Help Me Obi-Wan Gingrich, You're My Only Hope

Pardon me while I snicker.

In serious conversations among Republicans since their election debacle Tuesday, what name is mentioned most often as the Moses, or Reagan, who could lead them out of the wilderness before 40 years?

To the consternation of many Republicans, it is none other than Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House.

Gingrich is far from a unanimous or even a consensus choice to run for president in 2012, but there is a strong feeling in Republican ranks that he is the only leader of their party who has shown the skill and energy to attempt a comeback quickly.

Wow, this would be frightening. The guy who shut down the government because he couldn't get a good seat on Ar Force One? Surely he wouldn't crack under pressure. The guy who went from leader of the Reagan revolution to resigning in disgrace in four years? Surely he has the staying power to lead.

Please don't do this, Republican Party. I don't know how we'd compete against gimmick politics and outdated beliefs that the country is still center-right. Don't make us compete against Newt.

(Did I hold the straight face?)