New Gingrich should declare his candidacy for President and soon. His confession of an extramarital affair during the late 90’s on James Dobson’s radio program this past week means he is one step closer to announcing his candidacy. Think about it. If the former speaker were content to remain the “idea man” behind other Republican candidates, then why come out with the confession? Why not wait to make private matters public? The confession to Dobson was a move clearly aimed at social conservatives to test how deep the waters of forgiveness run. Will they forgive? Yes. Will they embrace him as the conservative standard bearer? Only time will tell. But the question has been laid on the table. If the answer to this question is yes, then Newt will run. But he better decide soon.

Gingrich’s complaints about the early launch of presidential politics may be intellectually stimulating and true, but the reality is that the starting gate is open and the horses are running. There are no do-overs or waiting games in presidential politics. Gingrich now realizes this and is accelerating his calendar before it is too late. Thus the confession. Fortunately for him, this is the election campaign with baggage. Everyone’s got it. Multiple divorces on the Republican side, the Hill-Bill legacy, Obama’s financial dealings and John Edwards mega-mansion/trial lawyer legacy on the Democrat side. As one wag put it, the only candidate with one wife on the Republican side is “the Mormon.”

Pundits will scream about hypocrisy in the coming weeks, asking how Gingrich could have led the impeachment charge against Bill Clinton while engaging in an extra-marital affair himself. After all, the very nature of adultery is hypocrisy. But the Clinton impeachment (and legacy) was never about “sex” as many Clinton defenders have endlessly parroted. It was about lying to the American people, lying to a grand jury, committing and suborning perjury and the well-documented intimidation and harassment of those who crossed the Clinton machine. For his behavior, Clinton was appropriately impeached, wrote a $750,000 settlement check to Paula Jones and was disbarred in the state of Arkansas. Apparently it was Gingrich’s case, not Clinton’s, that was “ just about sex.” The Republican faithful will decide whether Newt’s past will derail his future. If New Gingrich runs, he will become a major factor in this race.

The time has come for Newt Gingrich to face facts. The reason he has given for a possible autumn entry into the presidential fray is this: he will only join it if there has emerged a hole or a gap in the field. The fact is: the hole is open now. The gap is gaping today. Rudy is vulnerable on social issues and religious faith. McCain is unreliable, even as a Republican. Romney is a recent convert to conservatism and is polling at or below Gingrich’s numbers. The handwriting is on the wall and it says ‘”the field has been tried and found wanting.” The time for Newt is now. Run Newt run.

John Pendleton