A Fig for Newton?

What's all the fuss about?
In the strange world outside the United States there is something called the Metric System. Found in this peculular way of measuring things is the “Newton Meter” which gauges how much torque is applied to something. In America, tonight, we also have a Newton Meter however it will be based not on the Metric System but instead, on a politician… Newton Gingrich and how much torque his ex-wife, Marianne, will apply to his candidacy with her “revelations” about their marriage.
ABC News, which has an exclusive with Marianne (along with the Washington Post), leaked the fact that they have a juicy story much the way “news” of Hermann Cain’s infidelities were “leaked” shortly before the details were aired and he dropped out of the race not long after.
We won’t concern ourselves with the particulars as to what Marianne Gingrich says happened (watch an episode of Maury Povich) but instead, we are interested in what the fallout will be.
Newt is an interesting character and yet, for politics, he is a typical one. There is no doubting his intelligence or debating skills however on the private side of his life things aren’t so positive and his need to have the last word is supreme. These character traits might be okay unless you are keen on giving advice as to how people should live and what values they should have.
Does the Contract with America ring any bells..?
Depending upon how “bad” Marianne’s revelations are (and how true they ring) Newt could very likely be done as far as being a presidential candidate goes but, knowing him, he will put up a struggle first.
And even though Liberals constantly beat the drum as to how one’s private activities should play no part in one’s public life, I somehow think few will speak up an defend Newt just as few said anything about Hermann Cain.
Mitt Romney is like Inspector Clouseau at a villan’s dinner party… his host keeps trying to kill him but somehow all the other guests are the ones accidently dropping like flies.
Rick Perry dropped out and, perhaps soon, only Mitt, Ron, and Rick (the other one) will remain.
Republicans often put themselves into a Trick Bag by going after Value Voters even though they themselves have personal lives filled with skeletons. This point is again made via the Washington Post:
“When a liberal talks about values, will he or she actually like us to teach American history?” Newt Gingrich told the women’s group. “Will they actually like young people to learn that George Washington was an ethical man? A man of standards, a man who earned the right to be father of this country?”
If the ex-Mrs. Gingrich is to be believed, Newt is not an ethical man though he preaches on the subject and has made his entire political career about that subject.
Since many Republicans don’t live up to what they preach, many Liberals are compelled to try and smear their Conservative opponents spreading rumors that they are gay, or that they were drug users, married someone involved with an abortion doctor, or stepped on a crack in the sidewalk and broke their mother’s back in the process.
Meanwhile, Democratic politicians get a pass fathering love children, driving cars off bridges with female passengers stuck inside, spending tens of thousands of dollars on hookers, or having gigolos party at their home.
I have never liked Newt Gingrich and think he’s a bad frontman for the Republican Party, particularly in a race for the presidency, but his worst enemy has always been himself and, since he’s so big on suceeding or failing on one’s own terms there should be much for him to say once his ex-wife has her say.
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3:56 AM
I don’t like Newt either, but I am not sure what effect this will have on his campaign because this is all old news. I do agree with you about the right and the value voters; part of the reason it is seen as worse when Republicans act as Newt did is the fact that they claim to be the party of family values while the left does not, so they are held to a higher standard. Of course the media has no problem with exposing them, they revel in it.
Steve Dennis recently posted..Primary news: Rick Perry drops out, Rick Santorum wins Iowa, the latest South Carolina poll, and Newt Gingrich’s personal problems
11:01 AM
I agree I think people already know what Newt is about and the fact that he is still in the race shows potential voters have chosen to ignore it (at least primary voters).
In a general election I don’t think he would do very well.
5:55 AM
I think the big issue is the fact that so many Republicans make values their platform. They get votes by espousing the virtues of clean, Christian living. So when it becomes apparent that they are total hypocrites, that’s when the liberals jump on them.
I don’t think many Democrats make ethics or moral living a part of their platform.
I’m not super religious, so I could care less about how right with God a politician is, but I do understand that certain behaviors in one’s private life often translate to one’s conduct in public life.
I think it’s pretty stupid to suggest that one’s private behavior is somehow sepparate from one’s public behavior. If a man is willing to cheat on his spouse, someone he supposedly loves and vowed to be faithful to, then why wouldn’t he cheat on some random person he’s never met, especially when he knows he can get away with it?
Jack Camwell recently posted..Responding to Fan Comments: Protecting Ravenous Wolves
11:00 AM
Well I guess there is a market for preaching so someone has to go after it.
Dan Quayle did have a point about the impact absent fathers have on raising children but the problem was he chose to attack a fictitional single mother even though her role on television was influential.
8:30 AM
I think you are right. Hippocrates don’t live up to their ideals, but at least they have standards. Liberals don’t have any standards.
edge of the sandbox recently posted..Belated Thoughts on Music Piracy
10:59 AM
My standards might be low but they’re still standards!
10:49 AM
Newton Meter! What a great analogy.
And recent overnight polling suggests that it is not having the leverage it was intended.
Dean recently posted..Helpful lessons in news item coverage
10:57 AM
I think because the “revelations” were not new the impact was less. And, also, Marianne was no girl scout herself… she cheated on Newt with wife #1 before becoming wife #2 who then lost out to wife #3.
With Hermann Cain people didn’t think he was a POS but with Newt they already know.