I'm tempted to come out of the hole where I've been hiding during this political season and endorse Newt Gingrich for the GOP Presidential nomination. I like that Newt's a man of ideas, although I think he has too many ideas and too little attention span. I don't like his womanizing, but we've had even worse womanizers in the White House in my lifetime and done okay. I really don't like the social democrat-ish noises he's made during this campaign, but I figure he's just playing to the populist tea party wing of the party.
At the end of the day, however, what likely will tip the scales for me is the sheer entertainment factor. Romney versus Obama will be a snoozefest, mainly because Romney elicits no passion from anybody.
Newt versus Barak, however, could be vastly entertaining. Two really smart guys, both of whom are good speakers, and both of whom will be at least affecting being really pissed off at the other and the other's base. If the Newt who tore into John King the other day shows up at the debates, they will be truly great TV.
Since I don't think anybody in Washington or running to be in Washington can fix the problems we face, why not vote for the circus?
Update: As an alternative to voting for an election season circus, Tung Yin suggests the Jay Leno standard--i.e., which candidate will provide the most late night humor fodder for the next four years.
Update: Bret Stephens in today's WSJ:
A primary ballot for Mr. Gingrich is a vote for an entertaining election, not a Republican in the White House.
