Gingrich was not a conservative until he started rehabilitating his image so he could run for President. He voted to create the Department of Education. He helped orchestrate a special lame duck session of congress so that GATT/WTO could get passed before Republicans took the majority in the House. In 2005 he was calling for doubling funding for the UN High Commission on Human Rights and more UN peacekeeping missions. Yes, he helped pass balanced budgets, then voted for supplemental spending that increased the debt. And don't forget that during this time Social Security was running large surpluses. He helped spend every penny of those surpluses and more.
Gingrich did not reach the pinnacle of Washington politics by being an anti-establishment strict constructionist. He became Speaker of the House by playing the game that he now rails against. His only executive experience was a chief legislator in Washington and it would be very generous to call that time successful. It saddens me that so many conservatives forget how much Gingrich drove us nuts as Speaker. He was constantly compromising with the Democrats in Congress and President Clinton to "get things done."
The Contract with America was a great success for conservatives leading to Republicans taking back the House after 40 years. But the Republicans, led by Gingrich, failed to follow up. Gingrich is a seasoned academic which helps him be a great debater. But his record is not conservative, only his rhetoric is.
point well thought out and written.
I do think that Newt has really started to realize that we are now at zero hour and the time to get our house in order is now. There’s no more ‘play’ left on the clock.
Just a gut feeling - and no I’m not a Newtbot.
Will he still do something dumb from time to time? Yes. However, I think he understands the big picture of this time in history.
I wish Fred Thompson was 20-30 years younger. ; /