Our Readers Don't Think the System is Stupid. They Think Newt is.--David Frum

Today we asked, "Gingrich complained our political system is too "stupid" to debate his ideas properly. Do you agree?"

No. 54%We're too myopic to discuss ideas, but Gingrich is so absurd it doesn't matter. 29%Yes. 8%Gingrich is surrounded by fools! 4%

Readers took a lot of different sides on the question, but nearly all seemed to agree that Newt is the agent of his own undoing. Some readers thought the political system could foster substantive discussion while others demurred, but most could agree that Gingrich-specific rhetoric and talking points did not constitute the high-minded debate the candidate claims he wants.

jaker: I do not agree. Conservatives by and large would love to see a Newt vs Obama debate. They talk about it constantly. They are aware of his "message". They are also aware of his past (affairs, couch moment, etc). He is also lazy and at times seems more interested in selling and signing books then in campaigning.

David S. I don't like throwing the word "stupid" around but it seems to me as if Gingrich is a stupid person's idea of what a smart person would be.

GeneJockey: Gee, Newt, how do you suppose it got that way? You don't suppose it has anything to do with guys like you spending your entire career demonizing your opposition, exaggerating their positions and trying to marginalize their ideas, do ya?