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Eminentoes
Nader of Newt
The former Speaker makes conservatives want to Ralph.
Newt Gingrich enjoys contemplating his own world-historic importance. The House Select Committee on Ethics released a series of his notes and doodles from the years leading up to the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994. His chickenscratch can be hard to make out at times but it is revealing.
These documents make it clear Gingrich did not think of his eminent Speakership in normal terms. One of the notes is labeled “Gingrich — Primary Mission,” and it has six bullet points for how he sees his role going forward. The missional Gingrich is an “advocate”; “definer”; and “teacher of the rules of civilization.” He will be an “arouser of those who form civilization” as well as an “organizer of the pro-civilization activists.” Suggested cheer for those activists: What do we want? Civilization! When do we want it? Thousands of years from now!
In conclusion, Gingrich wrote, he sees himself as the “leader (possibly) of the civilizing forces.” His parenthetical caution should not be mistaken for a note of humility. Rather it was simply an acknowledgement of the contingency of history. Maybe he’d get his shot, maybe he wouldn’t.
The currents of history pulled against his ambitions for more than a decade. Gingrich resigned his Speakership in 1998 after his party nearly lost its majority in the House of Representatives, and Gingrich called his colleagues “cannibals” on the way out the door. He did not stand for public office again until now.
Gingrich used his wilderness years to do a couple of things. He exploited his government connections to enrich himself — pocketing, for instance, $1.6 million from Freddie Mac in consulting fees — and he built up a large following among conservatives as a wonk-celebrity and Fox News talking head. When he flirted with running for president in 2008, throngs of grassroots conservatives mobbed his speeches. As he came into the auditorium at CPAC that year, the energy level in the room rose to 11.
Perhaps that cheering is why he soldiers on now in his Quixotic quest to get the Republican nomination. Or perhaps the Napoleonic Gingrich that we see in those notes from the early nineties, conveniently collected by Slate here, is the real deal. Deciding that question would require deeper psychoanalysis of the man than we have space for here, but still, you have to wonder at the man’s state of mind.
It is very obvious at this point that Gingrich’s run for the presidency has wounded him politically and professionally, yet he continues to shrug it off publicly. The mass staff exodus, the revelations about his personal life, the refusal of grassroots conservatives to embrace him as the conservative challenger to Mitt Romney; all of these things would force most normal people to pack it in by now, but not Newt.
Gingrich’s doggedness in the face of political irrelevancy reminds me an awful lot of left-wing activist and hated liberal villain of the 2000 election Ralph Nader. Indeed, I think it’s possible that Newt Gingrich’s vaunted Place in History may well be as the Ralph Nader of the right.
The analogy isn’t exact. Gingrich isn’t promising to go third party. But his presence in the race kept Republicans from rallying around Rick Santorum or some other conservative challenger to Romney. At this point, even if Gingrich dropped out, Romney’s delegate lead is likely too great for Santorum to overcome.
Conservatives may forgive him for this if the Republican beats President Obama. A rising tide lifts a lot of champagne glasses, after all. But what happens if Romney loses and Gingrich catches the blame for that as well? The former Speaker is working to make that happen. He has expressed an interest in taking it all the way to the GOP convention, denying Romney the nomination on the first ballot, and engaging in a little direct democracy.
Maybe he’ll blink. Or maybe Obama will prove beatable in November, in spite of all the GOP infighting. But if Obama is sworn in for a second term, Newt Gingrich will become a very hated man on the right — just the latest loser in their clash of civilizations.
About the Author
Jeremy Lott is editor of RealClearPolicy.com, RealClearBooks.com and RealClearReligion.org and associate editor of RealClearScience.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (69) | Leave a comment
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louise| 3.20.12 @ 6:25AM
Oh right now, blame it on Newt if Romney looses!!
I like the Spectator and the articles are usually to the point. Every once in a while you get a looser, and this one is it.
Alan Brooks| 3.20.12 @ 8:57AM
Bullet points:
i. colonize Mars
ii. colonize the Moon
iii. colonize Jupiter
iv. colonize Saturn
v. colonize Venus
vi. colonize Uranus
Al Adab| 3.20.12 @ 1:54PM
520 years ago people said colonize the Indies. Ahh well look what has become of North America.
500 years from now there will be science bases (like those in the Antarctic today) in many of the places you ridicule. Sadly though, it is increasingly likely that the people based there will speak Chinese.
Alan Brooks| 3.20.12 @ 7:52PM
"520 years ago people said colonize the Indies. Ahh well look what has become of North America.
500 years from now there will be science bases (like those in the Antarctic today) in many of the places you ridicule. Sadly though, it is increasingly likely that the people based there will speak Chinese"
Um, Adab: my comment was poking fun at the Egoman... the egomania.. er..
Newt...
That was it, blockhead.
Harry the Horrible| 3.20.12 @ 2:17PM
Remember, Earth First!
We can strip-mine the other planets later.
Al Adab| 3.20.12 @ 4:40PM
What did Johnny Goodboy Tyler think of that plan?
Vern Crisler| 3.20.12 @ 11:45AM
Yes, Lott is just another in a long line of Newt-bashers. The only reason Newt isn't winning is because that snake Romney has pretty much bought off all the Republican whores with his negative ad campaign.
If Mitt wins, conservatism loses. The Lotts of this world do not understand that because they are only sunshine conservatives.
PaulC| 3.20.12 @ 12:44PM
Quite right. A Romney win wouldn't be anything like a win for conservatism. If he does win, God forbid, at least I'll be able to say I had no part in it.
Al Adab| 3.20.12 @ 4:38PM
A Pyrrhic victory and nothing more.
sirbourbon| 3.21.12 @ 3:08PM
Picture Newt and Nancy sitting on that couch talking to us about global warming and how we just gotta', just goota have some form of cap and trade law.
Picute Newt scribbling a foreward to a book written by his Constitution-hating Alvin and Heidi Toffler of Third Wave fame. Newt gave House members copies of Heidi and Alvin's marxist screed . And how did Newt describe himself after he met the Tofflers? Oh, yes, Jack McManus saved that moment for us here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b9w7dAskmE&feature=related
He called himself a "conservative futurist" in which the Constitution will become "obsolete."
BcdErick| 3.20.12 @ 6:41AM
Good essay. I've thought much the same thing for months. I'm sure many others have as well. But it can't be repeated often enough. For the good of our country B. Hussein must lose. And Newt not only isn't helping to achieve that, he's trying p prevent it from happening. What a jerk.
BcdErick| 3.20.12 @ 6:43AM
Good essay. I've thought much the same thing for months. I'm sure many others have as well. But it can't be repeated often enough. For the good of our country B. Hussein must lose. And Newt not only isn't helping to achieve that, he's trying to prevent it from happening. What a jerk.
spoofproof| 3.20.12 @ 7:53AM
troll
PaulC| 3.20.12 @ 12:47PM
Right, the thought of a Romney administration really excites me. Not!
Mike 3/505| 3.20.12 @ 6:45AM
I was wondering just how long it would take to set up the "It's Newt's fault," meme. How hard is it to understand? Contrary to Bill O'Reilly's opinion, we have 4 very different contenders. Let it play out and the Republican voters decide.
Clint| 3.20.12 @ 6:57AM
Mr.Newt Should Stay In.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To A Brokered Convention.
The American Hitman| 3.20.12 @ 7:26AM
This is your Daily Newt-Sliming, courtesy of Bob the Hitman. Weak, but in this economy, if thats all you've got, I guess you have to go with it.
spoofproof| 3.20.12 @ 7:40AM
I think Newt worries the peewaddin outta Axelrod because Axelrod knows better than anybody that ANYthing can happen. I'm glad Newt is stickin' to it and I hope the big shootout in Tampa produces a surprise that nobody but nobody expected. AS long as the Republican ticket stays undecided Axelrod has to keep spinning. I think Newt is staying in because he knows how much he rankles Axelrod, Emmanuel, Jarrett, Holder, Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, Frank and, oh yeah, Obama. Turn the screws, Newt.
Gary Blackman| 3.20.12 @ 7:47AM
I agree. Newt is screwing up their twisted game. Sure wish he didn't have all that baggage, but there it is.
spoofproof| 3.20.12 @ 8:04AM
We've all got baggage. Newt's baggage got spread over the earth via the barrel-of-ink media complex. What Newt accomplished in 1994 was a feat of political finesse that will be studied by historians a hundred years from now (if the LORD tarries). The barrels-of-ink media accentuated Newt's negatives to the point that his positives became invisible to the casual observer but the positives remain. Leftists and their media cronies are enemies of Liberty. Newt is a friend of Liberty. Anything can happen in situations like this and Newt knows it. Quitting is not an option.
Gary B| 3.20.12 @ 8:22AM
"Newt is a friend of Liberty. Anything can happen in situations like this and Newt knows it. Quitting is not an option."
Well said...
Sandy| 3.20.12 @ 6:03PM
Agree!!! Well said :)
Gary Blackman| 3.20.12 @ 7:44AM
As I said before, this whole thing is a Greek tragedy.
The brilliant Newt, who takes the fight to the liberals and the enmedia (and corrupt judges) like no one else on today's stage, has a fatal flaw. Just like Ross Perot before him, they're both a little nuts. This time, however, the stakes are far higher, as the republic is on the precipice.
We don't need an intellect as much as we need a street fighter. We're up to our necks in girly men.
My kingdom for a fighter who doesn't give a damn what the pretty people think. Good people are all around us, but we need one to actually step forward. You know, someone whose closet isn't full of mistresses and homosexuals. Someone who isn't a creature from the Black Lagoon of DC politics. Is that too much to ask? Apparently so. How's that for a world class tragedy?
Gary Blackman| 3.20.12 @ 8:04AM
"The former Speaker makes conservatives want to Ralph."
Cute headline, but which conservatives are you talking about? Perhaps you mean so-called conservatives.
The American Hitman| 3.20.12 @ 8:43PM
He means "Republicans." Conservatives are a whole 'nother animal.
Mike| 3.28.12 @ 2:38PM
No, he means Republicans. Any real conservative wants that backstabbing socialist to retire and stop promoting his stupid ideas with Nancy Pelosi, Al Sharpton, and Barney Frank. Gingrich started out as a Rockefeller Republican, and he only moved left in the 2000s.
Grant | 3.20.12 @ 8:06AM
Take it to em Newt!!
Bob K.| 3.20.12 @ 8:55AM
I believe there are a number of Conservatives who could have been acceptable to the Rank and File Republican constituency had they the fire in their belly needed to run for the Presidency. Because they did not have this we are left with Newt and especially with Santorum who had no money and no chance when he entered the race.
Gary B| 3.20.12 @ 10:26AM
We're also left with Romney, who could put a room full of hyperactive children to sleep.
albert constantine jr.| 3.20.12 @ 9:09AM
In the previous Republican primary, the media and the voters in just a few states (many with open primaries) made the choice for us. As Mike 3/505 has noted above, I second the motion to let it play out and let the Republican voters pick the Republican nominee.
Sandra | 3.20.12 @ 9:11AM
This piece puts it exactly right for me.
I used to be a Gingrich supporter....but then I started to see the cracks.....
Romney will do it....We need to defeat the current occupant....and do it by a wide margin.
Vern Crisler| 3.20.12 @ 11:51AM
Romney will lose. You're wasting your vote.
Skippy| 3.20.12 @ 4:14PM
OK, then let's all stay home like you, and vote for O'Bama by our absence.
That'll show 'em!
Moron.
Vern Crisler| 3.20.12 @ 4:16PM
If you vote for Romney, you'll accomplish the same thing.
Dickhead.
Mimi| 3.20.12 @ 5:56PM
He probably will Vern....It is HE who was the author of all this negative stuff since the real action began in January...if he hasn't stopped by now...(ie) killing off Santorums chances in Illinois he's still a famous BAD-GUY. Who likes that ? , Who likes him?
I trust Newt in what his motives are...He ....TRULY wants to save this country that he loves. He does not want to see another weak POTUS. He had his dirty laundry hangin and blowing for all to see...he has NO fear at this stage. Yes...Axelrod is petrified of him and so is Obama!.....IN or OUT of the race he becomes effective!
Vern Crisler | 3.20.12 @ 7:09PM
Excellent points Mimi.
R Martin| 3.20.12 @ 9:20AM
Newt is the Peter Principle personified. He is reminiscent of all those corporate climbers many of us have encountered who work hard, achieve some success and finally advance to executive management positions only to fail when the job becomes too big. Examples are (Chainsaw) Al Dunlop at Sunbeam, John Sculley at Apple and Carly Fiorina at Hewlett-Packard.
Gingrich certainly had some success attaining the Speakership and initially running the House but, in the end, he was fired for incompetence. He would make a terrible president.
Mike 3/505| 3.20.12 @ 9:42AM
Mr Martin,
You call getting the only Republican majority in the House since forever and balancing the budget for the only time in MY lifetime (53 years) incompetence? Please!
Gingrich may have some baggage, but I believe his baggage is easier to overcome than Romney (I'm rich) or Santorum (I'm a theocrat). Understand, I don't believe that of either Romney or Santorum, but that is the meme the press has and will continue to foster...Both of them have been irrevocably "Palinized" by the press.
Vern Crisler| 3.20.12 @ 11:52AM
R Martin, for a moment there I thought you were talking about Mitt Romney.
Steve| 3.20.12 @ 3:24PM
He was stabbed in the back by the moderates in the party to end the shutdown. The same moderates in power today pushing Uncle Mitty on us.
JimP| 3.20.12 @ 9:20AM
It's STILL Newt's fault? Apparently. Now we are getting column's blaming Gingrich for Santorum's lack of charisma. I don't know for sure if the analysis is petty or just plain old wrong headed. The analysis of Newt's Napoleon complex makes me think it's another petty personal shot wrapped in a why Santorum isn't doing better analysis. Personally, I'm so underwhelmed with the other three still running that I'm hoping Newt will go all the way to Tampa. He's the most articulate candidate when it comes to conservatism. Mitt's a phoney, Rick is too concerned with social issues and can't stop talking about them when he needs to be talking about Obama and the economy and RP is unelectable. So, go Newt. Hang in there baby!
Bill| 3.20.12 @ 9:30AM
Sarah Palin and Haley Barbour voted Newt Gingrich because of his charisma, leadership, and electability.
Skippy| 3.20.12 @ 4:15PM
Barbour will pardon Newt after his conviction.
Stroker97| 3.20.12 @ 6:27PM
Ha Ha Skippy, that was real funny--not!
Scorpio51| 3.20.12 @ 10:19AM
Why is it we have to see these "hit" pieces every few days on sites like this?
Are all of you on the Romney payroll or something? The GOP perhaps?
Believe me if Romney was "inevitable" he would have already won. There is a resistance to him and Newt picks up on this.
But now we have messages saying the GOP will blame Newt forever for spoiling their little party.
Excuse me, but boo, hoo, hoo.
Vern Crisler| 3.20.12 @ 11:57AM
My view is that if these sunshine conservatives prefer Mitt Romney, then the Republicans deserve to lose this November. Newt will be in a better position next time around. A Newt-Santorum ticket would be a winner.
Petronius| 3.20.12 @ 11:20AM
Had Newt really fought for Conservatism back in '95 instead of trying to have it both ways and Bob Dole had enough sense to know he couldn't get anywhere against the Clinton machine, Phil Gramm could have been a great President and he would still be Speaker. When Newt publicly ditched the Conservatives in front of Gerry Seib in the WSJ, he shot himself in both feet. Thanks for NOTHING Newt!!
Stroker97| 3.20.12 @ 11:32AM
Where's the proof for you accusations Moron?
Petronius| 3.20.12 @ 12:27PM
Newt Gingrich was quoted by Gerald Seib in the WSJ in January 1996 as he began his second year as Speaker at a breakfast briefing for Hill correspondents. Newt said, "these Conservatives should understand going in, they are going to be sold out." What Newt Gingrich was after then and still pursues is membership in the beltway clique. He will never admit it. And it will never happen. If we are to get Our Freedom back the unelected Washington Establishment must be smashed.
Steve| 3.20.12 @ 3:25PM
The voices in his head told him so.
Stroker97| 3.20.12 @ 11:30AM
Yet another hit piece on Newt. Now it's Newt's fault! How hilarious. It seems that Tyrrell's army here on the AS has obviously sold-out to Mitten's money and/or the St. Rick fantasy. So feel proud Jeremy Lott, you've just been added to the so-called conservative Newt basher's list that I will be publishing day in and day out with the mission of convincing true conservatives to end their support for the AP and other truly non-conservative media hacks such as yourself.
Al Adab| 3.20.12 @ 11:55AM
All too many see this election as a matter of "Romney is electable" and nothing beyond. Let me ask whether there is any point in defeating this central planning, big government president with a republican central planning, big government president? Historically the results would be the same.
That said, is there a GOP candidate who would actually attempt to move the nation toward a small government, smaller bureaucracy, less costly one? Is there a differnece between a slow motion socialism under the GOP and the headlong rush we are experiencing? If there is no such candidate and /or if such a one is unelectable is there any longer a point to this exercise? If not then self-g0vernment will have proven a failure and the future of liberty will be a new dark age of tyranny. Can we ever adequately apologize to our grandchildren?
As l;ong as any President accepts the legitimacy of the social welfare state and a centrally planned economy, freedom - which is what this nation once valued most highly - will be on the endangered species list.
Anthony| 3.20.12 @ 11:57AM
I'll take Newt any day over a phony RINO, warts and all!!!
Skippy| 3.20.12 @ 4:17PM
You'll take Newt, but you'll get Barry.
Good move!
Stroker97| 3.20.12 @ 6:29PM
Ha Ha, another gut-buster from the Skiptard!
randyinrocklin| 3.20.12 @ 12:54PM
it will not be the fault of Newt if Romney loses. Romney is nothing but another pandering idiot like Obama. Both Romney and Santorum are not conservatives, they are big government status quo.
David| 3.20.12 @ 1:43PM
Why do you folks blast the messenger?
He is only relaying what is in Newt's own handwriting. I have mentioned Newt's scribblings on this site before. No one forced Gingrich to write what he did any more than anyone forced Bam Bam to say he would be the healer of the planet and the receder of the oceans.
Both of them have serious problems with how they see themselves and neither is fit to be prez. I will admit that Gingrich does deserve and important position in the next admin, but not in the oval office or as VP. Bam Bam doesn't deserve to be a city councilman in Chicago.
Stroker97| 3.20.12 @ 3:55PM
Isn't that sweet! A Newt basher coming to the defense of a fellow Newt basher. Tell us oh wise David and Jeremy, what is wrong with what you describe as "Newt's writings"? How is it much different than the scribblings of other great thinkers, political leaders, and philosophers of the past or present? You and your fellow Newt bashers here at AS have gone completely insane with trying to find anything you can to discredit this man. Why is that? Could it be the fact that your fearless leader Tyrrell is in the bag for Romney and has been since he and his buddies bailed out Tyrrell and his AS magazine?
Mike| 3.28.12 @ 2:52PM
Newt Basher = conservative.
Please tell me why you feel the need to steal money from me for, among other things: an economy destroying environmental that Gingrich has been trying to impose on the country since 1989.) , a $400 trillion government moon base boondoggle, a universal healthcare mandate, Sharpton & Gingrich's government education program, anything else Nancy Pelosi tells Gingrich to approve.
This has been Rockefeller RINO spent the 90s trying to ruin conservatism. He should be kicked to the curb asap.
Conservative Bob| 3.20.12 @ 4:04PM
The drum beat continues... Newt is keeping Mitt from consolidating his lead... Newt is keeping Rick from directly challenging Mitt one on one.
Mitt has run a scorched earth campaign; Rick is good one day and not so much the next.
Newt remains the best communicator of conservative ideas of the bunch.
Now if the GOP loses in Nov it will be Newts fault. What a crock.
Romney lit this fuse with his unrelenting personal attacks in Iowa… he did the same thing in FL. Now its Newts fault. The establishment now thinks Newt is bad for being angry at how he was treated by his own and he is the one putting our chances at risk. Go back and review who was making person attacks and who was talking about issues. Romney and his supporters cut the heart out of everyone who looked like a viable conservative alternative.
It is a primary, everyone gets to vote in each state until someone gets the necessary number of delegates. This time the GOP establishment didn’t get to game the process so as to install their favorite as the nominee, largely because their chosen has yet to close the deal.
Maybe team Romney should consider conducting the balance of the primary race in such a way that everyone will be able to close ranks around the nominee and enthusiastically support the eventual winner be it Gingrich, Paul, Romney, or Santorum.
Stroker97| 3.20.12 @ 6:23PM
Well said C-Bob!
The great Satan| 3.20.12 @ 9:51PM
Mittzy didn't cut anybody. Each of these other candidates opened their mouth, and the voters saw them for the radical fools that they were. They cut themselves with their own words.
Georga| 3.20.12 @ 5:16PM
Newt has been villanized by so many on both sides, all sides, and I find it disgusting. If Romney the ruthless hadn't spent millions on negative advertising, Newt would have stayed on top. Too bad tearing a patriot like Newt to shreds suits so many....this writer included. Even Lindsay Graham said in interview that he was part of the cous against Newt and that he regrets it and appreciatesNewt now because what Newt did was amazing....(I'm generalizing his statements, but you get the drift.)
Stroker97| 3.20.12 @ 6:24PM
Spot on Georga!
The great Satan| 3.20.12 @ 9:44PM
No need to wait. Everyone with any basic moral and ethical standards Already finds Newt beneath contempt. This, of course excludes the entire GOP.
Robert17| 3.20.12 @ 11:55PM
Newt wrote down his goals and accomplished many of them? So what is your excuse for not even having goals?
Worst article of the day| 3.21.12 @ 3:46AM
It's not the ad money, it is the people numbering now in the hundreds that the Romney team has bought off. Probably your governor, lieutenant governor, state attorney general, your congressman, and your senator if he or she is up for election this year or in 2014.
Romney will break all records for buying endorsements from the political class.
I can name the top nine politicians FOR CERTAIN in my state that Romney has bought.
Mr. Lott, your article sucks. Or can I say it any plainer?
Mr. Gingrich belongs in this race and he's accurate to say that he's helped push the national focus now to obtaining all our energy sources on, above, and beneath U.S. soil.
That is a winner topic that will carry those who support it to victory in November.
Please name for me one topic that Mitt Romney has launched that has the White House and Executive Branch occupants sweating?
Newt Gingrich has his faults (every man does and every politician HAS MANY by definition). But I'll take him as our U.S. President in a heartbeat over Romney.
I admire a man who clearly knows his history and knows how it applies to today. He knows to apply lessons learned.
Simultaneously -- Romney uses his six figure speech writing team and teleprompters.
JohnInFlorida| 3.21.12 @ 3:34PM
If the Republican nominee loses the election to Obama, you can pin the blame directly on Romney and his umpteen-bazillion dollars of negativity spent on discrediting Santorum, Gingrich and all the others. That's where the blame deserves to be fixed in the event of Obama's reelection.
Nick| 3.21.12 @ 6:27PM
Check your history books, Mr. Lott. The House GOP did not almost loose their majority. They only lost five seats. They lost 9 seats in 1996, thanks to Dole.
When, not if, O'Romney loses (if he's the nominee) it will not be the fault of the former Speaker.
It will be alllllll Mitt's fault. And, those who voted for him in the primaries.