Molinari is certainly entitled to his opinion. In a perfect world, Newt wouldn’t be my first (or second) choice, either. But here in the real world, we’re running out of choices. Sarah declined, Cain’s out, and Bachmann is probably too far back in the polls to have much chance at the nom. It’s basically down to Gingrich, Romney, or a late-game comeback by Perry at this point. And Romney is a non-starter for me.
Now, do I worry about Gingrich’s chances against Obama? You betcha. There is a chance that Newt will be the disaster some predict he would be. But again, unless Perry makes a comeback, I don’t see what other choice we have. The GOP’s best are still a young bunch - Jindal, McDonnell, Rubio, etc. It’ll be 2016 before most of them really come into their own. We have to fight the best we can with what’s available in 2012.
Either that, or embrace 4 more years of Obama. And frankly, if that happens, I think his policies will be so entrenched by 2016, that the damage will be irreversible.
Whenever I hear that the current batch of candidates is somewhat lacking, my own response is that this process is doing its job by exposing the weaknesses of each in ways that my not be otherwise evident, even in state selections. Four years ago, I was CONVINCED that Fred Thompson was unbeatable, and that we agreed on everything. Five months ago, I felt the same way about Perry. The reality is that all of these men (and woman) are far from perfect. They are human. And you're never going to get a candidate who sees things EXACTLY the way you do.
BTW, it brings a tear to my eye, watching you grow in just seven years from “DemforBush,” to “Newt Gingrich is not conservative enough to be our nominee.”