He’s obviously endorsing her because he sees her as CA’s next governor, and he has ambitions to run for the White House in 2012. This gives him an “in” with the CA governor and whatever logistical help that can provide him in a primary election run. Personal ambition over country.
I’m not necessarily disagreeing with you, but I do think Newt would be revealing himself to be a first class idiot if he were thinking along these lines.
Since President Reagan, I don’t remember any Republican Presidential Contender spending more than a few hours in California, campaigning for victory.
Each Republican contender flies into the state, makes a couple of cameo appearances, then attends a $20 to $25k per plate dinner, and escapes before they’re caught absconding with our funds to spend in 49 other states.
So what good is Whitman going to do Newt? He won’t be coming to California for more than a few hours. He won’t even be trying to win the state. He could have gone to dinner and not have had to buy her a meal.
Newt, put that brain of yours back in your pocket, and try not to sit on it again.