No party organization is monolithic in its thinking. And what Dem in their right mind would “want” Newt to run in the abstract?
(BTW, how old are these Dem operatives you talked to? I ask because I think it’s very telling if they did or did not live (and pay attention) through the Clinton years.)
But politics is about pragmatism and, given their choices, Newt provides the Dems with a lot of tactical advantages.
As for Dems voting for Newt, what’s your evidence for that?
Evidence for that? I have a family member who lives in a retirement community in California. She’s been a staunch Democrat (not liberal) for years. She didn’t even vote for Reagan (still breaks my heart). At this point, she’s leaning heavy for Gingrich & says many of her friends in the community are as well.
They can’t stand Obama even though they voted for him last time around. They think Newt is the only mature one w/ enough experience to get the job done.
In my travels, I hear this same sentiment often.
As far as tactical advantages, the Dem.s would have various tactical advantages w/ any of the candidates. The question is who can overcome those tactical advantages the best & win? As I stated in the previous post, who can not only win, but have the best chance at having the party unify behind their conservative message? Who would have the best coat tails?
I believe it’s Newt.