Whatever you think of Newt Gingrich, there's no denying he's a man of ideas. The architect of the Republican party's 1994 "Contract with America," Gingrich had a vision that included welfare reform, tax cuts, term limits and a balanced budget. It was the messy reality of politics that tripped him up, ending with his resignation as speaker of the House -- and his departure from elected office -- after his party's disappointing performance at the polls last November.
At the Hoover Institution, with its motto "Ideas Defining a Free Society," he seems likely to enjoy a smoother ride. Gingrich was appointed a distinguished visiting fellow in June, joining such GOP elders as former California Gov. Pete Wilson and former Attorney General Ed Meese.
"It's a great move both for Gingrich and for Hoover," says Republican consultant Dan Schnur. "Hoover gets probably the most recognizable conservative spokesman in the country, and Gingrich gets what is certainly the most respected conservative platform in the country to speak from."
The part-time gig allows Gingrich to drop in for occasional events while maintaining home bases in Georgia and Washington, D.C. He also heads a consulting firm called the Gingrich Group, which is partnered with PricewaterhouseCoopers. At Hoover, he will study technology, society and public policy. "Newt is a leading figure in the United States," says Hoover Institution director John Raisian. "We are delighted to have him join us as a colleague."
