Gingrich is a favorite of many Republicans, because he's just about the only person who:
1) Was a major national political figure.
2) Has been a consistent full-spectrum conservative.
3) Got out of government before Bush and DeLay ruined everyone's reputation.
Newt also has a self-perpetuated myth as an indefatigable ideas man, even though he's really more of an ADHD-riddled dilettante whose proposals are inevitably the repackaging of corporate goodies.
A while ago I couldn't figure out how Newt Gingrich, outspoken advocate of smaller government, proposed more new initiatives than anyone this side of John Edwards. But I think I've sussed it out.
Newt likes to tinker with things. He likes the idea that he could swoop in and make things more efficient. He likes the concepts of capitalism and of technology. So his proposals are always new iterations of the same theme:
"We can make X more efficient by introducing New Technology/Market Incentives!"
Pay no mind that he has neither specific knowledge in the area he's proposing to reform, a great understanding of how markets work, nor the humility to seek out and sometimes even defer to people who know the issues better than him. Then he flits on to his next pet project.
The result? Someone who wants to fix education by getting every student a laptop computer, and who supported that beacon of Evilbore ridicule, the Gas Tax Holiday.
All that said, I fully support the Republican party nominating someone whose area of expertise is losing to the Clintons against someone who beat them.
