1. Both Slate and Politico have pieces that point to Newt Gingrich's science-fiction roots. The Slate piece digs up an old interview with Gingrich in which he references high-profile atheist Richard Dawkins and quotes Frank Herbert's novel Dune. Politico revives the old nickname of "Newt Skywalker," which came from Gingrich's fascination with science and technology. He seems like the kind of guy who lovingly pores over every page of the Sharper Image catalog*, making cooing noises all the while.

2. This week's This Modern World has a nice roundup of some of the Gingrich scandals we'll all be talking about for the next few months.

3. Glenn Beck says if Newt Gingrich becomes the Republican nominee, he'd rather vote for Ron Paul as a third party candidate.

* Thanks to Tim Keck for the gag!