Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich is a Republican politician and former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. He resigned from his congressional positions in 1999. In 2007, he officially announced that he would not be running for president in the 2008 Presidential Election.

After Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin failed to confirm her role as a keynote speaker for the annual spring Senate-House GOP fundraiser, the role was passed on to Gingrich, who accepted. During his speech on June 8 he stated that he is "not a citizen of the world", presumably taking a jab at the recent trips to the mideast and Europe by President Obama.Politico: Palin out, Gingrich in ... (March 31, 2009)Huffington Post: [1] Palin out, Gingrich in ...] (June 9, 2009)

1. 1974-1976: Ran two unsuccessful congressional campaigns
2. 1978: Wins third campaign and becomes the house representative for Georgia's 6th District
3. 1989: Elected to replace Dick Cheney as House Minority Whip
4. January 4, 1995: Becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives
5. January 3, 1999: Resigns from his congressional positions

Gingrich joined the fight for the leadership of the Republican Party. On Meet the Press on March 8, 2009, Gingrich called Rush Limbaugh "irrational" for wanting Barack Obama to fail. Limbaugh responded on his radio program March 9, saying he was "getting tired of talking about Newt... it's a pointless exercise."Politico: Rush whacks Newt: 'He wishes they were running TV ads against him' (March 9, 2009)

In March 2009 he announced that he would consider running for the presidency in 2012 if he felt it was necessary. He indicated that he would begin consulting with his family, including his grandchildren, in 2011 to determine if he would run.CNNPolitics.com: Gingrich talks openly about running... (March 6, 2009)

• June 17, 1943: Born Harrisburg, Pa

• 1962: Marries Jackie Battley

• 1965: B.A. from Emory University

• 1968: M.A. from Tulane University

• 1971: PhD from Tulane University

• 1979: Elected as Representative from the 6th district of Georgia

• 1980: Divorces Jackie Battley

• 1981: Marries Marianna Ginther

• 1994: Co-Authers Contract with America

• 1995: Becomes Speaker of the House

• 1999: Divorces Marianna Ginter

• 2000: Marries Callista Bisek