Newt’s rise will continue because every time he speaks he takes on the media and Obama in the same sound bite. Of course he is the smartest Republican candidate with loads of ideas. If he stays disciplined we could see Obama and Gingrich debating next fall.
I'm not a big fan of Newt, but his running against the media is a very smart tactic.
First, most people, and especially conservative view the media as just an alter ego of the big government establishment elite. So, when he goes against the media, many people, mistakenly, view him as outside of the establishment.
Second, it permits him to appear more courageous than the other candidates in the field, most of whom appear wary, if not frightened, of the media.
Third, it is a preventive measure from the future media attacks which are sure to come. Each time he takes on the media today, he becomes a little more inoculated.