And DC Republicans seeking national approval or election know:
If, as a Republican, you say something that pi$$es the LEFT off, you lose the "moderates," who are totally spoon-fed the "facts" by media, and you become a pariah, crucified in media. (This is EXACTLY what happened to NEWT ten years ago).
If, as a Republican, you say something that DOESN'T pi$$ off the left, and instead pi$$es off the RIGHT, you lose little or nothing, because the voters on the right have nowhere else to turn and are going to vote Republican ANYWAY.
PLUS, you get articles about yourself in the NYT and Atlantic Monthly, and you get invited to DC parties with Tim Russert and Teddy Kennedy.
Bush infuriates the Left everyday and he won re-election.
41 infuriated the Right and lost in '92.
Delay is crucified by the Media, still ticking, and beloved.
Newt isn't going to get ANYWHERE with this.
Thank goodness for Brit Hume, he is telling the truth.