Dear Reader,

 I have never voted for a Republican to be president, but with the last three years of Obamania being so disappointing, I confess that I would definitely consider voting for Newt Gingrich. His baggage, as far I'm concerned is a huge plus, and I would enjoy reading about the many scandals that would come from the White House during  his presidency. Frankly, Obama is turning out to be not only ineffective but a huge bore.

But there are some practical reasons to hope for a Newt scenario, especially if he had to deal with a Democratic majority in the Senate and House. The guy is an operator, and for some reason, maybe it's that he worked with Clinton, I see him as kind of being the Republican version of Saint Bill.

His willingness to go against all the Radical Right wingers on immigration definitely caught my attention. And for all the money he's gotten from the big companies, and the private jets and all that, he's just doing what all the rest of them do. Having seen a few congressman up close, I get the impression each one of them is sort of like a prosperous small business, with lots of money coming in the door, and lots of money going out to throw parties. barn dances, golf outings etc.  

 Newt just has more mileage on his political odometer than the rest of these characters, I tell myself. Maybe he would even lighten up on the Fed's marijuana stance, which seems like a huge waste of money and time. Yes, I know he says all these stupid things, and the dude seems to have a mean streak.

I also don't see Newt getting talked into a war with Iran, he doesn't seem like the sort of person who sits around polishing pistols. Ultimately, things don't get done in politics unless you make deals, and Obama is no dealmaker. And neither are these crazy Right Wingers.

Before Obama was elected, I was sure, so sure that there was going to be this huge boom in infrastructure construction, high speed rail, better roads and bridges, new tax breaks for energy efficiency, water transfer systems, money pouring into new agricultural farming, like it was so obvious that these things would generate huge economic returns and pay down the deficit through higher tax receipts. A new, new deal. And an end to huge wars, massive tax cuts.

 Instead, we got this lame stimulus package, cash for clunkers and a puny 8K housing credit.  

 Oh well, maybe Newt will say something that changes my mind next week. Maybe the system in its current form is damned no matter what. 

Maybe not.