The Gingrich Surge Is Real

I attended the Iowa GOP dinner on Friday night and agreed with attendees that the best speeches of the night belonged to Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum.

When I told Tara that I was impressed with Gingrich, she correctly questioned his likability among voters based on past performance.

That's definitely been a foible for him. But earlier in the day, Gingrich did an interview at the television station of which I am in charge. He was not only articulate, he was totally charming. It's like he's attended a "charm school." He's always had the intellect and been articulate--it looks like he's been working with someone on personal skills.

GOP activists have been discouraged as each front-runner not named Romney seemed to stumble badly when attempting to articulate the conservative message. We picture each potential candidate on stage with Barack Obama, a skilled debater and orator, and we get nightmares.

It's the Gingrich ability to clearly articulate conservative ideals that have voters taking a second look after the pratfalls of previous front-runners.

As to the other candidates with buzz: it's clear that Santorum is pursuing the Huckabee strategy of pursuing social conservatives in Iowa leading into the caucuses. This may a successful strategy for Iowa, but leading with the social issues isn't effective on a national scale.

However, Santorum is about to get an issue in his wheelhouse: a report on Iran's nuclear capability. It will give him some valuable visibility on a topic on which he is an acknowledged expert.

As for Herman Cain: I've been very neutral in talking about the harassment issue, other than being glad that it has come out early and can be considered before the general election. And the pushback has now begun. There's plenty of time for this issue to be considered by voters by Jan. 3.