Dobson decried Callista Gingrich as 'eight-year mistress' at conservative confab

Politico ^ | 1-17-12 | Haberson

[VinL]

At the now-controversial meeting of evangelicals at a Texas ranch, influential evangelical leader James Dobson made a strong pitch for Rick Santorum's wife — and noted that Callista Gingrich was her husband's "mistress for eight years," questioning whether that's what people want in a first lady, three sources told POLITICO.

The moment left several attendees at the confab at the Pressler ranch stunned, according to the sources.

It came on Saturday, before the group of about 150 conservatives voted on a candidate they wanted to back. On the third round of balloting, the vote went to Santorum, but Gingrich backers and other attendees have argued that the voting was done unfairly, and in a way that seemed to benefit the former Pennsylvania senator.

The meeting was initially described as an event to try to unite behind a single candidate to thwart Mitt Romney, but his representatives also ended up speaking there, and despite the third round of balloting — which took place after some Gingrich backers left, thinking the meeting had ended — broad consensus was never reached, according to multiple attendees.

"Dobson first talked about how great Santorum is," recalled one source, who had first-hand knowledge of Dobson's comment. "[He said,] 'I want to tell you that I've gotten to know Karen [Santorum] and she is just lovely. She set aside two professional careers to raise these seven children. She would make a fabulous first lady role model. And Newt Gingrich's wife, she was a mistress for eight years."

Another source confirmed the account, and said Dobson concluded the sentiment about Callista Gingrich with, "Who do you want as your first lady?"

"It was like a chill [set into] the room," said one source. Several people were offended by the comment, said another source, adding that it was noted among some participants that Callista Gingrich had only been married once.

[Responsibility2nd]

Really? They did? Did they have a 3 year affair - while married - for the “Good of the Country”?

If so - then yeah boy. I’ll vote for Newt for sure.

/heavy sarc

[Charles Martel]

They were at the meeting to discuss the candidates. Dr. Dobson owes NO one an a apology. It's the truth.

Oh, I'm not so sure. Fred Thompson might still be due an apology from this clown.

[Responsibility2nd]

lolol

Are you trying to get this thread pulled like the others?

lolol

[Cicero]

Oops. I’m not holding Dobson blameless, but let’s get real. A group of social conservatives and Evangelicals are having a discussion at a meeting to decide who is the best candidate for them to support.

Any such dicussion is bound to consider all the pros and cons.

Dobson didn’t go on TV and say this. He raised the point at a meeting. And why shouldn’t he? They have to consider all the negatives, because whoever gets nominated will certainly find these issues brought home to them by the press.

As several have noted, it’s not Dobson but Politico who took this public, with the ususal propaganda meme about mean Christian Conservatives.

[Coldwater Creek]

Ronald Reagan had been divorced for 4 years before marrying Nancy.

[VinL]

Uh...Freepers critique all the time.
You saying none of them are allowed to criticize because they all have sin?

*********
No. I’m saying, if what Dobson is saying is true, it has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not Calista would be a “proper” First Lady. Unless, we now decide that we shall now vet the sexual past of every First Lady prior to voting on her husband for President- and make certain that she was a virgin prior to marrying her husband.

[Hot Tabasco]

What is it with them Baptists anyway? Baker, Swaggert.....etc.

[VinL]

DIVORCED???? On my. How could we have possibly voted for him as President???

[elpadre]

Don’t shoot he messenger unless it is a lie. My question: “Is it true??”

Yes, character does count!

[Charles Martel]

As several have noted, it’s not Dobson but Politico who took this public, with the ususal propaganda meme about mean Christian Conservatives.

Yes, Dobson's comments "leaked" during the 2008 campaign, too. It's his SOP.

[LearnsFromMistakes]

I most remember Dobson saying something like ‘good parents can raise bad kids, and bad parents can raise good kids’. It took a lot of pressure off of this young father.

[elpadre]

“What is it with them Baptists anyway? Baker, Swaggert.....etc.”

Clinton

[Coldwater Creek]

Fred Thompson owes ME and the people of Tennessee for the poor job he did as our Senator.

[Coldwater Creek]

Fred Thompson owes ME and the people of Tennessee for the poor job he did as our Senator.

[2ndamendmentpa]

I doubt it - pretty lame they used word “affair”

He’s just an old boyfriend with contrasting politics.

Interesting - perhaps says something about her...in in turn Rick - but that seems a stretch. I might actually assign Mrs Santorum with higher level of awareness and understanding of the folk in that business.

Has anyone seen the “Save the Music” add featuring Mrs Gingrich? That one actually gave me pause...

[duffee]

And Newt and Callista have gone to their Church for forgiveness and absolution and have married??

[Coldwater Creek]

THANK YOU!

[true believer forever]

During a recent debate, an ABC News commentator passed a bag of stones to Republicans on stage. Every candidate, except for one,  grabbed a handful of rocks, to throw at the man they considered the sinner amongst them.  In a scene right out of, well, the Bible, Republican candidates - again and again - pelted the sinner, a great sinner, to be sure, with stones; all the while, reassuring the audience: they, the upstanding candidates, were nothing like the sinner.  Each of them, they made it clear, were more fit to the hold the office. Their sins were small, not the large sort the sinner was guilty of;  humans of quality, they.

In another scene, right out of, well, the Bible, Jesus once spoke to those with great confidence in their own goodness: "Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: `I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'

But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, `O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God."

This sinner.  Old as the Message is, it is so new and wonderful, if rightly presented, as to awaken astonishment in the weary, imperfect hearts who hear.  When babes in Christ give themselves to the Lord - justified through the Redeemer's sacrifice, brought into the family of God, begotten of the Holy Spirit - it means a great change for these. It means a Miracle.  Old things pass away; all things become new.

Only Now, just like Then – whited walls, the outside-of-the-cup crowd,  invested in the appearance of good conduct and their "core" principles,  make the Precious Savior, Bringer of Peace,  Lifter of Burdens, unapproachable, uninviting, intimidating, to sinners seeking forgiveness, desperate for a second chance.  The Rick Perrys, the Michelle Bachmanns, the Ron Pauls, the Rick Santorums and Mitt Romneys of today's world, their banners of spiritual pride waving high, keep multitudes of  sinners standing afar off, sure they are unworthy to approach the only One who can make them new.

On that stage, that night, there was not one word - not one word - from the political Christians about the miraculous saving work of Christ Jesus, sufficient to change, to make all things new, to transform the worst sinner, even Newt, into a new creature. 

America is full of sinners, who love their country, many of whom would die for it, and according to the purity test of  the republicans on stage that night, they probably couldn’t run for dog catcher.  Steve Deace sees things a little differently: sometimes the greatest sinners, "the most broken people are the ones God does the most tremendous work through." 

No one has walked a mile in Newt's shoes, except for Newt.  No one on that stage knows the crowded corners of Newt's heart.  There is only one thing every believer truly knows about Newt... he is forgiven. 

forgiven

[clashfan]

Unbelievable! First Lady is not an elected position. In fact, it is such nonsense for “The First Lady” to have any special role or duties at all.

We don’t need no stinkin’ first lady! The current one has been the last straw.

[elpadre]

Did the Roman Catholic Church allow them to marry in the Church?