Newt in 2008
If Newt Gingrich were to run for President this year, I believe I would vote for him. I present the following:
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/newt-gingrich-answers-your-questions/
(off-topic: The Freakonimics Blog is quickly becoming one of my favorite blog reads)
I share Mr. Dubner’s sentiment that this is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, well-balanced presentations from a politician I’ve ever seen.
It’s not surprising that Newt is intelligent, after all, most politicians are, but the level of balance and rationality in this interview is staggering. On almost every topic he is questioned on, his answers cause you to pause with a "duh" moment, except the "duh" is not aimed at him; it’s aimed at you.
Furthermore, he quantifies his answers. Answers are backed up with opinion pools, not just of the binary nature, but with questions and answers that show the intricacies of the issue being faced.
Finally, there is accountability. In mentioning the "Learn and Earn" program, he says:
Statistical analysis of scores and focus group results will be conducted at the end of the program, and the Learning Makes a Difference Foundation will determine the best way to expand this program at that time.
The idea of getting feedback and then utilizing that feedback and then starting the process all over again is something that is shared in the software development world (as well as other engineering and business fields). It’s called the Iterative and Incremental Development Model:
This model emphasizes feedback above all in order to determine the effectiveness of changes that were made in the design and implementation. To see it applied in social change is refreshing.
Of course, the fact that Newt and his site American Solutions seem to be very techno-savvy is a selling point for me. He believes in and cites the utilization of technology as part of the solution for a number of problems (the environment, faulty medical care, crime) as well as a means for enabling collaboration for problem solving (Solutions Lab) and organization (Organize).
I’ve been thinking a great deal about my aging/evolution, and looking at this interview, it’s refreshing to see Newt’s own aging/evolution over the years (or possibly, his emergence, as one could argue that he was always like this, but stymied by the Republican party).
The point is, seeing a positive progression over time is always a good thing.
