Posted on 01/17/2012 2:50:57 PM PST by VinL
At the now-controversial meeting of evangelicals at a Texas ranch, influential evangelical leader James Dobson made a strong pitch for Rick Santorum's wife — and noted that Callista Gingrich was her husband's "mistress for eight years," questioning whether that's what people want in a first lady, three sources told POLITICO.
The moment left several attendees at the confab at the Pressler ranch stunned, according to the sources.
It came on Saturday, before the group of about 150 conservatives voted on a candidate they wanted to back. On the third round of balloting, the vote went to Santorum, but Gingrich backers and other attendees have argued that the voting was done unfairly, and in a way that seemed to benefit the former Pennsylvania senator.
The meeting was initially described as an event to try to unite behind a single candidate to thwart Mitt Romney, but his representatives also ended up speaking there, and despite the third round of balloting — which took place after some Gingrich backers left, thinking the meeting had ended — broad consensus was never reached, according to multiple attendees.
"Dobson first talked about how great Santorum is," recalled one source, who had first-hand knowledge of Dobson's comment. "[He said,] 'I want to tell you that I've gotten to know Karen [Santorum] and she is just lovely. She set aside two professional careers to raise these seven children. She would make a fabulous first lady role model. And Newt Gingrich's wife, she was a mistress for eight years."
Another source confirmed the account, and said Dobson concluded the sentiment about Callista Gingrich with, "Who do you want as your first lady?"
"It was like a chill [set into] the room," said one source. Several people were offended by the comment, said another source, adding that it was noted among some participants that Callista Gingrich had only been married once.
Idiot FReepers are swallowing it whole and slamming a good Christian conservative.
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You mean you don’t think Dobson said that? Just asking.
Saying that this doesn’t sound very Christian, is probably not very Christain, I am realy disturbed that they would vote after some had left thinking the meeting was over and then claiming a “unamious desicion” but what do I know? I’m a “backslider” and probably should go to Church before commenting on the behavior of ministers. Does anyone really know what kind of relationship Callista and Newt had before they were married or are they speculating?
You saying none of them are allowed to criticize because they all have sin?
Exactly!
whew...neither her or Mitt’s Planned Parenthood local board member wife have any grounds to say jack about Callista Gingrich
good lord...
I can unequivocally say my wife never had a 6 year affair with a baby killing doc...no sir
in fact...she will not go to a OBGYN who does them...period.
Newt had an affair with Callista while he was married to his second wife Marianne.
That's pretty much common knowledge. And one of the reasons Newt was so quiet while Clinton's impeachment hearing was taking place.
I’m saying I know better than to trust Maggie Haberman, Politico, their liberal agenda, and the horse they rode in on.
I’m saying I know better than to trust Maggie Haberman, Politico, their liberal agenda, and the horse they rode in on.
Oh no! You’ve angered the Gingrich-bots! Prepare to be consumed by troll-flames!
This reads like gossip whispered by Soros trolls. It is intended to sow discord among conservatives, and we keep falling for it.
You nailed it.
Funny how many Catholic FReepers are FReaking out over this alledged attack on the third Mrs. Newt.
But any mention of Karen? Oh. No. Can’t have that. Entire threads with hundreds of replies get zotted.
Anyone who places their vote on the advice of such charlatans is no friend of mine, nor of liberty.
And they are certainly no friend of the GOP.
This is OVER THE TOP disgusting.
It’s been written that Ronald Reagan and Nancy procreated prior to marriage. If so, should Pres. Reagan not been supported by the religious community?
None-sense . This President is so odious , the folks will vote for anyone who runs against him. Most people pay no attention to these fights. When a winner is picked more will be come involved. The Bammy smack-down has yet to begin. Don't go wobbly , the real fight has yet to come.
I do not give a damn about his personal life past. What I do care about is what he will do with the country from here on out.
I don’t care what Cain did, Newt did, Perry did, Bachmann did, Romney did, Santorum or his wife did, in their past personal life.
Screw you Politico.
Did he also wonder out loud if Santorum’s wife was a virgin when she got married?
What these evangelical leaders have accomplished is solidifying a split vote and making it easier for Romney to win.
Since Pat Robertson endorsed Romney long ago, one must wonder if that wasn’t covertly exactly what they were after.
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