http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=3171298&page=1

He's one of the few republicans that I hope does not run. I don't know of a good way to put this, but what is it about him that seems mean?

Herb

Herb, he's one of the most intelligent and common sense politicians around.

Yeah, I guess. I'm not so concerned about his intelligence, though.

Is that rumour about him divorcing his wife with cancer in the hospital true? If it isn't, maybe I can cut the guy some slack and simply blame his personality on having to deal with the Clintons. I'd probably develop thick skin, too.

Herb

newt should remain a fig bar.

Boy, Herb, I'll bet the gloves are really going to come off if Newt gets in the race!!!

Andrew

I don't believe that his proven ability to rally people automatically translates to him being a good leader. I know it sounds like I'm splitting hairs - and maybe I am. He has never stuck me as the type who has a call to serve much other than himself.

Mostly it's a gut thing for me. He's smart. Has a handle on what the situation is vs. can be - but always leans towards decisions that come off as...stubborn? I don't know that the word is I am looking for there.

Nor does his strength translate to ability do be other than strong. That's not enough for me right now.

The guy has got a brain. I just question his heart.

Oh well.

Oil can.

Herb, yes, she was home dying while he was lying and cheating. Even without the disgusting stories of his wives and mistresses, or the hiding, then exploitation of his lesbian sister, or any of the dancing skeletons of his personal life, there is still evidence that he is mean-spirited.

Remember when he led Congress several times to shut down our government? What about all of the handicapped, children, elderly, Veterans, and the thousands of Federal employees and their families who were affected by the shutdowns? What if our country had been attacked, or a major natural disaster had occurred?

As for his intelligence, that too is debatable. What about his bold assertions that we would have to give up First Amendment Rights, presented with relish at a gala to celebrate, First Amendment Rights?

I don't know the facts surrounding the divorce so it's impossible to judge. I also think it's very hard to know where ones head might be in the exact same circumstances unless they've actually been there. Frankly, I think that should be left out of the political equation. Besides, I don't plan to marry the President of the United States.

He's a major student of history and believes we can learn an immense amount about what we should do by studying history.

I know one thing from history: Rich white crackers want for themselves, and nobody else. By that measure alone, he is unelectable.

Deane writes:
He's a major student of history and believes we can learn an immense amount about what we should do by studying history.

The guy was a history PROFESSOR before getting elected to Congress. Just being an articulate historian does not qualify one to be president. Shoot, I'd much rather vote for Doris Kearns Goodwin than Newt - she's awesome!!!

If you're looking for a smart guy, you should be supporting Al Gore. Or could it be that you care about his policies more than his history background? Same goes for me and Newt. Good for him if he's smart as a whip and can compare the context of today's foreign policy challenges with Grover Cleveland's. Doesn't mean he wouldn't take American in the wrong direction.

Andrew

DJ said>>>
Herb, he's one of the most intelligent and common sense politicians around.

Too much like Slick Willy in the sex dept!!!! Left hihs wife when she was sick and dying of cancer and had an affair with a young slut.

"...Doris Kearns Goodwin..."

Like Joe Biden, Ms. Goodwin has her own plagiarism problems.

Herb

There is no question Newt is a bright guy, he's a very shrewd politician who spearheaded the 1994 Republican Revolution, and I DO credit him helping head up a Congress that forced Bill Clinton to be a much more moderate President, and it was something that the whole country benefited from because Clinton did a great job working with a Republican Congress, and vice versa (once you put aside the whole impeachment garbage).

That said, he's not electable. Leaving his wife while on her death bed is inexcusable, and while I generally don't give two hoots about whether someone slept around or not, in this case it shows the true moral fiber of the person, and that is not someone I want leading my country. He has also said some insensitive racial stuff in the past, and that's a big no-no ... and it certainly would not help the GOP cause among minorities.

Newt even considering a run for the GOP nomination really sheds a lot of light on the fact that the Republicans don't have a clear front-runner and could be in a heap of trouble in the 2008 election.

Agnew?

I wanna like Spiro. He was, after all, the one who coined the term 'nattering nabobs of negativism.'

And I suppose he was an OK VP. But his taking payoffs as Maryland governor ices it for me. Mr. Nixon likely didn't know about Spiro's shady past, or he would have chosen another VP....like maybe Barry Goldwater or a young Jerry Ford.

Herb

Deane said: "Frankly, I think that should be left out of the political equation."

Did you think that during the Clinton administration?

>>>"Did you think that during the Clinton administration?"

Yes I did and I still do.