Gingrich: A master at communication

If you don't think conservative guru and defrocked House Speaker Newt Gingrich is running for president, check out this story this week from Jacksonville, where Gingrich spoke to the faithful.

While Gingrich talks a good game about change, he wants conservative change, not progressive change. What's interesting is how he talks about change because the way he talks (remember he was the guy who marketed videos to thousands of committed followers that helped them "Talk like Newt") is how progressives need to connect with audiences.

In typical fashion, Gingrich gets you to agree with a little of his value system to butter you up so you'll agree with more. It's as if he uses brainwashing tools:

"I want every potential candidate, Democrat or Republican, to start with the agreement that Katrina was unacceptable, that government failed," Gingrich, 62, said. "So if that's true, what are we going to do about it?"

While few would disagree with that, they should be a little more cautious about his total change goals:

Fixing national security, competing with China and India, dealing with an aging population and improving math and science education are chief goals, Gingrich said. A fifth fight is to "defeat judges who drive God out of public life" -- tapping a popular conservative vein.

"So I'm willing to say yes, I'm willing to make atheists uncomfortable. Because otherwise, my question to them is, 'So where do your rights come from? Do you just think that we're randomly gathered protoplasm that's smarter than a rhinoceros'?'"