The Hill News

Newt Gingrich’s media-bashing may be red meat to GOP crowds, and it’s often an effective tactic â€" when you don’t like the question, shoot the messenger. However, Gingrich’s tirades against the media don’t jibe with the easy relationships he’s long held with members of the Fourth Estate. I know, for twelve years I was one of them.
 
To understand Gingrich’s campaign, you must first understand Newt. Most importantly, above everything else he wants - no needs - to be the center of attention. And there is no one who can put him there as well as the media. In the 1980s, when Newt was a backbencher trying to take down the Democratic leadership in the House, he was persistent and dogged about getting to know reporters. Few were more effective than Newt at going off the record to tarnish a colleague. When he entered leadership and concocted a plan for GOP takeover of the House, he cultivated the media to go tell the story. He needed them.

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