Gingrich Explains Why He Did Global Warming Ad With Pelosi

NewsBusters.org ^ | 2008-04-23 | Noel Sheppard

[neverdem]

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich recently did a global warming ad with Nancy Pelosi that was sponsored by Nobel Laureate Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection (embedded right).

Obviously, he has taken a lot of heat -- no pun intended -- from conservatives for not only staking out a seemingly unconservative position on this controversial issue, but doing so in such a high-profile way with the likes of Pelosi and Gore.

Update: Sheppard responds to his critics at end of post.

With that in mind, Gingrich posted the following explanation [1] at his blog (emphasis added, h/t Terra Rossa [2]):

The Gingrich-Pelosi Climate Change Ad: Why I Took Part

Many of you have written to me to ask why I recently taped an advertisement with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for The Alliance for Climate Protection, a group founded by former Vice President Al Gore.

I completely understand why many of you would have questions about this, so I want to take this opportunity to explain my reasons. First of all, I want to be clear: I don't think that we have conclusive proof of global warming. And I don't think we have conclusive proof that humans are at the center of it.

But here's what we do know. There is an important debate going on right now over the right energy policy, the right environmental policy, and making sure we do the right things for our future and the future of our children and grandchildren. Conservatives are missing from this debate, and I think that's a mistake. When it comes to preserving our environment for future generations, we can't have a slogan of "Just yell no!"

I have a different view. I think it's important to be on the stage, to engage in the debate, and to communicate our position clearly. There is a big difference between left-wing environmentalism that wants higher taxes, bigger government., more bureaucracy, more regulation, more red tape, and more litigation and a Green Conservatism that wants to use science, technology, innovation, entrepreneurs, and prizes to find a way to creatively invent the kind of environmental future we all want to live in. Unless we start making the case for the latter, we're going to get the former. That's why I took part in the ad.

Frankly, I think this makes a lot of sense. After all, if conservatives aren't at this environmental bargaining table, our views will not be represented, and the left likely will be able to ram through any legislative proposals they want.

To prevent this, we've got to be involved, or we shouldn't be surprised with what results come from all this global warming hysteria.

In the end, having a brilliant mind like Gingrich's at that table appears well worth this instance of strange bedfellows.

[nmh]

Now Newt ... let’s not tell fibs and look to be excused for endorsing green socialism.

newt .....

[B Knotts]

I’m somewhat of a Newt fan, but his explanation is weak. If you grant the opposition the ability to control the terms of the debate, you are already at a disadvantage. If Newt really believes that global warming is unproven, and that, even if it is happening, human activity is not to blame, then he must make that argument at the outset.

[jws3sticks]

Sure looks like Nancy Peloski's pears

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Color Multicolor

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Price at one spot: $14,999.00

[JohnnyZ]

Newt is a has-been who had a major part in squandering the Republican Revolution.

He's full bore in favor of entitlement spending and global warming nonsense.

Newt is a drag on the GOP, part of the problem and not part of a solution.

[Dustbunny]

No I did not read his reasoning? It was after the fact.

He went on with Pelosi which turned me off. I found that unforgivable.

I am tired of Republicans kissing the butts of Democrats.

I am tired of kinder gentler and a new tone, it was a wasted effort and look where it got us.

[AC-130 Gunship]

Aaaw, ain't they cute?

Newt's kissing of socialist-Dem pie-holes like Pelosi and Hillary is soooo "bipartisan."

What a sackless sap this man has become.

[AC-130 Gunship]

"I’m somewhat of a Newt fan, but his explanation is weak."

Of course it's weak. It's a BS snowjob meant to bamboozle the conservatives who remember the Newt circa 1994. THAT Newt no longer exists in this reality.

MSNBC has a great career lined up for this political turncoat.

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[GVnana]

Yeah, I remember reading this on American Solutions.

I gave Newt a pretty hard time over the Pelosi photo. I mean, I was SCREAMING!!

[Loud Mime]

I like your wild turkey comment. I’m sad that Newt found enough drugs to appear with Pelosi.

What the hell was he thinking as the preparations for that ad went forward? He had many opportunities to back out!

[SierraWasp]

"Frankly, I think this makes a lot of sense."

Frankly, I couldn't disagree more! Gingrich did nothing to pursuade or convert the thinking of a single EnvironMentalist to return to commonsense treatment of the environment by appearing in this ad to lend support to the dominant left positions of Gore and Pelosi!!!

This lame explanation of his makes me think of a conservative Christian national leader publically reaching out and joining in with the militant Prop 8 "marchers" and trying to tell his fellow Christian conservatives that they shouldn't get upset at how the spoiled, sex obsessed preverts refuse to get it through their heads that Prop 8 was never about their "civil rights," but rather about CA's Judicial Branch overturning the voted will of the people in prior propostion 22! Then telling all of us we need to join in the perv's parades with their drum-beat in order to pursuade them of their error!!!

Gingrich has fed all of us this line before when he was ridin high and mighty, but he's got a weakness for GANG-GREEN thinking and "Big GovernMental CONservatisme" that betrays righteous, consistent, courageous and genuine commonsense conservatism!!!

He's just uncomfortable in risking a complete commitment to full conservatism with it's belief in a God-given world, with God-given rights and it's rejection of the fairytale that Earth's environment is fully in man's control and so delicate that everyone must bend to the will of the EnvironMental demigogs and look back into a return to "Born Again Paganism!!!"

[neverdem]

I don't see anyone else with Newt's genius to plot a stretegy to retake the Congress in 2010. That's why I like the idea of Newt as RNC Chief, despite his faults.

Bioterrorism’s Deadly Math - Despite billions spent, we’re not yet ready for a big attack.

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Center? What Center?

Iran Claims Successful Test of a New Solid Fuel Missile Bad news is at the link.

Some noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs, IMHO, FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.

[neverdem]

Thanks for those that read thus far. I am just working through some of this out loud and am curious what other's thoughts are. Please not to many flames. I really am just brainstorming and writing as if I am thinking to in hopes others will share too.

I want energy independence & cheap energy. Who wants pollution? Thanks for your thoughts.

[SunkenCiv]

from the "fool me once" dep't:

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich recently did a global warming ad with Nancy Pelosi that was sponsored by Nobel Laureate Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection

Oh, we already know the reason. Thanks neverdem.

[Sunnyflorida]

GW alarmists want to stop one gas: CO2. CO2 is not a toxin. It is normal and healthy.

In fact you CANNOT die from CO2 poisoning because is it not a poison.

This is about controlling the economy and the money that flows from energy production and sales in all forms.

Newt is full of crap. I heard him on Rush and he had a completely different story. All he has to do is say. “I was wrong.”

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Vanbasten]

Pitiful explanation if you ask me.

[GOP Poet]

Thanks for the post. Newt is odd in that he at times says one thing passionately and then does another (like this) that is opposite of what he so passionately and seemingly intelligently stands by. I guess now that we know he does this one can expect more of this from him, but it negates trust quickly. I think you are right all we need to do is show up at the table to say prove it and if you are so worried about alternatives why are you so against coal, nuclear, and oil drilling? This is how we need to show up at the table. Notice Newt was ‘general’ when talking about what we need to bring to the table. He listed ideals and values—which is great—but says nothing specific. Politicians.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Debate indicates refutation of another’s assertions

Where’s the debate aspect of your “debate” with pelosi, eh newt?

You’re so “brilliant”, surely you can see the lie behind man made global warming and attack that lie without appearing to give the con artists a standing by being seen at their side.

[neverdem]

In fact you CANNOT die from CO2 poisoning because is it not a poison.

Check out respiratory acidosis.

In some situations, CO2 can kill you. Normally, it doesn't.

The 1986 Lake Nyos Gas Disaster in Cameroon, West Africa