I’ve been arguing for a while that the reason why The Grinch is clinging to his primary campaign isn’t because he has a chance of getting the nomination, because he doesn’t, but rather its because he wants to be the Big Player.

For the last few weeks, particularly last Tuesday during the Alabama and Mississippi Primary commentary fest, I’ve been listening to a whole raft of pundits babble on about Newt’s continued campaign, trying to suss his strategy, justify his continued existence, or babble bewilderedly at how he must, by now, realize its impossible to win.  This has been frustrating because I believe Gingrinch very clearly recognizes he doesn’t have a chance in hell getting the nod next summer, and I don’t think he’s hanging on just because his ego won’t let him quit.  The Grinch has been around the block, and what I think he wants more than anything is the power he will get having the front runner be beholden to him come the convention.  I was beginning to think I was really the only one who seemed to recognize this in Gingrich.

Well, turns out Vin Weber is also in tune:

“Newt, being a political historian, sees the prospect of the first open convention, at least since 1976, as a very exciting historic opportunity,” said Weber, a Romney campaign advisor.  “I’m hoping that he’ll have second thoughts.”  

Don’t bet on it, Vin.  The best you can hope for is a back room deal right before the convention, the one that gives Newt Czechoslovakia and three cabinet secretariats in exchange for non-aggression.

Now I can buy lots and lots of books and music…

AnandTech – LaCie 2big Thunderbolt Series Now Available.

For more information see www.techdirt.com, and O’Reilly Media; Tim O’Reilly has been doing a wonderful job explaining the shortcomings of these bills, especially enlightening as he is a publisher himself.