. . . We need someone to come out of "nowhere" in May 2012. Just in time for the primary circuit and the GOP convention. Someone so enthralling that the opposition doesn't have time to dig in his closet.
The Dems are already digging around in the background of anyone that the GOP could plausibly run - they'll have file cabinets full of dirt good to go as soon as someone declares.
And if they can't find dirt, they - or their willing accomplices in the media - will make something up. (Remember Dan Rather, who used forged documents from a dead man to try and defeat Bush on the eve of the election?)
Of the plausible candidates, nobody is ideal, but Newt seems "best" despite his baggage, the most damaging of which is personal - like the way he was alleged to have treated his previous wife when she was ill. And we DON'T know the full story there.
I think a debate between Newt and TOTUS would be MOST entertaining, especially if the GOP dug in their heels and made darned sure the debate format WOULD be fair. (Of course, I wouldn't put it past The Stupid Party
TM to agree to a debate in which questions were asked by a panel of three individuals - Joy Behar, Michael Moore, and Alan Colmes - with the whole thing moderated by Keith Olbermann.)