[Knitebane]

Oh, I disagree. Two completely different individuals with different talents and strengths. Buckley was a philosopher. Gingrich is an historian. His genius lies in his ability to comprehend the operations of institutions and systemic cultural weaknesses.

Oh, I agree. They are not the same.

But both have much the same purpose. To stay on the outside as a critical observer and use keen insight to promote conservative values.

[GVnana]

We need both -- the philosopher and the doer.

I'm rediscovering Gingrich. I admired his leadership in Congress. We haven't seen anything like it since.

His "Platform of the American People" is so full of common sense, you'd read and think, "If we accomplished this, what would we have to argue about?"

His Real Change concept -- The whole idea of reforming government institutions from their 19th and 20th century, New Deal formats into leaner, more technologically advanced systems that address 21st century social demands just fascinates me.