I'm thinking you believe more in the Venezuelan model, no?

linky

• Former House Speaker Newt Ginrich says that in its efforts to promote democracy, the Bush administration has failed to explain the full meaning of democracy, beyond free elections.
  
  "The rule of law, independent judges, the right of free speech, the ability to fire those to whom you loan power and private property -- unless you have all five of those in place, you don't have a viable democracy," Gingrich says.

Does Gingrich have some kind of influential leadership/policy role with the Rs? I'm genuinely curious. Or is he just Mr. Contract With America and Mr. Left His Wife When She Had Cancer?

I'd agree with that. People seem to expect (or media reports in such a way that implies that people seem to and should expect) that once elections happen, it should all fall into place. Thta's just step one, and in most instances merely the first significant symbol of a step in the right direction. But our government well knows that, or we wouldn't still be there.

I find it utterly refreshing whenever a Democrat quotes Newt Gingrich as some leading light of democratic principles.

I'm a split-ticket voting Independent, but I'm still glad to hear of your refreshed and spring-like feeling.

Quoting the Gingriches of the world from time to time at least helps squelch the screams of bias.

No policy role, but at least moderately influential in some GOP circles, far as I can tell. He's Mr. Nostalgia For Conservatives Who Remember The Revolution, and Upcoming Firebrand Candidate for 2008.

Another Suggestion
 

Close this thread and merge/move the recent posts into politics.

Venezuelan models, yes, Venezuelan government models, no. Not everyone who disagrees with you is an extremist, honey.

Another Suggestion
 

Agreed, but I'm not going to bother to do the merge, so that people looking for the prognostications can find them easily. (My self-interest here is obvious.) If you disagree, PM me.