House Speaker Newt Gingrich to Step Down Amid Power Struggle

Strategic Insights -

House Speaker Newt Gingrich surprised his colleagues Saturday by announcing that he will leave the speakership as well as the House, rather than become a distraction to his successor. This decision comes after Gingrich's own candidate for speaker, House Republican Whip Tom DeLay of Texas, threw his support behind Louisiana Representative Bob Livingston. Livingston, a 55-year-old congressman with a reputation for being a skilled politician, has secured the backing of over 100 Republican members, including several committee chairmen, and is poised to secure the necessary 112 votes to become the next speaker. Meanwhile, Gingrich's decision to step down has thrown the Republican party into a state of chaos, with some members questioning his leadership and others calling for him to stay on in order to maintain party unity.

Key Takeaways:

  • Louisiana Representative Bob Livingston has emerged as the leading contender to replace House Speaker Newt Gingrich, with the support of over 100 Republican members, including several committee chairmen.
  • House Republican Whip Tom DeLay of Texas has given his "full and whole-hearted" backing to Livingston, citing his experience, leadership, and institutional knowledge of the House.
  • Gingrich has announced that he will leave the speakership as well as the House, rather than become a distraction to his successor, and will deliver a speech Monday evening to the Republican fund-raising group GOPAC.
  • Livingston has a reputation for being a skilled politician, but some conservative Republicans are questioning his commitment to the party's principles, citing his role in the unpopular government shutdowns of 1995 and 1996.
  • Rep. Christopher Cox, a leading contender for the speakership, has spent the day calling Republican colleagues and found them largely uncommitted to any candidate, describing the situation as "highly fluid".
  • Cox is chairman of the investigation into technology transfers to China, and is backed by several Republican members dissatisfied with Gingrich's leadership.

Statistics:

  • Over 100 Republican members have pledged their support to Bob Livingston, making him the front-runner to replace Newt Gingrich.
  • Livingston has secured the backing of several committee chairmen, including Bill Archer, who dropped out of the race on Saturday.
  • The Republican Party has been convulsed with infighting over who is to blame for their reduced majority in the House, with most fingers pointed at the current House leaders.
  • Newt Gingrich has announced that he will leave the House before the new Congress is sworn in on January 6.

Sources:

  • The Washington Post
  • Rep. Tom DeLay's statement on supporting Bob Livingston
  • Rep. Chris Cox's interview with CNN
  • Rep. Matt Salmon's statement praising Livingston's courage
  • Rep. Bill Archer's statement dropping out of the race
  • The Associated Press
  • Rep. David McIntosh's statement criticizing Livingston's leadership