NEWT KNOWLEDGE-Newt Gingrich addresses an audience at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum last week. Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and possible presidential candidate in 2008, delivered an address to a sold-out crowd at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library last Friday.

Gingrich's speech focused on how present-day Republicans need to revert back to the policies and attitude of the library's namesake.

For Gingrich, Reagan's presidency was a prime example of how the current administration should conduct politics.

"Ronald Reagan was a stunningly deep student of the American people," Gingrich said. "He understood majority politics, and a lot of Republicans can't seem to get this idea down."

First a college history professor and author, Gingrich began his political career in 1978 when he was finally elected to the House of Representatives after two unsuccessful campaigns. His 20year political career reached a zenith when he served as Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999.

Gingrich was named Time magazine's Man of the Year in 1995 for helping to end 40 years of Democratic domination in the House.

Since serving in politics, Gingrich has worked as a political consultant and has written several books on topics that include government and historical fiction.

According to Gingrich, one of the problems the Republicans are currently facing is their rigidity and unwillingness to compromise.

"Something the current administration doesn't understand is that there is a difference between being determined and being stubborn," Gingrich said.

"President Reagan was determined but stunningly flexible. For half of his eight years, rightwingers were mad at him because they felt he was being too flexible by meeting with Gorbachev. He happened to be totally changing the Soviet Union in the process because the president was very determined to get somewhere but was willing to look at different ways of getting there."

Gingrich said he felt that the failure of the Democratic party in the 1970s allowed Reagan to form a domestic policy that focused on spreading hope and freedom, a policy central to the American way of life that had almost escaped the country during that decade.

"I think Jimmy Carter was the worst president of modern times, but he played an extraordinarily important historical role because by the end of the Carter presidency Reaganism made so much sense that it was plausible for us to win a decisive victory," Gingrich said.

Today's war on terror should also look at Reagan's conduct during the Cold War as a model of excellent leadership, according to Gingrich.

"We are at the early stages of an emerging third world war," Gingrich said. "We are opposed by two different forces: dictatorships and Islamic fascist wings."

For America to make it through this period without igniting an incident, Gingrich said, President Bush must understand the importance of setting the right goals and display a willingness to be flexible in his approach.

"All too many Republicans undervalue that, as Lady (Margaret) Thatcher put it, first you win the argument, then you can win the vote," Gingrich said.