Even nearly 20 years since he departed Congress, Newt Gingrich is still the most feared Republican in America. Why? Because the role of Republican leadership in the three coequal branches of government has largely collapsed since he left.
Newt paints in bold colors, like Ronald Reagan did when he said, “Our people look for a cause to believe in. Is it a third party we need, or is it a new and revitalized second party, raising a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear where we stand on all of the issues troubling the people?”
The current Republican leadership is an unimpressive lot. They seem to be placeholders waiting for principled leaders like the former Speaker of the House to emerge. President Obama’s hijacking of the constitutional power of the legislative branch—without cost or pain—would never have happened under a Gingrich-led Congress. The president’s unconstitutional executive orders and general overreach have put America in a constitutional crisis.
Republicans across the spectrum agree that Newt would be Donald Trump’s best asset on the campaign trail this fall and a seasoned point-man in a Trump administration. Selecting Gingrich as Veep would send a message worldwide—that Trump is bringing “adults” to the table with the intention to make America great again.
The former Speaker, once the most innovative and formidable politicians in America, is a Churchillian figure. That kind of selection by Mr. Trump would, first, telegraph the caliber of people that he plans to bring to his administration; second, lend insight into the sort of selection he plans to make for Supreme Court Justices and third, show the type that Trump would elevate in military leadership. It would say: Under a Trump/Gingrich administration, American exceptionalism would again return to the forefront of world leadership.
And yes, Newt is not perfect. But, as former Texas Governor Rick Perry said of Newt and perfection in his concession speech for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, “who among us is?” Perry is right; he echoes John 8:7: “The one sinless among you, let him cast the first stone.”
In March of 2007 Newt admitted to adultery in an interview with Dr. James Dobson, during a Focus on the Family broadcast. “I’ve gotten on my knees and sought God’s forgiveness,” he said. Afterward Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr., wrote:
Since one of the premier responsibilities of the VP is to campaign for the party and to take down the opponent, Newt’s political skill and historical insight would be a nightmare for Hillary Clinton.
Newt’s response to a question about Bill Clinton at the Aspen Ideas Festival this weekend was just the opening salvo if Gingrich is selected as Donald Trump’s VP candidate in the next week or so: “Trying to get Bill Clinton to be responsible is comparable to teaching [my dog] Pride how to read,” Gingrich said. “It’s impossible, it’s just who he is. He’s one of the most charming people I’ve ever known, he’s astonishingly brilliant, and there’s a screw loose.”
I’m pulling for Newt.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com