Hillary And Newt Go Public

(CBS)  This column was written by CBS News Early Show Co-Anchor Harry Smith.

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You heard it here first. I think there's something going on between Hillary Clinton and Newt Gingrich. Did you see the pictures this week of the two of them together in the Capitol?

I know they were talking about health care, but, I thought I detected some subtext -- a kind of opposites attract -- you're a nerd and I'm a nerd, and who's more passionate about policy than we?

There's heat there. I'm telling you. It's a love story that only Washington could write.

When Hillary used to complain about the vast right wing conspiracy, just who do you think she was talking about? And when Newt used to complain about Hillary Clinton, it was flirtation, foreplay. Simple as that. All that conflict, all those sparks have created a fire.

Maybe Hillary has stood by her man long enough. Maybe the grass is a little greener on the other side of the aisle.

As for Newt, he's always believed he was the smartest guy in the room -- or the country for that matter. Maybe he's finally met his intellectual match?

Health care not sexy? These two wonks, despite their differences, realize that America's real end game is not Social Security or chasing WMDs. No, the real danger to our future -- and our present -- is health care costs. All the trouble with GM and Ford. You know, $1,500 on the price tag of every new car goes to pay health insurance.

We can't go on like this. And that's why Newt and Hillary have gone public. It will be hard, I know, for their families, but, it's for the good of the country.

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Harry's daily commentary can be heard on many CBS Radio News affiliates across the country.


By Harry Smith