Politics

Gingrich praises Romney as Romney attacks Gingrich

Will Rahn Senior Editor
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Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wants you to know that he’s committed to running a positive campaign, and that he thinks former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney would be a “fine nominee” for the GOP.

“Callista and I like Mitt and Anne,” Gingrich told the National Journal on Thursday when asked about a recent Romney ad widely perceived as taking shots at the former Speaker’s colorful personal life.

“They have a good story to tell,” Gingrich added. “He would be a fine nominee for this party and I would support him for the nominee of this party, so I think a positive ad that describes his life is terrific. We’ll do positive ads that describe us. People get to choose between the positives.” (RELATED: Full coverage of Newt Gingrich)

A Romney spokesperson, however, did not reply to an email from The Daily Caller asking if he believed Gingrich would be a “fine nominee” for the GOP in 2012.

Gingrich’s statement came the same day that the Romney campaign upped its attacks on the newly minted Republican front-runner. Former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu and former Missouri Sen. Jim Talent held a conference call with reporters Thursday morning blasting Gingrich’s record and questioning his fitness for office.

“I’m going to continue to run a positive, solution-oriented campaign. Others ought to do what they want,” Gingrich said when asked about the comments.

“If Mr. Romney goes on the attack,” he said, “which is his prerogative — everybody should run the campaign that they’re comfortable with — my answers will be positive.”

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