Something incredible happened over the last two days, and if you rely on the traditional media, you may have missed it. Friday night, I was with the campaign in Iowa for a Ronald Reagan dinner, and after watching four of the other candidates speak, Speaker Gingrich confidently took the stage. What he did next defied the viciousness of the modern political campaign: Newt offered praise for each of the candidates in the room individually. He praised them for their strengths, and then made his case why he is the best candidate to be the next President of the United States, and he did it without tearing others down to make himself look good.

He also promised that after he got the nomination that his schedule would become the White House schedule, and he would appear four hours after every Obama appearance until the President agreed to seven, three-hour Lincoln-Douglas style debates. There will be no moderator, just a timekeeper, and as an extra incentive the Speaker would be willing to allow the President to use a teleprompter! It is becoming more common to hear Newt get the loudest applause, but Friday night in Iowa, he brought the house down!

Saturday, the campaign traveled to Texas for a unique discussion on entitlements with Herman Cain. The format allowed both of the candidates to go beyond :30 second sound bites and give detailed answers on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. The media has already tried to portray the event as a “snooze fest,” but I can tell you that the audience was enthralled! The overwhelming feedback from the audience was that they “wish all the debates were like this.”

The major media largely tried to ignore this event because it threatens their debates, which tend to focus more on their moderators and perceived personal drama than on policy. They tell us that is the only way they can get ratings, but last night proved that to be hogwash!

After the event, one reporter asked if fundraising was the only thing left blocking Newt from the Republican nomination. That kind of question clearly shows that even the media is starting to see the momentum of this campaign, but they want to know if we can raise enough money to be competitive.

We need to make a statement to the media that this surge is real by making this week the best fundraising week of the campaign! If you have been won over by Speaker Gingrich’s ideas and would pay money to see a Newt-Obama debate, here is your chance. Let’s raise ONE MILLION DOLLARS for Newt 2012 this week! If you are ready for a new kind of campaign, bold changes, and experienced leadership please make a generous contribution right now!

I know that many of you have already given to the campaign recently, and we are so grateful for your continued support, but it is important that we put a huge fundraising number up this week. If you can afford another financial contribution, will you please invest in this campaign again today?

The signs of momentum for this campaign are everywhere. Two separate national polls have shown that Speaker Gingrich has moved into double-digits and has passed Governor Perry for third place, an Insider Advantage poll of Iowa showing in third was released today, and there is a noticeable surge in excitement on the campaign trail.

In these historically difficult times, we need a President with proven record of problem-solving, which is why I support Speaker Gingrich.  His political philosophy is rooted in a deep understanding of history and a profound respect for our constitution. It is that depth of knowledge and experience that led to comprehensive welfare reform and four consecutive balanced budgets during his tenure as Speaker of the House.

Speaker Gingrich is the leader our nation needs, and he needs our help to get him to the nomination. For nearly a week, we have asked for your help to raise between $100,000 and $250,000 and thanks to your generous support we are almost there! We are going to release the “Debate” video, and we need to get this ad in front of as many eyes as we can!  Please help us seize this moment by making a generous contribution of $10, $25, $50, $100, or whatever you can afford up to the maximum of $2,500.

This campaign is based on grassroots enthusiasm, but we do need resources in order to compete with the considerable warchests of our opponents. If we are going to reach our fundraising goal today, we need those of you who can afford to make a larger contribution to do so. If 100 of you will make a contribution of $100, $250, $500, or $1,000, we will be able to spread Speaker Gingrich’s record of accomplishment far and wide! We are asking for 100 Newt supporters to step up and make a contribution of at least $100.  Be “with Newt” by being one of the 100 people who donates $100 or more —HERE—

“If you get out there and let people really get to know you and what you stand for it will be great for you. Best of luck, at least you are not afraid to hold your ground and not cave in like some other’s I have heard about.”

-Patricia Cook, New Straitsville, Ohio

This was a comment that was posted on my Facebook page yesterday when we posted a picture from last week’s lunch with Atlanta area tea party and 912 leaders.

To Patricia, and others who’ve said similar things, I’m grateful for your encouragement.

I know that as a supporter, it’s been a rough ride the past few weeks, but as I told Neil Cavuto on Fox News yesterday, I hope that my concentration on substance will outlast the media’s concentration on gossip and process.

This campaign is based on an assumption that the American people are ready for substance.

They are ready for something different.

They are ready for a candidate willing to present solutions as big as the challenges we face.

As a country, we are in such trouble that I’m more than willing to endure the attacks, whether from the media, the left or the establishment in Washington.

I believe our children and grandchildren are worth it.

So today, I’d like to make one simple request.

As the first fundraising deadline of June 30th approaches, I’m asking you to consider making a contribution of any amount, even if it’s only $10.

To Patricia in Ohio and supporters like you around the country, I’ll make you this promise: No compromise.

America needs real change in Washington, and I’m ready to fight for it.

Thank you for considering a donation to our campaign, and for all you do every day to help ensure a better future for every American.

Your friend,

Newt

P.S. The June 30th fundraising report is a critical show of support in these early stages of the campaign.  Giving $10 now is like giving $100 in January.  Please consider a donation of $10, $25 or more by clicking here.

When Newt jumped in the race I was hopeful. The keyword being “was.” I was willing to overlook his “green energy solutions” in the hopes he would see the err of his ways, and for the most part he did. But now this bombshell via the Wall Street Journal:

In the same interview Sunday, on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Mr. Gingrich backed a requirement that all Americans buy health insurance [...]

So, what’s wrong with that? Gee, let me open my copy of the constitution and count the ways.

I dunno kids. I’m about ready to throw in the towel and give up on this country. We have a great opportunity to make America’s first socialist president with Marxist tendencies be a one term mistake, and you look at the GOP field, and I think to myself, “this is the best we can do?”