The key to understanding Newt Gingrich is that he positioned himself as the leader of conservative Republicans in the House, used the House Republican Study Committee (HRSC) as his vehicle for years to advance himself, and then, when he became Speaker, changed the rules to destroy the House Republican Study Committee.
He used the HRSC as a ladder to the top and then removed the ladder to eliminate its use as a check on him. Whatever his talents and his faults, for Newt it’s always about Newt.
After Newt, the House Republican Study Committee came back, stronger than ever. If he ever became President, it’s an open question as to whether or not the Republican Party ever could come back.
Moe Lane
PG DeFreese
Victoria Coates
Daniel Horowitz
Dan Spencer
I've been looking to detect any meaningful support for Gingrich and I don't see any
red_oakster (Diary) Monday, May 16th at 10:50AM EST (link)He is going to be the Chris Dodd candidate of 2012.
I am afraid you are correct about Newt
Kyle-MI (Diary) Monday, May 16th at 10:57AM EST (link)I think it also explains what happened after he lost the government shutdown fight with Clinton. After that the GOP was no longer about implementing conservative ideas, it was about retaining power at all costs.
After backstabbing Ryan, not only is the Gingrich presidential candidacy dead to me, I believe he is no longer fit to even run for dog catcher.