WASHINGTON -- Responding to growing bipartisan criticism, Speaker-to-be Newt Gingrich is expected to announce today that he will give up a substantial portion of the $4.5 million advance payment he was to receive as part of a book deal struck earlier this month.
"He is rethinking it," said Allan Lipsett, a spokesman for the Georgia Republican, who was scheduled to hold a news conference in Atlanta this morning to reveal his intentions.
Details of Mr. Gingrich's decision were not available last night. But sources close to the congressman said he would not reject the advance but would substantially reduce the amount. The advance has drawn criticism because of its size.
Clearly, Mr. Gingrich would be moving to cut his losses in the most potentially hurtful of several controversies he has provoked since guiding the GOP through their landslide in the fall elections.
Senate Republican leader Bob Dole yesterday joined the Clinton White House and Democratic leaders in questioning the arrangement under which Mr. Gingrich was to be paid the multimillion-dollar advance for producing two books on his conservative political philosophy.
The sum is the second-highest ever paid to a politician, trailing only the $7 million that went to former President Ronald Reagan for his autobiography after he left the White House.
"It raises major questions that need to be addressed; $4.5 million is a lot of money," Mr. Dole said in a telephone interview with reporters. "I'm not ready to pass judgment on it . . . but it's not very popular with people I talk to."
The comments reflect in part the strained relationship between Mr. Dole and Mr. Gingrich, a younger, more combative leader who has captured the spotlight as Republicans prepare to take control of Congress.
But it was the first time the incoming Senate majority leader has publicly criticized his House counterpart.
Mr. Dole, who is contemplating a bid for the GOP presidential nomination, said he was prompted to speak up because some of his fellow Republicans are also troubled by the book deal. He cited a column this week by conservative pundit Robert Novak, who named Gingrich ally Jack F. Kemp as one of several GOP stalwarts distressed at the appearance of the incoming speaker accepting a fat advance while at the height of his power.
Mr. Dole said he was primarily concerned that controversy over the book deal would distract Republicans and impede the ambitious legislative program they plan to launch next week when the new Congress convenes.
He said the payment of such a large advance is awkward because Republicans are preparing to sharply cut federal program that affect low-income Americans.
Noting that he and other GOP leaders would probably be questioned about the book deal every time they appeared on television talk shows, Mr. Dole said, "We just need to lay it rest. . . . I hope it will be addressed by Newt himself."
Mr. Dole did not detail the steps Mr. Gingrich should take to ease the problem, saying he first wanted to talk privately with him.
Gingrich spokesman Tony Blankley characterized Mr. Dole's comments as "nothing unfriendly" and "basically supportive."
rTC It was not clear whether the senator's remarks played a role in Mr. Gingrich's expected decision to change the book deal.
Mr. Dole's remarks echoed comments made last week by then-White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers, who said she was troubled by the "size of the advance, the timing of the advance."
"I think it raises some very important questions," she said. "I think it needs to be looked at."
House Majority Whip David E. Bonior went further, claiming that Mr. Gingrich had been given a "$4 million Christmas gift" by Rupert Murdoch, the publishing magnate whose holdings include HarperCollins, Mr. Gingrich's publisher.
The Michigan Democrat suggested accepting such a payment was inappropriate because Mr. Murdoch has business pending before the Federal Communications Commission that may come before the Congress.
Mr. Bonior called the book deal "an arrogant act for a man who's about to assume one of the most powerful positions and office in our land."
Mr. Gingrich, in his only comment to date on the issue, called the Democratic charges "silly" and dismissed them as sour grapes.
"Conservative books sell," he told reporters who quizzed him at a speaking engagement in Ohio last week. "I can't help it if liberal books don't sell."
Mr. Gingrich has contracted to produce two books for HarperCollins.
The first is a nonfiction text describing his social and political philosophy. Titled "To Renew America," the book is based on the lectures Mr. Gingrich delivers to his class at Reinhardt College in Waleska, Ga. Publication is scheduled for the fall.
Mr. Gingrich's second book is to be an anthology of political writings, accompanied by his commentary.