Washington GOP not keen on Gingrich

Byron York:

There's a deep and growing divide in the Republican world between those who are able to reconcile themselves with -- to wrap their heads around -- the possibility of Newt Gingrich becoming the GOP presidential nominee, and those who are not.  It's becoming increasingly clear that it is Washington insiders who are having the most trouble imagining a Gingrich nomination, while Republicans outside Washington aren't having a problem.

Of course it's the Washington insiders who have the most actual experience dealing with Gingrich.  Just look at what Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, who served with Gingrich in the House in the 1990s, said about the former speaker on Fox News Sunday.  "I'm not inclined to be a supporter of Newt Gingrich's having served under him for four years and experienced personally his leadership," Coburn said.  "I found it lacking often times."

"There are all types of leaders," Coburn continued.  "Leaders that instill confidence, leaders that are somewhat abrupt and brisk, leaders that have one standard for the people they are leading and a different standard for themselves. I just found his leadership lacking and…I will have difficulty supporting him as president of the United States."

Gingrich has also taken flak from another former colleague, Rep. Peter King.  "The problem was, over a period of time, he couldn't stay focused," King said of Gingrich a few days ago.  "He was undisciplined. Too often, he made it about himself."

It's more than just former colleagues.  If one were to survey politicos, journalists and others who lived through Gingrich's years as speaker in Washington, there would likely be a near-consensus that Gingrich will blow up his candidacy through some mixture of arrogance and indiscipline.  Those insiders simply don't believe there is a New Newt.  Old Newt, the Gingrich who alienated many of his colleagues back in the 90s, will reassert himself soon enough, they believe.

...

Those outside Washington are more likely to forgive what they know of Gingrich from the 90s.  I think the main problem with the lack of discipline and focus.  It was kind of the ADHD of leadership where he would be thinking of new ideas before executing on the existing ones.  He is going to need a strong staff to keep him focused and on message during a campaign and to accomplish things if elected.

While some are giving Gov. Perry another look as one of the most principled conservatives in the remaining group of candidates, his message is not one designed to appeal to Washington insiders.