Newt Gingrich says he "can't imagine" being GOP vice presidential nominee

By Richard K. Barry

It has taken us many months of campaigning to settle the GOP presidential nomination, but, finally, at the end of all that, we have heard Newt Gingrich say something, probably for the first time, upon which everyone can agree. In response to a question on CNN's State of the Union yesterday about the likelihood of him being Mitt Romney's VP choice, he said, "I can't imagine it."

Usually, a question of that sort would give rise to embarrassing grand pronouncements by Gingrich about his suitability to rule the world if it came to that. No, Newt has never been shy, but perhaps this latest repudiation of his abilities and merit as a candidate may finally have sobered him to reality.

Asked again about the possibility of being chosen as Romney's running mate on CBS's Face the Nation, Newt said it was "inconceivable" and cracked wise by saying, "Would you pick me?"

No, we would not. No one ever will again. It's over. But thanks for the material. It's been a blast.

(Cross-post Lippmann's Ghost.)