Gingrich admits -- in Spanish -- 'my word choice was poor'

CNN ^ | 5 April 2007 | "CNN" (no by-line)

[The Pack Knight]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is trying to assuage Latinos over recent comments on bilingual education by delivering a video statement -- in Spanish and English -- in which he concedes his word choice was "poor."

In the statement, posted Wednesday on YouTube, Gingrich said his comments were not an "attack" on Spanish, and he revealed he has been taking Spanish lessons "for some time now."

"I know that my Spanish is not perfect, but I am studying so it will be better," he said.

At no point does Gingrich offer an outright apology in either language.

In a speech Saturday to the National Federation of Republican Women, Gingrich said English should be the language exclusively used by government in the United States.

He also said bilingual education should be replaced with immersion in English "so people learn the common language of the country and they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto."

Gingrich's remarks, particularly his use of the word "ghetto," have drawn fire from Latino groups. While the former speaker did not directly apologize in his statement, he did concede that "my word choice was poor."

"But my point was simply this -- in the United States, it is important to speak the English language well in order to advance and have success," he said. "This is an expression of support for Latinos, not an attack on their language. I have never believed that Spanish is a language of people of low incomes, nor a language without beauty."

Gingrich also said, "It was not my intention to offend the Latino community, and I hope you accept this message in the manner in which it is being conveyed, with a sincere heart."

[The Pack Knight]

Frankly, speaking as a Gingrich supporter, I'm a little disgusted by this groveling.

What he said about not offending the Latino community is reasonable, but his original "word choice" was dead on. Having a large population that isn't even conversant in English is a serious problem, and it won't be solved by dancing around the issue with politically correct half-apologies.

Grow a backbone and stand by what you say, Newt. You were right the first time.

[The Pack Knight]

Newt ping, unfortunately.

[The Iceman Cometh]

He shouldn't have said 'ghetto'.

He should have said 'barrio'.

[Huck]

It's not just the grovelling. It's the outright lying:

"learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto."

"I have never believed that Spanish is a language of people of low incomes"

Nice try, Newt.

[Publius6961]

Frankly, speaking as a Gingrich supporter, I'm a little disgusted by this groveling.

Ditto.
Is it true?
Is it a problem?

If you're going to state the obvious, at least have enough ***** to take the heat for doing it.

Or keep your mouth shut.

[RckyRaCoCo]

el stupido

[The Pack Knight]

If you're going to state the obvious, at least have enough ***** to take the heat for doing it.

Honestly, if Hispanic immigrants are at all serious about being a part of American society, it seems like they're going to have to be shocked and offended into learning English. It may be that a white guy from Georgia is the wrong guy to do it, but it doesn't mean he should backpedal.

In the end, it'll take a prominent Hispanic to have a "Bill Cosby moment". Newt could certainly have helped that along, though, by keeping the heat up and his comments unapologetically in the news.

[The Pack Knight]

Oh, and I should add the caveat that I’m not convinced that all or even most Hispanic immigrants ARE serious about being part of American society.

[Red Badger]

LOL!!!..........Or cárcel!........

[COBOL2Java]

...I’m not convinced that all or even most Hispanic immigrants ARE serious about being part of American society.

There certainly isn't much incentive nowadays, is there? :-/

[TommyDale]

Poco loco.

[Publius6961]

It's not just the grovelling. It's the outright lying:

No so much lying as taking the easy way out: explaining the underlying premises was simply too much work, and would underscore the ignorance, not just of the underclass being addressed, but also of the general native American populace, blinded by the lethal combination of ignorance and political correctness.

I understood his statement perfectly, but in order to do so, there's a heavy burden of cultural literacy involved, both in English and Spanish.

I am embarrassed that he didn't think a proper explanation was necessary, both of the devolved current meaning of the word "ghetto", and the subtle inexactness of the current popular grasp of the word Spanish.

[Long Island Pete]

Amazing how the truth upsets people and the person speaking it has to apologize.

[TomGuy]

"...I have never believed that Spanish is a language of people of low incomes, nor a language without beauty."

That statement is just dumb.

Now, Newt is backtracking. Apology tour. Followed by 2 weeks of mandatory rehab.

[Antoninus]

Que bobo grande!

[Mannaggia l'America]

At no point does Gingrich offer an outright apology in either language.

Liberals seem to have an "apology fetish"...

[Vision]

He’s not groveling.

He’s explaining that that is an english speaking country, while not meaning to attack those who are newly arrived and yet to learn it; while welcoming them.

[Publius6961]

No need for the self derision...

[SmoothTalker]

Newt was right the first time. Sorry to see him backtracking.

[WesternMA]

Very creative way to anger both citizens and non-citizens at the same time.