Gingrich's hand ‘always six inches from the self-destruct button’

[babylonsister]

Gingrich's hand ‘always six inches from the self-destruct button’
By Alexander Bolton - 12/01/11 05:15 AM ET


Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill are nervous about Newt Gingrich’s rise in the polls, with one member saying, “Newt’s hand is always six inches from the self-destruct button.”

The legislator, who served with Gingrich in the House, is one of many who are concerned the Georgia Republican will capture the 2012 presidential nomination.

The member requested anonymity to avoid finding himself crosswise with a candidate now considered to have a real shot at facing President Obama in the general election.

Despite being in Washington for decades and leading the 1994 GOP revolution, Gingrich only has garnered six endorsements from Republican House members, and none in the Senate. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has sunk in the polls, has 13 (including from one senator) while former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has 46 (including from 8 senators).

Some of Gingrich’s former colleagues attribute the scarce endorsements to the former House Speaker’s leadership style.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/196441-newts-hand-always-six-inches-from-the-self-destruct-button