At this point, in the wake of Kevin McCarthy's spectacular bugout for the ages, the list of potential candidates bandied about as Speaker is becoming a mile long. Besides some absurd potential candidates from the House itself (seriously, Lynn "Can't name the 10 Commandments" Westmoreland?), in their desperation, some conservatives are latching onto the little publicized rule that the Speaker technically doesn't have to be a member of the House and are pushing some rather unorthodox non-House choices, including Dick Cheney (yeah, even after the endorsement kiss of death he gave McCarthy) and Mitt Romney.
But hey, why bother with those guys when you can have someone with experience who's willing to boot?
Newt Gingrich said he would consider taking up the Speaker’s gavel again if called upon to by House Republicans.
The former Speaker initially denied any interest in a return to Congress, but when pressed in an interview with radio show host Sean Hannity on Thursday, admitted he would consider it if he had the votes.
Why am I not suprised to see the Angry Irish Ape Man pushing this?
Oh and if the notion of Gingrich as Speaker isn't offensive enough, this little analogy he dragged up should do the trick:
He compared the scenario to George Washington coming out of retirement to become America’s first president.
“This is why George Washington came out of retirement — because there are moments you can’t avoid,” Gingrich said.
Just a guess, but if anything were to bring George Washington back as a howling revenant from beyond the grave seeking revenge for slander of his name, it would be being compared to Newt.
But don't get too excited, as Newt, for once, seems rather realistic about this notion and believes it's not going to happen.
"Remember the McCarthy problem — it’s not getting a majority of the conference, it’s getting 218 votes,” Gingrich said.
Gingrich said he’s more likely to serve as a consultant to the House GOP than as its Speaker. He said it would “be more practical” to sit down with the GOP conference “and try to help them think this through.”
Ah, Newt? I would have though the events of the last few days would have convinced you that thinking is not exactly a strong suit when it comes to these guys.
All I can say is, looking at the other options being tossed around, no wonder much of the House GOP is groveling at Paul Ryan's feet.