Nov ‘11
4
Can Gingrich Break Through?
Paul Gigot is an opinion writer for the Wall Street Journal. Read his entry from the Politcal Diary Newsletter followed by Dave Durenberger’s response.
The College Board and News Corp. sponsored a forum on education with four GOP presidential candidates last week, and the runaway winner was Newt Gingrich. (Truth in advertising: I moderated the session along with Joel Klein, the former New York schools chancellor who now runs an educational unit for our employer, News Corp. Each candidate received 30 minutes, which was refreshing after the 30-second trivial pursuits of the debates.)
Michele Bachmann (local control), Rick Santorum (moral values) and Herman Cain (business principles) stuck mainly to their talking points, but Mr. Gingrich kept the crowd of 1,000 or so engaged and entertained with a wide-ranging tutorial on everything from the failures of “L.A. Unified” to Jeb Bush’s Florida “virtual school.” The session was a reminder of Mr. Gingrich’s knowledge of government and rhetorical skills, which were overwhelmed by his early campaign missteps.
That scenario may be a long-shot, but no one should rule it out. After Thursday’s education session, Mr. Gingrich mentioned that in a conventional year he might not get that second look. But this year, voters are worried enough about the condition and direction of the country that they are willing to consider someone with proposals that are bolder than the political norm. Mr. Gingrich must still overcome the perception that he’s been around too long, as well as his habit of talking himself into trouble (recall his criticism of Paul Ryan’s Medicare plan). He’ll need more money too. But in a year when GOP voters are still searching for someone who can go head-to-head with President Obama, don’t be surprised if Mr. Gingrich gets another turn in the spotlight.
Dave Durenberger’s response. Paul Gigot is a good conservative. Newt Gingrich is an idea opportunist. Name a problem and he has a solution plus a couple illustrations of where he’s been told it works. Nobody in Congress can compare with him on this front. It’s entirely possible that conservatives treated to nothing but NO are really good people looking for what they can be for and someone who understands their desire for change . My problem with knowing Newt as long as I have is not his ideas, but the fact that’s not what he hire a president to do. Also, that each time I’ve worked with him, including when both of us were out, it’s his way or the highway. That’s not presidential either. Newt is a good legislative committee chair, or foundation executive, but not the leader of the free world.
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