“In particular, Gingrich is a devotee of the historian Arnold J Toynbee, who meditated on the concept of ‘departure and return’ — the idea that great leaders have to leave (or be banished from) their kingdoms before they can better themselves and return as conquering heroes. One of Newt’s heroes, the French general and statesman Charles de Gaulle, embodies just this kind of romantic narrative, having spent 12 years out of power before returning to lead his country. So does Ronald Reagan, who travelled the country after losing his bid for the Republican nomination in 1976, then came roaring back to win it all four years later.

You know who also was obsessed with Charles de Gaulle?

This reminds me of Hubert Humphrey congratulating Richard Nixon on the telephone on Election night.  Richard Nixon ends by suggesting that Hubert Humphrey come back for another presidential run, like Churchill managed to become Prime Minister at the age of 69.  Humphrey quips, “We Minnesotans have a bad reputation for running too often.”

Of course, Humphrey made himself “available” in 1976, though he didn’t run — only grudgingly waving out with a declaration that he can count in regards to the number of delegates Carter had accumulated.  This was probably the last time a presidential candidate was floated about seriously in the “standing by for brokered convention, if called upon” vein.

Newsmax skips over the de Gaulle angle and heads straight to Reagan.  But that’s okay, as Gingrich’s press releases skipped over Nixon in describing his planned “triumphant return”.

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