Monday, October 26, 2009

So not news ...

"Newt Gingrich Considering Run for President in 2012" --

When in his adult life has Newt Gingrich not been "considering a run for president in [insert election year here]?"

Callista and I are going to think about this in February 2011. And we are going to reach out to all of our friends around the country. And we'll decide, if there's a requirement as citizens that we run, I suspect we probably will. And if there's not a requirement, if other people have filled the vacuum, I suspect we won't.


Of all factors in politics, the most reliable is the politician's belief, based on nothing more substantial than his desire to believe, that he's needed -- that his country, his party, his faction, Old Man Smithers down the street and the general public are all a-clamor for his prospective candidacy. By popular demand! Vox populi, baby, vox populi.

Not that I begrudge Newt his aspirations, mind you, or at least not any more so than I begrudge the similar aspirations of others (myself included). There's nothing wrong with ambition per se, and I've no doubt whatsoever that Newt Gingrich believes in the ideas he preaches, and in his own ability to turn those ideas into results.

If there's going to be an election (and there's going to be), if the Republican Party is going to put up a candidate (and it will), Gingrich may well be the best of the Republican lot. Not that that's saying much, but hey, knock yourself out, Newt. Just don't blow too much smoke up your own ass, and everyone else's, about why.

Check out memeorandum to see what others are saying about Newt 2012.

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