Newt Gingrich is his old “visionary” self again. Yes, the guy who suggested giving poor Americans laptops as a way for them to get out of poverty has now promised a base on the moon in his second term. (Uh, Newt, there will BE no second term, nor first term, either.)

Of course, what is a Gingrich speech without the self-aggrandizement we have come to expect?

Gingrich also said he would push to develop propulsion technology that would get man to Mars.

He emphasized that it doesn’t have to be expensive, exploration in partnership with private companies can lower the cost.

“If it’s cheaper and it’s faster and it works, do it,” he said.

He also said launch areas should be capable of launching multiple spacecrafts in a day, like an airport.

“Does that mean I’m visionary? You betcha,” he said.