Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > December > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhen did Gingrich turn holy on us?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Michelle Goldberg at The New Republic takes note of something that has perplexed me for a while: Newt Gingrich’s wholesale embrace of the hard-core Religious Right and the issues they think important.
In his heyday back in the ’90s, the thrice-married Gingrich had a respectful but hardly close relationship with the Christian Coalition and similar groups. He was more comfortable being Newt the Science Guy, and he tended to refrain from the gay-bashing that was popular at the time, speaking instead of toleration, not condemnation.
But something changed in the last couple of years, with the ex-speaker now trying to sound holier than James Dobson even as the American mainstream moves the other way.
“Gingrich, after all, likes to imagine himself an innovator. And yet, at a time when he seems to be hoping to take advantage of Republican disarray to return to the political fray, he’s doing it in the most tired way imaginable. There he was on the O’Reilly Factor a couple of weeks ago, warning of “gay and secular fascism in this country that wants to impose its will on the rest of us.” Visitors to his website are asked to sign a petition on behalf of an issue surely disturbing the sleep of a crisis-ridden nation — insufficient references to God in the new Capitol Visitor Center….
“One has to wonder — is this really all they’ve got? …. I’d have expected some attempt to modulate the message of perpetual kulturkampf in the wake of the election results, the public disaffection of so many prominent conservative intellectuals and the cascading economic disasters threatening millions of Americans. Perhaps, though, people like Gingrich can’t imagine any other way. And so, with the defeat of Republican moderates rendering the rump GOP more right-wing than ever, he apparently sees a path to power in challenging Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee for leadership of the Elmer Gantry wing of his beaten party. Maybe he’s clueless about the future of Republicanism, but if he’s right about it, it’s hard to see what kind of future Republicanism has.”
Personally, I don’t think Gingrich harbors serious thought of major political office any longer, and for good reason. Even among his own party, he has too much baggage. In a recent poll, 48 percent of Republicans told Gallup they would NOT like to see Gingrich run for president.
Instead, Gingrich is carving himself a nice, profitable niche in the conservative market, hoping to build a base that will keep buying his books and paying his speaking fees. It’s all about the marketing.
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Comments
By "The Corporal"
December 4, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Jude
….. “In the last days there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
Maybe Newt is now in the Spirit !
By Abomi Nation
December 4, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
The Bible says adultery and remarriage is wrong. Republicans support both. Therefore, a Christian Republican is a contradiction.
By RealityKing
December 4, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Pure political theatrics…, the same old Platonian game. Perplexed??
By Paul
December 4, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
Jay
Your last paragraph. Money and power. Almost always comes down to money and power.
Abomi Nation
I’ll bet you had fun tormenting teachers when you were a kid, didn’t you?
By AJC/DNC Management
December 4, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Hey, perhaps he can also speak up on behalf of Thanksgiving Day blog posters who get booted for a week because they thought thanks should be given to God.
See, if you wait long enough, everyone will come around to your point of view.
By Citizen of the World
December 4, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Gingrich is first and foremost a historian — he holds a Ph.D. in the subject. He knows the power of God to stir the masses to blindly follow the leader.
Scary.
By "The Corporal"
December 4, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
To Abomi Nation
Ah, but you do err my son.
Technical correction:
The Bible says remarriage is wrong only if the other spouse is living. If one dies you are released to remarry.
Now, that said:
Most Christian Repuplicans believe that adultery/remarriage is wrong (sin) as is homosexual conduct or sexual relations (fornication) outside of marriage.
However, we do believe in forgiveness and restoration.
The difference is there are no “Equal Rights for Adulterers” or “Equal rights for Fornicators” organizations that we support that I know of.
By Bosch
December 4, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Maybe he’s had a stroke.
By getalife
December 4, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Newt is king and palin the queen of the wingnuts.
Should be some fun rhetoric spewed by the wingnut kooks.
Hopefully better than the private’s.
Geez.
By Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
December 4, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
The perfect gift to place under your very own Neo-con’s Christmas tree, The 2009 Sarah Palin calendar. Sarah is patriotic, uplifting, and “smokin’ hot” with a shot gun on her shoulder or wrapped in the American flag. Its my stratery to hang one of these ol’ Wyld Byll’s wall, by golly, you betcha.
http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/02503.htm
By getalife
December 4, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Speaking of adultery, diaper boy Vitter will run again.
By Bud Wiser
December 4, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
I equate Gingrich ‘finding God” with the slew of professional athletes and actors that ‘find God’ in prison.
It’s all about the money. I wish I could only market myself as successfully as Newt has, financially.
By Class of '98
December 4, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
Gingrich knows how to “stir the masses to blindly follow the leader”?
For a second, I though you were trying to descibe Obama devouts.
By Abomi Nation
December 4, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Southern Baptists have an alarming divorce rate, 55% of all their marriages end in divorce. Jesus said divorce is only allowed in cases where adultery took place. Wow, that means millions of Baptist marriages are involved in the Abomination of either adultery or the Abomination of a divorce not sanctioned by Jesus. Millions of Baptists are remarried in direct conflict with the Bible.
Adultery and unsanctioned divorce is a choice. God created Adam and Eve. Not Adam and Eve to be followed by mistress Cindy.
There certainly have been insufficient references to adultery and divorce in the Capitol. Rudy, Newt, McCain, Reagan, shame. At least Clinton never divorced.
Divorce will some day lead to people marrying animals.
By thefisherman
December 4, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Yes, a contridiction I am AN. Not quite as you descibed.., but you see, man is born evil and suddenly realizing Jesus Christ’s life as God’s will for man doesn’t mean you can suddenly walk on water too.
By Morningstar
December 4, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
YeGads! Some have nothing to do but read and ‘contribute,’ though worthless it may be
By @@ December 4, 2008 2:08 PM I’m wonderin’ Harry! Would those be the same smelly workers whose hard-earned tax dollars built a $621,000,000 visitor’s center
A worthless visitor’s center. I don’t know. I didn’t know; however, that it was built with UAW money. But, but, but….do we have anything for the cost? Weeeel, we don’t have the cost of the Iraq war, for which we have nothin? Huh? Huh?
Oops, maybe we do have something. A tremendous cost for the childen and grands.
By Bosch December 4, 2008 3:34 PM Since you all have mentioned it, would you agree or disagree that healtcare costs are killing business in this country?
Yes! Healthcare is killing businesses and most individuals who need health care. A universal health care plan would solve the economic problems of many companies.
Enough squabbling about but, but, but. If you don’t wish to pay somethin’ you don’t get care. Quit being a whiney-panty and be a good Christain or other devoted believer (sorry-I’m not as well informed as I should be regarding other faiths).
By Paul
December 4, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
Bud Wiser 4:42
[[I equate Gingrich ‘finding God” with the slew of professional athletes and actors that ‘find God’ in prison.]]
God was in prison?
By "The Corporal"
December 4, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
To Abomi Nation
Let’s be precise here since you are trying to be funny. The Bible doesn’t say you can’t marry an animal - only that you can’t (excuse me) “shouldn’t” have sex with it …… :o)
To Bud Wiser
There are a lot (but not all) of good, sincere, solid conversions to the Christian Faith in prison for one reason.
Maybe for the first time in your life God has your **attention. You have hit bottom and there is no way but up.
Think about it. Do you seek God when you are on easy street or when you need Him in prison, you have just lost your job or that child is near death?
Hummmmmm ………..
By Taxpayer
December 4, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
Many people have discovered and/or re-united with God while hugging their toilet also. So, perhaps Newt was just getting over a bad bottle of scotch or something. However, I tend to think as Jay. Newt is likely in need of new sources of income and he’s simply testing the water before he sits foot on it.
By @@
December 4, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
That’s no indication that Newt is experiencing a new found religion, jay. He’s always sought to protect the principles on which this nation was founded.
Judeo-Christian.
By "The Corporal"
December 4, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Most of you will not/cannot understand but this is what I think Newt is really trying to accomplish:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
By AJC/DNC Management
December 4, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Yeah, you libs were real big Newt fans when he was “secular,” I can remember the love and praise you had for him like it was just…….yesterday.
Boo hoo hoo.
Po wittle put upon wiberals, waaaaaaaa!
By Taxpayer
December 4, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Most of you will not/cannot understand but this is what I think Newt is really trying to accomplish:…
That must surely be because most of us are Democrats…Heathens…Heathen Democrats, Corporal.
By GodHatesTrash
December 4, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
Newt is one of the first Republican scum that Georgia voters foisted upon the United States, and he floated the highest.
Kkklowns like Westmoreland, Gingrey, Collins, Broun, Norwood, Kingston, Lindner, Price et. al. all slither (or slithered) down the slimy path he blazed, blah blah-ing about taxes, whining about libruls, hating on furriners, adding a touch of race-baiting when needed.
Of course Gingrich is going to try to hide his BS behind a cross and a bible. Republican yokkkels wouldn’t have it any other way.
By Mrs.Godzilla
December 4, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
Newt.
“I never met a Lizard I didn’t like, but it Newt’s case, I’ll make an exception” Famous Marxist Proverb
In a word, creepy.
By Mike
December 4, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
In case anyone didn’t read any of Bookman’s last 2,000 blog posts:
Bookman doesn’t like Republicans. His whole life is dedicated to informing us of this useless fact.
We get it, Jay. You are a really big partisan. So what? Join the club of undifferentiated partisan hacks.
By AJC/DNC Management
December 4, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
Oh my, can you imagine what would befall thee Oblahmi should one of the newly freed Gitmo detainees comes back and lights up Grand Central Station?
WASHINGTON - President-elect Obama’s advisers are crafting plans to close the Guantanamo Bay prison and prosecute terrorism suspects in the U.S. Under the plan being crafted inside Obama’s camp, some detainees would be released and others would be charged in U.S. courts, where they would receive constitutional rights and open trials.
By Ray
December 4, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
What is so different about Newt than about Edwards, Clinton, Gary Hart, Gov Spitzer, the Butt Pilot , Ted Kennedy, or any number of politicians who have displayed their integrity or lack of it for all to see. Politicians are part of the mainstream….Newt has been married three times. Lots of other people have too. Clinton chases women every chance he gets. Spitzer puts a little spice in his life. The Butt pilot solicits male prostitutes and Gary Hart gets it on a sailboat. Ted Kennedy drowns his date and gets away with it. Most of them are just like you and me, unfortunately, although we would like to hold them to a much higher standard, as we should. They are spending our money and making our laws. But don’t expect too much from them. History has not been in their corner and from the looks of how the American people feel about the Congress, it is not likely to improve.
By "The Corporal"
December 4, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Taxpayer
There are always exceptions that prove the rule. Depends on what issue you are standing for as a Democrat.
By Abomi Nation
December 4, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
What is so different Ray is that none of those people are from a party that falsely claim to be the party of “family values.”
Republicans claim to be part of the “real America.” God is supposedly a Republican. Dems are the heathens.
Until the Republicans get caught with their diapers down. Or tapping in a restroom stall. Or preaching about the evils of homosexuals in between appointments with meth and a nice “massage.” Or on 2 separate occasions leaving a sick wife to marry a mistress.
Are Republicans the party of family values or is that another myth?
By Taxpayer
December 4, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
Corporal
I’ll agree that there are many exceptions to the rules but I don’t care too much for exceptions that prove the rule. That sounds more like the outlier that got away to me. Of course, I’m just talking relative the nominal here — no absolutes.
By Abomi Nation
December 4, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Mike, maybe you should stop reading Jay’s blog. Some of us like his opinion. Just as some like Jim Wooten, or Rush Limbaugh, or Pat Buchanan, or Rachel Maddow, or Keith Olbermann, so on and so on.
I don’t agree with Jim Wooten very much. I’ve been reading his column now faithfully for 20 years. I would hate for his point of view to go away. First thing every Friday I look forward to his “free for all Friday” where he writes about many topics. I don’t feel threatened at all by his highly partisan rhetoric.
By "The Corporal"
December 4, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
To Abomi Nation
You left out Billy Clinton.
To Taxpayer
Humans are frail. Sometimes the more moral they try to be the harder the adversary works against them. That doesn’t change the standards - it just helps to reinforce that they should be there.
By Abomi Nation
December 4, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Corporal, Bill Clinton is not a family values Republican so of course I left him out. (I did mention his adultery in my 2nd post in this thread.)
Its amazing that Republicans, “God’s Party/Family Values,” currently have one member of the Senate that was convicted of an illegal sex act, another a recently convicted felon, and another that was a diaper wearer that hired a prostitute.
Republicans sure don’t seem to be representing God in a good, holy manner.
By scorn
December 4, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure what “AJC/DNC” is talking about…I never loved, nor even LIKED, Newt Gingrich. I’ve always felt like he was a hypocritical jerk. That he stood in front of the world denouncing Bill Clinton’s affair when he was in the process of divorcing wife number two (adulterous affair #1…that we know of) in order to wed wife #3 (adulterous affair #2…that we know of) struck me as…the most amazing case of “I’ve got brass balls” ever.
I suppose it never ceases to amaze me, though I suppose it should have long ago, that so many Right-wingers are so dedicated to binary thinking. I have never, ever thought that Clinton’s affair(s) were OK. I’ve always considered that part of his character reprehensible, and I really, really wished that, as leader of the Free World, he’d been able to keep it in his pants.
But he NEVER presented himself as a self-righteous Family Values paragon, while Gingrich DID and CONTINUES TO DO SO. Gingrich has the GALL to attack gays (you DO know that his own sister is a Lesbian, right? Family my a*) while actually breaking with seeming regularity one of the COMMANDMENTS he claims to uphold.
That he divorced his first wife while she was recovering from cancer just makes him MORE of a slime in my book.
I’ll still never understand why fundy types give adulterers a pass and continue to condemn gay people…I mean, if God were REALLY as worried about gays as you people want us to believe, don’t you think there would have been 11 rather than 10?
No? Really? Why am I not surprised.
By "The Corporal"
December 4, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Abomi Nation
Let’s be honest here. If we added up all the sins in Congress (both sides) it would be very interesting.
However, I am glad that you agree there is a moral standard to be upheld.
By scorn
December 4, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
However, I am glad that you agree there is a moral standard to be upheld.
Ah, a backhanded attempt to make a particular religious view of morality THE view of morality.
Now, I can’t speak for Abomi Nation, but I can speak for myself, and hopefully speak for many other progressive sorts who are spiritual rather than religious.
I won’t drag up academic theories about morality, or behavior, or culture being socially constructed…I doubt you could handle it. I WILL, however, bring up this commonly-bandied-about concept of absolute morality.
If there is ANY absolute morality that persists from culture to culture, from society to society, it’s that behavior that harms others is unacceptable.
So, yes, CORPORAL, there is an absolute morality…it just doesn’t have anything to do with Judeo-Christian beliefs.
Extra-marital affairs are immoral when the assumption of fidelity exists, because a violating party hurts the other contractual party in the relationship. They are NOT immoral if both partners agree that such relationships can exist.
I realize that these kinds of concepts are too difficult for the kind of people who gravitate to dualist religions to comprehend…after all, they need perfectly outlined strictures to tell them what is and isn’t right…no thinking required.
I think the Wiccans have it right…though their irrational belief in animistic spirits and such turns me off to the substance of their religion - If it harms none, do as you will. Seems to me that this is the ULTIMATE expression of absolute morality.
But hey, I know that you fundy Christian/Muslim types need to live in worlds of absolute order.
Bible verses quoted in 3…2…1…
By Esther Morgenstern
December 5, 2008 2:11 AM | Link to this
The last line is the most important line ” Newt is carving a niche to sell his books “. No matter how many mistresses, divorces, and other sidestepping issues the good ol’ boys can produce, there’s always the Almighty Book, gobbled up by sensation seeking, hardworking folks, and the boys laugh all the way to the bank.—-And if they can hide behind the good word, it makes them even more palatable…
By "The Corporal"
December 5, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
To Scorn
If it’s only based on culture then it’s what the culure says and it can be changed constantly.
Absolute truth exists only if there is a God.
I wish you well …………..
By williebkind
December 5, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Absolute truth? Liberals dont need no stinking Absolute truth! thats a paraphrase of a Humphrey Boggart movie.
“So, yes, CORPORAL, there is an absolute morality…it just doesn’t have anything to do with Judeo-Christian beliefs.” Yes it does, says 85% of Americans. So do you believe if you moved to my area I should change everything for you? That is like the ACLU!!