Gingrich Glum While Palin Glows After Hoffman Endorsement

- by Ian Ransom

It's so heartbreaking to watch a deck-hand go down with a sinking ship, especially when there are still plenty of lifeboats available, and all sensible passengers have long-since abandoned the doomed vessel for a boat that'll actually float. Yet, the disoriented swabber remains frozen and indecisive near the prow, hoping that his poor judgment might be mistaken for some sort of heroism--even as the waters of doom start to swirl around his disappearing feet.

That basically sums-up what I saw while watching Newt Gingrich complain to Greta Van Susteren the other night in the aftermath of Sarah Palin's endorsement of the Conservative Party's Doug Hoffman. Of course, Newt stood by his own endorsement of NY's 23rd District Republican candidate, Dede "I'm-not-a-real-conservative-but-I-play-one-on-TV" Scozzafava. Sure, Gingrich tried to sound cool and collected when Susteren asked him how it felt to be so out of touch with reality, but the insidious odors of underlying petulance were clearly filling the studio. I think I saw a couple of Greta's nose hairs sizzle and burn as bitter Newt-breath billowed:

"So I say to my many conservative friends who suddenly decided that, whether they're from Minnesota or Alaska or Texas, they know more than the upstate New York Republicans? I don't think so. And I don't think it's a good precedent."

There you have it. Newt Gingrich's rationale for utterly ignoring the vast majority of the GOP's base. Behold the obstinance, while voters in every district are confused enough by threats to conservative identity fostered through Newt's politics-as-usual approach. Does Gingrich really believe that the unity of a disconnected party is hindered by strong leadership coming from across the nation, at a time when what the GOP needs most is unifying leadership on a national scale?

In light of the widespread and thunderous uprising of grassroots conservatives across America, this kind of narrow Beltway vision has bypassed the relentlessly flogged "dead horse" phase. It's way beyond time for that animal to be buried. Newt made a mistake by failing to properly assess the needs of a conservative constituency that's been getting distilled misinformation about candidates from dominating liberal media outlets; yes, even at the district level. Like so many at the GOP's helm, Gingrich is ignoring this peril and, in turn, castigating those in his own party who are principled enough to sweep away cobwebs and help conservatives (anywhere and everywhere) properly identify their own, like-minded leaders!

Gingrich and others like him can gnash their teeth all they wish, but the tables have been turned and now they stand outside the door while the people (with help from leaders like Sarah Palin) are finally getting down to business within. The only difference is that Newt can walk through the same portal and join the ranks anytime he wants. There are no locks, here. This is not the sort of exclusive, "closed discussion" he and the Beltway Boys are used to.

Best of all, there's no charge for admission--save for courage and a bit of common sense.

- Ian