There is something to be said about having some age and wisdom back in the white house. At 79, the history professor will have some valuable skills for the Presidency. Newt wasn’t my first or even second choice, but he is now in my top 3, and is far ahead of the other 2 in the polls.
Newt is 68...
Newt is 68, having been born in June, 1943. Your point about him having experience is still valid, however.
As for me, right now he's the most conservative guy out there with a chance to beat Obama. That's not to say that he's a doctrinaire Conservative - he's not - but he's certainly more conservative than Romney, and the rest have about zero chance to beat Zero. Since my philosophy about choices is, "the Perfect is the enemy of the Good," I am a Gingrich supporter. No candidate out there is perfect, nor will such ever exist. But our Republic and Western Civilization desperately needs to defeat Zero, and right now Newt is the one to do it. The media has been easy on Romney so far (just like McStain in '08), but the moment that he's the actual nominee the gloves will come off. Romney hasn't been in fights like Newt, and I believe that only Newt can take all of the hits that are on the way and come out on top.
By the way, in terms of personal characteristics and habits vs. politics, the following quiz is instructive:
It is time to elect a new world leader, and only your vote counts. Here are the facts about the three leading candidates:
Candidate A - He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whiskey every evening.
Candidate B - He is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and never cheated on his wife.
Which of these candidates would be your choice?
Candidate A is Winston Churchill.
Candidate B is Adolph Hitler.
Now this proves nothing other than that one's personal characteristics and habits have little to do with what one's potential may be (and, of course, one's motivations), but I am simply not willing to count out Newt because of his various relationships with females. Besides, at age 68 he's probably not going to be doing much in the way of what he did earlier in his life. It simply isn't an issue for me, and I wish it wasn't one for others.
At least Cheney isn’t misunderestimating him, although Mitt might.