Newt Inc. thrives as campaign flounders

To judge the success of Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign, don’t look at the number of county delegates he wins in next Tuesday’s Iowa’s caucuses, or even where he places in New Hampshire’s primary the following week. Gingrich delegates to the Republican National Convention will not be the proper measure of the former speaker’s bid. The increase in Newt’s net worth will be the true gauge.

As the voting begins, Gingrich’s presidential campaign looks even less like an effort to actually become president of the United States and more like the latest business venture by a politician — the former speaker of the House, no less — who has made millions exploiting conservatism and the Republican Party.