While South Carolina Republicans decided to laud Newt Gingrich’s smackdown of CNN’s John King, I would surmise that King punted on a golden opportunity to ask a question that mattered.
Mr. Gingrich, your most recent marital scandal occurred while you were the #3 man to the White House. Given that you did not allow the fact that you were within one Tom Clancy event of becoming President stop you from engaging in an affair, what would you tell the skeptical voter who is concerned that, if you were President, you may lack the judgment to avoid another such scandal, especially given that such a scandal would cripple your ability to provide Presidential leadership?
Seriously, I have no sympathy for Marianne Gingrich, Newt’s second wife. After all, her marriage to Newt was the product of the affair she was having with him while he was married to his first wife.
Payback, Marianne….
As for Gingrich, if he is the future of the GOP, then the GOP is totally screwed.
Newt’s Hypothetical answer: Given my long successful experience with adultery, I can assert with great confidence that future affairs would not in any way damage my ability to lead this country. Everyone knows I have a wandering eye and yet I can still go to work and follow my political agendas with a straight face. None of my opponents have any experience with having their affairs vetted in public and would likely be crushed by the revelations. Only I have the experience in this area to be President. Next question?
@Professor Hale
LOL
@Professor Hale
If I were one of Newt’s opponents, I would call his experience into question. After all, when he was the Speaker of the House, he was the top dog in a body that had the Constitutional responsibility for spending.
When they had the federal government shutdown in 1996, Newt had a golden opportunity to tear a page from the Reagan playbook and make the case to the American people about balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility.
Instead, he punted, giving Clinton a big stick with which to beat him, which the President in fact used.
Now, we have a budget crisis that is going to require a President to make very bold cuts that will challenge the most politically-entrenched special interests. The President will need to be someone who has a brass pair.
And yet Newt, when he had the chance, couldn’t stand up to Clinton when the stakes were lower than they will be in the next Administration.
Newt can also take credit for the mythical “balanced budget” that Clinton claims to have had. It is universally accepted as truth today.
@Professor Hale
Exactly. And yes, it is mythical, although very few commentators–or even candidates–will call BS when the claim is made.