Gingrich drops out of presidential race

[philw]

<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-03/gingrich-officially-drops-out/3986432>

Newt Gingrich has officially dropped out of the Republican presidential nomination race and thrown his support behind the presumptive nominee Mitt Romney.

After a White House run that included staff walk-outs, plans for a moon colony and revelations of hefty accounts run up at the high-end jewellery store Tiffany's, Mr Gingrich has bowed out of the race.

"Today I am suspending the campaign," he said.

Mr Gingrich, who was often critical of Mr Romney during the nomination race, said he was by far a preferable alternative to Barack Obama, who is seeking a second term.

"As to the presidency, I am asked sometimes - is Mitt Romney conservative enough? My answer is simple: compared to Barack Obama?" Mr Gingrich said.

"This is not a choice between Mitt Romney and Ronald Reagan.

"This is a choice between Mitt Romney and the most radical, leftist president in American history."

Mr Romney said Mr Gingrich had "demonstrated both eloquence and fearlessness in advancing conservative ideas".

But the campaign for Mr Obama seized on Mr Gingrich's announcement, releasing a new ad highlighting the numerous attacks Mr Gingrich has levelled during the primary battle at the man he has now endorsed.

Mr Gingrich had won just two nominating contests since the start of the state-by-state contest in January - in his home state Georgia and in South Carolina - and was a distant third in the fight to take on Mr Obama in November.

His withdrawal leaves only Ron Paul, a Texas congressman who represents the libertarian wing of the Republican party, in the race against Mr Romney.

Former US senator Rick Santorum quit the race last month.

Mr Paul consistently placed fourth in the primary season and has no chance of catching Mr Romney, who has effectively launched his general election campaign against the Democratic incumbent.

is this a case of the best of a bad bunch??

[Timothy]

Similar to 2008 but history has already been made with Obamas election.  This time it should be different, I hope!

[philw]

Similar to 2008 but history has already been made with Obamas election.  This time it should be different, I hope!

if not are we going to get more boat people here... 

caus if any of you are looking at a trip here I might sign up for this.. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/wave-of-families-to-house-refugees/story-e6freuy9-1226346276210

[twyacht]

Hey philw caught a big Aussie Billionare is going to build a Titanic II, same look, same specs, just modern equip. (but its being built by Chinamen) 

What could go wrong? Wish I had that kinda money....I'd buy an ohio sized unpopulated area of the outback and turn it into a Shooting and Firearms Nirvana....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/titanic-ii-a-replica-of-famed-ship-to-be-built-by-australian-billionaire/2012/04/30/gIQAzOiUsT_story.html

snip
April 30 (Bloomberg) -- Australian mining billionaire Clive Palmer plans to build a 21st-century replica of the Titanic and sail it from England to New York accompanied by the Chinese navy by the end of 2016.

He has signed a first-stage agreement with Nanjing-based CSC Jinling Shipyard to build the ship as part of a planned fleet of luxury liners, the Gold Coast, Queensland-based businessman said in an e-mailed statement today.

Sorry for the thread drift...

Newt knew he had to end it...To save face, and hopefully get an appointment or ambassador position, consultant, adviser, in the (hopefully) Romney admin....

I think Ambassador to the United Nations would be fitting...and I'd even go so far as Ron Paul as Treasury Secretary...