Less than a month after one of the most calamitous political launchesin recent memory, former House speaker Newt Gingrich’s campaign for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination imploded on Thursday, when its top officials quit en masse.
At least 16 of the former lawmaker’s advisers, including all of his senior campaign aides, departed the fledgling operation in a major and potentially devastating shake-up. Those who left included Gingrich’s campaign manager, his spokesman, top political strategists and key operatives from crucial GOP primary states. Former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue (R), who was Gingrich’s national campaign co-chairman, also defected, to the presidential campaign of former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty (R), where a close political aide to the ex-governor is the campaign manager.
Does this mean that Newt will drop out or will he hire new people? Is he a has-been? Newt stumbled coming out of the gate with his social engineering remark. He apparently was too moderate for the GOP.
His staff and he apparently had a falling out over his decision for him and his wife Callista to cruise the Greek Islands. They felt he needed to tend to getting elected.
Newt certainly seems to be the most cerebral of the candidates with lots of experience under his belt. I would hate to see him drop out, even with his flaws, he is a cut above many.
