Mud Wrestling in Florida

      In recent weeks, Newt Gingrich has wrestled his way into the finals of the GOP primary slugfest. So why has the ethically challenged former House Speaker advanced so far, so fast?  Australian professor Howard Schewber ventured a theory this week: Newt’s dazzling rise comes from his ability to tap into the resentment of the far right, he says.   It doesn’t matter that the Newtster is a serial adulterer or a Washington insider, whose life contradicts their proclaimed values, as long as he knows how to express their fury.

     Gingrich also gives GOP extremists permission to hate and holler. There are, indeed, bogeymen lurking in the bushes--liberals, gays, intellectuals, atheists, government, Muslims, and unions wanting to do them harm.   His political huckstering plays well among evangelicals already fearful of immigrants taking jobs and government taking guns, and gays messing up marriage and the military.

      The good news about a Newt candidacy, (sponsored by multi-billionaire casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson), is its ability to fire up the Democratic base beyond Obama’s fondest dreams.  Anything that distracts the left from gripping about the President’s perceived faults and failings and gets them back in the ring in 2012 will improve the chance of Democrats everywhere.  As his party’s nominee, Newt Gingrich would do more to unify and ignite Democrats than any Republican since Herbert Hoover.  We should be so lucky.