1.   Long a lightning rod for criticism from his left, Gingrich has more recently eschewed confrontation for what many conservatives believe is unacceptable compromise with the president.

2.   Maine voters rejected a controversial ballot initiative to reduce the size of forest clear cuts that was seen as an unacceptable compromise by both environmentalists and timber interests.

3.   Participating in a rebuilt coalition with Christian Democrats and the Civic Democratic Alliance would force the party to make unacceptable compromises, he said.

4.   He said participation in a resurrected coalition of the former three governing parties would force the party to make unacceptable compromises.