As a boy growing up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Newt Gingrich was very fond of animals. When he was able, he enjoyed visiting the Philadelphia Zoo. At age 11, he decided that Harrisburg needed its own zoo. Wildwood Park in Harrisburg was a natural location for a zoo and the State of Pennsylvania could build and run it. A visit to City Hall, speaking with folks in Parks and Recreation, grabbing the attention of a mayoral candidate, and garnering some unexpected newspaper coverage launched young Newt’s ambitious plan for a zoo in Harrisburg.
In his latest book, “March to the Majority: The Real Story of the Republican Revolution,” Gingrich, along with author and longtime political consultant and former National Republican Congressional Committee Executive Director Mr. Joe Gaylord, offers a plan for Republican renewal.
“March to the Majority” takes readers to Gingrich’s glory days when he went from a college history professor, to a seat in Congress, eventually becoming Speaker of the House. Perhaps most significantly was the role he played in crafting the 1994 Contract with America, giving rise to modern conservatism and an expanded and influential Republican base.
The Reagan Reality
It wasn’t always an easy path, and Gingrich had his share of enemies as well as endorsers. A freshman congressman from Georgia had a lot to learn before bucking the big guys back in the ‘70s and ’80s. Ronald Reagan’s victory over incumbent Jimmy Carter in 1980 ushered in a new era of “Reaganomics” involving economic deregulation, tax cuts, and reductions in government spending.Gingrich had aligned himself with several powerful organizations working diligently to expand the Republican base and end 40 years of the Democrat Party’s power in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gingrich shares many untold behind-the-scenes stories involving well-known political figures like Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Tip O’Neill, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and others who crossed his path over decades of public service. Lots of different personalities, different perspectives, and different political persuasions add up to lots of wins and losses, but also lots of lessons to be learned.
It’s these lessons along the way that Gingrich seems to be most urgent about passing along to future generations of, not only politicians, but anyone negotiating for what they strongly believe in and how to go about accomplishing that goal.
Toward the end of his book Gingrich lists more than 20 strategies offering a disciplined, succinct, and methodical approach to mobilizing a House majority to change Washington with more wins in 2024.
As Gingrich writes, “This will set the stage for a victory for America, a Republican president, a larger majority in the House, and a new Republican majority in the Senate.”
His list of “what works” includes a full range of missives from working with staffs to negotiating with the president. Combining policies and politics among a large group of members requires specific strategies, often including retraining.
Gingrich and Gaylord effectively created and used informational tapes that could be played during commutes to not only inform about issues, but provide coaching tips on how to best present your position.
America’s Heart
At the heart of Gingrich’s messaging is having a firm grasp on what the majority of American people want—not what politicians think the people want or need or could be coaxed into.
While he has, at times, learned it the hard way, Gingrich knows the value of attitude in all endeavors. Choosing how you will react to a person, place, or event is crucial. Best to be positive. Self-government, a legacy from the Founding Fathers, is not easy, particularly dealing with the panacea of human ambitions and emotions. Gingrich refers to “cheerful persistence” several times as a key to achieving one’s vision and implementing successful strategies.
Gingrich remains a strong voice in American politics. His recognizable voice on talk shows and news networks continues to draw an audience.
In his latest book, his political and personal musings do not just reflect the past. They offer sound principles and a portent for the future and the challenges this nation faces.
For Gingrich, America’s citizenry is still marching toward a brighter and better future with a strong and good heart.
