by the traditional rules of politics, it was a huge mistake. when you're being hit, you hit back. you at least defend yourself. you at least defend yourself then you decide whether to hit back. however, newt gingrich is not your normal political candidate in the sense he's trying to recreate himself. republicans remember newt gingrich. the caustic, controversial sometim sometimes nasty newt gingrich. four in ten americans view him negatively. in iowa, the state where he decided to stay positive, 40% of iowa republicans say they would never consider voting for newt gingrich. if he went slash and burn, he raises his own negatives. now he says he might do that after iowa. the question is, would he benefit from that or would people say, negative newt is back. and would somebody else benefit. somebody has to be viable to benefit. >> angry newt is what put him in the game. fighting with the debate moderators. fighting with barack obama. fighting with mitt romney put him in the game. >> people don't vote for relentlessly negative people for president of the united states. they like optimists.