Note To Newt: Character Matters, Especially In Presidents

IBD Editorials ^ | January 20, 2012 | RUTH MARCUS

[Kaslin]

By definition, if you run for president, anything is on the table. Ask Grover Cleveland. Ask Andrew Jackson. Anything is on the table. I accept that, but I don't have to participate in the conversation."

That was Newt Gingrich, last May, when I asked him about whether intrusion into candidates' personal lives had gone too far. At the time, Gingrich's biggest headache was his Tiffany shopping habit, but Gingrich obviously had issues of sexual misconduct on his mind as well: Cleveland was assailed for allegedly having an out-of-wedlock child, Jackson for a possibly bigamous marriage.

And I thought Gingrich had it about right: When you run for president, you open yourself to the kind of searching scrutiny that a finger-pointing, voice-raised Gingrich condemned at Thursday night's debate.

"I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run for public office, and I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that," Gingrich told CNN's John King.

Gingrich, denouncing the reports from his second ex-wife as "trash" and "false," continued. "Every person in here has had someone close to them go through painful things," he said, to wild cheering from the audience.

"To take an ex-wife and make it two days before the primary a significant question in a presidential campaign is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine."

[going hot]

This, the Ruth Marcus who has been with the Washington Post since 1984 (28 years)...That Marcus?

Oh yeah, the one who had nothing but praise for all the criminal lefties infesting DC, and nothing but bewilderment and scorn for all conservatives.

Yeah, that Marcus.

Now, she talks smack regards Mr. Gingrich, and we should just walk away and vote Mitt. Rah Rah Rah, I see my errors now.

Some of you scumsuckers are forgiven, for you are truly ignorant.

Others? You go in knowing what you are doing.

You probably shave in the dark, lest you catch a glimpse of yourselves in the mirror, and double over with a stomach pains.

Or, most likely not.

[eddie willers]

With the millions of people who are qualified to be president in the USA I think it is interesting that all we have to choose from are a communist who might not be qualified, a ultimate politician and a serial, if forgiven by God, adulterer.
What a pity!

Well...you and Newt agree on one thing at least.

From last night's debate:

GINGRICH: I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run for public office.

[The_Media_never_lie]

We have Obama as President, and someone is concerned with Newt’s character? Give me a break!

[sport]

Bullshit! If character was an issue, neither Bill Clinton nor obama would have even been nominated, much elected.

[Cowman]

You’re asking for trouble posting that kind of stuff on FR. Newt is the new untouchable messiah around here and Newt bashing will not be tolerated

The trouble is you don't know which Newt will show up. Will it be the Newt that gave lectures on Conservatism to an empty house chamber so that CSPAN would have to air them or will it be the one who got caught on the couch with Pelosi? Will it be the Newt that advocated congressional spending limits or the Newt that has proclaimed the Roosevelts to be the best Presidents in history? If we could make sure the good, Conservative Newt was the only one who would be in the White House then I would be able to support him but the other Newt makes me very nervous.

[hinckley buzzard]

Do you think Ruth Marcus sent a "Note" to serial rapist Bill Clinton? Well do you? Moron.

[Mr. K]

yes, it does matter!

that is why Newt should release his school, college, financial and medical records including his birth certificate.

Just like Obama

[Salvation]

Newt has changed dramatically. Here are some FR links about his conversion.

Newt Gingrich: What Kind of Catholic Is He? [Born Lutheran, Turned Baptist, Now Catholic]
Newt Gingrich: America’s Next Catholic President?
Clemson Palmetto Poll finds Gingrich (38%) momentum growing, most S.C. GOP voters still uncommitted
Gingrich Threatens GOP's Chance to Nab Independents

The Evangelical Case for Newt Gingrich
Gingrich Represents New Political Era for Catholics
Gingrich Represents New Political Era for Catholics [ecumenical}
Newt Gingrich on Catholicism and JPII
Why Newt Gingrich Converted to Catholicism
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich Opens Up on Catholic Conversion and Embracing 'Overt Christianity'
Newt Gingrich on his conversion to Catholicism
Gingrich Keeps Quiet on Catholic Conversion (received into Church over the past weekend)
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich conversion details; plans release of JP2 documentary
Gingrich to Become Catholic During Easter Season
The Newt Evangelization: Gingrich to become Catholic

[citizencon]

“Character matters, specially in presidents”...except Democrat presidents, that is.

[hinckley buzzard]

Well we try to say we hold the moral high ground, christian values etc

You have a good screen name about Buddha since you obviously have no idea what Christian values are.

[Kaslin]

The state run media shoved McCain down our throat, they are trying to do the same with Romney, because they want 0bame to get reelected, so he can finish his destruction

[RitaOK]

At least Newt married his affairs. The first wife wrapped him up when he was a teenager and she was a teacher, and the second wife was pegged as unstable when she was still married to Newt. I don’t see Newt as a Casanova type, but in his past was so otherwise engaged and busy with his racing intellect that whomever insisted, he married.

Callista actually, I believe, was his FIRST real love. It shows. He is finally dedicated to her, and rather adoring of her. Marianne—not so much. We hear now that no one could really like Marianne, because she was thought unstable from the get-go, an opinion shared among the other congressional wives. Sadly, they were right, IMHO.

[South Dakota]

Yes character counts but no man I know is perfect. I am not Diogenes, but newt , ron Paul and Willard will not get my vote. By the process of elimination you can surmise who I would like....Santorium

[Kaslin]

Indeed

[phillyfanatic]

Character does count but so does repentance, forgiveness, being right with your God. He could have been a better hubby , yep. But, after all , Moses did not begin his work till 80 so perhaps, with all his brilliance, Newt is a slow learner. In ethics, morals, sin, many of us are till we found a life changing Come to Jesus moment and even then it is hard in this secular liberal amoral world. I like his fire, his solutions, his change. I will vote for him but I will vote now for anybody but Bama and the libs in Congress. I am too old to see America collapse before I do.

[katiedidit1]

Agree. Yawn. Newt has addressed this over and over. He has character. He made his peace with God and confessed his mistakes before the nation.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NEWT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[altura]

Good gosh, what’s with all the Newt bashing around here lately?

All of a sudden Newt is the villain we thought he was a year ago.

What happened to all the Newt people who made my life miserable on Perry threads. Admittedly, they weren’t quite as bad as the Cain people.

Who are all you people suddenly for? I can’t think of another attractive candidate with no flaws. Well, there was one but he’s gone.

I hope you people aren’t hoping for Santorum; he’s much less popular than Newt.

[altura]

I’ve learned some things not to do:

Don’t argue with a Catholic who thinks Newt will go to hell if he doesn’t go back to his first wife.

Don’t even say anything to a home schooler. they will chew you up and spit you out (in a nice way)

We started with a second rate slate (with one exception) and we’ve pared it down to 3. (I don’t count Ron Paul)

Of the three, I like Newt best.

I think he will work hard to beat Obama and that is ALL I ask of him right now. But, as he pointed out, we also need to elect more real conservatives to the house, enough to change the leadership, and get the senate.

Then Newt will be fine and Callista’s hair will not move an inch, ever.

[faucetman]

Here it is.

We went from not knowing about presidential indiscretions, John Kennedy, to knowing FAR too much, Bill Clinton. The pendulum is swinging back.

We don't want to know about Newt's sex life. (ooo a creepy feeling just came over me). It has NOTHING to do with him being president. Bill Clinton has forever changed that dynamic. The public doesn't want to go through anything like that again. The press, and some here on FR are trying to push this in our faces. We aren't having any. Times have CHANGED. Maybe not for the better, but changed they have. From boxers or briefs, to thongs, to BJs in the white house, to things you can do with cigars, to jizz on a blue dress. All VERY PRESIDENTIAL! Aren't we glad we know about all this?

Now comparing what Newt's disgruntled wife SAID he did to the Bill Clinton stuff, (not to mention Paula Jones, Juanita Broderick rape, Kathleen Willey grope and dead cat), seems quite tame, even IF true.

So, drop it already. No one wants to hear it and don't care about it anyway. It has already backfired BIG TIME on the press and looks to guarantee Newt a win in South Carolina and maybe the nomination. Wait...... I changed my mind. Keep it up.

[vidbizz]

I’m not looking for a candidate to have a slobbering love affair with, I’m looking for one to beatch slap Obama in the debates & general election. Newt would be the dude to go all Elin Nordegren on BO.