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 12:26 pm
I agree with you, the divorces play a role because they are a reflection on his character. If you're voting for the president of this great nation, or even the primary process, character is something that should be taken into consideration. I have divorced friends who are wonderful and solid people, I know plenty who aren't too, I don't know which one Newt falls in yet, but it's something to take into consideration when determining if he is the right person to lead our executive branch.
December 2, 2011 at 12:58 pm
I am dubious about Gingrich, although I would prefer him to Romney, for a number of reasons, including his inability to honor his vows apparently at least in his second marriage. I would certainly vote for him in a heartbeat over the ongoing disaster that is Obama, but I quite understand anyone who has considerable qualms about him based on his crash and burn first two marriages.
December 2, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Wasn't Reagan divorced?
December 2, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Reagan was divorced but I believe that his wife left him, not that he was messing around.
December 2, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Newt is living in mortal sin as long as he is having sex with his current wife …
December 2, 2011 at 2:06 pm
I'm divorced. I had the marriage annulled, and remarried. Am I now dis-qualified for office? I made a mistake. I learned from it, and my second marriage lasted 25 years (I am recently widowed).
When I read these comment threads, the phrase "…judge not, lest ye be judged…" keeps coming to mind.
December 2, 2011 at 2:09 pm
I think Santorum has more integrity in his left pinky than Newt and Mitt put together, so why do we keep pushing him out of the runnings?
December 2, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Florianus, Mr. Gingrich's two prior unions were declared null by an ecclesiastical tribunal prior to his reception into communion with the Church. This is a matter of record. I accept the judgment of the tribunal inasmuch as it is an instrument of the ordinary Magisterium of the Church. While I have some problems and questions about Mr. Gingrich, this is not one of them. "We must not call unclean what the Lord has declared clean."
December 2, 2011 at 2:17 pm
I believe in repentance, and I can believe that Newt has reformed himself. Here is what bothers me. If elected he would immediately become the most visible Catholic in United States, and arguably the world outside the Pope. It would be a great story on one hand because, as a convert, he sets a great example. On the other hand, he is a re-married person who has not had previous marriages annulled (as far as I know). Therefore he should be barred from Communion (please correct me if I am misinformed about this). We've all (rightly) criticized Pelosi, Biden, Giuliani, etc for receiving Communion, and this would be just as bad. So that does bother me. Not enough to where I wouldn't vote for him, but it does nag at me.
Again, I do not doubt the conversion of his heart. If he is truly reformed, then Hallelujah! But that doesn't mean he should freely partake of the Eucharist.
December 2, 2011 at 2:17 pm
I wouldn't doubt him on it. Many people have made mistakes in their past, regardless of what they've blamed it on. As long as they've moved past it, received forgiveness for it and are showing- through word and deed- that they've matured from their past mistakes, then why hold them to it. I'm a very pro-life advocate, pray outside abortion clinics, write my state representatives, speak out against abortion… but I've had two abortions. If, because of my two abortions, someone thought I'd try to convince a young, unmarried girl to have an abortion to make her life easier and continue her schooling, they'd be the fool, not me. (Rough analogy but if we don't want our past thrown in our face every time we do something, why do it to others, especially when it's obvious we've learned to do the right thing and changed out ways?)
December 2, 2011 at 2:18 pm
I believe Frank posted after I started typing my comment. If that is the case, then I completely take back my comment.
December 2, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Amen Fr.Frank. Thank you. If Newt and Calista were received into the Catholic Church, that means the Church determined their conversions and their marriage IS VALID. Far be it from me to stand in judgement. We shoul examine Newt on his policies as effects the future of our country, not examine his notorious past that he publically expresses regret over. Good thing Augustine isn't on the ballot. With the standard you propose he'd never have a chance.
December 2, 2011 at 2:28 pm
I am a bit of a history nut, and I learn much from reading biographies . Here is what I have learned about US presidents, the best ones have been either governors or generals. The most dictatorial ones have been professors.
Remember what we are choosing here, a man for political office, not a religious or moral leader. This is a war of culture and we should support the people who put themselves out to be attacked by the press and everyone else for being a conservative or even offering to represent conservatives. Many of these candidates, Bachman, Cain, Perry, Santorum, Newt, have had the press try to destroy them. We should be praying for them every day. They are willing to represent us and take the heat.
I have led a boring life and the most the press could get on me is that I don't
recycle, but there is no way I would put myself out there to be savaged by those vicious minions of the democrat party. Newt is my least favorite. But I find it very interesting that the press hasn't soiled Romney the way it has everyone else.
I think it would be most interesting if we elected a Catholic convert with pit bull qualities and a record of foiling democrats in congress.
I like whomever the press hates. The press doesn't hate Romney and it hates Newt.
December 2, 2011 at 2:42 pm
The fact that the MSM has given Romney their "blessing" would preclude me from voting for him. They did the same thing to McCain during the last primary and then immediately turned on him once he was the GOP candidate.
On to Mr. Gingrich. His previous marriages have been declared null and he is in communion with the church. His past, which he has repeatedly expressed regret over, is a non-issue. We all sin. Politicians and celebrities just do so with everyone watching.
having said that he's too much a political animal for me to be entirely comfortable with him.
In the primary, I've narrowed it down to Rick Santorum and Ron Paul. The fact that the media LOATHES Ron Paul is what keeps me coming back to look at him. I like a lot of what Rick Santorum says, but I'm not sure he's ready for the presidency. That and I am hesitant to put his wife and children in that kind of spotlight. The pressure on the children especially would be enormous. Ron Paul's children are adults.
Maybe that sounds odd, but I have minor children and I wouldn't want them in that fishbowl, so I'm not good with the idea of putting another person's children in that fishbowl.
December 2, 2011 at 2:53 pm
No. His political positions are bad enough that one need not address his personal life.
December 2, 2011 at 3:38 pm
You're a moron. GOD ISN'T REAL.
December 2, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Rick Santorum is obviously the best of the list, and as a Catholic, he is the only real "Catholic candidate" in a long time to run for President–which means the media hates him. Commonweal's website did a piece where they basically said he allowed his youngest who has T18 to be born just for sympathy at electiontime! Imagine saying something like that about the Chosen One?? And honestly, there is probably a decent chance BAM did some fooling around on his own during his cokehead days. But we will never hear that–even if the media has video!
Bottom line: Santorum>Gingrich>Romney>Obama
December 2, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Does anyone here know if Mr. Gingrich received Church annulments for his past marriages? He just might have! He converted to Catholicism and married a Catholic. Has anyone bothered to investigate that??
Welcome to our Church Newt–we forgive those who repent, because we,too, have sinned!
December 2, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Yes, but only because it suggests that he does not take commitments to promises seriously – and that might include those he makes to us eventually.
December 2, 2011 at 4:24 pm
My feeling is that the marriages show poor judgment in personal relationship matters.
I do believe that he has learned from it and I accept that The Church has accepted him and agree with Fr. Frank's assessment.
I understand how he could say what he did. I think he meant, hey – I put my job before my marriage and it failed as a result. (Even though both previous marriages were not valid)
The point about dictatorial professors is a good one, except that Newt has also been Speaker, and has a record of leadership and of getting things done without being a dictator. So that is in his favor.
My concern remains his judgment then. I recall him once saying that if a boat loaded with drugs was coming into this country we should sink it. Now, while I get where that is coming from, I think it is one of those "from the hip" stances he sometimes has to take back later.
Partly refreshing, partly concerning.
@Matt: I do hope you hear back on the ESCR! Very important.
@Dirtdartwife: Wow! Thank you for having the guts to share that with us. (As a former Dirtdart myself, why am I not surprised that you have some guts?) IF it were not for God's Mercy where would ANY OF US BE?!