On the contrary, I lived through Newt Gingrich and the “Contract with America.” Although I was young at the time, and not fully in agreement with his tactics or views, I admired the intellectual weight of arguments. Him and Clinton were having a graduate-level discourse on the best direction for America, unlike what we see from the Oval Office today or from any of the current GOP legislative leaders.

As much as I hate to say it, a return to the Gingrich brand of Republicanism would not be the worst thing for the modern Republican party, which under Trump, has abandoned its core principles — a free market economy that embraces free trade, strong foreign policy, and limited spending. Instead we’re building walls, restricting immigration, and alienating ourselves from our strongest allies while we embrace despots and autocrats the world over.

The GOP can win without dirty tricks. It just needs a thoughtful leader that can inspire and lead on principle, not party.