Princeton, New Jersey (CNN) -- Newt Gingrich's candidacy received an unexpected boost when New Hampshire's Union Leader endorsed him this weekend. The publisher wrote: "We are in critical need of the innovative, forward-looking strategy and positive leadership that Gingrich has shown he is capable of providing. He did so with the Contract with America. He did it in bringing in the first Republican House in 40 years and by forging balanced budgets and even a surplus despite the political challenge of dealing with a Democratic President." Say what you will about Gingrich, but he thrives when it comes to the politics of ideas. Gingrich, a former history professor, is extraordinarily comfortable when it comes to vigorous and open debates about the ideas of conservatism.
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Newt Gingrich got the endorsement of the New Hampshire Union Leader
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Julian Zelizer says Gingrich aids GOP by putting focus on what it should stand for
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Gingrich has been more successful at promoting ideas than in leadership roles, he says
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Zelizer: Gingrich unlikely to win, but his impact will be felt
So Gingrich and other Republicans set out to remake the @placeholder.