Taking Another Look at Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich has been in the cross hairs of the political muckrakers as his stellar performances in the GOP presidential candidate debates boosted his standing to front line status. Peggy Noonan, the Wall Street Journal columnist, a prominent Catholic journalist, published a recent  article in WSJ suggesting she's backing Romney and dismissing Gingrich's chances while barely touching on specifics of why she rules out his candidacy.

On the other hand, public endorsements piling up behind Gingrich are newsworthy:

 Prominent economist Arthur Laffer, the architect of Ronald Reagan’s economic plan, announced yesterday that he is endorsing Newt Gingrich for president. Economist Laffer Endorses Newt Gingrich

Watch Michael Reagan's comments and in depth Newsmax interview with Speaker Gingrich

The Rev. Donald E. Wildmon, founder and chairman of American Family Association (AFA) has endorsed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich for President. Rev. Donald Wildmon Endorses Gingrich

Thoughts on Ms. Noonan's analysis of Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich:

 I believe (and hope) Ms. Noonan looks to Ronald Reagan (her former boss whom she has often written and spoken about admiringly) as the "gold standard" of the modern GOP conservative political leader. Mitt Romney's mushy and shifting views on social issues are disturbing. I believe Peggy Noonan is a faithful Catholic. I also believe Newt Gingrich is a serious Catholic convert. Many of us in the hinterlands of America can identify with Gingrich, the prodigal son, whose past moral lapses are well known.

There, but for the grace of God, go I and the rest of us flawed members of the human race who represent the American voting public. Many of us have had marital problems. Gingrich has made mistakes. He doesn't have much to prove to anybody. His past public life has been laid out and filleted every which way. We either believe he's a penitent who admits his mistakes and look at the rest of his resume for evidence of contrition along with substantive accomplishments or dismiss him as thoroughly flawed, untrustworthy, and unacceptable. We Christians are well aware that the Almighty used the adulterous AND penitent King David to do great things for His kingdom. I don't hear Mitt Romney admitting his mistakes; rather we hear excuses and side steps.

Gingrich had a successful record doing his part as Majority Leader in Congress in advancing the Reagan legacy and  in getting major things done in Congress. He thinks problems and potential solutions through. He's done some really heavy lifting as a conservative GOP leader and his past experience and leadership could make a real difference.

Romney's resume is slim and his mixed record as Governor and as an entrepreneur turning businesses around does not inspire confidence, considering the scope and complexity of the obstacles he's going to come up against as the CEO of the U.S. Gingrich may have a quick tongue and a predilection for controversial sound bites but he certainly gets the attention of the press and his ideas debated and disseminated. I would give more weight to the opinion of widely respected economist (and Reagan economic advisor) Arthur Laffer who earlier this week publicly endorsed Mr. Gingrich's candidacy than to Ms. Noonan's "touchy feely" musings.

I'd like to see Gingrich working on our nation's horrendous economic and financial problems either from the White House as POTUS, as Vice-President, or leading a high level cabinet position. I believe inspite of the baggage Gingrich would bring into the office of the Presidency, we value voters can put more faith in Gingrich in forcefully defending life and marriage, national security, international diplomacy, reduced government intrusion in the lives of Americans and respect for the 10th amendment than we can in Mitt Romney.

Some may scoff at this final analogy but I believe the comparison is apt and timely. Biographers and historians saw in Abraham Lincoln an exemplary virtue, wherein he exhibited at times of severe tribulation a tremendous capacity to grow as a man and as a powerful lonely  leader dealing with almost impossible obstacles. Not many thought Abe was up to the job but he proved them wrong by the end of his presidency. I believe Mr. Gingrich may be a similar figure on the world stage who may possess the character to grow and do great things and not flinch or retreat in the midst of the complexities of domestic and international crises confronting our country. He certainly has the intellectual fire power. Perhaps the zeal and passion he has found in his new sacramental life as a Catholic will reinforce and provide him the strength to deal effectively with the many trials and tribulations he will surely confront as President of the United States.
May God's will be done and  this be our motto: "In God is our trust"