I’m not really a Newt fan. I’ll take him over Obama, of course but I’m talking in the primary. There’s a lot about the guy that I don’t really trust. But I don’t trust Mitt either.
I like most of his stances on things although I’ve called his campaign several times asking about his stance on embryonic stem cell research for which I haven’t received a response. There’s some indication that he’s changed his mind on that one in a good way but I’m unsure. I’ll keep trying.
But something keeps popping up in my mind about Newt is that he’s been married three times. Now, if someone tells me that they’ve been married three times and divorced twice and they were involved in infidelities I’m automatically thinking this isn’t my kind of guy. I know it’s judgmental but I’m telling you the truth. I’m not saying I spit on the dude and banish him from the community but I’m thinking we ain’t gonna’ be peeps.
On top of that he says things like:
“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.”
So your passion for the country made you get a divorce? See, I thought it was your girlfriend.
But on the other hand as a Catholic I believe that people have the ability to change radically and quickly. My life turned around pretty quickly many years ago so I’m open to it. So how do you…process Newt’s two divorces and admitted infidelities? Do you ignore it because he could very well be a very different person now, especially with his conversion to the Catholic Church? Do you think that if your wife can’t trust you, why should I?
So I guess where I’m stuck is on not wanting to be judgmental because I have absolutely zero idea what went on in his marriage along with the possibility of his conversion. But I can’t get it into my head that it’s a complete non issue.
I’m interested in your thoughts.
December 2, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Do the divorces play a role in my decision? No.
I think he would be a terrible candidate with little chance of defeating Obama for other reasons…
December 2, 2011 at 6:02 pm
I like Newt. However, I wish he would have the insight to understand that we are rightfully getting leery of people who profess to be Catholic, but once elected, are the antithesis of what we believe. I don't think every single detail of his (or any candidate's) life needs to be completely picked apart, but this is something that does impact our decision and some clarification would seem appropriate. Knowing this, it would be helpful and would say a lot if he would "proactively" address these concerns, and preferably not via the MSM, who will just be looking for anything they can scandalize.
December 3, 2011 at 12:39 am
I'm more concerned about the idea of someone claiming to be pro-life and pitching orphanages as preferable to supporting families living in poverty through TANF. Teddy Roosevelt was more progressive than that. As if kids living in poverty don't suffer enough. Seriously, Newt?
December 3, 2011 at 3:00 am
Newt on why he wanted a divorce from Jackie (the wife who paid his way through grad school): "She's not young enough or pretty enough to be the wife of a President. And besides, she has cancer."
Source: Katharine Q. Seelye. "Gingrich's Life: The Complications and Ideals." NYTimes.com 11/24/1994.
December 3, 2011 at 5:03 am
Since Newt's first wife didn't have cancer, I seriously doubt he said the above quote from the NYTimes. As for me, John McCain in the last election said of his affair on his first wife, that he was wrong and it was the biggest regret of his life. That is what I like to hear. I cringe when cheats don't take responsibility for their actions. If he said, I was wrong. I regret it. That plus the fact that the church has accepted him would make me feel better. It is the Clinton, "it depends on what the definition of is, is" that makes me vomit. If you made a huge mistake, take responsibility and admit your mistake. That would go a lot further in my book.
December 3, 2011 at 11:13 am
Well, by the reasoning of most of the Newt supporters here, you might as well vote for Obama. He's made mistakes, but we all sin, right? By that measure Obamas a great Catholic! Oh wait, he hasn't said he repents yet. Soon as he does, he's your man! Idiocy!
December 4, 2011 at 12:41 am
Regardless of his conversion, the public realities of his two divorces does damage to ALL marriagesl that, for me, cannot be swept under the rug through claiming they were "null".
Having survived the twelve year hell of the annulment process in both the United States and in Rome, where I defended a valid marriage that ultimately was upheld, I have seen the frailty of "pastoral" application of canon law and the horrendous damage it inflicts that NEVER, EVER ends, even when the Church itself has determined that it can find insufficient evidence to conclude that a marriage is null. The real damage is done early in the process and is only reinforced, the longer the process of appeals takes, when there has been a real sacrament involved.
I cannot bring myself to vote for Newt unless he separates himself from his present love interest and lives, for the rest of his life, apart from her, even if their's is a valid marriage. For me, an authentic respect for all marriages and the overriding good of the institution, calls for such behavior in order to encourage the proper respect for marriage, so lacking even among those adminstering canon law and catholic pastoral practices respecting marriage, and in view of his very public "private" life.
It is preposterous to think that what one does "behind closed doors"
is of no importance with respect to the character of a person seeking the presidency of the U.S. and who calls himself a Catholic.
God bless Mr. Gingrich and all those with who he has had civil marriages with. May the behavior of each of them take into consideration what is owed, in justice on all accounts, to each other and, very importantly, to society at large.
Karl
December 4, 2011 at 2:43 am
The Catholic Church does not recognize divorce or Newt's first two "marriages".
December 4, 2011 at 3:12 am
@Anonymous 10:38: Atheists eat God's bread, then deny that God put the sun in the heaven, sent the rain to water the earth and made the wheat seed germinate. Then the atheists eat God's bread.
December 5, 2011 at 4:39 am
No He and we are CATHOLIC and he and I and maybe you go to Confession Sins forgiven are wiped from the mind of God.
Oh, yea we are not very good at being as Christian as Jesus
So His faults confessed and not re-tried are GONE, at least for me.
December 6, 2011 at 4:09 am
One divorce, maybe, depending on the circumstances. Two divorces, no. We are not talking venial but mortal sin with adultery. Mortal sin separates you from God. Separated from God, you have LITTLE IF ANY chance of making the moral decisions this country needs because we no longer live in an era where it is part of the culture to be Christian… i.e. making decisions to be fully human and humane. You cannot be less than heroic in your political efforts. Mortal sin will wound you mortally.
If you did not learn from the first time the seriousness of your sin, you lack the character and common sense needed to lead.
Whether or not the second mortal sin leads to hell is up to God. For prudent earthly decisions: fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me…