On October 20^th 2011, in The National Patriot, I endorsed Newt Gingrich for President. It was early in the race and the debate stage was still over populated. Too many candidates, not enough time to hear real solutions to burning issues.

My endorsement was early and I have not regretted making it. Not for a minute.

Now, as we are down to 4 candidates on the stage, I continue to stand with Newt.

I know there are some who don’t like him and some who believe Newt is evil. So be it.

Of the 4 remaining GOP candidates, I believe, 3 of them could beat Obama.

While Ron Paul’s followers are die hard and in many cases, beyond over the top, I believe they have reached their zenith in numbers – and in truth, there just aren’t enough of them. They will continue to say Paul is the only one who can draw votes from independents and liberals disenchanted with Obama but, I just don’t see that being enough.

While Paul might be able to out debate Obama on fiscal concerns, frankly, this race is not going to be ONLY about fiscal concerns. It’s also about a failed Obama foreign policy. Paul’s stance on foreign policy would be every bit as failing and possibly more dangerous than Obama’s, and neither we nor our allies can risk that.

Eventually, a GOP nominee will be named.

Eventually it will come down to a one on one against Obama.

Without Ron Paul, I believe any of the other 3 could beat Obama.

Is COULD enough to bet on?

With the future of our nation at stake…With the future of our allies at stake…with everything we have at stake is “Could” good enough?

Romney “Could” beat Obama.

Santorum “Could” beat Obama.

I believe Newt Gingrich WOULD beat Obama and if I’m going to bet the future of our nation by the check mark on my ballot, I feel much better about WOULD than COULD.

As stated, eventually this will come down to a one-on-one situation and that means one-on-one debates.

While Newt has yet to win a primary in a very young primary season, it’s hard, if not impossible, to accept the fact that no matter how crowded or sparse the stage, Newt has won every debate.

This has been made even more clear by the two debates in South Carolina.

Newt Gingrich does not falter, his answers are clear, he puts forth solutions, like them or not, to the issues we face and he puts those solutions out there, on the table, not for himself but for the nation.

Newt can be hard-line serious or glib depending on the moment, depending on the question.

Last night, Santorum tried to attack Gingrich as an idea-a-minute guy lacking discipline.

What we have now is a President who has only 1 idea: Socialism.

Would having a President who produces a steady stream of ideas be a bad thing?

I believe the years have worked on Gingrich and his “youthful” approach has been replaced by a more “controlled” and thoughtful approach. Yes, we see some aspects of the old Newt on the campaign trail, but I want a guy with some fire. I don’t want a politically correct candidate going against Obama I want a politically DIRECT candidate.

Newt is politically direct and I am certain that will rub much harder against Obama and the liberal/socialists than it will against Republican conservatives.

In last night’s debate, a point was made that at the end of Gingrich’s stint as Speaker, Republicans in Congress tossed him out. While those backing other candidates point to that as being a reason not to vote for him, I believe that makes Gingrich an even more viable candidate.

If Newt had truly been an establishment guy back then, if he wasn’t ruffling establishment feathers, they wouldn’t have expedited his exit. Newt was not a Washington business-as-usual Republican then – and isn’t that one of the key things we want to change today?

To right the ship of state, to correct the course of the nation, the economy and the out of control spending, don’t we need a President who bucks the old business as usual way of doing things?

Newt, as the Speaker, balanced the budget.

Newt engineered the conservative revolution in the House.

It’s going to be a one-on-one election once the GOP nomination is solidified and I believe we need a guy who can and will debate Obama and the liberal/socialist agenda hard. Debate in an unblinking manner. Debate in the most politically direct way possible. Debate eye to eye, toe to toe, and ideal against ideology.

Romney could hold his own in such debates.

Santorum could hold his own.

Gingrich WOULD and more.

Obama owns the teleprompter.

Gingrich OWNS the debate stage.

For those who believe Gingrich’s past, his personal past, will work against him, look no further than the 1^st question from last night’s debate. Gingrich doesn’t run, he doesn’t hide and he doesn’t try to evade his own past. He owns that too.

In a state as conservative as South Carolina, where evangelical views prevail, the only thing more telling than Newt’s response to John King’s question was the response of the audience to Newt Gingrich’s answer.

I believe too many Patriots believe the power to turn the ship around rests in only one person, a President. I don’t. I believe it will take a dedicated team to make all the course adjustments necessary and I also believe Newt knows this.

While we don’t know at this point who would be on his team, nor do we know who would be on any other candidate’s team, I am sure that Gingrich would, as would the rest, assemble the right team. Newt has told us he would have Sarah Palin as a key member of his team.

Imaging Palin in charge of our energy interests. Something would be done and done quickly.

Imagine John Bolton, yes, I realize he’s endorsed Romney, as Secretary of State.

Secretary of the Treasury Rick Santorum? Here is a guy who does his OWN taxes  rather than evade them as our current Treasury Secretary does.

How about letting Mitt do what Mitt does best…Consolidate. Mitt could cut the costs of government, downsize agencies, eliminate unneeded agencies and make our government leaner and smaller rather than our military.

I believe Gingrich would mine the field of even his current opponents to put the best people in the proper positions where their greatest talents and passions would be brought to the greatest account to turn the ship faster and more precisely in the right direction then anyone believes could happen.

Santorum could…So could Romney.

I believe Gingrich WOULD.

As long as speculation is in the air, how can we not take a shot at the ticket itself?

Again, remember, this IS going to come down eventually to debates. The 2012 election, arguably the most important election since 1860, is going to be decided by debates. Whether they are debates the likes of standard debates with moderators or panels of moderators, or be they the Lincoln/Douglas style. This IS going to come down to debates.

There will be the Presidential debates of 2012 and there will be the Vice Presidential debates of 2012.

My speculation or suggestion for the other side of the ticket will come as no great surprise to those who know me and it will be met with scorn by some but that’s okay too.

It’s not about one issue or one vote or a narrow minded approach. It’s about winning and leaving no doubt. Leaving nothing on the table. Leaving no stone unturned and putting the two most outright owners of debates stages together to face the competition.

While many could fulfill the role of Vice President as we know that role today, I believe there is one who WOULD redefine the role. One who WOULD provide the yang to the Gingrich yin.

If he’s not already on each candidate’s short list he should be.

Allen West.

I believe the power and combined knowledge of Gingrich and West would be unbeatable.

It will all come down to debates.