Word has been filtering out in the media that former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is going to officially enter the race for President in the 2012 election.
Overall, I think this is a good thing.
Newt has a lot of positives going for him.
As a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt has already shown that he can be trusted with the 3rd most powerful position in our Federal Government. His "Contract with America" back in the 90's was a positive thing for this country, and helped lead us to a long, sustained period of economic growth.
He is well known, having made a huge living off the lecture circuit and selling books over the last decade.
However, for all his positives, Newt Gingrich is going to have to overcome a lot of baggage on his campaign if he hopes to win.
Social Conservatives don't care for the fact that he is an adulterer, who is currently on his third wife.
Conservatives also don't like that fact that Newt has made some bone-headed moves and taken a few stinker political positions. He made a commercial with Nancy Pelosi about climate change and has been seen on occasion at press conferences in the vicinity of Al Sharpton, notorious poverty pimp.
I find particularly distasteful his support of Dede Scozzafava in the New York Congressional race. Scozzafava became an instant traitor and enemy of the GOP when, sensing defeat to a more Conservative challenger, she quit the primary and turned around and endorsed the Democrat in that race.
My personal take on Gingrich? Hmm....
I think that, except for Dick Cheney, Newt Gingrich is probably our most intelligent and capable candidate. He is smart as a whip, and has shown that he has good financial instincts for putting our country back on the right course. I think he is the toughest, meanest s.o.b. we have in the 2012 race. He would rip Obamas head off in a debate.
Newt Gingrich has shown that he has no reservations about trampling on his enemies. He would suck the marrow out of their bones if necessary... he is that tough.
Unlike most other egomaniacal political figures, Newt Gingrich doesn't care if you don't like him.
And that makes him a very powerful political figure. He will do whatever it takes to get things done.
Would he make a good President? Yes, I think so.
Would I vote for him? Eh.. he's not my first choice, but he is better than most of the 2012 crowd so far.
I know I could trust him with the keys to the White House. That's for sure.
I think he has a bit of a hill to climb to get the nomination, but you would be a fool to count him out of this 2012 race.
