Newt said sitting on that couch with Pelosi was one of his biggest mistakes. I’m not sure he’s obliged to give the die yards on FR a pound of his flesh.
Theoretically Newt would have been the best for nomination, but in TV world, perception is more important that fact and Newt generated some good mis-perceptions. Why? maybe he lives too much in history and longer range political planning and little things like the couch just don't register or he could also suffer from the general GOP misconception that if you are nice and considerate to dems, that they will act the same.
Newt also said last week that it's time for Conservatives to accept gay marriage. I guess you're OK with that too.