Newt is the LAST guy who should start pointing his finger around.
Seems to me like the LEADER of a movement is not the person who should start blaming people for that movement failing, when THEY were forced to resign for unethical behavior.
"when THEY were forced to resign for unethical behavior."
Wow...I rarely ever post anymore but all this bashing of people who are only pointing out the obviously absolute truth of the pubbies mistakes is really getting hard to take. I seem to recall there being around 72 charges leveled against Newt...and him being aqquitted of EVERY SINGLE ONE of them. wow...the republicans were being democrats. Nothing more...nothing less. Lets not kill the messenger. Paloma_55, I'm not just singling you out. I just need to vent after reading so many comments like yours. I just think it's time we put the blame where it lies. With the republicans for squandering all WE'VE given them because that's exactly what they did. I did my part at the polls btw, but I'll be damned if I'll put anyone down for being fed up enough to stay home. As much as I hate it, the republicans got what they deserve.
You have it backwards. The movement began failing when he left and Delay et al went for entrenched power instead of continued reform. In 1993-94 Newt and the "movement" complained about 1,500 "earmarks" in House legislation. This year alone, the GOP led House passed along 15,000 "earmarks" worth $10 billion dollars, while Tom Delay said there was no meat to cut from the budget and Senator Stevens praised his multi-million dollar bridge to nowhere, as his right. I am not sure the politically motivated "ethics" charges against Newt even begin to approach the super-expansion of the vote-buying of Congressional earmarks. There are no "ethics" charges available for such outrageous behavior, simply because the Dims want the "earmarks" system, not because it is any less politically corrupt.
He wasn't forced. He punched out on his own. Turned tail and ran.
I wish he had stayed until he was forced out. Just to send home the point that he didn't lie about it in court like the nemesis, B. (Job) Clinton.
So, do you disagree with his take the Rumsfeld should have been dumped a few weeks ago? Instead, President Bush basically lied to the American people and as much admitted it. Now, the "resignation" of Rumsfeld comes off as a concession to the new Democratic leadership.
The way he handled the Rumsfeld situation is baffling to me. I am glad at least one GOP leader had the fortitude and candor to point this out.