I don’t dislike Newt. I think he has some strengths Santorum doesn’t. He’s a vicious debater. Maybe the best the right has had since Buckley.
But, Newt has some major weaknesses that can’t be overlooked. He’s said some weird stuff fairly recently (a lot more recently than 1993). Nothing deal-breaking ... but still weird. He tends to shoot his mouth off on occasion. And, his family history is a freaking mess.
I’d take either of them over Romney. I’d take Santorum over Gingrich, barely. Mostly because of Gingrich’s cluster of a personal life, which is just embarrassing and indefensible. On policy, I’m mostly fine with both.
SnakeDoc
Very reasonable and I appreciate the thinking. I had to digest some of these same things about Newt and I did so because I think he is so talented and now seasoned for a time such as this. I just don’t see much ability in RS and I see a ton of weaknesses in his so called true conservatism.
But again, while I disagree with your conclusion, I respect your thought process.