
This is the final regularly scheduled review of potential GOP candidates for the 2012 nomination. It's not clear that Newt Gingrich is considering running for the Presidency in 2012, or ever. However, if he were to consider running, he would have to be considered a top contender. He certainly has said and done things over the past 15 years that would indicate he has considered the option and has tried to position himself to be in a good spot for a run.
Other Candidates reviewed,
Mitt RomneyMark SanfordBobby JindalSarah PalinMike Huckabee Experience: Newt Gingrich was elected to Congress in 1978, on his third attempt, having previously lost two close elections. In 1979 he joined the Public Works Committee. Gingrich won 10
consecutive Congressional elections through 1998 when he retired from Congress. He had won an 11
th but refused to take his seat, when in 1998 his popularity had slid as low as 28% before recovering back to the mid-40's. During his tenure he became Minority whip in 1989, and House Speaker in 1995, after successfully launching the Contract with America during the 1994 election cycle with many other Republican Congressmen and hopefuls. That cycle saw a gain of 54 Republican seats, and the first Republican
Congressional majority in decades.
Grade: A. With 20 years in Congress and an understanding of how Congress works, including a couple of leadership roles in that body, Newt has a wealth of experience relative to other potential GOP contenders. It could be argued his experience is not 'executive' like that of Sanford,
Palin,
Jindal,
Huckabee or even Romney. However, because of the relationships Newt has undoubtedly cultivated over the years, he has potential insights into the Presidency that would mitigate that issue, and his leadership roles certainly exceed that of
'community organizer'.
Likability/Electability: Newt's Contract with America in 1994 came with something that was fundamentally lacking in Congress in so many areas - common sense. A big part of the appeal of Newt and the young Republicans at the time was that very common sense. Common sense goes a long way towards electability, and arguable some distance towards likability as well. Newt still has that common sense.
Here he is talking about gas prices in 2008.
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