That assessment, coming from a recognized scholar and fellow conservative, had to be devastating to someone with an ego as obese as Newt's. Yet still, considering that he has earned a PhD, perhaps the idea of Newt being an "ideas man" could still be deemed plausible. In fact, I'm sure that for many of Newt's would-be supporters, it remained exceedingly plausible -- right until they actually heard some of his ideas. Below are a few.
- Of course, any discussion of any topic involving Newt and "ideas" must include perhaps his most well-known -- the Contract With America. In terms of political theatre, the Contract deserves acknowledgement for what it is; a masterful ploy. After all, it helped end 40 years of Democratic control of Congress. But as an idea, its greatness ends there. Beyond a few transitory political advancements toward the overall objectives of the Republican revolution, Newt's Contract, according to the Economist, was otherwise: "A political gift to Democrats; a set of sums that do not add up."
- In 1995, due in part to a temper tantrum over a perceived snub by President Bill Clinton, Newt stomped off and convinced his Republican colleagues to support his idea of forcing a complete federal government shutdown. History has proven that to be another of Newt's bad ideas.
To wit, this report in the Washington Post:
(During) the great government shutdown of 1995-1996, a weakened President Bill Clinton faced off against determined Republicans, led by House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- and won. The Republicans lost control of their message (and) the Republican Revolution died that day.
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