Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, trying to explain why he cheated on his first two wives, had this to say in an interview with CBN’s David Brody:
“There’s no question at times of my life, partially driven by how passionately I felt about this country, that I worked far too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate. And what I can tell you is that when I did things that were wrong, I wasn’t trapped in situation ethics, I was doing things that were wrong, and yet, I was doing them. I found that I felt compelled to seek God’s forgiveness. Not God’s understanding, but God’s forgiveness.”
I cheated on my wife because I was working so hard for you, the American people.
Sell icky some place else Newt, we’re not buying.
March 9, 2011 at 9:18 pm
If that was an explanation and an apology that was the sorriest excuse for one I've seen in a long time. I don't think I can vote for him either, now that I've seen this.
March 9, 2011 at 9:26 pm
I am not sure if he is saying, because I was working so hard I did things that were wrong. Rather, because of his passion he drove himself quite hard while working for the country. As anyone can probably relate, when we over stress ourselves and not taking care of ourselves our defenses are usually weakened, and we fall into sin. I think he is saying that he did wrong because he was tired and stressed. It is a very slight nuance, but I think an honest one that really happens to anyone.
Does this mean I support him, probably not, but I think he is trying to be honest that he did wrong and sought forgiveness.
PJ
March 9, 2011 at 9:36 pm
I give him credit for slamming situational ethics. But, twice? Once is a tragedy. Twice is an idiot who can't learn.
March 9, 2011 at 10:54 pm
If that's how he treats his wife, how should we expect that he treat the voters?
March 9, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Why don't he simply said: "I seek for God's forgiveness"?
He made a mistake in his apology, but maybe you are taking too hard, Patrick.
March 9, 2011 at 10:57 pm
My judgement of him may be too harsh, but I just can't trust a cheater. I hope he doesn't run.
March 9, 2011 at 11:23 pm
Newt was not any religion for a long time. He wasn't baptized until after the affair with the 3rd woman and that was in 1994 when he was Baptized Baptist. In 2009 he became Catholic. So, perhaps, just perhaps, he did have a conversion of heart away from all the worldly "lusts". One can only hope for the sake of his soul. And I do agree with Anonymous at 4:26 with his explanation. However, I can't see myself saying, "President Newt." But then again, I never thought I'd be forced to say, "President Barak".
March 10, 2011 at 1:17 am
I was never, and still am not, interested in voting for Newt Gingrich. However, I disagree with your assessment of his apology. I think you are reading it the wrong way. (As Anonymous pointed out above in the 4:29 PM comment) It sounds like an off the cuff statement that isn't as clear as it could be if he edited it. But what I see him saying is 'I was working too much and too focused on politics and issues and I didn't take care of my self spiritually or my personal life."
He admits he was wrong. He asks forgiveness. Enough said.
But as I said, I was never interested in voting for him, I'm still not interested, and I doubt I ever will be interested in voting for Newt Gingrich. This statement just isn't any reason for me have any more negative an opinion of the man as a politician.
March 10, 2011 at 2:40 am
I dont see why that is so hard to understand. He said his passion was for this country. When we are a slave to our passions we do bad things. Duh. I dont understand why you think this is an excuse. This is truth.
Its as though you are looking for something to be outraged about.
-John Church
March 10, 2011 at 10:51 am
If Mr. Gingrich is the Republican candidate for Presidency, I will not cast a vote for that office.
I may countenance his ideas but not his candidacy.
He may well have repented and turned from his past weaknesses but as best we can see in our limited public view, he has not seemed to have adequately made peace/restitution with his past relationships BEFORE. Even if the annulments he received were soundly based, and Iquestion every annulment that is not granted bt the Roman Rota, the
public reality of his past should have had the consequence with him to
realize that, perhaps, he needed a hiatus from such relationships to
give appropriate deference to the public appearance (scandal) of
entering marriages on a serial basis, hence giving one a solid reason to
question his judgements and therefore his ability to lead this country.
March 10, 2011 at 1:15 pm
We are all very quick at throwing that first stone, huh? I'm not sure I agree with everyone. Besides having a conversion and actively living a Christian life, but he seems to have some principles that are sound and worth listening too. I would hate for people to judge me based on a life prior to my conversion (Okay, well I would equally hate to be looked at from after my conversion). All I am saying is that if we judge our votes based on a past, then we likely could get stuck with someone who is good at hiding his true colors. At least Mr. Gingrich has had a change of heart. Still—i would love to see Chris Christie in the office…or Jim Cavezial acting as prez.
March 10, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Anonymous said…
"We are all very quick at throwing that first stone, huh?" That was my thought exactly. As a lifelong Catholic who has made more than my share of mistakes, and continue to seek deeper conversion, I read the emphasis on the second part of his statement: "I wasn’t trapped in situation ethics, I was doing things that were wrong, and … found that I felt compelled to seek God’s forgiveness."
As for the comment "If Mr. Gingrich is the Republican candidate for Presidency, I will not cast a vote for that office." I believe Mr. Archibald has addressed that stance in the past. I hope you don't have to make that choice, but if it comes to that, I hope you will reconsider and not be complicit in the disaster that a 2nd Obama term would be.
March 10, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Patrick-I think you are approaching this from an attitude of rejection of Gingrich no matter what he says. I didn't all read this as a claim that loving his country justified adultery. In fact, he was saying the opposite. He let love of his country cause him to work too hard, and presumably neglect his family, be on the road, make him tired and perhaps more susceptible to sin than he might otherwise have been. We all know how easy it is to get our priorities messed up. He admitted it, he admitted that it was his own choice, and that it was wrong. He has since become a Catholic and seems to have had a genuine renewal. The political world may not buy it, but as Catholics I think we should understand our propensity to sin–even, and perhaps especially encouraging a man who recognizes near occasions of sin–and be glad that he has had a conversion.
March 10, 2011 at 4:20 pm
It is very possible that I will be voting none of the above. But I find the post and some of the comments lacking in Christian charity.
Newt admitted that he sinned and was in need of God's forgiveness.
We are all unfinished Christians. We are all frauds before God. We all need God's mercy.
March 10, 2011 at 5:40 pm
The need for God's mercy, does not negate long term acts which are seriously reprehensible. All we have to base our judgements on are the record. Newt's has shown seriously errant judgement. Any person who PRESUMES that unforgiveness and being judgemental means not taking this disgusting behavior into serious account, is foolish and themselves being judgemental WITH NO BASIS.
He should NOT seek office, certainly not now. He should use his knowledge and experience behind the scenes, not in the public eye.
His example is very, very damaging to every marriage and to marriage as an institution. I have little respect for him. The Church, if he was married in a Catholic one, exercized very poor judgement and insulted every person who honors their vows. I would judge it scandalous were I to find confirmation he was, indeed, married in a Catholic ceremony.
But, with the lack of quality priest today, I would not, at all, be surprised.
March 10, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Wow. So how do you guys feel about those women carrying signs that say "I regret my abortion". Weren't their past acts reprehensible? Could you vote for someone like that for President?
March 10, 2011 at 11:10 pm
Apples and oranges.
When an abortion can be undone your question can be answered.
Your indignation shows far more of an issue with unforgiveness to me,
but far be it from me to lecture an obviously perfect being.
March 11, 2011 at 12:29 am
Anonymous 6:10 PM – you took my meaning as the opposite of what I intended. Many in these comments seem to accept the idea of forgiveness in the abstract but not when it comes to Newt Gingrich. Is he a hypocrite? Are the women who regret their abortions hypocrites? People change. God is merciful. Isn't that what the church is for?
March 11, 2011 at 2:44 am
God is just.
Isn't THAT what Church is for?
When public witness and sin are manifest, of course there can be an authentic repentance but to prevent scandal it is necessary to live that remorse manifesting changed PUBLIC behavior for a significant and noticable time.
March 11, 2011 at 11:03 am
The quote given by The American Spectator left out the following:
"I do believe in a forgiving God. And I think most people, deep down in their hearts hope there’s a forgiving God."
I certainly hope God is more forgiving than many Christians.