Newt

This article by Rich Lowry of National Review appears in today's Washington Times.

The most important thing that Lowry says is that a Newt run in '08 would "raise the bar" of debate for Republicans in the primary. We've all seen Newt make very intelligent and coherent arguments on nearly every topic under the sun, and certainly his presence in primary debates would force any conservative candidate to better articulate practical applications of conservatism and the challenges we're facing, and would force the moderates and RINOs in the pack to reconcile RINOism or their more progressive ideas with the tour de force conservative arguments and witty charm of Newt.

Lowry ends his piece by saying of a Newt candidacy: "There are worse places for the party to look for a renewed agenda." The question of Newt's efficacy as a candidate will ultimately be broader, can he find and sell a message reminiscent of the title of his great book from back in the day, "To Renew America."