National Review Online editor Rich Lowry said Sunday that Newt Gingrich's idea to turn over to local citizen boards the decision about which illegal immigrants should stay and which should have to leave the country sounds good on the surface but is utterly unworkable.

"Your first impression is, 'Wow, that's a fascinating, creative idea.' Your second impression is, 'Wow, that would never work,'" Lowry said on NBC's "Meet The Press." The assessment prompted laughter from Lowry's co-panelists.

The former House speaker has been floating the idea since the spring but mentioned it again at a debate last week where he staked out a position on immigration more liberal than most others in the Republican presidential field.