I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but Newt asking his second wife if he could sleep around on her gets even juicier — or more despicable — when you get into the details:
'[He] told her this [that he wanted an open marriage] — while mentioning divorce as an ultimatum — on the phone, while she was celebrating her mother’s 84th birthday. A day later, Gingrich delivered a speech on religion and family values, “The Demise of American Culture,” attacking liberals by claiming their policies hurt families and children. Ultimately, Gingrich divorced Marianne, who had just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and married Callista, the present Mrs. Gingrich, his third wife.'
Now, perhaps one might ask if Marianne should have been so shocked, given that Gingrich had an adulterous affair with her, and that he asked his first wife for a divorce while she was in the hospital recovering from surgery.
Regardless, though, it says something about the man beyond the whole "marriage vows / family values" thing that he would, according to her, spring this request (a) using the threat of divorce if he didn't get his way, (b) on the phone, (c) while she was at a family celebration, and that (d) he filed for the divorce just after she'd been diagnosed with MS.
Does make one wonder what sort of president he'd be.
It will be interesting to see how Newt reacts to all of this. He's previously denied the circumstances under which he asked his first wife for divorce. On the other hand, he's also admitted (or bragged) "There's no question at times in my life, partially driven by how passionately I felt about this country, that I worked too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate."
#ddtb
Reshared post from +David Badash
Are we shocked?
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Watch: Gingrich’s Second Wife Says Newt Wanted An “Open Marriage”
Newt Gingrich’s second wife says the former Speaker wanted an “open marriage” and told her this — while mentioning divorce as an ultimatum — on the phone.
One also wonders about the convenience of all this coming out at such a…..let's say strategic…time. Not to say it's not true, but why exactly is the whole thing the gospel on her say so? (Rehtorical question)
The 'convenience' factor of the whole thing has me doubting, but again, I don't know for certain either way.
And neither does anyone else save Newt and his former wife. Like you, though, I'm interested to see what his response will be if he even gives one.
I think that for his supporters (which, at this point, don't include me…but I'll take him over what we have now..) it won't make a huge difference. We've all fallen short and, well, to be honest, we all know that most politicians are full of b.s., anyway. Trying to pick the best of the worst isn't the greatest system but it's all we have for now, in my opinion.
In my mind, though, when I see these sort of stories (on either side) during campaign time, I usually don't lend them much creedence.
I agree that the timing is rather strategic. I've seen some indication that she's talked about at least some of this tale previously, but, for whatever reason, it didn't get traction at that time. And, presumably, she's not an unbiased party in question.
On the other hand, given his previous behavior, it's not at all difficult to believe.
I'm also not sanguine about giving him a pass just because "most politicians are full of b.s."
What is germane from a pol's personal life in whether they're qualified (or desirable) to hold office gets fuzzy. I think there are some behaviors that are worthwhile knowing (or at least raising), especially depending on what the person in question is saying or stumping on publicly.
So Newt is going with his strength — which is bluster and attack. So now we start seeing who can take this beyond he-said/she-said.
"Does make one wonder what sort of president he'd be."
Not at all. It confirms what sort of president I've always thought he'd be.
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't giving him a pass as much as I was mainly saying "I'm not surprised if it comes to light as being irrefutably true."