Say what you will about the ascent–or exhumation–of Newt Gingrich, viable presidential candidate. He’s more than the flavor of the month, because we’re now about out of non-primary months.
As we know, Gingrich peaked with the Contract With America. He later forced a government shutdown, resigned his Speakership, earned an avatar-of-infidelity-and-hypocrisy reputation the old-fashioned way and resorted to being on retainer as a historian/lobbyist for Freddie Mac. He has been heretically enamored of the individual mandate, cap-and-trade, TARP, a controversially humane illegal-immigrant policy–plus Newtron bombast and all things Tiffany’s and Trump
But as the last caricature standing, he is now alone as the GOP’s un-Romney. And Romney isn’t even liked by the media, including Fox. Caucus and primary voting begins in a few weeks, and Newt could become the Gingrinch who stole more than Christmas.
But while this won’t necessarily be determinative, Republicans need to be wary of another Gingrich-image issue. One that won’t play well during the campaign, even if it’s more understood than verbalized.
Three words: First Lady Callista.