SEAN HANNITY: You know, I suggested, and I know some people think I'm crazy, let me lay out my case to you. I think you ought to bring back Gingrich. And let me make my case. Name me a more consequential, successful speaker in the last half century than Newt Gingrich - or longer. I can't think of one, maybe you can. I don't even think Tip O'Neill with all that he was able to do for liberal causes can match the real, genuine success of Newt. Newt made promises, 10 promises specifically, the Contract With America, and he kept his promises. Newt was willing to challenge sitting Democratic president, not unlike the situation we have now, and he actually ended up shutting the government down twice. It resulted in last balanced budget surplus we've ever had. He also reformed welfare, something we didn't think a Democratic president would ever do. And we were better off because he was willing to lead the fight. I think he's somebody of great intellectual firepower. I would argue that he is a wiser man than he was when he left in '99. He's a guy that has probably read a thousand new books. He has taken to his faith, which is Catholicism, in a huge way, I know that from personal experience with him. Just got back from Israel, he was there when the pope was in town, so I think he's wiser, a little more humble. Add that to his intellectual firepower, and I think he's the guy that could rally an intellectual charge against Obama and the Democrats and win. Am I wrong?

A winger turns his lonely eyes to Newt

by digby

SEAN HANNITY: You know, I suggested, and I know some people think I'm crazy, let me lay out my case to you. I think you ought to bring back Gingrich. And let me make my case. Name me a more consequential, successful speaker in the last half century than Newt Gingrich - or longer. I can't think of one, maybe you can. I don't even think Tip O'Neill with all that he was able to do for liberal causes can match the real, genuine success of Newt. Newt made promises, 10 promises specifically, the Contract With America, and he kept his promises. Newt was willing to challenge sitting Democratic president, not unlike the situation we have now, and he actually ended up shutting the government down twice. It resulted in last balanced budget surplus we've ever had. He also reformed welfare, something we didn't think a Democratic president would ever do. And we were better off because he was willing to lead the fight. I think he's somebody of great intellectual firepower. I would argue that he is a wiser man than he was when he left in '99. He's a guy that has probably read a thousand new books. He has taken to his faith, which is Catholicism, in a huge way, I know that from personal experience with him. Just got back from Israel, he was there when the pope was in town, so I think he's wiser, a little more humble. Add that to his intellectual firepower, and I think he's the guy that could rally an intellectual charge against Obama and the Democrats and win. Am I wrong?

No, you're right Sean. He's the obvious choice to lead the Freedom Caucus: