Gingrich on Next Prez

I am no fan of Newt Gingrich, but I have been surprised in the past at how intelligent he is ... here and there. I've also entertained thoughts about his daftness compared to a doorknob, but his recent piece in the Jan/Feb Foreign Policy called "Lend Them Your Ear" [subscribers only] is quite insightful.

His was one of many about what the next President should first do. I liked his response above and beyond most...

As soon as the new president is elected, he or she should immediately embark on a series of pre-inauguration visits to capitals around the world: not just London, Paris, and Jerusalem, but Ankara, Amman, Beijing, and Cairo. In the span of several weeks, the president should make dozens of stops in Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. During these visits, not one moment needs to be spent trying to prove or demonstrate American power and dominance. Instead, the president-elect should simply listen. There should be no formal agenda, only questions. How do these other leaders think the United States can be most effective with its economic, military, and cultural might? And in turn, how do they propose to help achieve mutual goals during the next four years?