According to Newt Gingrich’s new ad, Mitt Romney is far too “timid” to take on President Obama. But this charge seems odd coming from the guy who has seen his polling numbers decimated by Romney’s brutal attack ads during the past month. Not to mention that Gingrich’s big complaint recently has been that Romney’s been fighting too aggressively against him.

It’s not entirely surprising that Gingrich is attacking Romney’s electability while trying to play up his own. Electability is one of the few areas where Romney actually gets positive scores from Republican voters – and it helped propel him to victory in Iowa.

But if there is a case for Gingrich’s electability, Jeffrey Anderson makes one at the Weekly Standard:

The fact that Gingrich is from neighboring Georgia, as opposed to Massachusetts, would presumably help him in Florida, as would his demonstrated strength among senior citizens. (Gingrich is from the Silent Generation and is four years older than Romney, who is a Baby Boomer.)  Gingrich’s being from Georgia, as well as currently living in Virginia, would also presumably help him in the Old Dominion.  Moreover, a GOP candidate who loses in Virginia would also be in danger of losing North Carolina — which would essentially seal that nominee’s fate — so it’s an added advantage that Georgia borders the Tar Heel State.

Of course, if proximity is the issue here, then couldn’t Romney check that box by choosing the right VP? The concerns about Gingrich in the general election range from his excessive baggage to his penchant for providing the own rope for his hanging. And if his anti-Romney trantrums during the last few days are a preview of how he’d take on Obama, then the Republicans would be in serious trouble with him as the nominee.