Former Speaker Newt Gingrich attended a meeting this morning at the Key Bridge Marriott in Rosslyn, Virginia with movement conservative leaders. The purpose was to show the conservative movement that he thinks they’re important,” said one participant. “He wants to rebuild the Reagan coalition.”
The Washington Examiner’s Byron York wrote about the meeting, and while he got all the facts correct, one person I spoke to who attended the meeting disputed the tone of his column, which is titled: “Gingrich grilled by conservatives.”
The “grilling” apparently was the work of one or two attendees who asked some tough questions.
Meanwhile, “none of the attendees thought Romney had any background with them,” my source said. “Newt had his ups and downs — but was at least viewed as being part of the conservative family.”
“They were largely, politely courteous. I think, for the most part, people were impressed,” my source added.
I’m told that Gingrich actually broke news that he would appoint John Bolton as Secretary of State at that meeting (he later referenced it, speaking to the Republican Jewish Coalition).