Posted on 01/24/2007 1:11:31 PM PST by PDR
Inside a modest hotel meeting room in Tempe, Ariz., a dozen health-care thinkers kill time with small talk as they await the unfaded celebrity aura that is Newt Gingrich.
Like scores of companies before and since, the one sponsoring this forum on health-care reform has paid a princely sum to hear Gingrich's ideas on transforming what is probably the most stubbornly archaic industry around, where 21st-century leaps in cancer treatment coexist with doctors still scribbling illegibly on prescription pads. The evening's events open with this private session, where only conference panelists and hosts are permitted access to the former House Speaker. His keynote address comes hours later, after dinner.
[SNIP]
Few believed this puckish politician, who can sound like a cross between self-help guru Tony Robbins and futurist Alvin Toffler, could lead the Republican Party to overthrow entrenched Democrats in charge of the House of Representatives for 40 years. Fewer still believed he could resurrect his reputation after his ignoble fall from power four years later.
And this year, as he throws warm-up pitches for a 2008 presidential campaign, hoping that his big ideas, combined with his grass-roots popularity, will produce a "draft Newt" movement, even his most ardent loyalists doubt he can pull it off. "He's a better Moses, leading the party out of the wilderness, than he is a King David, running the show," says Frank Lavin, a veteran of Republican administrations who now serves as commerce undersecretary.
For more go to: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/02/05/8399121/index.htm
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
"The New Newt", a lot like "The New Nixon."
They said Nixon was finished too, you know. And he showed them.
Alright, I've made a choice.
bump
The anachronisms of physician practices are one of my flash points. The insult of filling out forms by hand and then having a large-breasted acolyte transcribe them while you wait to see the high priest is unbelievable. Then, you get assigned to two trips to the pharmacy because he is too lazy to log online and have the drugs ready when you arrive.
The arrogance and disdain for your worth as an individual is unbelievable.
I like what I read about Newt, and what I hear him say. He is definitely high on my list.
He also has experience. Some would call it baggage, but politics is a dirty game and you can't play without getting some on you.
Plus, I'm pretty sure most of it is out there already.
Newt's a fine gadfly, but not much of a leader. I'd prefer that he get a regular commentary spot on cable news.
If he's smart it is!
Great post and article; thanks. Newt has big ideas for sure, but big baggage, too. I hope he gets in the race. Even if he doesn't win, he'll sure stir the pot.
Gingrich or Santorum.
Hillary will probably win. The best shot the Reps have is Newt or Condi, and Condi won't run.
When the Dem's started complaining about the uninsured, Newt chimed in that is simple, make it deductible for all, I remember seeing him say it on TV.
The Dem's lambasted him it was to expensive in terms of what money it took out of the budget.
GWB just set them back on their heals, what will be their excuse this time! Touche Newt and GWB !
Some people love him and some hate him. The new boss may actually get things done, as Gingrich did with things like welfare reform.
But after a while, everybody gets tired of all the meetings and jargon. They just want to do their work and not be forever exhorted to this or that, and start laughing at the new boss behind his back.
But he's been successfully daemonized by the lamestream media. If you went to the local mall and said in a medium-loud voice "Hey Newt! Long time no see!" people would flee in every direction.
He just can't get elected. He is not the one.
Would you be happy about that? What if we come up with a candidate that can make a shrimp like Hillary look as bad as what she deserves to look like?
Hes the best thing going in both parties. Something the Repulicans need "BACKBONE" Something the Demon-crats need loves America.
Something the whole country needsa a rallying point to stop the damn kennedy clan and Leaky Leahy bunch alongwith the weirdo from Delaware
I'm open to Newt, but I want to hear more, and I'm concerned that his "personal problems" of the past may hurt him considerably among socially conservative voters whose support is absolutely indispensible
I've often thought that if he could be talked into taking such a "lowly" position, he's make an awesome Presidential press secretary or communications director.
Condi's only chance will be if there is a dramatic drop in casualties and increase in stability in Iraq by July. After that it will be too late to get in the race.
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