Bracing For Newt's Moment In The Spotlight

Perhaps we are being braced for Newt's audition as the "Anybody But Romney" candidate; Glenn and Ace link to a story from last May revising the legendary hospital vist by Newt to his wife. Ace's headline:

Gingrich's Daughter: No, My Father Did Not Visit My Mom While She Was In The Hospital For Cancer To Demand a Divorce

Hmm.  This was kicked around, mostly on the left, last May. Kevin Drum noted that the original claim, made by Mother Jones in 1984, fogged the cancer issue:

The divorce turned much of Carrollton against Gingrich. Jackie was well loved by the townspeople, who knew how hard she had worked to get him elected-as she had worked before to put him through college and raise his children. To make matters worse, Jackie had undergone surgery for cancer of the uterus during the 1978 campaign, a fact Gingrich was not loath to use in conversations or speeches that year. After the separation in 1980, she had to be operated on again, to remove another tumor. While she was still in the hospital, according to Howell, "Newt came up there with his yellow legal pad, and he had a list of things on how the divorce was going to be handled. He wanted her to sign it. She was still recovering from surgery, still sort of out of it, and he comes in with a yellow sheet of paper, handwritten, and wants her to sign it.

One might have inferred that the 1980 operation was for cancer, and it may well have been a follow-up to the 1978 cancer treatment, but there is no specific claim of cancer in 1980 made here.

Justin Elliott of Salon reprised the media treatment of this incident over the years in a March 2011 article; he summarizes the legend in his lead:

For almost three decades, Newt Gingrich has been dogged by a single devastating anecdote from his past, one that has been repeated in the national press hundreds of times and that has arguably come to define his political persona. After being elected to Congress in 1978 on a family values platform, the story goes, he visited his wife Jackie, who was in the hospital recovering from an operation for uterine cancer, and demanded that she discuss terms of their divorce.

It’s a story that, remarkably, Gingrich disputes to this day. Testament to how deeply it has reverberated, some version of the story — often rendered as Gingrich “serving divorce papers” to his wife in the hospital — has been cited in the last month alone by Slate, MSNBC, Politico, Commentary and the New York Times, among other outlets.

I would say that nicely illustrates the inaccuracies that crept into the telling of that tale.  Let's just peek at what the Times wrote - here is Jeff Zeleney in February 2011, near the end of a profile on Newt:

In 1981, he and his first wife, Jackie, divorced, and he married his second wife, Marianne, that year. In an episode often cited by his detractors, he visited Jackie in the hospital in 1980 while she was recovering from a cancer operation to discuss terms of their divorce. Mr. Gingrich disputes the account.

And the always thoughtful Gail Collins:

The most famous story about Gingrich’s failed marriages is about his first wife, Jackie, who had been Newt’s high school math teacher before he appeared at her door and suggested a new equation. Jackie was recovering from surgery for uterine cancer when her husband walked in and started talking about the terms of a divorce.

The first ex-wife gave her version to the WaPo in early 1985, as described by Salon:

“He can say that we had been talking about [a divorce] for 10 years, but the truth is that it came as a complete surprise,” says Jackie Gingrich, in a telephone interview from Carrollton. “He’s a great wordsmith … He walked out in the spring of 1980 and I returned to Georgia. By September, I went into the hospital for my third surgery. The two girls came to see me, and said Daddy is downstairs and could he come up? When he got there, he wanted to discuss the terms of the divorce while I was recovering from the surgery … To say I gave up a lot for the marriage is the understatement of the year.”

Asked if, in fact, he handled the divorce as insensitively as portrayed, Gingrich responded: “All I can say is when you’ve been talking about divorce for 11 years and you’ve gone to a marriage counselor, and the other person doesn’t want the divorce, I’m not sure there is any sensitive way to handle it.”

I'm glad to hear that the cancer part of the story was an exaggeration.  Take that out and take out the notion that Newt visited the hospital with the intention of discussing the divorce (rather than bringing the two girls), and the incident is much less ghastly.

 

 

 

Comments

[Boatbuilder]

We got our power back, at last! what did I miss?

[Stephanie]

Oh holy carp. Now I know why I've never wanted to run for office - I DID marry my high school sex Ed teacher. Seriously!

[Tom Maguire]

We got our power back, at last! what did I miss?

Texas was an out away from wrapping up the Series... And Cain seems to be having a little challenge.

[Rick Ballard]

"what did I miss?"

You didn't have an account with MF Global, did you?

[Boatbuilder]

Heh. Given my uncanny knack for bad investment decisions, I'm pleased to say I didn't.

[Danube of Thought]

Just think for a moment about the fact that, whatever may have occurred in this marital dispute three decades ago, today it is almost universally deemed crucial--even determinative--in an election that will decide the future of the United States.

Doom.

[Boatbuilder]

It's not his marriages or divorces that concern me--it's that little fling he had with Nancy Pelosi.

[HarpyLosi.]

Oh, Bb, that was just a little global warming up, but now the climate has changed.
==============

[Danube of Thought]

For those--like me--who are inclined to think that this sort of crap is something new in our politics, take heart. There is always stuff like this to remind us that we today are not unprecedentedly stupid and petty in our politics:

Perhaps the most striking example of sexual scandal in early American politics involved Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. In 1792, a convicted swindler named James Reynolds accused Hamilton of giving him money from the U.S. Treasury to speculate with in the stock market. When three members of Congress quietly investigated the charges, Hamilton admitted giving money to Reynolds, but said the funds were his own, and that he paid them to cover up an adulterous affair with Reynolds's wife, Maria. The members of Congress concluded that Hamilton's misconduct was wholly a private matter and kept it secret.

And there's a nice refresher course on it all here.

[MarkO]

"much less ghastly." Now there's a slogan. Vote for me, I'm much less ghastly.

DOOM

[MayBee]

The nyts is reporting cains accuser wont go public

[matt]

Thanks for the reminder, DoT. And it should also be noted that Jefferson and Madison, both Democrats, were extremely adept at using smear tactics, innuendo, propaganda and bald faced lies to accomplish their aims.

And all the while we have Bill "I did not have sex with that woman" Clinton, John Edwards, Barney Frank, Anthony Weiner, and Al Gore in documented, extremely tawdry and public sex scandals.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

You know, I did a little googling for the first wife (Did she actually die? The daughter's story doesn't sound like she's past tense.)

I found this:

I wonder if the cartoonist would want to rethink that now?

Yeah, I know, probably not. Being a Democrat means never having to say you're sorry.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Al Gore in documented, extremely tawdry and public sex scandals.

Now, that's not quite fair. As I recall, with Al, the scandal was that he's become the first businessman in American history to pay $500 for an outcall massage that didn't have a happy ending.

[centralcal]

Did she actually die?

Not only did she not die (the tumor was benign) but she is still very much alive today.

[Danube of Thought]

Which one of the three?

[Clarice]

Chaco, you ought to blog that..with the cartoon.

[Danube of Thought]

Chaco, you ought to send that directly to the asshole who drew it. With commentary. Annually.

And with copies to a list of addressees many of us here would be happy to help you compile.

[Jack is Back!]

Yep, a perfect cartoon deux for the New Yorker.

I can hear the Yuk-Yuks from the West Side all the way here.

[DWPittelli]

I had thought, and I bet most people still think, that Newt actually was delivering divorce papers, and the very news that he was seeking a divorce, to his wife in the hospital. Glad to hear he's not that big a cad. I still don't think he'd make a strong nominee.

But who would? All but one of the major candidates has a tendency to put his foot in his mouth. The only one who can think on his feet reasonably well is Romney, but he seems to have no core belief in conservatism, or in anything but himself.

[narciso]

that cartoonist, in the LUN

[Army of Davids]

Corzine's affair w/ the union rep he was negotiating w/ as governor of NJ.

Who says Democratic politicians aren't in bed w/ the unions.

[Danube of Thought]

Dare we hope to see Corzine appropriately frog-marched away in handcuffs?

[Rick Ballard]

DoT,

This piece lays out the potential path to Stony Lonesome for Corzine. It depends (what a surprise) on the manner in which MF Global's clients money was stolen. If another firm (JPM?) grabbed the dough (GS?), betting on a BK referee's "judgment" then Corzine may get to sleep at home.

I'd like to know whether the shortfall was actually made up by other broker dealers concerned about maintaining a "reputable market" (stop laughing) or whether Mad Ben printed up some BOzobucks to sweep the matter under the rug for a bit.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

There are now 34 members of Congress calling for Attorney General Eric Holder’s immediate resignation

[jimmyk]

Hamilton admitted giving money to Reynolds, but said the funds were his own, and that he paid them to cover up an adulterous affair with Reynolds's wife, Maria.

And, not that it makes a huge difference, but it was actually a set-up by the Reynoldses, with the plan to blackmail Hamilton, who allowed himself to get seduced by Maria. Not Hamilton's finest moment, but he confessed to his wife, and she ultimately forgave him.

[Threadkiller]

For some reason, when I Google "president", "primary", "wife", "cancer", "death", this thread comes up before any John Edwards' thread.

Must be important.

[jimmyk]

Not only did she not die (the tumor was benign) but she is still very much alive today.

The tumor was benign? So it wasn't even cancer? Or the first time it was cancer but the latter surgery was for a benign tumor?

[narciso]

As senior financial consultant Gordon Gekko once put it, MF 'was a dog with different fleas' they owed Dimon's outfit not the other way around.

[narciso]

'history doesn't repeat, but it does tend to rhyme' in the LUN

[JM Hanes]

"history doesn't repeat, but it does tend to rhyme"

You know, I've never figured out what that's actually supposed to mean.

[narciso]

patterns repeat, as do consequences of behavior.

[Threadkiller]

When you forget the past
The memory may not last
Except when a rhyme
Comes just in time
To remind of Weiner's half-mast.

[daddy]

I am in Indianapolis.

I am very tired.

I have nothing to say.

G' nite.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

“True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.”

[peter]

Texas was an out away from wrapping up the Series... And Cain seems to be having a little challenge.

funny, Mr. Bloghost

Totally OT, but a very real problem for me....

Why is the sunrise so darn late lately?

[Alice]

Sara: I wouldn't necessarily be troubled by my high school class running the country. Now, my COLLEGE class... .

[centralcal]

Dear Lord. MSNBC has hired Meghan McCain as a ???????? (analyist?). LMAO, what a perfect fit for her. A sample of her wisdom as she discusses Newt:

"I think he has a lot of other issues that all of us are very well aware of. And I would bet my career he’s not going to be our next nominee."

She would bet her career? Pray tell, what career would that be? ::eyeroll:: I am sure some of the funny guys here could describe her "career" to a "T."

[centralcal]

Correction - not an analyst, but a "contributor."

Meghan McCain: MSNBC Contributor

[Captain Hate]

What is this "our" next nominee this bird-brained twit is describing? Is this MessLSD's idea of "balance" like calling Sully a "conservative"? There should be much hilarity @ AoS on this but I particularly look forward to Tammy Bruce's take as she has skewered this spoiled brat very effectively in the past.

[peter]

Today is the third anniversary of America's Big ass mistake. It is also Laura Bush's birthday. Born on the same day was Robert Mapplethorp. So much for astrology.

[Jack is Back!]

I belong to the American Association of Museums which is not, I repeat a right-wing or leaning right organizaiton. But it is really pushing the negatives in Obama's Jobs bill which puts a huge damper on charitable giving.

If it affects AMA then it is affecting the Red Cross, American Cancer Society, et. al. Just wondering how much this is affecting the Democratic senate from expediting the votes and breaking up the bill. Different constituencies make different bed fellows. This is why tax bill bring out the best of Gucci wearoing K-Streeters.

[narciso]

They had Woodward (the son of a judge) and Mika (the grand daughter of a Czech premier)
talking about the lack of social mobility,
on MSDNC, 'zany mad cap humor'

[centralcal]

Looks like our Comedian in Chief is just cracking them up at the G20, per Politico:

"The most important aspect of our task over the next two days is to resolve the financial crisis here in Europe," Obama said, according to the pool. "I agree with him that the EU has made some important steps towards a comprehensive solution ... but here at the G-20, we're gonna have to flesh out details about how the plan will be fully and decisively implemented." And, "We also discussed the situation in Greece and how we can work to resolve that situation as well."

(The pool adds a quote Obama made about the lovely Carla Bruni: "Finally, POTUS mentioned the newborn Giulia Sarkozy and congratulated the French presidential couple. He quipped that told Sarkozy that he was confident that the baby 'inherited her mother's looks rather than her father's, which I think is an excellent thing!' Sarkozy smiled broadly but frankly, laughters in the room were on the muted side.")

[Ranger]

OT, but the breaking news is Greek PM Papandreou 'to offer to resign':

He is expected to offer a coalition government, with former Greek central banker Lucas Papademos at the helm.

Mr Papandreou himself would stand down, the BBC understands.

The Greek government was on the verge of collapse after several ministers said they did not support Mr Papandreou's plan for a referendum on the EU bailout.

I have a feeling if there is no referendum now, after it was offered, there will be blood in the streets before it is all over.

[centralcal]

From Greta's blog:

Statement from Curt Anderson - one of the candidate Perry staff who the Cain campaign thinks leaked to media -

" I’ve known Herman Cain for about 7 years. I was one of several consultants on his Senate race in 2004 and was proud to help him. I'd never heard any of these allegations until I read them in Politico, nor does anything I read in the press change my opinion that Herman is an upstanding man and a gentleman. I have great respect for Herman and his character and I would never speak ill of him, on the record or off the record. That's true today and it's not going to change."

[narciso]

A Central banker, as head of government, they really are 'rearranging the deck chairs'

[narciso]

So, this excuses it, what was the name of that trader that brought down Barings,

[Captain Hate]

He quipped that told Sarkozy that he was confident that the baby 'inherited her mother's looks rather than her father's, which I think is an excellent thing!' Sarkozy smiled broadly but frankly, laughters in the room were on the muted side."

What a worthless POS. This is what should be concentrated on (and the paragraph above that which is as brainless as anything he's previously said about financial matters in which he's much more in tune to Greece) but instead everybody is talking about a false scandal driven by the MFM dimwits.

[narciso]

"I know I put the crop report, around here,
somewhere. in the LUN

[Sue]

Texas was an out away from wrapping up the Series.

::sob:: Texas was a strike away, twice, from wrapping up the Series.

[Danube of Thought]

A fine -22 at Raz today.

[narciso]

So, anybody, think Bennett will break open the NDA 'like a pinata' and go on the 'Ginsburg tour' on Sunday, because there's nothing else of significance happening.

[Danube of Thought]

Hang on until Sunday morning, Peter. Sunrise will suddenly be an hour earlier. I'd bet my career on it.

[Ranger]

A Central banker, as head of government, they really are 'rearranging the deck chairs'

The EU really does look more and more like Yugoslavia all over again at times like these.

[Threadkiller]

Summary from the official transcript:

"Obama makes a sexist remark. [Laughter]"

[Captain Hate]

Whatever became of Ginsburg? Wasn't he a property attorney who found himself in the strange position of representing Monica? Good thing she kept that blue dress because Sid Vicious would've portrayed her as a schizzoid nympho-tramp whose eating disorder prevented an extensive career in porn.

Btw, does anybody know anything about Monica's father? I figure he had to be rolling in cash which he gladly donated in large quantities to the donks which is why his daughter was an intern who became Clenis's jizz dumpster. I wonder how it feels to throw away all that money to have your flesh and blood humiliated in front of the world. I wonder if he still contributes to the party of deviants.

[narciso]

This is the fellow, right, I'm surprised he could only get 35 K, in the LUN

[MarkO]

Sunday is a great day. It is the day when we can all literally turn back the clock.

Sing with me children.

[Sue]

Mitt not Newt is the next target.

[Neo]

In 2011, the United States Government took in $2.17 trillion but blew through $3.82 trillion – and that’s before Entitlement Armageddon shows up down the road. If you’re spending $4 trillion but only raising $2 trillion, you need to be cutting government in half or you’re not serious. Washington is not serious. Indeed, it’s far more frivolous than Athens.

[MarkO]

Mitt? What are they going to do? I suppose you think they will do an entire Broadway show mocking his religion. Silly.

[Clarice]

What's she (Meghan) contributing? Besides her over exposed bosom, that is.

[Rick Ballard]

Jefferies following MF Global?

If it wasn't for the déjà vu it might seem like a rerun. Losing two primary dealers in one week seems a bit excessive.

[Sue]

I don't know what they will say about him. But the 1st salvo at WaPo is on his flip flops over abortion.

[Porchlight]

He quipped that told Sarkozy that he was confident that the baby 'inherited her mother's looks rather than her father's, which I think is an excellent thing!'

A lamer joke cannot be imagined. I can't believe this guy ever had a reputation as an adept communicator.

[Threadkiller]

What Neo said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzhEzbdBzGU

For non youtubers here is the transcript:

http://mcclintock.house.gov/2011/11/back-to-basics-with-the-balanced-budget-amendment.shtml

[rse]

LUN is an excellent post on the importance of entrepreneurship and which cities and why limit it.

I found the links and importance of NYC's garment district especially fascinating.

jimmyk-you will like especially.

Well, I just got back from a breakfast at one of the fancy clubs and listened to some very prominent politicians who clearly care passionately about education and who have received terrible advice. Hurts to hear. Gave me some insights though on how to frame the conclusion.

[Thirty-two white stallions, on a red hill.]

CH, I believe he was a 'celebrity' dentist in the LA basin. Whatever that means.
===========

[Appalled]

Speaking of Newt, he does have advice for Mr. Cain. It amounts to "Shaddup and get yur story straight." Advice Newt never followed back in the day...

[Sue]

I think it is interesting that Ben at Politico is actually saying

And while George Washington may be the last successful American politician to win the White House without going sharply negative, few have managed to to attack with the stealth Obama has displayed, leaving in his wake bitter rivals who felt their complaints of foul play were falling on deaf ears as Obama moved forward not just as victor, but as avatar of a new politics of hope.

I wonder if it has dawned on him that he, and his fellow "journalists", are the reason Obama has been able to "float above the fray"? Okay, pipe down, the laughter is distracting...

[Janet]

Got an email from Soylent. He is back in Kuwait on his way to Afghanistan. A short trip to bigger bases & should be back in Virginia before Thanksgiving.
Sorry if someone has posted this already....

[jimmyk]

CH:
I wonder how it feels to throw away all that money to have your flesh and blood humiliated in front of the world. I wonder if he still contributes to the party of deviants.

Cf. Spitzer, Bernard

[Captain Hate]

Thanks Kim; that occupation would fit....

[Ranger]

Papandreou's not stepping down now, even though 4 of his own cabinet ministers oppose his plan. No wonder they fired all the top brass in the military. The temptation for a coup in the face of this political chaos has to be very strong.

[Jane]

Got an email from Soylent

I didn't know that, thanks for posting it. Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away, what is the point?

[Jane]

Gee, the market should be surging knowing that Bambi is at the G20 and planning to singlehandedly solve Greek's fiscal woes. Perhaps it involves the use of drones.

[jimmyk]

Thanks, rse. I like Glaeser. I think Mayor Bing would be receptive, though whether he can overcome the unions is anyone's guess.

[Porchlight]

In 2011, the United States Government took in $2.17 trillion but blew through $3.82 trillion

It's only November 3rd. I'm sure we're not done spending yet.

[narciso]

That teaches me to rely on CNBC,

http://blogs.wsj.com/source/2011/11/03/papandreous-last-stand/

[rse]

Hopefully soylent is doing things that will make it safer for our young men and women already over there or soon to be dispatched.

Godspeed.

[Captain Hate]

Thanksgiving is 2 3 weeks away

[Clarice]

I didn't post about Soylent because he really doesn't want his family to know and worry. If his dad should email any of his friends, mum's the word.

[jimmyk]

A lamer joke cannot be imagined.

Typical Obama--what someone might say about himself in a self-deprecating way, he says about someone else.

[Porchlight]

Typical Obama--what someone might say about himself in a self-deprecating way, he says about someone else.

Yes! Exactly! Good catch.

[Captain Hate]

Obama is more classless than anybody ever in the White House, including Clinton. He rarely makes a gracious comment about somebody that doesn't contain some snarky component that brings shame on the office and the nation.

[Cecil Turner]

Advice Newt never followed back in the day...

It's a little hard to "shaddup" when your title is "Speaker."

Beyond that, most of the criticism of Newt's personal life is a lame attempt at a hypocrisy charge vis-a-vis Clinton. It fails on two main levels: 1) the worst interpretation of Newt's divorce handling does not involve BJs in the Oval Office, hitting on employees, or having sex with an intern; and, 2) there's no lying under oath, or any other sort of official misconduct even alleged.

It's part and parcel of the leftists' attempts to portray Clinton's political survival as vindication, rather than people protecting their pocketbooks in a tumultuous time, and is dependent on the interpretation that it was just about sex, rather than abuse of office at the highest level.

Bottom line is that the Dems have lowered the bar on sexual harassment to the point a snake couldn't slither underneath it, with the active assistance of the media, and I'm not buying any attempt to pretend that it's all evenhanded treatment or that "they all do it."

[Ranger]

Hmmmm... I'm starting to wonder if Papandreou's goal isn't to foment so much unrest that it actually sparks a violent uprising against the government.

BTW, I thought the entire point behind the EU was to prevent this kind of political and economic instability.

[Porchlight]

LUN is an excellent post on the importance of entrepreneurship and which cities and why limit it.

Thanks for that link, rse. Even before clicking I could guess that it would be from City Journal.

[narciso]

As they say 'projection is what's for dinner'
Edwards did, what Newt was accused of doing,
and then some. and he came quite close to a cabinet position,

[Janet]

I didn't post about Soylent because he really doesn't want his family to know and worry.

Oh, I'm sorry. The email didn't say anything about that...I didn't know.

[narciso]

That is a very dangerous game to play, Ranger, in the LUN

[centralcal]

My email didn't either, Janet. I just figured all of us on the Soylent packages email list got the same message. Thanks, Clarice, for the head's up.

[Jane]

Didn't Anita Dunn say the whitehouse is a hotbed of sexual harrassment?

[Sue]

And the White House is betting that Obama’s brand is, at this point, fixed, and immune from the usual blowback of negative campaigning.

How nice.

[Sue]

Jane,

I think she said it and then denied saying it.

[narciso]

And Luce is doing some kind of capoiera move,
facepalm with an octopus,

http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/11/02/firebombed-french-paper-a-victim-of-islamistsor-its-own-obnoxious-islamophobia/

[narciso]

Yes, but Susskind actually had the notes of the interview,

[Danube of Thought]

Obama is more classless than anybody ever in the White House

LBJ?

[Captain Hate]

Wow narc; that Crumley is a real stand-up guy, no? I look forward to him telling rape victims that they all deserved it for provoking their attackers.