While many Republicans think the "liberal media" will be attacking Newt Gingrich now that Herman Cain has dropped out of the Republican race for the White House, the evidence on Sunday was that it's not the media, but other Republicans and conservatives who don't like the idea of a Gingrich win.
In a column entitled, "The Choice is Neither," George Will on Sunday blasted both Mitt Romney and Gingrich, arguing the two frontrunners don't deserve the GOP nod.
But Will reserved his toughest words for Gingrich, whom he referred to as the "least conservative" candidate now in the race.
"Gingrich, who would have made a marvelous Marxist," said Will, arguing that the former Speaker "embodies the vanity and rapacity that make modern Washington repulsive."
And Will wasn't done.
"There is almost artistic vulgarity in Gingrich’s unrepented role as a hired larynx for interests profiting from such government follies as ethanol and cheap mortgages," Will wrote, later reminding his audience that his wife has done some work for Rick Perry.
Others were also grumbling.
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) told Fox News Sunday it would be "difficult" for him to support a Gingrich candidacy, saying he found Gingrich's time as Speaker "lacking at times."
"I'm not inclined to be a supporter of Newt Gingrich's having served under him for four years and experienced personally his leadership," said Coburn.
Other Republican lawmakers feel the same, but we'll see if they are ready to come out and say it about Gingrich in coming days.
Why? Because Gingrich left a very bad taste in the mouths of many Republicans in Congress, and I have found few in the halls of Capitol Hill who seem ready to swallow what might be their political version of Syrup of Ipecac.
What's clear is that Mitt Romney doesn't make the pulse of a lot of Republicans run fast. And while Gingrich has a lot of mojo right now, the GOP Establishment is very wary of Newt.
Last week, one lawmaker in Congress said Gingrich's hand is always "six inches away from the self-destruct button."
So, before you cast the stone at the news media in coming weeks, realize there are a lot of Republicans who would like to see Gingrich brought down more than just a few notches.
Iowa is four weeks from Tuesday.
