Posted on 01/19/2012 9:06:36 AM PST by SeekAndFind
In response to the Drudge Report’s scoop about Marianne Gingrich’s interview with ABC News, Bob Walker, a senior Gingrich adviser, tells National Review Online that the campaign will fight back. “It is pretty nasty to use personal tragedy for political exploitation,” he says. “That was a very bitter divorce, and you’re talking about somebody who is still, probably, very bitter.”
Beyond Walker, several sources close to the Gingrich campaign agree on the merits, but predict that Gingrich will likely ignore the story. They tell NRO that the interview is a “retread” of an Esquire magazine article published in 2010, and that Gingrich will not respond to the broadcast, at least in any official capacity.
“He’ll answer questions from voters, he’s not running away from anything, but these are old issues from the divorce,” says one source. “He has addressed these issues before, and there is nothing new here.”
Other sources familiar with ABC’s editorial direction on the segment shrug off the newsflashes, guessing that Matt Drudge, the site’s editor, was playing up a leaked scoop, nothing more. “Marianne Gingrich’s unhappiness with how things ended is something people close to Newt have known for a long time,” says a second source. “The real response from people who know him is disappointment with Marianne for doing this, and sadness about the whole situation.”
A prolonged battle with her over quotes, or with ABC News, is likely not on the horizon. There may be concerns voiced about how certain anecdotes are presented, and about specific claims, but “Gingrich has addressed this time and time again,” says a third source. “He is out there all of the time, in all of these forums, acknowledging that he has made mistakes.”
ABC News wanted Gingrich to come on Nightline to offer a rebuttal of sorts but Gingrich’s advisers declined. “This is a sideshow, a distraction,” the third source says. “Is it helpful? No. But is it a game-changer? No.”
EDITOR’s NOTE: This post has been updated to include new reporting.
Below, Gingrich’s daughters issue a memo to ABC News:
To: ABC News Leadership
From: Kathy Lubbers, Jackie Cushman
Date: January 18, 2012
The failure of a marriage is a terrible and emotional experience for everyone involved. Anyone who has had that experience understands it is a personal tragedy filled with regrets, and sometimes differing memories of events.
We will not say anything negative about our father’s ex-wife. He has said before, privately and publicly, that he regrets any pain he may have caused in the past to people he loves.
ABC News or other campaigns may want to talk about the past, just days before an important primary election. But Newt is going to talk to the people of South Carolina about the future– about job creation, lower taxes, and about who can defeat Barack Obama by providing the sharpest contrast to his damaging, extreme liberalism. We are confident this is the conversation the people of South Carolina are interested in having.
Our father is running for President because of his grandchildren – so they can inherit the America he loves. To do that, President Obama must be defeated. And as the only candidate in the race, including Obama, who has actually helped balance the national budget, create jobs, reform welfare, and cut taxes and spending, Newt felt compelled to run – to serve his country and safeguard his grandchildren’s future.
It shouldn’t matter how many divorces a man has, or how many women he relationships he develops with other women while he is still married, as long as he is one of ours.
Jane Wyman kept her trap shut when Reagan was still alive.
” - - - ABC’s editorial direction - - - “
Cain was the first Georgian to be attacked by the Liberal Agenda Media, (LAM), and now that Newt is closing in on “Milk-Toast” Mitt, it is time for the LAM to attack the second Georgian. Timing is everything!
Perry dropped out today, so Paul is the last Texan standing in the way of keeping the Republican Candidates solidly from the NE USA. Pucker up Paul, as after Newt, you are next!
BTW, what is the point of voting on Super Tuesday if the Liberal Agenda Media removes who they do not want us to vote for? It is a location question: you have to live in Fly Over Country to understand.
I have not yet picked a dog in this fight - but as a Texan I am glad Perry is out!! Now about Newt, you make dozens of reasoned responses, but what about all the lying and cheating - since the campaign started. I mean this guy is antibusiness, anti equity funds, etc. etc. I mean what position has he not been against before he was found to be for it? What Fannie May or Freddie money did he take and then lie to you and me about what he was doing. This is a serial cheater...we can do better against Obama.
Exactly. it’s actually somewhat humorous to observe liberals, of all people, feigning moral outrage over sexual promiscuity. They ought to have Bill Clinton come out and comment on the matter.
In a debate with Oblunder, he could have a cardboard cutout in place, and THAT would still be smarter.
Excellent post. Newt The Arrogant is the ONLY candidate who will stand up to the Left. Our republic cannot stand another four years of zero nor a placeholder pubbie President.
Marianne’s “bitterness” is highly ironic, considering that she was the “other woman” in breaking up Newt’s first marriage.
Vultures do come home to roost, don’t they?
We all know Newt is a scumbag, so I don’t think this will change pubic perception of him.
On the other hand, how can anyone stomach the idea of plastic homebreaker Callista as First Lady?
No good guys in this trainwreck.
This is JUST LIKE the interview ABC did with Juanita Broderrick. ha!
This Gingrich divorce story has the foul smell of The Chicago Way about it! :-(
The left is pulling out all the stops now that they can see the demise of our republic so close at hand. Their relentless attacks on anyone that might shine even a weak light on their evil intentions is frightening.
The attacks on the conservatives seeking the republican nomination are a case in point. And now, just when Newt is pulling ahead of Romney again in the polls they are doing all they can to obliterate him.
We have arrived at a critical juncture, The stooge that has been set up to lose to Obama is in serious trouble.
Newt, a man with the ability to crush Obama in the general election, once again, against all odds, rises to the occasion, ready to do battle.
The RINO powerful have come to the conclusion that Obama, due to vote fraud, MSM backing, the size of his war chest, and his willingness to break any rule or law.. will prevail in November. And so they bring forth yet another weak candidate to hopefully lose gracefully and perhaps enable them to retain some power in the House and Senate and thereby maintain access to the perks of power.
Newt is a man of awesome intellectual abilities, not a perfect man, nor a humble man to be sure. But he is a man who has humbled himself before God and made his peace with his demons.
The corrupt Chicago machine seeks to exhume the corpse of Newt’s past and parade it before the electorate in a desperate attempt to destroy him before he can rout the anointed GOP nominee and in so doing become a mortal threat to Obama.
They know that Newt is a fearless warrior who will not shrink from airing the stinking load of soiled laundry that is the Obama administration. He will not be silenced, he cannot be intimidated, he stubbornly refuses to be controlled. He will say that which they dread to hear. He is their worst nightmare sprung to life.
When Newt exercised power what did he do? what were the results of what he did? Were you pleased? These are the true measure of the man.
If we fail to support Mr Gingrich at this critical time I feel we will be abandoning our one best hope to stop this nation’s slide into an immoral abyss. We will have cried out for a champion to save us, and then when God raised up a Gideon, we refused him because he was not a perfect man.
There was ever only one perfect man.....all the rest can only beg forgiveness and strive to do the best they can.
(Gideon, from the Hebrew: which means “Destroyer,” “Mighty warrior”, or “Feller of trees”)
I’d say boycott Nightline, but not many people watch network TV in the age of cable.
“He has addressed these issues before, and there is nothing new here”.
Where have I heard this before? BJ Clinton. No thanks.
This has been a street fight since Iowa. We’re talking about eye gouges, groin strikes, and choke holds. In between the eye gouging, groin striking, and choke holding, I think many of us have seen that Newt’s agenda is in alignment with ours. 100 tea party leaders have announced that they are endorsing Newt. They too have faith that Newt is the kind of street fighter we need to undo the damage done by this administration. Have faith.
From the look of her now, I’ll bet she was bitter pill when she was married to Newt. Self-hatred shows in her face.
If one doesn’t have respect for the other person... fine. To openly discuss a marriage and its failures.. you bring attention and scrutiny to yourself as well. Jane Wyman was obviously more “ladylike” and “discreet” about her private life and that should be applauded. IMHO.
Serial adulterer. I do care. So does my wife. So do people who practice family values, rather than just talk them.
No, Scythian, the GOP establishment isn’t “behind this.” Newt is.
Newt’s nastiness has been known for years, and he alone is responsible for his terrible choices of personal behavior, which is public knowledge. It’s silly to expect it to stay under the carpet in a Presidential race.
Do you seriously think it won’t be campaign fodder if he were to win the nomination? Let’s get it over with.
Newt is a flawed candidate. They all are. I want to gag when I see him with his nasty Callista.
But I’ll vote for him. I’m not looking for a saint, but someone with a good mind and a mean streak, so maybe he’s the best we can do this year. I hope he trounces both Romney and Obama.
I don’t usually believe in boycotts, and I don’t really believe this kind of pressure often works, though it sometimes does. But this time, I don’t feel I have a choice. I called them twice so far today, and am going to call back several times when I get a minute here and there during the day. I also sent a fax. They have to get the message this is not acceptable. They will do the same thing later as the campaign moves ahead. The media is just as big an enemy to Newt as is obama… we have to take action and teach them there are consequences for their actions.
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