I'd love to tell you whether his election chances are ruined or not, but I have no idea what the hell he just said.
"but I have no idea what he just said".
Exactly! That's why Newt gave him high marks for one of the best responses in recent memory. Contrast this with a Dean Scream or a Pelosi Punditry. Purely oratorically, hard to get a grip on as silly putty, with a vague suggestion that "we are the reasoned party".