Hailed as Time's "Man of the Year" in 1995 and touted by some historians as this century's most influential Speaker, U.S. Representative Newt Gingrich (born 1943) held on to his Speaker's post by a narrow margin of only three votes in 1997. "For better or worse, he has changed the language and substance of American politics perhaps like no other politician in recent history," said Time magazine's editor James Gaines. The man who felled the former Speaker of the House Jim Wright on ethics violations was himself charged and fined for his own violation of House ethics in 1996. His "Contract with America" fell short of its promises and his conservative stance has taken on a liberal hue. After Republicans faired worse than expected during the 1998 elections, Gingrich announced he would step down as Speaker of the House and clear the way for new leadership.

Bomb Thrower or Visionary"

"Our...