Newt Gingrich is in the news for a speech he gave at a meeting of Republican governors:

Newt Gingrich on Thursday urged GOP governors to turn what he calls "the rejection of the left" into "the replacement of the left" by enacting conservative, transformational policies in the states.

"The great victories of 2009 and 2010 are only the beginning," Gingrich said. "The elections of 2011 and 2012 must create a Republican majority large enough and durable enough to replace the increasingly leftist political system which has dominated America since 1932."

Gingrich will be hosting internet seminars (also known, sadly, as "webinars") on this subject in months to come. The thing about Gingrich is that Democrats are terrified of him, but Republican voters always look askew at him because he takes a brainy stance on things. As an ideologue, he fails. A lot of smart folks think Gingrich would make the most formidable opponent for Barack Obama in 2012. I think that on an intellectual level, they're probably right, but I don't think Gingrich will ever get out of the primaries alive. He has a certain kind of Clintonian air about him that makes southern Republicans itch.

And in other potential 2012 candidate news: Willow Palin is now the Palin to watch. In addition to Willow's Facebook Freakout of a few days ago, The Enquirer is running "news" that Willow has taken a pregnancy test. Wonkette says "The Enquirer seems to suggest she had an abortion." And now you need to take a bath to get the Enquirer-slime off you.