Because not one of this group has held elective office and been repeatedly elected to same as a solid conservative. Newt was the principle architect of the Contract with America that regained Republican control of Congress that has led us to this decision point. His point of view should be given serious weight. His credentials as a conservative are a good deal better than the eliteist DC "pundit core"
Exactly! This whole argument is based on what a person's philosophy is on a document written over 200 years ago. Since the framers haven't held elected office in 200 years I guess we should disregard them as well?