A run for President, especially an interesting one like Newt’s is always good for the future.
Newt will probably get a spot on Fox, maybe even a show. It happened to Huckabee, and while I like Huckabee, Newt would have a far more interesting show.
Perry has a good job, Michele didn’t make it far enough, Herman Cain blew it, but I think Newt will come out of this better known and more popular.
As for Santorum, I can’t really imagine where he can or will go from here.
I have little doubt that Gingrich's role in the 2012 campaign (either willingly or unwillingly) will be remembered as a spoiler for Romney.
Gingrich knows he can't win now. But instead of attempting to consolidate the Conservative vote, he seems to be actively supporting Romney while remaining a declared candidate.
I have to believe that Gingrich is a smart guy. Like the others, they must know that the chances of Romney winning against Obama are extremely slim. I'd bet their strategy is now just to limit the coming shift in power.
There's a vindictive part of me that would like to think these guys (the GOP Establishment) are going to get what they deserve, another 4 years of Obama and the loss of control in the House and Senate. But, the reality is that they (on a personal level) don't have a stake in the politics of the future. Their lives will go on just fine, employed, making great money and retaining their lifestyles. It's the rest of us that will have to suffer.