ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, December 31, 1994                   TAG: 9501030044
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MARIETTA, GA.                                LENGTH: Short

GINGRICH RENOUNCES $4.5 MILLION ADVANCE

Conceding he'd underestimated the public furor, incoming House Speaker Newt Gingrich relinquished a $4.5 million book advance Friday in hopes of silencing critics and ending a major distraction to Republican plans in the new Congress.

He said anew that he'd done nothing wrong but was worried about giving ammunition to opponents at the start of the session that begins next week.

The deal with HarperCollins Publishers for two books had been under unrelenting criticism from Democrats, and on Thursday incoming Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole also raised concerns.

In a news conference, Gingrich read a letter to fellow Republicans announcing his decision. He also said reporters and critics had made too much of the situation.

``You've got to get a sense of humor and relax. This isn't that big a deal,'' said Gingrich. He appeared cheerful despite giving up - at least for now - what he said would have amounted to ``financial independence for the first time in our lives'' for himself and his wife.

He still could make a great deal of money, but only if the books sell very well.

Gingrich said his deal was legal and ethical - in line with a long history of officeholders writing books for profit - but he'd decided that as House speaker he needed to go further.

``I am not a normal politician,'' Gingrich said. ``If you're given a chance by your country to lead ... I think you've got to go an extra length.''

Gingrich said he would take a $1 advance as a formality to seal the book contract, and then accept royalties on book sales. 


 by CNB