Gingrich’s Prolonged Exit Could Keep Him From Convention

Newt Gingrich’s delayed withdrawal from the presidential race will make it more difficult for him to earn a speaking slot at the GOP convention in August, Republican congressmen tell The Hill.

The former House speaker let it be known that he would be leaving the race after presumptive nominee Mitt Romney’s resounding victories in five primaries last Tuesday. Gingrich is expected to formally announce his withdrawal Wednesday.

That’s not going about it the right way, one Republican congressman told The Hill. “Just give it up. This isn’t even a victory lap. This is like losing the World Series and then deciding to run around the bases. Nobody listens to the second sermon.”

Continued behavior like this should preclude him from a speaking role, the legislator said. “If he were to be a little more constructive in the dialogue, then he could have a role. This is somebody who could be a very valuable asset to the party and to our nominee. But right now, he’s not acting that way.”

Another GOP congressman sees it the same way. “He’s the kid that kicked everybody else off the monkey bars and nobody wants to play with him. I think he really risks any role — not just in the convention, but in the next administration,” the lawmaker told The Hill.

Not every Republican in Congress is critical of Gingrich, though. Utah Rep. Rob Bishop, a Romney backer, defended Gingrich’s right to delay his withdrawal from the race, telling The Hill it may stem from Gingrich’s desire to maintain “viability” as he seeks a role at the convention.