasions, and that’s one, I did things that weren’t right.”
Another was agreeing to a multi-million dollar book advance, which he later turned down amid controversy.
In retrospect, he said he should have sought advice from people “who understood being a national figure in the way that I frankly didn’t understand.”
How will he do better in 1996?
“Well, for one thing, listen more carefully and try to be more precise in what I’m saying and be more thoughtful.
“You know, I’m the speaker of the House. I’m not an assistant professor of history. I’m not an analyst. I’m not a commentator. And I think at times I’ve tried to play other roles, and it’s almost always been wrong,” Gingrich said.
“I mean, I’ve got to be the speaker of the House and the leader of the House Republican Party and stay inside that particular box to be effective.”
Asked if he is bothered by polls showing low popularity ratings with the public, Gingrich responded: “Look, if I were the person who was seeing seven-second sound bites, I wouldn’t like me either.”
Over time, he went on, “as people see more of what we’re really doing, … my ratings will go up.”
On Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole:
“I think he’s a superb leader of the Senate. It’s a very hard institution. He’s the frontrunner for the nomination. He’s still got to prove that he can win New Hampshire, I think, and in Iowa. But it’s been, I think, a very effective partnership for change.
On President Clinton:
“Once or twice we have had arguments, and we argue very directly. But he is one of the most charming and, I think, extraordinarily sociable people I’ve ever met.”
On prospects for the 1996 elections:
“Well, I think probably our base next year will be 252 in the House and 57 in the Senate … (a pickup of) 16 in the House and two in the Senate.”
On whether Whitewater will be a continuing issue:
“I think that’s a misnomer. I think that they are the Clinton scandals, and … they’re huge.”