the 1996 battle killed Gingrich
I think what hurt Newt, the most was the leftist media going after him for exposing Jim Wright. Remember the charges of that dang history lesson course and his book. It went on and on. I think he just was pressured by his fellow colleagues to leave since they would be punished at the polls. They were cowardly, not to defend him and began this new cross over to work with these leftists dems. It has hurt us ever since. Now, we see them not only as leftists, but many up there on that side, are radicals. Imo.