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Contributors
Chris Field- Contributor
Chris
Field is Editor of Human
Events Online [go
to Field index]
TWO
CENTS
 President
Newt?
Who Wants to Be Commander-in-Chief...
[Chris Field] 5/16/05
Former House
Speaker Newt Gingrich, author of "Winning
the Future," has been making news lately with his recent
book tour stops in Iowa and New Hampshire -- states pivotal early
in the race for the GOP Presidential nomination.
Much speculation has been made about his political ambitions,
mainly: Is he running for President? Mr. Gingrich agreed to answer
a few questions submitted by yours truly on behalf of Human
Events Online.
You'll notice that the question to which all political observers
seek an answer -- does Newt want to be President -- wasn't actually
answered. These politicians, on the Right and the Left, are so
well trained to answer questions without answering questions.
Here's the brief Q & A:
HEO: You recently traveled to New Hampshire as part of your
book tour and now you're in Iowa. What's the purpose of your
trip to Iowa?
GINGRICH: We badly
need a few years of focusing on big solutions to meet the
big challenges we face. My book, "Winning the
Future," is an outline of a 21st Century Contract with
America that would transform health, balance the federal budget,
create
a much simpler flatter tax that would save every taxpayer time
and money, among a variety of other key changes.
HEO: Why is Iowa significant?
GINGRICH: Iowa is a key state in shaping the ideas and the solutions
for 2008. Talking about big solutions and big ideas in Iowa has
a big impact on every reporter and every candidate who wants
to campaign here.
HEO: There has been a great deal of speculation that you are
preparing for a 2008 run. Do you want to be President?
GINGRICH: I want to help my two grandchildren, Maggie, 5, and
Robert, 3, have a country as safe, as prosperous and as healthy
as the country my parents and grandparents worked and fought
to be able to give me. I will do anything I can that is helpful
in that cause.
HEO: Time magazine recently listed you among their 25 Most Fascinating
People. Why do you think so many people are still intrigued?
GINGRICH: I think the idea of someone who likes to learn and
likes to develop new solutions and likes to teach is so rare
in politics (think of the late Senator Moynihan as a great example)
that reporters are curious as to what you will do next and what
you will work on next. I was humbled to be listed six years after
leaving the Speakership.
I suppose, though,
that the question about wanting to be Commander-in-Chief is
asked and answered in itself. Don't all politicians want to
be President? I mean, once they get the taste of power -- for
some, including Newt, I guess it's better termed "the taste
of 'leadership'" -- nothing will quench the thirst for more.
Of course, many (I'm
not talking specifically about Gingrich here, he might make
a great President, our Q & A simply prompted
this train of thought) will convince themselves, and us, that
they're seeking higher office and greater influence "for
the betterment of America," "to help mankind," "to
forward an agenda that will create opportunities for all," etc.
But are they to be believed? They seem to believe it, but should
we -- at least without significant scrutiny?
And that's something that we voters must always keep in mind,
regardless of party affiliation -- do we want the person to whom
we are giving power, no matter how limited, to get more power?
Because that's what they're likely to seek. tOR
copyright
2005 Human Events
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