Gingrich Predicts GOP Win

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Oct. 18) -- The elite media wants Bill Clinton to win "more than anyone," according to House Speaker Newt Gingrich, but he predicted that GOP nominee Bob Dole, riding on the issue of tax cuts, would triumph over the president on Nov. 5.

Gingrich praised Dole for "getting into a rhythm that, frankly, is pretty good. But it took the campaign about a month to get into the rhythm, but the last -- I'd say the last 10 days, two weeks -- you've really seen them begun to define the differences....Dole is for lower taxes; Clinton wants tax increases. That begins to make a difference."

Dogged by high negatives in public surveys, Gingrich has largely kept out of sight in recent months. In his own congressional race, he faces a businessman wiling to spend over $1 million of his own money. Still, Gingrich's seat is reliably Republican, and last night he came out swinging at two of his standard targets: unions and the media.

"I'm the only non-presidential candidate ever to get hit with that many ads," he said of the $35-million labor-backed ad campaign which has used footage of Gingrich repeatedly to hammer vulnerable GOP House members.

Clinton is getting a free ride from the media, Gingrich contended. "I think the elite media is very biased in his favor. So, given a choice, the elite media is going to basically give the best possible version of Bill Clinton."

The president, Gingrich said, has repeatedly peddled falsehoods about Republican budget priorities, but "is a very attractive personality. I think that he can resell himself almost daily."

Gingrich has conceded that Republican odds for holding onto Congress have suffered. Still, he predicted the GOP "will pick up 18 seats in the House, four in the Senate and Dole will win by four percentage points."

Full Transcript: Larry King Interviews House Speaker Newt Gingrich

Gingrich Predicts GOP Win

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