I thought that Newt was a great leader 1994-’98. I was mad at him when he resigned from Congress in Dec. 1998, causing Georgia to pay for a special election to replace him. In Nov. ‘98, Republicans lost five seats, in the House, but, in Jan. ‘99, they still had a majority. At that time, there were 223 Republicans, 211 Democrats, and an independent (Bernie Sanders). Newt should have been grateful that Republicans controlled both houses of Congress and tried to propose more conservative bills.
Newt WAS a great leader for 1994 and part of 1995... until the so-called “government shutdown” showdown with Bubba. When he folded like a cheap suit over it, he single-handedly delivered Bubba a second term on a silver platter and locked in the gutless weaselry setting for the GOP leadership and party for the next 21 years until Trump.
He had no choice but to resign after the Republicans failed to make serious gains in the 6th year of the Clinton regime (indeed, 6th years were usually a disaster for the party in the WH, think 1938, 1946, 1958, 1966, 1974, 1986, instead, they managed to turn it on its head and gain seats for the party in power). They already told him in-caucus that there might be enough Republicans to turn him out in it or to deny him an outright majority of 218 votes, because just 5 Republicans could’ve and would’ve gone rogue. Gingrich was done.
Newt is a huge egomaniac jerk and major flip flopper who’s held all kinda of RINO positions. I like that he has ideas but some are crummy (colonize Mars and have kids work as janitors in their schools, keep those to yourself Newt) Gun to my head I honestly would have chosen Romney over him (I voted for Santorum), all he would have done is lost by more.
He’s also a hero for winning the House and a very intelligent person maybe the highest IQ guy to run for President in recent times. I’d say I respect him but don’t like him. He’s 50 times the man Bannon is and 100 times the man Angieeffski is.
As for his Speakership, I can’t pretend it was all gangbusters, people are looking back with rose-colored glasses, he caved to Clinton on the government shutdown, that was a disaster.
Many GOP members hated his guts for whatever reason (personality? It wasn’t all RINOS that wanted him out), they tried to do a coup in 1997 and after he lost seats in 98 he fell on the sword which was probably a good move, dems were using him like we use Pelosi now, a lower key leader helped us keep control in 2000, unfortunately Hastert was a boy raper not to mention big government fiend though I like “the Hastert Rule”.
As for Angieefski, he seems like a wanker, I don’t know why he has a personality cult and I hope he doesn’t run statewide again.