Posted on 01/17/2012 2:50:57 PM PST by 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.
This guy Dobson is the classic holier-than-thou idiot.
He might as well be working for Obama.
Santorum (not my choice) does NOT need him in his corner.
I know I heard Santorum say how thrilled he was to get this
group’s ringing endorsement.
I love the way things are falling out.
This makes Newt once again the subject of personal attacks
by people who don’t even deserve to be part of the political
process.
Scratch Santorum off your list.
He’s become party to the get rid of Newt campaign.
He’s trading his silence for reassurance that he’ll get a
big boost from the so-called evangelical vote.
Wish this guy would just go away, and now I can’t even force myself to muster ANY affection for Santorum.
All of which should remind everyone that too many Republicans are easily misled in their moral and political judgments regarding the personal troubles of others.
First, it takes SOURCING. Second, the "affair", if any, you think you are hearing about may not be the one at issue.
Third, Democrats and their running dog lackeys make up a lot of stuff to prey on your gullibility
Fourth, Newt's first wife was 7years his senior. He was one of her students in high school. The laws then, as now, prohibit those in authority in public schools from seducing those in their charge ~ that is, their students. There's a well grounded fear that this sort of behavior can be harmful to proper emotional development ~ even to boys.
I'm not one of Dobson's big fans but I have some in laws who are. They have his magazines lying about. What can I tell those folks next time I see them and they ask me how great Dobson is, and I respond "He favors young boys be punished when they are seduced by their far older school teachers. I prefer to send those teachers to prison."
Dobson’s assertion is illogical.
Oh, I could have sworn you quoted a scripture verse about "having no sin" or something.
In any case, I don't think Dobson's point was virginity.
His point was being a mistress. Quite different things.
Do we want a former mistress in the White House? Valid question IMO. One which I would certainly expect a christian leader to be concerned about.
Incredible. Let he who is without sin...
______________________________
Does that sentiment apply to Obama also?
Jim Dobson has been an admirer of Santorum for a very long time. Santorum has consistently held positions that Dr. Dobson did. So, I would expect him to come out in support of Santorum.
However, I am a little surprised about the comment about Newt’s wife. That doesn’t strike me as something Dr. Dobson would say publically. He is getting old and no longer runs “Focus on the Family.” Maybe age is causing him to lose the ability to not say what he is thinking.
Whatever, don’t be too hard on Dr. Dobson. He has fought a long hard fight. I thought him and Newt were OK...I guess this isn’t so....IF the reports are true.
What are you talking about?
So you must be among those who cheered Dobson's defamatory "not a Christian" attack upon Thompson, then.
My understanding is yes, the married in the Catholic Church.
His point was being a mistress. Quite different things.
************
Fine. Have it your way. Any woman who has been a “mistress” in her lifetime who eventually marries a man who is running for President, is automatically disqualified from being First Lady.. and thus her husband disqualified from the Presidency. Is that your position?
The people that follow this twisted fool need to re evaluate their own thinking
I suspect it was concocted to make Dobson look hypocritical ~ and it's hypocrisy that motivates DEMOCRATS.
Remember 99.999999% of hypocrisy exists solely in the mind of the observer. Our positions over hypocrisy differentiate true Christianity from Islam ~ their prophet said it's acceptable to "Kill the Hypocrites".
Ours didn't. He said get your own affairs in order before you mess with others.
My understanding is that Calysta and Newt agreed together to straighten out their lives in accordance with the highest moral standards. I'd suggest there's plenty of room for everybody to do that.
I always thought Dobson was self righteous and a self promoter who knew how to jerk evangelicals chains for whatever purposes.
I unfortunately, encountered many like him in the 90s. It is too much power for a man to handle, and it is ultimately and almost always abused.
The people that follow this twisted fool need to re evaluate their own thinking
Yeah, and let’s knock off the hypocritical judgments about Clinton. Everybody lies about sex and he has asked forgiveness for his dalliances and received absolution from Jesse Jackson. Character doesn’t matter. Go Newt.
I would like to know when my fellow Freepers will stop giving Politico hits.
Can someone please tell me the difference between politico and the National Inquirer?
Please, please, please quit giving Politico any credibility. Conservatives, and especially FReepers need to just ignore them, because all they do is write hit pieces that divide and conquer us.
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