Is Newt Gingrich America's Winston Churchill?

A possible Gingrich-Obama race in 2012 will represent a contest of opposites. The imposition of European-style socialism faces an America built on a tradition of opportunity, liberty, freedom, hard work, and entrepreneurship. Europe is falling apart under the weight of its social policies. In 2012, Americans will decide whether they want a similar future or a return to the leadership values that made this country great.

Let me jump to the ideological antipode and consider Newt Gingrich as America's Winston Churchill. I wasn't the first to have the thought. In his article, Jeffrey Lord spoke of similar musings.

A likeness

Before being called upon to save Britain, Churchill wandered in political exile for years. He was considered too risky and unpredictable to be prime minister, even by his Tory colleagues. After getting behind various causes, the undeniable leader in him sounded the alarm against an emerging militarist Germany.

Gingrich's rise in the polls suggests that Americans have renewed interest in the guy who has been working Washington long enough to sound the alarms for our future as an emerging socialist state. The founding principles of our past, with which Gingrich is profoundly familiar, are being dashed. His vision for America is undeflected by personal criticism or disparities within the Republican Party. His aim is clear: He is focused on the need to remove Obama.

Winston Churchill

Churchill wrote several books on British history. He was considered a political has been. Churchill had egotistical confidence in his own ideas, many of which were bad (e.g., the slaughter at Gallipoli in WWI).

But he was smart and remarkably articulate and, once appointed prime minister, rallied a beleaguered Britain with his indomitable spirit. Today he is lionized as the canonical stalwart figure standing against adversity, the superb wartime leader, and symbol of freedom.

Newt Gingrich

Gingrich wrote several books on American history. He was considered a familiar face--perhaps political has been--upon announcing GOP candidacy. He speaks with confidence about his own ideas, some of which are acknowledged as mistakes (e.g., the tete-a-tete with Nancy Pelosi on global warming, which he renounced last month).

But, he too, like Churchill is smart and remarkably articulate. Today, like Churchill, Gingrich is an icon of intelligence, driven by American exceptionalism, and achievements of individuals as granted by freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution.

On freedom

Speaking of freedom, Gingrich was at his best speaking of freedom in 2009. Watch the video here. Like Churchill, Gingrich speaks with the simplicity that intelligence brings, bringing renewed awareness of the lost freedoms we once enjoyed. Inspirational describes his speaking style well.

On common sense

Of the government spending that feeds current economic problems, Gingrich asks the question: If you can't afford a house do you buy it? "No" is the answer, as most of us spend within our means. The government, however, operates by different rules and spends without regard to affordability.

On the default of the American dream

On the personal level, government pushed the dream of having a home to every American, whether or not one was affordable. The banks, in response, were pressured to offer overly risky loans. Buy now, pay later was the mantra we practiced, except that the housing bubble burst and the loans defaulted en masse.

What do we think happens to countries that borrow and spend the same way?

Well, of course they collapse. Gingrich speaks of an America speeding toward a veritable cliff. Of the GOP candidates, Gingrich alone recognizes that the socialist secular left has permeated the American culture, having created the expectation in Americans that they are entitled. Affordability be damned. That the government should get it for us and take care of us has warped the American perspective. Like Churchill, Gingrich's political genius lies in seeing over the horizon, anticipating a future invisible to others.

So, take another look. Has our vision been too clouded to recognize a Churchill in our midst?