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dc, why do you believe that Dems should fear Newt? I would think the GOP would fear Newt running for president. His heavy handed behavior as Speaker cost the GOP another four years of Clinton, in my opinion.
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Elph..I think Newt's behavior cost him his short-term political future but had nothing to do with Clinton getting a second term.
But putting that aside, he has quietly working in the background buidling a grass roots network and giving speeches at neo-con think tanks in preparation for a re-emergence and the lackluster conservative candidates so far for 08 must have him salivating at the opportunity.
He is like Bill Clinton in many ways. Among recent politicians, they are both heads above most others in the depth and breadth of knowledge on a wide range of policy issues and the uncanny ability to express that knowledge in a way that reaches beyond their respective bases and has broad appeal.
Look at some of his recent speeches or articles on health care, education, transforming the economy, energy/environment - they go beyond the traditional neo-con rhetoric. Even his war position (supported taking out Saddam, but said Bush fucked it up by not installing our own puppet thug as a successor).
And while, like both Clinton's, he has high negatives, he is also a consummate fundraiser and grass roots organizer.
I shouldnt have said the Dems should fear him because I think Hillary, Edwards or Obama all can offer equally compelling policy positions to challange his new neo-consism. But I think he would be the most formidable opponent in the battle for the vast majority of Americans in the middle.