You've made several very, very good points. But, like you, I just don't think Gingrich can do it given his "growing" stature, physical not intellectual. Plus, his personal problems make him a non-starter for the SoCons.
I would add Haley Barbour to your very short list. Sure, he comes off initially as a good ole' boy, but he is equally as intellectual as Gingrich, without the personal problems. And, yes he was a lobbyist. But, it's been less than 6 months into Barry's administration and he has COMPLETELY walked back all his self-imposed exclusions of lobbyists working in his administration. It would be tough to criticize Barbour when he has now surrounded himself with quasi-Wall street lobbyists in his entire economic team.
I'm going to wait until the primaries to pick a horse, as my original pick decided to go on a south-of-the-border love fest. But, with or without Palin, I don't believe things are nearly as dire as some would pretend, or hope.
Haley Barbour resembles Chief Karlin from Fletch way, way too much.
Not the sort of figure that is electable on the national level.