Posted on 01/19/2012 9:06:36 AM PST by SeekAndFind
In response to the Drudge Report’s scoop about Marianne Gingrich’s interview with ABC News, Bob Walker, a senior Gingrich adviser, tells National Review Online that the campaign will fight back. “It is pretty nasty to use personal tragedy for political exploitation,” he says. “That was a very bitter divorce, and you’re talking about somebody who is still, probably, very bitter.”
Beyond Walker, several sources close to the Gingrich campaign agree on the merits, but predict that Gingrich will likely ignore the story. They tell NRO that the interview is a “retread” of an Esquire magazine article published in 2010, and that Gingrich will not respond to the broadcast, at least in any official capacity.
“He’ll answer questions from voters, he’s not running away from anything, but these are old issues from the divorce,” says one source. “He has addressed these issues before, and there is nothing new here.”
Other sources familiar with ABC’s editorial direction on the segment shrug off the newsflashes, guessing that Matt Drudge, the site’s editor, was playing up a leaked scoop, nothing more. “Marianne Gingrich’s unhappiness with how things ended is something people close to Newt have known for a long time,” says a second source. “The real response from people who know him is disappointment with Marianne for doing this, and sadness about the whole situation.”
A prolonged battle with her over quotes, or with ABC News, is likely not on the horizon. There may be concerns voiced about how certain anecdotes are presented, and about specific claims, but “Gingrich has addressed this time and time again,” says a third source. “He is out there all of the time, in all of these forums, acknowledging that he has made mistakes.”
ABC News wanted Gingrich to come on Nightline to offer a rebuttal of sorts but Gingrich’s advisers declined. “This is a sideshow, a distraction,” the third source says. “Is it helpful? No. But is it a game-changer? No.”
EDITOR’s NOTE: This post has been updated to include new reporting.
Below, Gingrich’s daughters issue a memo to ABC News:
To: ABC News Leadership
From: Kathy Lubbers, Jackie Cushman
Date: January 18, 2012
The failure of a marriage is a terrible and emotional experience for everyone involved. Anyone who has had that experience understands it is a personal tragedy filled with regrets, and sometimes differing memories of events.
We will not say anything negative about our father’s ex-wife. He has said before, privately and publicly, that he regrets any pain he may have caused in the past to people he loves.
ABC News or other campaigns may want to talk about the past, just days before an important primary election. But Newt is going to talk to the people of South Carolina about the future– about job creation, lower taxes, and about who can defeat Barack Obama by providing the sharpest contrast to his damaging, extreme liberalism. We are confident this is the conversation the people of South Carolina are interested in having.
Our father is running for President because of his grandchildren – so they can inherit the America he loves. To do that, President Obama must be defeated. And as the only candidate in the race, including Obama, who has actually helped balance the national budget, create jobs, reform welfare, and cut taxes and spending, Newt felt compelled to run – to serve his country and safeguard his grandchildren’s future.
So how come such a smart guy buys global warming bunk, takes Fannie Mae money, is in favor of health mandates and calls the Ryan plan “social engineering”?
Smart or slick?
Publicly calling her bitter is not a good move either.
He should be very vague - repeat that he has made mistakes in his life. Wish her well and acknowledge that is one vote he will likely never get.
We’ve seen Newt’s vindictive sign after Iowa - and now this ex is bringing it out too.
Newt makes me nervous with his tendency to self destruct.
He really needs to surround himself with people who will restrain him.
But Newt is such a great debater, that should wash away his stench. /s
Thank you Dr. Phil. Still tight with Oprah?
The parallels with Clinton are quite amazing.
Along with the "who cares about the past" sentiments that are so heavy today on FR.
The problem is, what’s the alternative?
The GOP has nothing.
Well I know I could count on a ringing endorsement from my X-wife! Hey...right... when pigs fly.
Great for him, Newt is forgiven, that does not make him trustworthy.
It’s amazing how Newts defenders will overlook the beam in his eye and pick apart the specks in his opponents eyes, because he is forgiven. They are all Christians (maybe not nutball Paul) and are living in a state of grace but Newt is the only one who gets a pass for everything in his past.
McCain got one from his...
WE DON'T AND NO ONE ELSE DOES EITHER. A "he said, she said" thing would never hold up in a court of law. Yet, the media is holding that court right now. They have sunk so far down they are the equivilant of the tabloids, & Jerry Springers.
There is no way that Newt can affectively counter her statements, nor should he. He has to stay the Gentleman here, just as Jane Wyman stayed the lady.
He is in the same position as many men who have been falsely accused of Sexual assault or rape. Many women are born vicious & jealous creatures, getting meaner every year.
Give Marianna time, she is self destructing before our eyes. She will have no friends, no one will associate with her after this and she is to stupid to see that the media don't care either, she thinks they are her friend? rofl.
Marianne Gingrich got what she asked for when she broke up Gingrich’s first marriage. What the heck did she expect?
What? You missed the coverage of the Democrat plant, Crybaby Boehner, attempting to huff and puff about this?
I think this is all Mitt. The Cain leaks and now Newt bomb. What will this guy do to get to be President of the USA?
Clinton issue was he lied under oath not his dalliances.
Those were between his wife and him, apparently they figured it out.
Newt as has asked for forgiveness, I beleive in redemption.
And I wonder, after breaking up Gingrich's second marriage, what does Caliste expect?
Meaning the RINO Cabal of the McCaineack's and their ilk....conservative Republicans are coming out of the wood work in support of Newt...I am sorry about Perry, a good and loyal American, Texas is lucky to have him. Fox news still wants a fight among what is left of the GOP line up...let's see now, one dud on National Security, three for the US Constitution, two for Law and Order, three against Obamacare with maybe all keeping their word to repeal it without strings, all for tax reform, all for cutting spending...two can't seem to do anything about that....what ever, Newt and Santorum glow with Americanism over Obama's Marxist colors and his disdain for the U.S. Constitution which he "swore" to protect and uphold...
Newt tried that, but the bitch woke up.
Maybe you want to go back and look at the news coverage of those days. It was not Clinton's lying that people wanted to read about and there was nothing private about it, including Clinton and his wife appearing publicly to "explain" the situation. The general public eats up this sort of sordid story whether Clinton or Gingrich.
Ummm...A $500,000 revolving credit line at Tiffany's for openers?
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