GOP has only one choice--Newt MUST Step Up

Desperate times call for desperate measures. And times these days could be classified as desperate. The economy is in shambles. None of the economic ideas of the day seem to be working. News gets worse on an hourly basis, as one company after another seems to be blowing up. I don't even want to pick up the newspaper these days.

For a Republican, times are truly unwatchable. There hasn't been a beloved leader in the party for years, and the folks in charge these days lack a spine, a common message, or a coherent argument for their point of view. They have allowed the opposition to pigeon-hole all ideas into a common theme--that any Republican ideas have been tried and have failed during the Bush years. Basically, the legacy of George Bush is one that the GOP will spend huge amounts of time and resources overcoming.

After watching CPAC this past week, I was both amused and saddened at the whole charade. These events were more comical when the smug but kind of useless musings of Ann Coulter and others could be written off to the notion that the GOP was still the party of ideas, and somewhat in charge of things. Those two notions are gone now. And the GOP has completely lost control of their messaging machine. They are now seen by America as the party of fiscal IRresponsibility, the Party of "NO", and now they are seen as the party that didn't want to do ANYTHING while the Economy tanked. They are even allowing Democrats to paint them as the cause of the failures in the Economy, and Barack Obama as the troubled savior, come to slowly piece back together the mess the GOP hath wrought upon the country. Is it any wonder that all of the polls have Brand R somewhere south of Dick Cheney-land, in terms of popularity?

So, to stem the tide of the political party, and to help avoid a third electoral lambasting at the hands of the Democrats in 2010, I suggest that the GOP turn to an oldie but a goodie--Newt Gingrich--and beg for a new plan to bring the party back.

"But Newt's old, and was run out of town 10 years ago..." you may say. That's true. However, the current crop of GOP leaders and hopefuls are too old, too timid, too freaky, or too dimwitted to take control of this party. Consider the front runners:

Sarah Palin--please. If George W. Bush proved anything, it's having a president that you would want to have a beer with, isn't the best way to choose a leader. Palin is just a better looking female W.

Bobby Jindal--A more serious leader, but he's got a LOT of credibility to make up for after that horrendous introduction to the nation in his rebuttal to Obama's address to Congress. Too young.

Mitt Romney--the hair. Good grief. And bringing in an East coast, wall street elite into this environment should go over like a lead balloon...

Mitch McConnell--He really does look like a turtle. And his power to effectuate change has been reduced to whining on the talk shows about the lack of cooperation with Harry Reid. Not exactly inspiring rhetoric.

John Boehner--Awfully tan for a guy in Washington in early March. Honestly, what does this guy do other than use language that would rival a 16 year old girl? (listen to his speeches and imagine a high-school junior on the pep squad delivering them. Scary isn't it!?) It may be time for him to EXIT leadership, rather than seek higher office...

Eric Cantor--While politically adept in his party, Cantor's appearances on the talk shows have NOT been impressive, and he does NOT offer any sort of inspirational message of ideas, optimism, or hope.

Mark Sanford--not taking any stimulus money? He'll be crucified if he takes any now, and his state will crucify him if he doesn't. Way to box yourself in, Gov!

Rush Limbaugh--If you want the party to truly be a marginalized, regional party, just keep pushing, Rush. By the way, what happened to that diet? You look like an angry, fat, white guy who is just bursting to scream "COMMIE" at anyone with the audacity to have an idea that doesn't mesh with yours. Remember, it's easy to criticize. Not so easy to lead.

This brings me back to Newt. Sure he was busy impeaching Bill Clinton for having an affair while he, himself was having one. Sure, he was cast by the left as the bogeyman for shutting down government over a battle on medicare costs. But he also led his party to prominence in the 90's, and was able to lead the country to a fiscal path that balanced the budget, and set up an economic environment to create 20 million new jobs.

Newt is an idea factory all to himself. This is a guy with true vision for the country, whether you agree with him or not. And we may need some bold leadership, if the current administration continues to react slowly, and timidly, as they have shown recently.

I think the GOP faithful has shown itself to be fractured, lurching, antagonistic, and united only in its opposition to the current Democratic leaders in Washington. If they are not careful, they will be completely marginalized in the next election--unless a leader can step up and offer a truly viable alternative to the voters. Newt, your party needs you. It's time to step up.