Newt World Order

The New Criterion on the Republican presidential primaries.

Newt World Order

by James Bowman

Here’s something that Newt Gingrich said the other day. Apologies to those who have already read it, since it has been widely reported. “The thing I find most disheartening about this campaign is the difficulty of talking about positive ideas on a large scale, because the news media can’t cover it and, candidly, my opponents can’t comprehend it.” This is a disturbing statement in several ways, one of which is that it reminds us yet again of what a tin-eared egomaniac Newt is and another of which is that it’s probably true. That is to say, its truth is not as a statement about the relative intelligence of the four remaining Republican candidates (or the others who have dropped out), though it may have that kind of truth as well, but a truth about the skills needed for a modern day political campaign, which have ever less and less to do with the skills needed for governing — or, indeed, any other worthwhile activity.

And that links up with the bit about the media, which also has no interest in any qualities a candidate may have apart from bland plausibility — preferably the kind that disguises discreditable secrets of some kind — and low cunning. Whatever may or may not be the case concerning the comprehension of Newt Gingrich’s opponents, it can hardly be open to doubt that the media can’t cover positive ideas on a large scale. Or on any scale. They’re just not set up that way now. Not that that will stop them from ridiculing Newt or anybody else who might be foolish enough to say so. That’s the way they are set up now.

Source: The New Criterion