I don’t think he can either. The media is holding its fire now but will eat his lunch when the time is right. (about the time he makes the traditional move to the center after winning the nomination)
Candidates who think there is a center, and "move to it" are actually just getting involved with the "fringe", and that's not enough voters to make a difference.
What they have to do is RETAIN THEIR BASE and seek to DETACH A FACTION OR PART OF A FACTION from the other party.
Per some threads, Gingrich is already losing some ground in Iowa due to the attack ads from his competitors.
Many who jumped on the Gingrich bandwagon had no idea of his history. Many jumped on Gingrich’s bandwagon because he was sort of the last Great White-haired Hope for them.
Many are trying to sell the new, improved, Version 2.0 Gingrich. Many others are not buying it.
It’s already begun. Mark Shields on PBS News Hour described Gingrich as “emotionally unstable.” This will be the line of attack. The fact that Gingrich has been married multiple times, twice to mistresses (his current wife was his partner in adultery; great advertisement for the party of family values)suggests someone who has not been trustworthy in one of the most important relationships in life. I can’t imagine why evangelicals would be supporting this guy. To also suggest he is a committed, reliable conservative is ridiculous. He’s as much a progressive as Romney. At least Romney is a solid family man who’s been married to the same woman since high school, has a beautiful family, and hasn’t been pushed out of office because of questionable ethics.
I really don’t think average voters who aren’t particularly partisan will oust the genial, even-tempered (or so he appears) Obama for someone whom the media will portray as too flaky and unpredictable to have his finger on the nuclear button. Ain’t going to happen.