Newt Gingrich: 2008 Presidential Bid Depends on Other GOP Candidates 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 18, 2006
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich appeared in New Hampshire over the weekend to talk with Republicans in this first primary state. He told GOP activists that he will consider a candidacy only if none of the Republican candidates have the nomination locked up next September.
"If one of them seals it off by Labor Day, my announcing now wouldn’t make any difference anyway," he said.
"If none of the three, having from now till Labor Day, can seal it off, the first real vote is in 2008," Gingrich explained. "And there’s plenty of time in the age of television and e-mail between Labor Day and 2008."
"Of course I’m thinking about it," Gingrich later said on NBC’s "Meet the Press."
The cryptic remarks make it appear Gingrich might run, as the wide-open race for the Republican nomination will not likely be decided until well into the primary season.
In an email to supporters on Monday, obtained by LifeNews.com, Gingrich explained that he hoped to turn 2007 into a discussion of ideas so the eventual Republican nominee has a plan of action on top political issues heading into the general election.
During his tenure in Congress, Gingrich developed a strong pro-life voting record on various abortions, including voting for the ban on partial-birth abortions and voting against using taxpayer funds to pay for abortions or promoting abortions in foreign countries.
Gingrich has yet to speak out extensively on the issue of human cloning or embryonic stem cell research and a LifeNews.com survey of his web site didn’t yield any quotes from him on the subjects.
Arizona Sen. John McCain, who opposes abortion but backs embryonic stem cell research, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who backs both, and outgoing Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who recently became pro-life, lead the Republican field in the polls.
Sens. Sam Brownback of Kansas and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, and outgoing Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, all pro-life, are also looking at presidential bids as well.
Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who opposes abortion but supports embryonic stem cell research, is another potential Republican candidate for president.
