In a nutshell, Gingrich is running because the field is wide open and he鈥檚 not getting any younger, several analysts say. And in Gingrich鈥檚 case, says James Broussard, a GOP expert and professor of history at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa., ego is a big factor.
鈥淓verybody runs for president because either they have a giant ego or they think that their prescription for the country is better,鈥� says Professor Broussard. 鈥淚n his case it鈥檚 both.鈥�
Allan Lichtman, a presidential historian at American University in Washington, D.C., says this is 鈥渢he most wide open and most interesting鈥� Republican field in decades.
鈥淎ny major Republican player who has ever wanted to be president is bound to be tempted to jump in this time,鈥� says Ron Faucheux, president of Clarus Research Group, a polling company.
And at 67, Gingrich isn鈥檛 getting any younger, Professor Lichtman notes. 鈥淗e鈥檚 come to the end of the trail 鈥� why not take a shot?鈥�
