Gingrich has a history of being very dislikeable. He was even disliked by Republican members of the House when he was Speaker. Relatively small time negative ads nearly destroyed him in Iowa. The baggage he carries with him, most unknown to the public at large, will define him as a candidate and lead to an Obama victory. As you stated, "The average voter doesn’t analyze policy" like we do here
There is no sense in giving a truckload of ammunition to the Obama campaign by selecting a candidate who has such a tawdry past. Sure, they will try to destroy Santorum, but they will have to manufacture their own ammunition to do so. Let's not make it easier for them.
“He was even disliked by Republican members of the House when he was Speaker.”
yes Establishment pukes like Boehner, Scarborough, Delay, who after Gingrich forced Clinton into Balancing the Budget...
...those yahoos ran the House into the ground with their Big Spending ways...killing GOP majorities in future elections.