Santorum will not attract Independents. And, he does not inspire. He doesn’t inspire me. Looking forward, Newt has the best tried and true jobs and economic plan - Reaganomics. And, he is focusing on that messaging now.
Only Newt can unite the various wings of the GOP: Tea Party, lovers of life, the conservative base, etc., and have it play well on a national level. Newt will take it to the media too challenging the premise of the media questions. The media is enemy #1, not Obama. Obama can’t stand up on his own without the media propping him up.
Btw, Newt’s ACU rating is more conservative than Santorum, ever so slightly. Its 90 Lifetime. The National Taxpayer Union gave Gingrich A,A,A,and A, his last four years in the House. That made him 11th, 4th, 2nd, and #1 most conservative compared to other Republicans. Look it up.
I like Santorum, enough. But, I don’t think he is presidential timber. Newt has led a Republican majority. Newt understands our dual enemies: the radical left secularist and radical Islam. Failure to grasp these two key issues could cost us our future. The American people will overlook baggage for accomplishments. Give Newt a war chest, the game changes. If people don’t coalesce around Newt, say hello Romney and say hello Obama because Romney cannot beat Obama.
Just my 0.02.
2% is not very impressive when you consider that Newt represented a solidly conservative constituency and Santorum represented a slightly left of center constituency for 12 of his 14 years in congress.
Still, what Newt did when he was in congress has never bothered me so much as what he has done since.