Why Bill Clinton needs Newt Gingrich to win

As Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich led the efforts to balance the budget, reform welfare, cut the capital gains tax, pass tough anti-crime legislation, and increase transparency in government. While Speaker Gingrich fought and worked for these things, it was President Bill Clinton's signature that went on these bills. Therefore, the progress of the mid and late 1990s must be credited to both Speaker Gingrich and President Clinton. The result of the policies Gingrich and Clinton put in place were 11 million new jobs, declining crime rates, the lowest inflation in a generation, and the longest period of economic growth in history. Today, President Obama has a very different record. Since Obama took office, millions of Americans have lost their jobs, poverty has increased, 19 million more Americans are on food stamps, and the debt is at a record high. If Newt Gingrich should become the GOP nominee, the Clinton/Gingrich record will be compared and contrasted with the Obama/Pelosi record. President Clinton will likely be placed in history as a leader with questionable judgment in his personal life, but as a competent executive who led during a time of historic economic growth. Therefore, Bill Clinton needs Newt Gingrich to win in 2012 so that the Clinton/Gingrich record can be seen as one of success.