Conservative base GOP voters, many who haven't closely observed Newt Gingrich over two decades, are getting their first glimpse of Gingrich's intellect and debate skills turned against them. Never forget that a keen mind loves the intellectual challenge of arguing an unpopular position and may drop conservative principles and ideology for the thrill of complex arguments and acceptance by peers.
If elected President, Newt's power of persuasion and oratory is a two-edged sword that can just as easily be misdirected to entice GOP members of Congress to abandon the conservative principles and desires of their constituents.
When longtime observers of Gingrich state they don't trust him, this real danger of philosophical betrayal is exactly what they are talking about.
“Never forget that a keen mind loves the intellectual challenge of arguing an unpopular position and may drop conservative principles and ideology for the thrill of complex arguments and acceptance by peers.”
Very well stated. I remember Rush making the same comment, but I cannot remember with regard to whom or what. But I remember the gist of the comment. Essentially, it was someone like Newt - real smart guy - who had this public debate, got his head handed to him, but was happy at the outcome because the debate was the fun part - whether anything good came of it didn’t matter. Only the verbal jousting mattered, and it was a lot of fun.