While out of town last week, I did something that I almost never do. As I flipped through the channels I saw Newt Gingrich giving a speech in some GOP fundraiser somewhere. I decided to watch for a few minutes to see what he said.
This was not old school Newt. Ten and fifteen years ago Gingrich used a two fisted, in your face style to hammer his point into your brain. He relished confrontation because the Speaker seemed to truly dislike his opposition from time to time. This made him a beloved personality among conservatives, but even those who truly liked and agreed with him saw little in the way of electability.
Two things happened. The Democrats nominated and elected a Marxist. Suddenly a middle of the road candidate seemed much less palatable. Besides, George W. Bush was a middle of the road president and the Democrats hated him anyway. Bush's instinct to act combined with options limited by a left wing Congress laid the groundwork for our current problems with Obama. Republicans more than ever look to a man of strength, experience, and free market principles.
Second, Gingrich mellowed, at least personally. His speech was firey, funny, and to the point. Significantly it lacked the element of anger that at some points in his past characterized him. Gingrich speaks like a statesman, clearly, concisely, forcefully, and at times directly from his mind and heart without even reference to notes. His Teleprompterness, the Maximum Duce could never compete face to face with that.
Gingrich has a vision for this century on a wide variety of fronts. Americans over and over have shown that they believe in his ideas. It only remains to sell himself. His words sound like Reagan's. Now he needs to continue to work that same sense of humor into his speaking to accompany the strong sense of purpose and clear ideas.
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