I think there’s even more to it. I think Newt does appreciate the purist instincts of MB and RS. He is secure enough in himself to admit it. It is also wise politically.
I think it’s a stunning contrast to MB and RS, who are way too insecure (and too low in the polls) to admit that Newt has actually accomplished a lot of stuff that they agree with.
Having said that, RS did say some stunning things in the close, where he remembered (finally) that Newt was THE INTELLECTUAL INSPIRATION for all of congress in the 80s and 90s.
The recipe for success is to have Newt in the White House and being held in check by purists in congress.
I agree. I’ve always thought we send the smartest guy out there to make the case, educate the electorate while doing it, and once elected have folks like the Tea Party apply pressure to keep Newt on the conservative side. As we see, he seems pretty saavy of who he is apealing to and who is supporting him so I would hope he stays true to his supporters. We know we don’t have to worry about him when it comes to foreign policy and if the conservatives can understand Newt’s a big thinker and he’s going to throw some ideas out there we may not be used to. I would advise them to hear him out and explain why he feels it might be a better idea than from the typical conservative playbook. I always thought that once he was elected, he would eventually meet with Paul Ryan and let them hash out whatever differences there might be. You would have to believe, Newt would love to talk to Paul Ryan and sees him as a young bright energetic up and coming Republican who only lacks some experience the Speaker has. I would bet this would result in an even better plan than the one originally proposed.