Newt's National Brainstorming Session

I participated in a local workshop for Newt Gingrich's American Solutions day, where numerous workshops were held nationwide as part of an Internet based event exploring various national issues including immigration, taxes, environment & energy, health care, etc.

Our group participated in the first two out of three sessions, picking one out of the several topics for each hour-long session, which consisted of a moderator and panel discussing the issue and answering audience questions and the ability of local workshops to submit questions and comments via the Internet. The workshops will soon be available for replay and, hopefully, will continue to include the question/comment capability. One session I definitely plan to participate in is the one titled “Space – The Race to the Endless Frontier”, moderated by Robert Walker, a former House Science Committee Chairman who is a leading proponent of innovative space policy.

Meanwhile, Newt has apparently decided not to run for president in 2008. I believe this is probably the best decision, since as a candidate Newt would draw an intense negative emotional response from some voters (as is also true for Hillary Clinton). His decision allows him to remain doing what he does best, advocating for fresh, bold ideas at a time they are really needed. Whoever does win the presidency might consider consulting Newt as an informal 'Secretary of Ideas'.