You seem to forget that even as Speaker, Newt only had one vote in Congress. If a bill went down to defeat, you have to blame a combination of Democrats and Republicans.
These are just some items that passed:
Eliminating the “marriage penalty”
Cutting Capital Gains taxes
Balancing the Federal Budget
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
The first GOP majorities in Congress in generations
Welfare Reform
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
The Taking Back Our Streets Act
The American Dream Restoration Act
The National Security Restoration Act
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (Tort Reform)
Family Reinforcement Act
The House impeached Bill Clinton
Newt cut taxes and balanced the budget. He instituted tort reform as well as getting Clinton to sign Welfare Reform. Newt led the Republican Revolution and under his leadership the Republicans took Congress for the first time in 40 years. Newt was not a failure as Speaker as many seem to imply.
Additionally, Newt helped write DOMA. Newt says he will reinstate DADT, Cain says he will not. Newt says he will abolish the 9th Circuit Court of Clowns and has found historical precedent to do so.
Good reminder list ... thanx