Newt Gingrich is apparently unafraid of having a rogue in his administration.
During a conference call “tele-town hall,” the GOP hopeful was asked by a caller whether he would consider picking Sarah Palin as his running mate in a general election. Gingrich said she was a “remarkable” governor in Alaska, and that he was a “great admirer of hers.”
“She is certainly one of the people you would look at,” he said.
Earlier this week, Gingrich told Iowans: “This is not the time to send an amateur to Washington.” Apparently one incomplete term as governor and a failed campaign as a vice-presidential candidate give Palin the necessary bona fides.
Of course, Gingrich is in no position alienate Palin supporters. He is seeking all the support he can get as his poll numbers have slipped ahead of the Iowa caucuses. On Friday, he did earn the begrudging support of conservative radio host Steve Deace, who basically admitted that he was supporting Gingrich because there were no true conservative options in the race, and Ron Paul’s foreign policy is too scary.
In the conference call, Gingrich went on to make a suggestion that could perhaps earn the support of Palin and her loyal fans, without putting her on his (theoretical) ticket and potentially alienating her detractors.
“There are also some very important Cabinet positions that she could fill very, very well,” Gingrich said. “I can’t imagine anybody who would do a better job of driving us to an energy solution than Governor Palin, for example.” Get your “Drill, Fundamentally Drill” bumper stickers ready now.
