It looks like Newt Gingrich is set on pandering to those "tea partiers" in South Carolina that are still fans of the half-term Governor Sarah Palin. After Palin came close to endorsing him in the primary on Fox the previous evening, Gingrich told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that he'd consider asking her to take "a major role in the next administration" if he's elected president.
As if we didn't have enough other reasons he should never come anywhere near the White House, I'd say that's a disqualifier right there.
BLITZER: A lot of us noticed last night that Sarah Palin virtually endorsed you. She said if she lived in South Carolina, she would probably vote for you right now, which, in my mind, and I suspect in others, immediately raised the possibility if you were to get the nomination, would she be on your short list as a potential vice presidential running mate?
GINGRICH: Well, look, I don't want to suggest anything. We haven't talked about anything at all.
Governor Palin is somebody who I think was a very good reform governor. She was extraordinarily effective negotiating with big oil. She did a good job in the state of Alaska. I think she's a very articulate leader of the Tea Party conservative movement.
I was honored and delighted last night when she said if she were in South Carolina, she would vote for Newt Gingrich. I hope everybody who likes her decides she's right, and I hope they vote for me.
Certainly, she's one of the people I would call on for advice, I would ask her to consider taking a major role in the next administration if I'm president. But nothing has been discussed of any kind, and it wouldn't be appropriate to discuss it at this time.
I'm just delighted that she and Todd -- both have been so supportive of my candidacy, and they recognize that, you know, I am a Tea Party reform conservative. I'm not part of the Washington establishment. And I think that's the signal that her endorsement last night really sends.
BLITZER: Mr. Speaker, good luck. We'll stay in close touch. Thanks very much for joining us.
GINGRICH: Stay in touch. Thanks, Wolf.
