Gingrich and Romney Fight Over Releasing Records

Orangeburg, S.C.
Speaking with reporters after a town hall event, Newt Gingrich scoffed at a request from Mitt Romney's campaign to release the “complete record” of the House ethics investigation of Gingrich when he was speaker.

“[Romney] doesn’t release anything, he doesn’t answer anything, and he’s even confused about whether or not he will ever release anything. And then they decide to pick a fight over releasing stuff?” Gingrich said. “I think if you go and check [online] the report of the commission on ethics was, like, 900 pages. Now, as soon as the governor reads the 900 pages, I’ll be glad to chat with him.”

Romney himself said earlier today in Gilbert that the details of the investigation are "going to get out before the general election. [Gingrich] ought to get it out now."

Meanwhile, Romney spokesperson Gail Gitcho sent reporters this statement:

Given Speaker Gingrich’s newfound interest in disclosure and transparency, and his concern about an "October surprise," he should authorize the release of the complete record of the ethics proceedings against him. We know from Newt’s own statements that he turned over a million pages of documents. Nancy Pelosi, who sat on the ethics committee, said that this information contains damaging information. Nancy Pelosi is gleeful over the information she has on Speaker Gingrich, and Speaker Gingrich is concerned enough to threaten her with a rules violation. If Nancy Pelosi has this information, Barack Obama has this information.

Back in Orangeburg, Gingrich reiterated his position that Romney should release his tax returns before tomorrow’s primary. “I refuse to take seriously any request from the Romney campaign to disclose anything because they don’t want to disclose anything at any level that involves them,” he said.