But in searching out and opining on solutions, Gingrich only accelerates the number of interviews and news stories he generates. And by staying out of the current presidential battle, he is able to provide what the candidates cannot -- something for you to talk about.
Consider the upcoming Ames straw poll in Iowa. Many of the major campaigns have decided not to try to win the poll. The event will be a hot and generally boring affair. But wait: Newt Gingrich will be there, conducting a series of workshops on issues, and even having several of the presidential candidates conducting some of them!
The fact is that if the Fred Thompson campaign doesn't pick up life, and its candidate start showing fire in his belly when he speaks, it is more than likely that Newt Gingrich will convene his "kitchen cabinet" in October and consider seriously the concept of entering the race. It's just that simple.
While Gingrich says both privately and publicly that Hillary Clinton is the likely Democratic nominee, and by all normal political analysis the likely winner in '08, he "will not let Hillary go unopposed." In other words, if someone doesn't get hot, Gingrich could easily be in the race. And let me assure you that a loss to Hillary would not be in any of his analysis models.
Both Nunn and Gingrich are currently sidebar conversations for a very hot, boring and all too long political season. But if either one decides to jump into the water, what has been a snooze of a political race will become the greatest show on earth.