They want him for the nominee, because they have plenty of ammo to take him out when the time comes.
Newt Gingrich is not a RINO. He holds a 90% lifetime conservative rating. He is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation. His track record in Congress and as Speaker of the House was solid conservative.
If nominated Newt will taunt, ridicule and criticize Barry Soetoro aka Barack Obama aka Steve Dunham every day until the election. He will eviscerate Barry whether he agrees to debate or not. Newt will make the general public see what a pathetic, loser BHO really is. That is the reason for the all out smear campaign. They want to run agains’t Mitt because Mitt like McStain before him will try to be a gentleman.
If elected President Newt Gingrich will try to make some pretty significant changes in government that need to be made. The 21st Century Contract For America is a good start.