Why Newt Won't Bitter-End

Newt Gingrich has claimed he will stay in the race all the way to the end. Stuart Rothenberg writes in Roll Call that he doubts this, for purely political reasons. I have no quibble with his reasoning.

On the other hand, my evaluation of Prof. Newt's mercurial nature suggests he will drop out earlier because to hang in there to the bitter, losing end would devalue the Gingrich brand. It would diminish him, make him look foolish, thus inconsistent with his self-image as a "world historical" figure.

Robert Wright has an article in The Atlantic which makes the same points. Hat tip to Lucianne.com for the links.