Newt Gingrich Casts Self as 'Paycheck' Candidate With Reaganesque Past

Sam Rashid made it clear, very clear, that the small-group gathering at in Brandon was filled with what he called “grassroots conservatives,” and the kind who would give of their money, as much as their time.

And he made it clear, too, that driving the gathering of some 40 people at the organic café at the corner of Oakfield and Lakewood drives was a core group of people, himself included, “who helped with the Contract with America” that in 1994 brought House Republicans back into power after 40 years.

“We want to thank you for those days,” said Rashid, in reference to Gingrich’s coining of the contract, on which the candidate is basing his new 10-topic proposal for this year’s election, “because we felt those were the best days of this great country of ours.”

Gingrich is hoping as much again with his presidential version of that 17-year-old document, his 21st Century Contract with America, which addresses such things as a conservative view toward smaller government, less federal intrusion, free-market principles and lower taxes.

Gingrich touched on those points briefly in his remarks at Sumatra Bistro, a gathering that was more of a chance to shake hands with Gingrich, get his autograph, pose for pictures beside him and leave him with a donation to help fund his campaign.

“My goal isn’t to just be president,” Gingrich said. “My goal is to help change Washington and put America back on track.”

He promised, too, that he would come back to the area "to help you pick up House seats and to help you defeat Bill Nelson."

Roger Whidden, chair of Pasco With Newt, a chapter of Florida With Newt, is buying Gingrich’s Reaganesque platform hook, line and sinker.

“What this election really is about, is that we need to change Washington and Newt’s the only candidate who’s done that, who’s done that in the past,” Whidden said.

Can he do it again?

“You know the correct answer to that is not, ‘Yes,’ it's, 'Absolutely,' ” Whidden said.

For his part, Gingrich noted that he had "helped [President] Reagan pass a program that created 16 million jobs."

"I came back after two tax increases, and an economy gone stagnant, and as speaker [of the House], I helped pass a Reagan-like program that created 11 million new jobs."

That times were different mattered little to the faithful, who believe history can repeat itself.

That belief is what drove Gingrich followers to Sumatra Bistro, as it did to The River of Tampa Bay church in Mango the day before, where Gingrich , at a rally staged hours before the GOP Republican presidential Debate at the University of South Florida.

is set for Jan. 31.

Plant City Mayor Dan Raulerson, who is running for the District 62 seat now held by state Rep. Richard “Rich” Glorioso, came to Sumatra with his daughter, Jaclyn. A graduate of Durant High School, Jaclyn "Jackie" Raulerson was crowned Miss Florida in 2010.

“Newt’s a leader, while Mitt Romney is a manager,” Dan Raulerson said. “Newt has better leadership skills.”

“I think he is doing a wonderful job addressing the key issues at hand,” Jackie Raulerson added. "And he’s the only person, I feel, who can defeat Obama.”

Rashid is certain of it.

“This guy will be the next president of the United States,” said Rashid, the manager of Sumatra Bistro, which sits below the headquarters of the Hillsborough County Republican Party. “This is not the establishment candidate. This is the grassroots candidate.”

Gingrich, he added, “is the antithesis of Barack Obama,” Rashid said.

And in this year’s election, he said, in which the Internet has more reach than buying a media advertisement, “one grassroots guy can deliver more votes than an establishment guy writing a $1,000 check.”

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