Nate Silver explains with polls and graphs why there's little chance of Newt Gingrich becoming the Republican nominee next year, let alone the next President of the United States. I don't think you need all those numbers to come to that conclusion. You just have to look at the guy and listen to him. Republicans especially vote for the guy who looks and sounds most like Daddy. They may appreciate Newt's value as an operative and a strategist but they'd rather see him as Chief of Staff to the fellow who looks and sounds like a wizened, avuncular statesman. Sarah Palin doesn't fit the presidential mold either. As near as I can tell, her main support comes from folks who want to see her win just because of how much it would upset Liberals.
I don't think Gingrich or Palin can win and I sure get the feeling that neither of them think that, either; that all this talk is just because they see future opportunities — political but more likely financial — to being a candidate…or at least not ruling it out too soon. Personally, I think the Republicans should run John McCain again so they won't have to break in a new loser.