(CNN just released a presidential preference poll for '08. They note: "On the Republican side, there is a virtual tie for first place, with 29 percent of registered GOPers expressing preference for Giuliani and 27 percent opting for McCain. McCain has picked up 6 points of support since September, with Giuliani holding steady. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich of Georgia is the only other Republican to make it into double digits, with 12 percent." And, as I've noted before, I believe it's more likely Newt runs than Rudy -- for now at least.) Posted on November 1, 2006: George Will writes in today's Washington Post:
Yet with Allen much diminished and perhaps out of contention, and with Rudy Giuliani not yet doing serious groundwork for a national campaign, the Republican field is already down to two. That is good for only one of them: Romney.
But what about Newt Gingrich? He's given every indication -- publicly and privately -- that he will run; yet Will doesn't mention the former speaker at all in his column. Gingrich won't need much of a "ground game" to make waves in New Hampshire. He's powerful on the stomp, a first-rate debater, and isn't likely to concede the "conservative majority of the party" to anyone. On that score, a candidate Gingrich, or McCain for that matter, would likely hit Romney from the right on several fronts on which he is vulnerable, making it more difficult for any one candidate to consolidate the right in the early races. Folks shouldn't underestimate the impact of a Gingrich candidacy. He won't win the nomination, but along the way don't expect Newt to assume the fetal position against his opponents -- whether they're named McCain or Romney.