Marginal Benefits: What Newt Gains From Staying In As Fringe Candidate

[jaxx]

Evan McMorris-Santoro April 9, 2012, 2:18 PM

There was a time when Newt Gingrich was Cinderella. Now, he’s more like an ugly step-sister — just an unwelcome impediment to the character we all know will win in the end.

Over the weekend, Gingrich completed the transition to fringe outsider candidate, admitting he’s out of cash and unlikely to win the nomination — but said he is staying in regardless. That came after days of similar statements on the campaign trail. His mission going forward: Try and shape the GOP agenda while he still can.

<..> “I’ve already talked to Chairman Reince Priebus of the Republican National Committee,” Gingrich told “Fox News Sunday.” “I want to work this fall to help defeat Obama in any way I could. Whatever the team thinks I can do to be helpful I will do.”

<..> Gingrich’s mission going forward is to try and shape the GOP agenda before he’s removed from the conversation completely. That means fanning the flames of two battles: privatizing Social Security and contraception access — two issues Romney would probably rather keep off the general election agenda.

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/0...didate.php

Newt has gone from being that fella with the bold plans to the GOP stooge for Willard. You'd think he'd have a little pride.