I disagree that Newt's a "progressive" in your definition. I have a very good idea of the term's meaning and its history in U.S. politics going back to Teddy Roosevelt.
TR believed in empowering labor unions. Newt doesn't.
TR sought to raise taxes on the rich and erect a centralized bureaucracy. Newt doesn't.
TR hated the old constitutional republic, believing it to be a relic of the past. Newt understands and believes in the constitution and works to keep it functional. Recent case in point, his constitutional view of keeping the judiciary in balance via separation of powers with the Executive and Legislative branches.
TR was an imperialist who favored the warfare state and nation building. I don't see any evidence that Newt is in that camp.
TR was a racist who believed that "inferior" races -- Eastern and Southern Europeans, blacks and asians -- were destined to be absorbed by Northern European Anglo-Saxon civilization. He paved the way for Margaret Sanger, the Eugenics movement, and ultimately Hitler's genocide of the Jews.
Obama, not Newt Gingrich, is the direct descendant of TR's progressivism. He even acknowledged that recently with his speech in Osawatomie, Kan., the same place Roosevelt made the case for what he called the New Nationalism in a speech in Osawatomie, Kansas, on August 31, 1910.
Heres video of Newt saying what I said himself.. (repeatedly)
He simply loves the arch-progessive FDR..
Both Willard and Newt are progressives.. as is Obama..
Next question.. WHAT ARE YOU?...