Well the only part of that statement that is true is later part, yes Newt has been married 3 times. The first part is not true particularly as you state it and has been explained several times both by Newt during the debates and by others. And I remember the Heritage Foundation's position on this; which is what this was in reference to. Now I did find it to be a stupid counter-argument to HillaryCare, but it was one of the main stream conservative counter arguments way back 1992-1993. Given then the constant drumbeat by the media and the
“beautiful people” that we had a “health care” crisis, which we don't (And never have had if you actually look at the numbers!) my attitude was “whatever argument it takes to stop HillaryCare! Just Stop it!!”. That was then this is now!
As far as Cain backing out goes, I think “we” were there to support him if he would have launched a counter-offensive. It looked like he was when he hired that Atlanta lawyer who has expertise in defamation of character & liable law. However he inexplicably gave up, as Palin did when she got accused by that trashy author that she had sex as a single women with a black pro basketball player.(Single women having sex..whodathunk?) You are going to say well Palin wasn't running, well she was doing a good imitation of it! In both cases they showed they didn't have the “kill the enemy, scatter their flocks and enjoy the lamentations of their women (in this case the lamentations of the gay crowd!)” attitude that is needed.
If you read Newt's supposed praise of RomneyCare in a 2006-ish article its faint praise at best, its basically kudos for thinking about a “solution”. He points out all the already existing Massachusetts healthcare laws that are potentially trouble for its success. I actually disagree with Newt on this issue I am very skeptical of the whole notion of a healthcare crisis. Just like I am huge skeptic on anything environmental. Newt has a soft spot for environmental issues and in some cases a soft head regarding it. As far as Newt's marriages go, I have already acknowledged he had the Bill Clinton immaturity problem. That's why Clinton rolled him. That is all past now, and anyway Reagan was divorced, one marriage, two marriages, three, etc. What difference does it make; the non-divorced paradigm was broken by Reagan and it is not coming back. (And yes the “public” circumstances of the Reagan divorce is different from Newt's,or so we are told ! But I wasn't there. Heck I wasn't even born, so to me it is what it is. Anyway as Christians we are supposed to forgive past transgression if the person has truly reformed. I am willing to do that and adopt a let's see if he has! As far as the other candidates go, I liked Perry initially as I did Bachman. However they moved themselves downward in my calculus by their debate performances, campaign behavior, etc. and Newt moved up. This is "political war" and I want political ruthlessness my candidate and I see that in Newt. I don't see that in anybody else. If we don't win this round the next political round will be bad bad, Third World bad!
So he was for it before he was against it. And we’re supposed to expect him to lead the charge for repeal? I just don’t see it.
” However he inexplicably gave up”
Nothing inexplicable about it. His grandchildren were getting death threats, and he believed that the only way to protect them was to bow out.
What he needed was the counsel, from the other republicans, to press on. This he did not receive. The predictable result is that those who didn’t stand behind him, are getting savaged now.
“In both cases they showed they didn’t have the “kill the enemy, scatter their flocks and enjoy the lamentations of their women attitude that is needed.”
Who does?
:I actually disagree with Newt on this issue I am very skeptical of the whole notion of a healthcare crisis.”
You are spot on this assessment. America has the best health care system in the world. Canada’s system is fraught with rationing and loss of primary caregivers due to poor compensation.
“Newt has a soft spot for environmental issues and in some cases a soft head regarding it. As far as Newt’s marriages go, I have already acknowledged he had the Bill Clinton immaturity problem. That’s why Clinton rolled him.”
And that’s why we can’t afford to hitch our ride to his wagon.
“Anyway as Christians we are supposed to forgive past transgression”
Well, the problem is that it’s not a ‘past’ transgression. Repentence would involve going back to wife number 1, but repentence is rarely preached. You must turn away from sin before one can be forgiven for it. Newt wants to have his cake and to eat it too.
“This is “political war” and I want political ruthlessness my candidate and I see that in Newt.”
What happened back in the Clinton years? I don’t see ‘ruthlessness” I see Newt having his same soft head on the crucial issues of the day. This was not present with Reagan. Reagan, had the decency to actually divorce before taking up with Nancy, for which there were many years between. Newt, would take up with someone else and then get married to them. Twice now. The pattern is completely different and indicative to me that in the cruch, you cannot count on Newt.
We can’t afford him blowing it again.