Gingrich hints again of White House run

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) fueled further speculation Sunday about entering the Republican race for president by taking shots at the Bush administration.

“The government is not functioning,” Gingrich said on Fox News. “It’s not getting the job done, and Republicans need to confront this reality.”

The face of Republican opposition to President Clinton’s administration, Gingrich said he will hold workshops on Sept. 27 and 29 to discuss “fundamental change.” He hinted he will make a decision about running after the workshops.

Asked about his favorites in the GOP race, Gingrich said Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, and prospective candidate Fred Thompson each “bring their unique strengths." But they need to do more work to keep the attention of conservative voters, he added.

“We need to have some very bold proposals for fundamental change,” Gingrich said. “So far, I don't see them.”

Gingrich turned heads last week in an interview with the New Yorker magazine, in which he called Karl Rove's 2004 reelection strategy for Bush "maniacally dumb." He also said the Republicans can win the White House by pitting themselves against Bush, just as Nicolas Sarkozy won the French presidency in May by running against the legacy of outgoing president and fellow party member Jacques Chirac.

On Sunday, Gingrich clarified that the GOP candidates shouldn't necessarily run against Bush but rather focus on change.

“You have to vote in favor of radically changing Washington, radically changing government,” Gingrich said. "Look at New Orleans today. I think the average American will tell you that you have to radically change Washington.”