In the modern era, waiting until September of the year before a Presidential election to start a campaign may seem like a really bad idea. After all, between now and then, the people who have declared will be able to amass campaign staff, bring supporters into their tent, and, most importantly, raise money. Newt Gingrich, though, seems to think it’s an idea that just might work:
WASHINGTON — Newt Gingrich suggested on Sunday he might not run for president in 2008 if a rival has all but locked up the Republican nomination by next fall.
The former House speaker from Georgia said it would not be too late for him to enter the race after next Labor Day, if he believed no candidate had a clear advantage. He praised Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani as the contenders to watch.
“If one of them seals it off by Labor Day, my announcing now wouldn’t make any difference anyway,” Gingrich said. “If none of the three, having from now ’til Labor Day, can seal it off, the first real vote is in 2008. And there’s plenty of time in the age of television and e-mail, between Labor Day and 2008.”
Of course, in reality, the situation on Labor Day 2007 will still be incredibly fluid. Either Giuliani or McCain will be seen as the front-runner, but there will still be an opportunity for a candidate to come in and shake things up. And that’s where Gingrich might come in.
I watched Gingrich on Meet The Press this morning and it was really quite an amazing half-hour or so. The conversation ran the gamut from Iraq to the War on Terror to the 2008 elections. Gingrich made it clear that, while he supports the Iraq War, the Bush Administration has bungled the occupation and needs to admit that it’s done so. He also said that the civilian side of the government is still unprepared to fight the War on Terror, and I think it’s pretty clear that he’s right.
As I’ve said numerous times before, if nothing else a 2008 GOP race with Newt Gingrich in it will be interesting and I’d give good money to see John McCain go toe-to-toe with the former Speaker of the House.
