THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Newt Gingrich hit back at allegations of impropriety with a robust debate performance that, judging by a standing ovation it received a South Carolina audience, instantly improved his chances of winning the state’s primary on Saturday.
The former Speaker’s second wife Marianne had made headlines earlier with an ABC television interview accusing him of asking for an open marriage as he admitted a six-year affair with the congressional aide Callista, who soon became his third wife.
CNN’s moderator John King opened the 17th debate of the primary season with a direct invitation to Mr Gingrich respond to the allegation.
“I am appalled you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that,” he responded.
“Every person in here knows personal pain. Every person in here has had someone close to them go through painful things. To take an ex-wife and make it two days before the primary a significant question for a presidential campaign is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine.” » | Alex Spillius, Charleston | Friday, January 20, 2012
My comment:
Newt Gingrich has proven himself to be the bully of right-wing American politics. He has also proven himself to be without any moral or ethical anchors. Yet he has the audacity to lecture others on such matters.
What manner of man would leave his wife after being diagnosed with cancer? What manner of man would then proceed to leave his second wife after being diagnosed with MS? Then, to cap it all, he is the master of extra-marital affairs as well.
The crass way he attacked John King last evening 'for having the temerity' to ask him such a "despicable" question about his infidelities shows nothing but a man in desperation. He is desperate to get to the White House, as he obviously has been all of his adult life. He dumped on his first wife because she would clearly have been unable to accompany him on his journey there; he dumped on his second wife for a similar reason. This shows he had no real love of either. Once it became clear to him that they were not First Lady material, he was off.
Is this the kind of man the Americans need to lead them through the morass they now find themselves in?
After 9/11, I dare say that Newt Gingrich would have been a good choice for president. More than ten years on, I doubt that. I fear that if Gingrich is selected to represent the Republicans in the race to the White House, the Americans – and all of us, actually – will be in for a very rough ride. This candidate is gung-ho. He will lead America to more wars that it can ill afford. – © Mark
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