[Norman Bates]

I had the pleasure to hear Newt Gingrich speak followed by a Q&A at Johns Hopkins in Maryland two years ago. The man was very impressive. He batted down naysayers and bombthrowers with ease - turned their own arguments on them and made them look supremely foolish. I can tell you he is more than an idea man - they guy has got superb chops and thinks on his feet pronto.

[LS]

I heard Newt too at a pro-Israel function in the 1990s. Again, very impressive, not a note, had command of the Middle East.

I'm not questioning his intellect, which is sizeable. I'm questioning his mean streak and ability to bare-knuckle fight, which I think is lacking.