Yes, Newt really does incredibly well in these debates. But he's still Newt, and he's not going to be the Republican nominee.
+1 on Newt. I don’t see him as President, but he is enjoyable to watch and hear.
And, IMO, Newt knows it, and is on the stage to be the conservative attack dog and point-maker -- knowing full well the others would be too fearful to do the same.
And that (also IMO) makes him one hell of an American patriot.