With the integrity to do what is best for his party and the nation as a whole, Newt did what Bill Clinton is incapable of, step down from his political position! While 71 percent of his 6th District constituents voted for him to serve another term ( the 11th ) in the House of Representitives, it is being reported that he may give up his seat as well. A Gingrich spokesperson reportedly said, " it's highly likely he will not serve out the term to which he was just elected.''

I can understand Newt's action, especially after his cruxifiction on trumped up ethics charges a few years ago. He sees the leader of the Democrats getting away with committing blatant unethical acts of lying, perjury and abuse power; Clinton blaming or villifying anyone but himself. He certainly could have fought for his position as Speaker of The House, but chose to avoid the in-fighting that would have erupted and hurt the Republican party, in general.

Both sides had been critical of him; the Democrats saying that he overplayed his hand in the impeachment inquiry on the Lewinsky scandal, and Republicans saying that he caved in to the White House on the pork-filled big-spending budget bill. See: ( Plato's ) Budget Cave? ( 10-17-98 ) and Morning sickness? ( 10-17-98 ) . Will the public ever find out what really went on in those negotiations?

I will remember Newt for his campaign against the corruption of Democratic Speaker Jim Wright and the glorious GOP ' Contract With America '. Who could forget Newt's whirlwind actions of keeping his word, in passing the contract elements like he said he would. He didn't shut down the government in '95, Clinton did!

Will Dick Armey and Trent Lott vie to keep their positions, or step down as accomplices in the '98 election debacle? Some names mentioned to replace the current Republican leadership in the House include: Steve Largent, Bob Livingston, Christopher Cox, James Talent, and Bill Archer ( though he claims that he is not interested in being Speaker ).

Dick Gephardt and other Democrats kicked Gingrich while was down with rude partisan remarks concerning his tenure as Speaker of House. I won't dignify them with any particular mention, but it just shows how much class these Clinton guided Democrat dogs really have!

Gingrich has been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate in 2000, I think he should stay in the background and teach or lecture in college. In a recent conference with other Republican House leaders Gingrich reportedly said, " The prospect of an Al Gore presidency and a Democratic Congress ought to scare all of us into mobilization ". Maybe, this is the main reason that the Speaker is stepping down, as he obviously feels that his continued position of ' chief DNC punching bag ' ( possibly only second to Ken Starr ) will only hurt GOP chances in the 2000 election.

- Bongo ( Thanks for the memories. )