Gingrich Throws In The Towel

In an abrupt and stunning move, House Speaker Newt Gingrich announced Friday that he has decided against seeking a third term as speaker.

An aide to Gingrich said it also was unlikely the Georgia Republican would serve out his full two-year term as a member of Congress, but that he had not made a final decision on that matter.

CBS News Correspondent Phil Jones reports that Gingrich informed fellow Republicans of his decision in a conference call.

"We have to get the bitterness out...," he told his GOP colleagues. "It is clear that as long as I'm around that won't happen."

Gingrich had been under heavy fire for the poor Republican performance in the midterm election and the failure of the GOP to fashion an agenda attractive to voters. The pressure on the speaker had been building all day Friday as two rebellious House Republicans publicly challenged Gingrich and his leadership team.

In his conversation with the rank and file, Gingrich several times referred to cannibalism to reflect the GOP infighting that has broken out in the wake of Tuesday's setbacks. "The idea that I would be the excuse to cannibalize the majority is so sickening I couldn't risk it," he said, according to sources.

Gingrich's abrupt resignation may well touch off a free-for-all for party leadership posts.

President Clinton was reportedly shocked by the announcement and issued the following statement, "Newt Gingich has been a worthy adversary, leading the Republican Party to a majority in the house, and joining me in a great national debate over how best to prepare America for the 21st century. Despite our profound differences, I appreciate those times we were able to work together in the national interest, especially Speaker Gingrich's support for America's continuing leadership for freedom, peace and prosperity in the world."

Earlier Friday, Bob Livingston, a 22-year House veteran from Louisiana, announced that he would challenge Gingrich for the Speaker's post. Livingston calls Gingrich a "dear friend," but, as the old saying goes, all's fair in love and war and politics.

"I've come to announce my candidacy," Livingston told a news conference.

Livingston, a conservative, said he was running for Speaker because of the message voters sent in Tuesday's election.

"The American people want more than politicans with good speeches," he said. "They want politicians with ideas and ideas that work. The Republican Party has the ideas, but our ideas have gotten lost. Perhaps our message has gotten lost through the haze of high rhetoric and miscast priorities."

Conservative Oklahoma Congressman Steve Largent called a separate news conference to say the Republican Party has hit an iceberg, and he will try to oust the No. 2 House Republican, Majority Leader Dick Armey.

"I think the question that is before our congress today is whether we retain the crew of the Titanic or we look for some new leadership," Largent said.

On Friday night, only one leader in the House is not under siege, that's Tom DeLay of Texas. He is the House whip for the Republicans. He is the only one in the House leadership who is not facing a challenge.

The last time any party booted out its own speaker was in 1821.

©1998 CBS Worldwide Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report