US Blog: Newt Gingrich set for comeback of the century?

Newt Gingrich may be the new favourite to challenge Obama in 2012 (Photo Source:

If you had said even five years ago that Newt Gingrich would be one of the frontrunners for the Republican nomination for President in 2012, then many political commentators would have laughed you out of the room.

One of the most important, but also most divisive, figures of American politics in the last twenty years, Gingrich has performed a Lazarus-like revival get to the stage where he is now considered likely to face Obama in the 2012 election.

A quick recap of the career of Newt Gingrich makes almost for a sketch of the ultimate failed major-league politician. At the beginning of 1997 Gingrich was House Speaker and effective leader of a Republican Party that was making life extremely difficult for President Clinton in Congress. He had presided over a period in which the Republicans had reminded ordinary Americans that they cared just as much as the Democrats.

Then, in the space of a few months, Gingrich completely fell from grace. His leadership of the attempted impeachment of Clinton was deeply unpopular with voters and, after a horror showing in the 1998 midterms, Gingrich resigned both as Speaker and as a Congressman altogether.

This came alongside allegations of financial irregularities and, later, revelations of infidelity at a time in which he had barraged Clinton for his affair with Monica Lewinsky. A career outside the political mainstream beckoned and, as a political force, Gingrich seemed to be over.

Fast forward to today and Gingrich has returned to present himself as the Republican candidate that can be both human and yet a true conservative. Where the thinking of fellow contenders has often appeared muddled, Gingrich has appeared as a clearly defined candidate.

The hurdles he has had to jump to reach this point have clearly only enhanced his reputation. To battle back from being on the brink of political oblivion as Gingrich has done is clearly no mean feat. He has impressed when interviewed and in debates. His immigration policies surprised many due to their, by comparison with other candidates, liberal undertones.

His campaign has not been without its problems. In June he suffered a series of key staff resignations and rumours of campaign debt also circulated. However he is now in a position in which, last Thursday, he appeared confident enough to declare “I’m going to be the nominee”.

His shrewd political abilities have clearly not dimmed since his departure from the House thirteen years ago. His current position high up in the polls has been well deserved for a campaign that has been run extremely neatly and refreshingly, without a dependency on spreading slander about other candidates.

Perhaps Gingrich has truly learnt from his past mistakes and failures. Perhaps Newt Gingrich will be the next President of the United States. At this point he has as much chance as anyone of showing Obama the White House exit door.

Note: Yes, Herman Cain has put his campaign on suspension after further allegations of infidelity in the past week. Officially he is still involved in the race but for how much longer remains to be seen. His support has fallen sharply and his voters seem to be jumping ship very speedily. The Yorker will, of course, keep you updated in the coming weeks.

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