[BenKenobi]

“I have three tests: (1) electability; (2) conservative bona fides; (3) vision.”

So you are happy with Newt’s support of amnesty and Newt’s support of anthropogenic global warming, and Newt’s support for O-care?

He’s a disaster on the ‘conservative bona fides’. Really, he is.

[nathanbedford]

Of course I am not happy with those policy positions of Gingrich's. But I am very happy with his record of balancing four budgets, reforming welfare, shutting down the government, going toe to toe with Bill Clinton, fashioning the Gingrich "revolution."

So I think you have to balance the good with the bad on the whole record and come up with a mixed judgment. As to Obamacare, I think he is articulated a position for repeal which is unshakable. Furthermore, when we judge Gingrich or any other candidate on these issues, we must not do so in a vacuum but by way of comparison against other candidates. In my judgment there is only one alternative now to Gingrich and that is Romney. Whose position on healthcare do you dislike the least?

In balancing these three tests we must not do so in a vacuum but relative to the other candidates. It is admittedly a subjective process involving imperfect options but it is what we got.