Just a few weeks ago I would have given Newt Gingrich zero chance at becoming the Republican nominee for President.  Last summer his campaign basically collapsed under its own weight.  He was out of money, out of time and out of ideas.  He may literally have been the only person left who thought he was a legitimate candidate for President.

Even as late as today I thought this would boil down to a Mitt Romney vs. Rick Perry affair.  But, Newt was still hanging around by his fingernails and he just may have hit an inside straight in the biggest game of all.  Rick Perry self-destructed tonight when he couldn’t quite remember which three government agencies he would eliminate.  He flat out drew a blank and could not remember the Department of Energy.  It was the ultimate deer in the headlights moment and I think he is toast.  Herman Cain is also gone because of the sex scandals.  Rick Santorum, Michelle Bachmann and Jon Huntsman never were in the running.  Ron Paul remains Ron Paul.  He is fun to watch but was never a serious candidate for President.  That leaves two people standing, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.  At this point, against all odds, Newt definitely has a shot at winning the nomination.

 I must admit, I did not predict this.  I really thought Rick Perry would do better than this.  Perhaps he will be able to just laugh this off, but I doubt it.  It is really difficult to survive being laughed off the stage.  In many ways it is unfair, because all of us have drawn a blank at one time or another.  But, when it happens during a Presidential debate it is really bad. 

 This is so shocking and unexpected that almost anything could happen.  I wouldn’t even rule out a last minute entry by another candidate like Jeb Bush, or even Sarah Palin.  A lot of people in the Republican establishment will not sleep well tonight after this performance.  They aren’t thrilled with Mitt Romney, and Gingrich has a world class load of baggage.  I am positive there will be another mad rush to recruit Chris Christie, but that seems very unlikely to succeed.  For better or worse it is now the Mitt and Newt show.  May the best man win!

TDM