In the Bleak Midwinter; Some Republican Entertainment

British politics is pretty depressing at the moment so thank god for the entertainment provided by the Republican candidates squabbling to become their party’s Presidential nominee. Dark times demand dark comedy leavened by appropriate measures of farce. Hurrah for Newt Gingrich, then. We are advised that he must be taken seriously now that he’s been endorsed by the Manchester Union-Leader even though that paper has in the past supported the likes of Steve Forbes, Pat Buchanan, Pete DuPont (1988) and Richard Ashbrook (1972). What’s more, the Union-Leader’s publisher thinks it sensible to say Newt “resembles” Winston Churchill.

Yes, all this is supposed to be an important symbol and the kind of credential Newt needs to establish himself with conservative voters. Perhaps so. True, strong finishes by Gingrich in Iowa and New Hampshire can leave him the pre-eminent Stop Romney candidate but, when push comes to shove, it remains probable that voters will eventually by more persuaded by the candidate best placed to Stop Obama.