"NEWT" THE PROGRESSIVE...LOVES FDR?

I’ve always liked the feisty tone Newt Gingrich brings to debate.

There is a cool, analytical detachment to his brutal and effective dissection of liberal failure.

I like it. And maybe that’s the problem. A Blaze correspondent suggests this:

There is an interesting research study that sheds some light on why someone like Gingrich, who is abrasive and has a history of ethical lapses, enjoys his current standing in the polls.

Research has shown that the most important factor in charisma is self-confidence. Interestingly, the confidence doesn’t even have to be justified for people to consider a leader charismatic. In fact, narcissists are initially viewed as confident and charismatic leaders-although that perception eventually changes when the leader’s true capabilities are revealed.
In times of conflict, people who are aggressive and emotionally cool or cold are more likely to be seen as more charismatic leaders. Since the focus is on the person’s aggressiveness, the ethics of the person is not seen as important.

Why is this? In stressful environments and times, people instinctively look for people who are more aggressive and colder emotionally to protect them and to take on enemies. In less stressful, less dynamic, and less conflict ridden environments, leaders who less aggressive and warmer emotionally are more likely to be seen as charismatic because there is less of a perceived threat and the focus isn’t on defeating an enemy. Think of George Patton. The perfect personality for war time. The wrong personality for peacetime.

The challenge is that voters are currently focusing on one thing-How do we beat Obama? They want a Winston Churchill, to give ‘em hell, storm Washington, fight Obama on his own turf, and set things right. This is why we believe Newt Gingrich is enjoying his current lead in the polls. He is abrasive, emotionally cold, and has a history of ethical lapses. Even though Republicans are well aware of Gingrich’s past character issues, they are giving more weight his aggressiveness and relative emotional coldness because they are looking for someone to very aggressively take on Obama–Patton style.