Anti-Newt Republicans on the Hill keeping quiet -- for now

But in the face of Gingrich’s surge in the polls, most Gingrich critics are keeping it to themselves. Part of it is because, recognizing that Gingrich is connecting with the GOP base better than anyone in the field, they have little desire to get cross-wise with their own party. Put more bluntly, there is a dawning realization they might have to make peace with Newt the nominee…

Even among confirmed Gingrich skeptics, there is also a sort of fellow pol’s respect for how the former speaker, abandoned by his consultants and campaign team, has clawed his way back into contention. This is all bad news for Mitt Romney, who had hoped these anti-character witnesses would take down his latest rival.

Mixed in with the sound of silence, too, is some powerful wishful thinking: Maybe Newt’s changed. Some of his old colleagues are willing to be convinced that Gingrich is not the same man whose own Republican lieutenants tried to frag him in 1997, little more than two years after he led them to their first House majority in 40 years…

At the same time, “they were kind of excited [about his comeback],” said Cole, a Ph.D. historian. “But now it’s like Napoleon showing up for the 100 days. We all may follow him into battle again — and you just hope it’s not Waterloo.”