Gingrich’s mojo:
It’s all about what he did to Democrats, stoopid.
I have seen a lot of other commentators bring up versions of this point, but there is a reason why Republicans, especially conservative Republicans, see Newt Gingrich as by far their most qualified nominee and why they have been willing so far to excuse his periodic lapses from conservative orthodoxy.
The reason is simply that under Mr. Gingrich’s Congressional leadership, the Republican Party finally broke the New Deal coalition that had dominated American politics for more than a half-century, moving policy substantially to the right. That is a pretty impressive credential. …Nate Silver
Too bad that the New Deal is the best deal we’ve had in a century. Too bad that Gingrich is a corrupt, egotistical creep. He made the Republicans, who had been empty-handed for years and yelping, feel good. He plays to their feeling that everyone else is getting a good deal and shouldn’t.
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This is an excerpt from a blurb for a discussion about the Republican candidates v. Obama. It’s so good a summary of the Gingrich problem that it’s worth a read.
Newt Gingrich’s surge in the polls has both parties worried. Democrats are concerned that despite his baggage, Gingrich is more capable of tapping into the anger of Republican voters than any other Republican candidates. At the same time, GOP leaders are worried that Gingrich’s history and his unpredictability could hurt their chances of beating Barack Obama in a general election. In the meantime, Gingrich is busy building his campaign operation and raising much-needed money. …Radio Times