The Problem with the new Newt Gingrich

According to the new Newt Gingrich, he is going to be the Republican nominee for President--he's got a lock, no need to have any primaries, everybody can stay home and call off the campaigns. While some may dismiss this as hubris, I'll take it at face value.

Of course, I'm sure if the Obama folks were as confident as Newt that he was going to be the Republican nominee, they would already be celebrating and drinking green beer in Chicago.

But let's assume for the moment that Newt is right, he is going to be the Republican nominee, what does that mean? It means that all of the BAGGAGE of the old and new Newt Gingrich will weigh down not only the Republican race for President, but the Republican candidates for Senate, House of Representatives, etc. Independent voters and thoughtful Republicans will be running to the polls to vote Democrat. This is truly a Democrat Party's dream come true (and I am sure they are all now "pulling for Newt" to be the Republican nominee).

It's not just that Newt's a "stupid man's idea of what a smart man sounds like" (Paul Krugman). No, that 's just a liberal talking, here are examples (out of many) from two smart conservatives:

George Will: Newt's candidacy "embodies almost everything disagreeable about modern Washington."

Bruce Bartlett (Bruce Bartlett held senior policy roles in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations and served on the staffs of Representatives Jack Kemp and Ron Paul): Gingrich--"unfit for office."

And these are Republicans talking about Newt--wait till Axelrod and Company get going--they will have a field day!  Of course, it won't be the first time that the GOP decided to commit political suicide on a national scale. No, the problem for the GOP with the new Newt Gingrich is that he is the same old Gingrich.

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