Lexington

摘要

Ten years ago, Newt Gingrich was the Sun King of American politics. He not only masterminded the first Republican takeover of Congress in 40 years; he also rammed through a wish-list of conservative policies, from a balanced budget to welfare reform. "It's a whole Newt world," yelled one excited congressman when Newt was elected speaker. That world didn't last long. The man who skewered the Democratic speaker for ethics violations was skewered for ethics violations of his own. A man who criticised Bill Clinton for womanising was exposed as a womaniser himself. With his negative ratings at stratospheric levels, he was unceremoniously turfed out of the speaker's chair. The Robespierre of the Republican revolution was reduced to appearing on "Da Ali G Show". Now Newt is back. This is not just because he's hawking a book-"Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America"-and sounding out a presidential run. (People like Mr Gingrich are always hawking themselves in one way or another.) It's because people of all political persuasions, on the left as much as the right, are suddenly interested in what he has to sell.