Here's yet another reason that a viable Newt Gingrich presidential candidacy is in America's best comedic interests: It brings out his fellow scumbag crooks that he's worked with over the years to pledge their loyalty for his Restoration.

In this case we've got California ex-Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who's been serving in jail since he plead guilty to various flavors of fraud, taking millions of dollars in bribes, and tax evasion in 2005. He sent his old House leader a message of encouragement from prison last month, telling him that he and fellow inmates have got his back.

"First I do not want anything from you," he says in his prison message, as uncovered by Voice of San Diego, "but have been watching the debates. I have 80% of inmates that would vote for you. They might not be able to but their extended families will." Well, that should put him over the top.

There are an many more ALL CAPS words in his letter, including several references to Newt's rival "MIT." You can read it in full here. But the crook promises that he will pray for Newt, who is the only one capable of stopping America's "SOCIALIST" track:

I do not expect a reply Newt and my endorsement would do more harm than good. The ideas are sound and pray they can help. What ever (sic) happens we have good candidates that will take out a president that believes that socialist policy is good for America.

It's a shame he can't be furloughed to help out his old pal on the campaign trail.

[Image via AP]