“She’s going to be a much bigger story in the short run,” said Gingrich, explaining Palin’s higher media profile compared to other GOP governors. “But, I think, as she goes back to being governor and as she works in Alaska, you’re going to see a group of governors emerge, not just Sarah Palin.”
If anyone bothers to read the article, Newt does not dismiss Sarah Palin as a leader. He gives an honest and accurate assessment, imo. My guess is that there are quite a number of posters climbing all over Newt's ass for the title of the article alone. We shall see.
Personally, I think this move takes a little media heat off Sarah. Let her do her job, is she is going to be the leader, she will show herself. Cream rises to the top.
BUT ... all that said, Palin has not really proved herself as a party leader yet. Gingrich is right. And as for there being no de facto leader, he is also correct about that. The closest thing our movement has to leadership at the moment is Talk Radio, and Limbaugh, Hannity, et al are not politicians. As of right now, we really have no political leadership at all, de facto or otherwise. Frankly, I don't even see an heir apparent. I am more than a bit alarmed by all the FReepers who're selling out to Palin completely at this point. She has a lot of work to do if she wants to be leader, and that work will include more than just making media appearances.