Newt Gingrich is in trouble. The resignation of much of his senior staff, a include his campaign manager, campaign spokesman, media consultant and three top advisers has left a gaping chasm in the leadership foundation of the former Speaker's campaign. “There is a fundamental strategic difference between the traditional consulting community and the kind of campaign I want to run,” Gingrich said in repost to reporters. “We’ll find out over the next year who’s right.”
The charge levelled at Gingrich is his chronic lack of commitment to the campaign and it's hugely taxing nature both on the candidate and his family. Examples have included attending the Opera instead of 'pressing-the-flesh' at a Memorial Day parade. The vast array of extra-political commitments Gingrich has committed to has prevented the campaign from getting going and perhaps the most damming charge is levelled at Gingrich's wife, his third, Callista.
It has been said she's been micromanaging his day-to-day diary and been persistent in ensuring that his days are not totally consumed by the campaign and instead prioritise his attendance at film premieres and book signings. Her intrusion has appeared to be unwelcome as one senior staffer commented: "His spouse has demands on his time that are not practical for a candidate running for president."
The rigours of running for President are well known and frankly Callista should have known she'd be taking a bit of a back seat. After all, the excuse of family reasons has been used in this primary season to justify not running a la Mitch Daniels et Haley Barbour. Curtains now for Newt after this 'Newtiny'?
