Politics & Government

Gingrich Vows to Soldier On

Former House Speaker from East Cobb shrugs off departure of key campaign staff.

Newt Gingrich may have lost most of his top campaign aides in a shocking departure last week, but the former House Speaker from East Cobb is vowing to continue with his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. 

A total of 16 aides -- including his Atlanta-based campaign manager and spokesman -- resigned en masse, questioning Gingrich's commitment to the race just as he and his wife returned from a cruise vacation in the Greek islands. 

Instead of addressing the matter directly, Gingrich took aim at President Barack Obama and summoned support from Jewish Republican voters before appearing in Monday's  in New Hampshire.

Find out what's happening in Northeast Cobbwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One voter said that but was impressed more with Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann. 

Gingrich was accompanied by five new staffers at the New Hampshire debate, which was televised by CNN. 

Find out what's happening in Northeast Cobbwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

His half-sister Candace, who earned nationwide attention while Gingrich was Speaker, told The Huffington Post that he shouldn't be doubted when he says he will soldier on: 

"He doesn't give up that easily. If anything, I can imagine that strengthening his desire and his resolve to do good."

At the same time, speculation continues to mount in the national political press that some of the departed Gingrich staffers may be part of a possible bid by Gov. Rick Perry of Texas. 

Gary Reese of the Atlanta-based Southern Political Report gave Gingrich a grade of B+/A- for his debate performance: 

"The debate probably kept him alive as a candidate, thanks to the concreteness of his answers. I wonder now how those people who quit on him [his former staff] feel?"

East Cobb Dems Meet

Larry Pellegrini, the Executive Director of the Georgia Rural Urban Summit, will discuss the recent immigration law passed by the Georgia General Assembly at Thursday's meeting of the East Cobb Democratic Alliance

The meeting runs from 6-9 p.m. at the Delkwood Grill, 2769 Delk Road, in East Cobb. 

Breakfast with Libertarians

The monthly breakfast meeting of the Libertarian Party of Cobb County is this Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Come 'N Get It restaurant, 1409 Church Street Extension, Marietta. 

Democratic Meetup

The North Cobb Democrats will have their monthly meetup on Monday, June 20, starting at 7 p.m. at the Rib Ranch Restauarant, 2063 Canton Road in Northeast Cobb. 

Cobb Republican Women to Meet

The monthly general meeting of the Cobb County Republican Women's Club is next Thursday, June 24, at the Hilton/Atlanta Marietta Conference Center, 500 Powder Springs Street, Marietta. 

Social networking begins at 11:30 a.m., with a luncheon from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Northeast Cobb