And then Hillyer digs up this from an Esquire interview with one of Gingrich’s prior wives: “‘He was impressed easily by position, status, money,’ she says. ‘He grew up poor and always wanted to be somebody, to make a difference, to prove himself, you know. He has to be historic to justify his life.’”

In short, if you dreamed up a portrait of a “Republican likely to go native” you’d be hard pressed to do better (worse?) than Gingrich. Actually, Gingrich doesn’t need to “go” native since he’s the quintessential insider. He’s not simply comfortable in the Washington scene. He didn’t merely serve as the sherpa for unconservative special interests. He craves acceptance by the liberal establishment. If conservatives saw such a character coming up on a short list for Supreme Court justices, they’d scream bloody murder. So why should they be willing to take this man as their presidential nominee?