You miss the very simple point of the post. Reagan knew liberal republicans when he created the 11th commandment and Romney would have been middle of the pack to right given Ford/Rockefeller types. So you can say that it’s OK for Newt to ignore it if that’s your wish - but don’t pretend that it respects Reagan’s intent - he would have handled Romney without personal attack - let alone going anti-business, anti-capitalist.
As far as learning more about Newt, I suppose I could. I have seen every debate this year. I’ve watched Newt videos in the past - both political and historical. I’ve been reading Gingrich books on/off since I read his intro to Future Shock. I’ve also seen/heard the various TV and talk-radio interview. The opinions were not exhaustively researched but they were also not without thought. Newt has good policy and the occasional odd policy. In regards to Newt getting touch with Romney - he comes off whiney and worse. To quote Stepbrothers, when he goes anti-capitalist, anti-rich, anti-business to “get” Romney - Newt - “You’re Just Coming Off Stupid”
You are correct look at he field in the 1980 primary
GW Bush
R. Dole
j Anderson
P Crane
All of these are either left of or similar to Romney today and Reagan never acted like Gingrich he took them on regarding issues and blew them out of the water.