“Newt doesn’t have that. That’s the problem. If Newt isn’t fit to lead a prayer in your parish, then how is he fit to lead America?”
When you step in it, Ben, you step in it bigtime. Big mistake.
Newt Gingrich had an epiphany. He had to, or he would have self-destructed.
As a small child he witnessed his father beating and abusing Newt’s mother. She divorced him, remarried, and Newt was adopted by his step dad. Later he was sexually molested by a high school teacher. Yeah, the first wife he married. She asked for the divorce, not he.
This man was carrying a troubled emotional burden while serving in Congress but he sought counseling, joined AA and eventually turned his life around after a religious conversion.
What I’ve found shocking is the enormous number of so-called Christians here at Free Republic who are nothing of the sort.
Christians are not better than other people, Ben. They forgive others, ask forgiveness for themselves, and try to lead a better life by not sinning further.
I’m not disgusted with Newt Gingrich, who I believe has honestly changed his life. I’m disgusted with the bigots who claim they are Christian but do not put it into daily practice - people like YOU!
“If you really believe that Newt is not a beltway insider after 30 years there, you’re in for a bad surprise.”
Only a belt-way insider knows where all the bodies are buried.
He knows where the skeletons are hidden.
He knows about the hidden tract ways and byways by which influence peddling moves.
Gingrich is a bulldog compared to Santorum the Golden Retriever puppy.
“Newt Gingrich had an epiphany. He had to, or he would have self-destructed.”
20 years later.
“Later he was sexually molested by a high school teacher.”
Uh, he was 18 at the time when he married her. Are you suggesting that this so-called ‘alpha male’, CHOSE to marry a woman that he didn’t love as an adult wasn’t ready to take on the obligations of a family?
“She asked for the divorce, not he.”
Right, when she was being treated for Ovarian cancer and found out that Newt was cheating on her in violation of his oath to love, honor and obey. Does Newt not get this?
He married her, he chose to marry her, nobody forced him to do it, he did it and bears the consequences. He can’t turn back the clock, even if he made a mistake.
That’s what men do. They stick with their family, they don’t walk out on them, or trade them for a newer model when the old one gets worn out.
“This man was carrying a troubled emotional burden”
Right. Puhleeze. I know people who have suffered tremendously. You wouldn’t know it because they don’t make excuses.
“What I’ve found shocking is the enormous number of so-called Christians here at Free Republic who are nothing of the sort.”
Wow, there’s that moniker again. ‘So-called Christian.’. Thanks! Again, it’s a badge of honor.
“Christians are not better than other people, Ben.”
When making a decision as to the most qualified person, we look at the qualities that they do exhibit. Yes, Christians are not good persons, but we try to put good Christians into positions of leadership, so that they can serve and help those who aren’t as strong.
“They forgive others, ask forgiveness for themselves, and try to lead a better life by not sinning further.”
Forgiveness requires repentence. That would mean leaving his mistress to return to his wife. If Newt did that, I would have no problem supporting him, because it would demonstrate that he understands that what he did was wrong.
“I’m disgusted with the bigots who claim they are Christian but do not put it into daily practice - people like YOU!”
Oh. So I don’t put it into practice.
What do you know about me? Please, go on, tell us. Have I been married? How long was I married? How many children do I have? What church do I go to? How long have I attended there?
“Only a belt-way insider knows where all the bodies are buried.”
So now the argument becomes - it’s good that he’s an insider. Weren’t you just saying that he was an outsider? If I wanted an insider, I’d vote in Obama.
“Gingrich is a bulldog compared to Santorum the Golden Retriever puppy.”
Well, this ‘so-called Christian’, would rather support faithful Christians.
Well said!!!
Right ON Satin Doll:) Newt lived in an apartment above a Shell gas station. He was nearsighted as a child but he was smart. His life was not an easy street. Gingrich is a self made man but he doesn’t exploit it.
Preach it, Sister FReeper. Spot on.
That was a GOLD STAR statement, and well deserved to the addressee. Well done.