Don Newt

"Don" Newt

Monday, July 21st 1997 -- It isn't hard to imagine Newt Gingrich as "Don" Newt -- head of a self-crafted band of organized political criminals.

But it's simply pathetic to listen to television pundits elevate him to "an upcoming presidential candidate." Yet that's the way it was this weekend as Republicans and video pols tried to flatter the Gingrich even as they pronounced him D.O.A. as Speaker.

President? Public opinion polls showing 72-75% of Americans would happily wave goodbye to Gingrich, but methinks even the Heritage Foundation wouldn't be able to find a new job for him.

Last week's attempted palace coup allegedly led by Congressman Bill Paxon (R-NY) and close to 25 GOP colleagues smacked of high intrigue most often left to Argentina or 19th century France -- as a gang of young conservatives met openly with the House Republican leadership to plot the ouster of the Speaker. The irony, of course, is that they wanted their putsch not because Gingrich is a manipulating, prevaricating, power mad, pseudo-professorial, charity-using, back-stabbing, wife abusing, slob -- but because he isn't "conservative" enough and has too often bent to White House wishes.

What an irony. An irony that makes Republicans look sick.

Here's a guy who will, openly and with bravura, stop at nothing for power. Even as his own best and brightest struggled with "how" not "why" they should dump him, Gingrich's only thought was for himself. He couldn't care less about his party, about the colleagues that have hitched their futures to him, or about the American people who will suffer from the havoc his activities have wrought.

No.

Gingrich cares about Gingrich.

And have you thought about how he saved himself this time? The answer, as with organized crime, is money.

Although there's hardly a soul that can stand even the sight of him, Gingrich holds a pocketful of IOUs from the millions in campaign contributions he raised for his then friends. On top of that, one can easily imagine filing cabinets in Newt's private lair containing this or that embarrassing tidbit about fellow Republicans. It wouldn't surprise this writer if Gingrich was a graduate of the J. Edgar Hoover School of Influence.

In short, Gingrich has turned his Republican machine into a Mafia-like organization -- where bribes, dirty money, and threats of extinction rule. Bill Paxon was the first "made man" to be offed for his treachery to the "Don." Who's next? Dick Armey? Tom DeLay?

But this time Gingrich is finished. His credibility is totally destroyed. Whatever allies he claims are tentative at best. He is besieged -- and like jackals surrounding a dying water buffalo, the House is waiting for just one more mistake, one more revelation, one more misstep. Then it's over.

Who holds the final knife? Bill Clinton. If he wants Newt gone, he need only embark on a war against Republican budget and tax bills. That's all it will take. The House Republican caucus will take the bait and fry Mr. Gingrich on the spot.

Most everyone on Capitol Hill is grief-stricken by the failure of this latest palace coup -- Republicans and Democrats alike. The good Republicans, whether politically misguided or not, know they have to oust Newt or face defeat in '98. But, if Gingrich holds his place, the defeat will be bigger than any single congressional election. The defeat will be for America, who blindly placed her trust in a man who wears a different face for every audience and demands unconditional loyalty.

No matter what.