Matthew Yglesias on how Newt Gingrich's tax plans differ from the plans of those competing with him for the G.O.P. nomination. I don't think those differences matter much since, first of all, I still don't think he'll get that nomination. As Barney Frank said, Democrats just don't have that kind of luck. It would also be a pretty short hop — one that wouldn't even evoke cries of "flip-flop" — for Gingrich to move to any other Republican plan.
You know, I don't care a whole heap about Gingrich's divorces or his Tiffany credit line or his yearning for an "open marriage." To me, it's only relevant as further evidence that some people in this country will overlook anything if a guy on their team does it. My right-wingest pal Roger is always telling me "character counts" and that certain things in the past of this Democrat or that Democrat prove the person is unfit to hold public office because of the kind of man he is. But he's for Newt, ethics violations and all.
I suspect the appeal is that he expects Newt would put on a better show — one he'd enjoy the same way he enjoys Rush Limbaugh bashing Liberals all day, even when it requires making stuff up. I think Roger will get his wish for a lot of that this year but I still don't think the Republican leadership wants to peg its future on a candidate like Newt Gingrich.