It is often astounding to read what passes for brilliant strategic thinking these days. You’ve read the newspaper stories and watched the talk shows in which “party strategist” after “party strategist” bloviates on the contours of contemporary politics - a theatre of the pompous in which the mere title of “party strategist” conferred by the media lends profundity to his or her words. Gee, this must be deep stuff, thinks the political consumer. This guy is a “strategist.” It says so right by his name.

Few have shone in the political strategy game more than Newt Gingrich. This Lazarus-like, once-disgraced pol recultivated his image of grand strategic thoughtfulness with exquisite self-promotional skill, and the press and commentariat have happily fed the image. Newt has big ideas, thinks big thoughts, sees the big picture, it is routinely reported in a big way. Ideas come rolling out of him, comments the commentariat, while others - the lesser, mortal strategists - sit and stew in their antique commonality.

Katrina has visited upon Newt yet more opportunities for quoted profundity.

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