Some say that what a person does at home is private and should not be made a part of political discussions. To an extent I agree, but when that candidate is making his morality a campaign issue and has a history of condemning others over moral issues, it is an issue, not because of the moral lapse, but because of the hypocrisy.
Dredging up a past that Newt Gingrich has worked hard to bury, the GOP presidential candidate’s second ex-wife says Gingrich asked for an "open marriage" in which he could have both a wife and a mistress.
In an interview with ABC News’ "Nightline" scheduled to air Thursday night, Marianne Gingrich said she refused to go along with the idea that she share her husband with Callista Bisek, who would later become his third wife.
The explosive interview was airing just two days before the presidential primary in South Carolina, a state with a strong Christian conservative bent, and as Gingrich tries to present himself as the strongest alternative to front-runner Mitt Romney.
In excerpts of the interview released ahead the ABC broadcast, Marianne Gingrich said her husband conducted his affair with Callista "in my bedroom in our apartment in Washington" while she was elsewhere.
"He always called me at night and always ended with `I love you,’" she said. "Well, she was listening."
Marianne Gingrich, who was Gingrich’s second wife, said Gingrich told her "Callista doesn’t care what I do."
"He was asking to have an open marriage and I refused," she said. "That is not a marriage."
She also said Gingrich moved to divorce her just months after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
"He also was advised by the doctor when I was sitting there that I was not to be under stress," she said. "He knew."… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Boston Globe>
We need to remember that the request came six years after the affair began, and while this was going on Gingrich was leading the charge to impeach Bill Clinton. The de-facto head of the Republican Party jumped immediately to Newt’s support.
Limabugh [sic], who could fairly be described as a proud chauvinist, said, “I don’t understand why the media’s pretending to be so upset” about Gingrich’s behavior with his ex, Marianne. Limbaugh went on to read a “great note” from a “good friend of mine,” which posits that Newt and not Marianne — whom Gingirch left shortly after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis — is the real “victim” here. Moreover, the fact that Gingrich asked for “permission” to cheat on his wife is “a mark of character, in my book,” Limbaugh continued [Limbaugh delinked]:
LIMBAUGH: I got a great note from a friend of mine. “So Newt wanted an open marriage. BFD. At least he asked his wife for permission instead of cheating on her. That’s a mark of character, in my book. Newt’s a victim. We all are. Ours is the horniest generation.” […] That’s from a good friend of mine, “Newt’s slogan ought to, ‘Hell, yes, I wanted it.’” (laughing) I’m sharing with you how some people are reacting to this.
It’s worth noting that Gingrich had been having an affair for several years before he asked “permission” to cheat on his wife.
Rush Limbaugh married his fourth wife in 2010… [emphasis original]
Inserted from <Think Progress>
That do as I say, not as I do attitude is so Republican. Limbaugh’s attitude reflects Newt’s well, because Newt had been appalled that Marianne would insist on having him all to herself.
Then came the Republican debate.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich slammed CNN host John King for asking about an explosive ABC News report claiming the White House hopeful asked his former wife for an "open marriage" before they later divorced.
"I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run of for public office and I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that," Gingrich said.
"Every person in here knows personal pain. Every person in here has had someone close to them go through painful things. To take an ex-wife, and make it two days before the primary a sign question in a presidential campaign, is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine," Gingrich said… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <CBS>
Where was his indignation, when he was condemning Clinton?
Keith Olbermann covers this and other Republican candidates with Ken Vogel on Countdown.
Patriotism made him do it? Really? I’ll have a load of that for the front lawn.
Of course the Theocon take on this is that Gingrich has repented and changed his ways. I certainly agree that people are redeemable, and no matter what they have done they are capable of reform. However, I see absolutely no evidence that Newt has reformed in any way. He is still lies about the affair. And he still has the same haughty attitude, condemning all who do not share his pseudo-Christian values.
Nevertheless, Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christians only count the sins of Democrats and always excuse their own. So for the moment, I think Newt’s newties are safe.
23 Responses to “Will Marianne Newter Newt?”
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So, Scary Perry is gone, back to Texas! Oh what a relief it is! (I think I hear an advertising jingle there!)
Naughty Newty is catching some flack about multiple marriages, cheating on his wives. That’s old news but he is sounding more than just a little indignant in the following:
“I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run of for public office and I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that,” Gingrich said.
I think people pretty much accept that he is a hypocrite on that account. But who needs friends when you’ve got Limbaugh flapping his jaws like a jack-ass?
But I do have to say TC, in today’s picture, Newty certainly looks like he is in the family way!
Newty does not inspire trust, does not have the presence necessary for POTUS, has no integrity, and is too much a loose cannon. What Newty needs to do, and Limbaugh too, is leave it in his pocket and deal fairly and honestly with people.
Our gain is clearly Texas’ loss.
You think Newter preggers? If he is I hope Calista cheats on him. 😉
As I posted, Marianne will only make Newt more popular in South Carolina, where Newt’s brand of “family values” is adored by the Rushpubliscum voter base.
It certainly appears that you’re correct, JR. They’re all for adultery unless a Democrat does it.
Newt also asked Callista for an “Open Marriage” … so he could screw the rest of us!
Newt’s adultery hypocrisy – unbelievably topped by Limpball’s – has me so livid that it’s probably best that I try to stick with a humorous Tweet on the matter:
LOL, Nameless! I think I remember that. Wasn’t that right after he converted to Islam? 😉
Does no one recall Gingrich days in Congress? The most despicable of all Speakers that I recall – gives Boehner a run for his money – he almost succeeded – after two attempts, to dismantle welfare, make it a “state by state” system, and limit terms on receiving government “help” – to eliminate immigrant ability to receive gov’t. assistance he shut down the gov’t. because he wanted to trim the budget in Medicare, Education, Environment and Public Health – he attempted to raise “Part B” on Medicare – but Clinton saved the day! He was “ethically challenged” as Speaker – he’s an ethically challenged human being – and He is the one projected to win in the rotten state of SC – which is no wonder – as far as I can tell it has few residents that aren’t redneck hypocrites who are likewise challenged themselves – so he represents a person they can easily relate to – there is no end to the forgiveness that he might receive in such a “challenged state” – I expect he’ll win there handily! Marianne might be disappointed now, but I expect ultimately she’ll feel better – he’s no more faithful to this country than any wife – the only reason he’s not straying now is probably “Low T” – not conducive to “newt bangers”!
As for Romney and his Mitmillions – he really screwed himself didn’t he – oh well! Things are looking better for anyone else – maybe even better for the Justice Party!
I do. The things that stand out were vicious attacks and passing out checks from lobbyists on the House floor.
The SC white male audience gave him a standing ovation for chastising the media for bringing this up as the first question in last night’s debate. So much for conservative “family values”.
Did Marianne think he wouldn’t cheat on her after her affair with him? It seems he doesn’t like the part of his marriage vows where he said: “in sickness and in health”. Sickness really bothers him. Cold-blooded Newt?
It might be wise for us to keep a running record of the lowlights from the repubican debates as selected by a rabidly racist, bigoted, hate-mongering audience (like the picture below from the Orlando debate):
Nameless, an excellent Republican review!
Patty, you raise an excellent point. If he hadn’t cheated on his first wife with Marianne, she would never have had him.
Gingrich may actually WIN in SC due to his lambasting of that pathetic Jon King and the woefully subpar performance of Romney on the taxes question…
Jack, I so agree, King bent over and handed Newt the Vaseline on that one.
Asking your wife for permission to cheat on her after already doing so for six years is a mark of character? The media are destructive and despicable when they expose the hypocrisy of the powerful? Are these people even listening to themselves?
The knuckle-draggers in the debate audience cheered and Gingrich is surging in polls of Republican voters, so the man clearly knows his audience. General-election voters may feel differently.
It certainly boggles the mind that sheeple buy into that.
Limbaugh went on to read a “great note” from a “good friend of mine,” which posits that Newt and not Marianne — whom Gingirch left shortly after she wasdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis — is the real “victim” here.
Yes, he was the victim. Sure. Poor man. He was saddled with a sick wife – and she wasn’t even a trophy wife! What was he to do!?! I mean, c’mon.
Would you expect Mr. “I fried my brain with oxycontins” Limbaugh to see it any other way?
I thought it was Limbarf’s brain that polluted the Oyycontins.
Come to think of it, that makes more sense!
“Limbarf” 🙂
Limbarf is an oldie of mine
Mark of Character ? Oh my goodness yes — Naughty Newts has no integrity, his character is–dishonest , conniving , immoral ,manipulative, hypocritical, a sneak, : This poor excuse for a Man is considered a serious contender for President ? How has this country fallen so low ?
Romney ,a lying job destroying tax evader, defines elitist! Paul , a left over from the 18th C, Sanctus– deluded crackpot—-The civilized world must be hysterical with laughter , How far this mighty nation has fallen
Assuming the civilized world includes the Democrats, I’m inclined to agree with you. Sometimes you just have to let yourself have a laugh at the sheer outrageousness of this clown show.
What Infidel said!