Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich may have resigned his seat in the House, but he has not resigned himself to being out of politics. After leading the charge against former President Bill Clinton on covering up charges of sexual harassment of Paula Jones more than lying about his affair with Monica Lewinski. Gingrich was also responsible for a Republican rejection of virtually everything Clinton tried to accomplish during his presidency.
While Clinton never voiced publicly his disdain for Gingrich, he also never offered support when the former House Speaker came under scrutiny for having an affair with staffer Callista Bisek while still married to his second wife Marianne Ginther. Despite his personal foibles, Gingrich has remained on the fringe of partisan politics following his resignation from the House and in March 2007, while appearing on a conservative religious television show, apologized for his behavior, claiming to have made peace with God.
While his reputation is still seeking to rebuild, a run for president has been pushed by many of his faithful supporters and Gingrich never closed the door on the possibility. Although this late in the crowded Republican race for the party nomination, many seem doubtful he could win even if he declared candidacy in a week or two following the Labor Day start to the election season.
As recently as May 2007 Gingrich left the door open to a possible spot on the Republican primary ballot, but as of Labor Day has not declared a candidacy. In trips through New Hampshire and Iowa he was discussing his 2005 book on what it will take to win a contract with America, trips that many viewed as a testing ground for a 2008 run for the Oval Office.
According to USA Election Polls (USAElectionPolls.com), Gingrich is holding his own in this election. His strongest holds are in Georgia and Arizona.
