Are Republicans forgetful or just forgiving?
Looking at the Republican polls, many are shocked to see a name now on top that had been on bottom and nearly forgotten when it came to Republican candidates: Newt Gingrich.
[Check out political cartoons about the 2012 GOP presidential candidates.]
It's odd how Republicans view former speaker of the House Gingrich as a Washington outsider. This is a guy who was a career politician for over four decades before he fled to the wilderness. This is a man who burned more bridges than most Republicans in my lifetime within his own party; a guy who was asked to step down as speaker and some believe pushed out of the House of Representatives entirely. This is also a man who, against the wishes of many in his party, pushed for the impeachment of President William Jefferson Clinton for carrying on a sexual tryst in the Oval Office, while he, Newt was committing adultery himself. A man responsible for not one, but two government shutdowns, a man who lost his party seats in Congress. And let us not forget the image of Mr. Gingrich handing his wife divorce papers while she was in the hospital being treated for cancer. He's on marriage number three, divorced two times, and is a born-again Catholic—his words, not mine.
[See a slide show of Newt Gingrich's career]
Despite all of this, Newt's biggest critics in his party are now silent. Those who would not back him have their checkbooks out, because, after all, he is not former Gov. Mitt Romney. Even the evangelicals are buying the fallen man speech Newt's been giving with respect to his numerous marriages, two of which failed. And how about him being Catholic instead of an evangelical Christian, a Protestant? Well it would seem the evangelicals prefer Catholics to Mormons--again, anyone but Romney.
Some say Newt has changed, that he is a new and improved and more humblefigure. I disagree. I might have bought that when his poll numbers were down; but now that he is ranking in the top two depending on the poll you read and the time of day it is, the old Newt is back and just as bold as before.
[Read the U.S. News debate: Can Newt Gingrich beat Barack Obama?]
Here are a couple of examples:
- Gingrich saying Rep. Michele Bachmann was like a student, he being the teacher, who was "factually challenged"
- He also stated that kids "in poor neighborhoods have no habit of working" (Odd, I don't consider busting my butt at work a habit! It's a necessity!)
And I believe as Newt's numbers grow, so will his ego. As a GOP member stated: "His hand is never that far from the self-destruct button."
So I'm not sure if Republicans are very forgiving or just forgetful. Did they forget the ethics violations, which resulted in a six digit fine?! Did they forget that Newt encouraged voters to contact their congressional members regarding climate change in a televised ad seated next to former Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2008 and now he has changed his mind? Come on, this guy taught environmental studies! He knows climate change is real and humans have contributed to it!
[See a collection of political cartoons on climate change.]
The bottom line is, the Republicans have to decide if they want the best candidate, the candidate that represents their people and their party, or anyone but Romney. If the Republicans want Newt, I guess they're appealing to their non-ethical, adulterating, divorced segment of the population.
Reader Comments Read all comments (7)
Bill Hedges of MO 9:21PM December 08, 2011
sloagm of NC 4:07PM December 08, 2011
Elly Fitz of MN 10:58AM December 08, 2011