Earlier this year I was spellbound by Newt Gingrich’s gift for debating. I was also fascinated by his skills as a brilliant political wonk.
Nevertheless, when he attacked the very foundations of capitalism by levying charges of class warfare against Mitt Romney, he lost me – completely.
There are certain things that conservatives should never do. Attacking capitalism and rugged individualism are two such things. Mr. Gingrich did both. The attack on “vulture capitalism” was nothing but a direct attack on the very foundations of capitalism itself in which the market determines a company’s fate. Goading voters for support and political gain by tapping into widespread class envy of Mr. Romney’s professional and financial success was Mr. Gingrich’s second cardinal sin.
Furthermore, Mr. Gingrich has inadvertently become a proxy warrior for President Obama’s reelection campaign by associating himself with special interest groups doing their utmost to exaggerate or invent unsavory and/or salacious accounts of Mitt Romney’s successful tenure in private equity.
Mr. Gingrich’s sins are unpardonable, and if he wins the nomination, my choice will be between not voting at all or voting for President Obama.
